Cranberry Relish Anxiety

Every Thanksgiving in Argentina all the American missionaries get together for a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Since this is a North American holiday, all the ladies have to really make an effort to prepare food that is not particularly common in South America. One makes pumpkin pies totally from scratch. (None of that canned stuff here!) Another special orders a turkey from the butcher, only to be presented with Cornish hens the day prior to Thanksgiving. One lady goes to great expense to buy pecans for her husband's favorite pecan pie. My husband will actually pit several cups of cherries so I can make him a homemade cherry pie. The one dish that always makes me chuckle is the cranberry relish. Why? Because cranberries do not exist in this country! Most Argentines have never even heard of the fruit. However, there is always one who does her best to use substitutes to make something of a relish that tastes nothing like cranberries only because that's the way it's always been. You just can't have Thanksgiving without cranberry relish!

The other day I found myself concocting my own recipe for cranberry relish. Yes, I know it's nowhere near Thanksgiving, but it was really the same concept. As our departure date draws near for returning to Argentina, I realized that I had not taken my children for their annual birthday pictures. In fact, I was a year overdue with our oldest child. We live in the age of digital cameras - still and video, so it's not like my child was not photographed at some point during his eighth year of life. My anxiety was due to the fact that I had always taken my kids to be photographed near their birthday...that's the way it's always been. The Lord gently rebuked me by reminding me of the cranberry relish and I realized that I was actually fretting over the unimportant and I had to ask my Heavenly Father for His forgiveness. I put my focus back on all the good things that He has blessed me with. Just because it's always been a certain way doesn't mean that is God's best for our lives. So, the moral of the story is, "Don't eat fake cranberry relish when God has something much better for you."

By the way, I did get out my digital camera and the Lord gave me a great photo (even better than the pro's!) of our now nine year-old, Jaden.

May you also experience the abundant blessings found in God's grace,

Amy

The Royal Treatment

Our last month here in the States is jam-packed with meetings, especially missions conferences. I must admit we have been quite spoiled with the treatment we have received! Being good Baptists, our churches have fed us wonderful meals, of course. (We wonder if they are trying to fatten us up to feed us to the natives?) One extra special treat for Amy was when Grace Baptist in Wilmington, North Carolina took all the ladies out for a manicure and pedicure.

For the past two missions conferences the churches have had a Christian school (Grace in Wilmington and Oakwood in Anderson), so we have enjoyed speaking in the classes there - up to 6 classes a day! One time James went straight from a lesson for 12th grade Bible to K-4 Bible. Amy spoke to 10th and 11th grade girls. Our children attended classes at both schools and made sweet friends.

Oakwood Baptist Church in Anderson, South Carolina, one of our supporting churches, holds a special place in our hearts because of the special memories and friends we have from there. The first time we went to Oakwood was for their missions conference in 2004. Our daughter, Lauren, trusted in Christ as her Savior during that week one night back at the hotel. Every time she remembers her spiritual birthday she thinks of Oakwood! The next time we visited was July 2004. We got to participate in the special 4th of July festivities that day and Jaden made his very first home run.

We are now in the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas, the area where we went to language school in 2004-2005. Even though language school was grueling, God gave us a haven in our church. The English church (Faith Baptist in Palmhurst) took us on for support at that time, so we reported back there on Wednesday. The Spanish church asked us to come back and be a part of their missions conference. James will be preaching in Spanish for all 5 services. This is a great way for us to end our furlough and get our minds warmed up to Spanish again. Pray for God to work in the hearts of the hermanos at Iglesia Bautista del Valle.

March Prayer Letter

Dear Praying Friends,

“God’s work, done God’s way, will never lack God’s supply.” As we are on the home stretch, only a month away from our departure date, we are reminded that God does keep His promises. He called us to serve Him in Argentina. He called us to start a church in the city of Pilar. He will meet our needs as He sees fit in His timing. He will provide our support, a house, a meeting facility, and the people to fill it as we continue to do His work in His way. Pray with us for the remaining 10% of our support, and we will be sure to give God the glory!

We shared with you how Benjamin, the director of the local BBN radio station in Pilar, has been compiling a list of those who are seeking to be part of a fundamental Baptist church there. Praise the Lord that there are at least 20 families on that list. However, the local office recently closed, and we no longer have the radio station as an advertising tool. Benjamin must look for other work, although he and his wife are committed to full-time ministry. Please pray that the Lord will clearly guide them, especially concerning their level of involvement with the new church we will be starting.

Stateside Ministry - The Lord has given us terrific meetings during this furlough. God’s people have displayed tenderness to His Word and a willingness to do His will. Many have even expressed an interest in coming to Argentina on a mission team. Pray that the busyness of life will not distract them from the Great Commission. Also, Amy will be speaking to two classes of high school girls at a Christian school this month. Pray that God will give her the words to minister grace and He will soften the hearts of the girls.

3…2…1…Blastoff! The very first time we left for the field there was so much excitement mixed with fear of the unknown. This time there is no more fear, just excitement! Sure, we will miss our family and friends greatly; however, God is already doing great things, and we want to get started in His work!

Upcoming Events
3/1 - 3/5 – Oakwood Baptist Church, Anderson, SC
3/6 – Amy’s birthday
3/9 – Fellowship Baptist Church, Anderson, SC
3/12 – Faith Baptist Church, Palmhurst, TX
3/16 – 3/19 – Iglesia Bautista del Valle, Mission, TX
3/23 – Easter Sunday
3/28 – Jaden’s 9th birthday
4/3 – Return to Argentina!

What a mighty God we serve,
James & Amy
Jaden, Lauren, & Josiah Greenwood