…But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord .»
Joshua 24:15 ESV
Greetings Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ from the Family De La Cruz in Buenos Aires, Argentina!
Since last year, it has been the beginning of a new season for our family. As many of you know, on March 2, 2019 we traveled as a family from Valladolid, Mexico so that Paulina and I could enter the Escuela De Ministerios Vision International, the International School of Vision Ministries here in Buenos Aires. We left Mexico then because that was the time for the boys to enter their new school. We had been encouraged greatly by Dr. Ricky Paris, and had prayed continually about it, but we still had a lot of preparation to leave our jobs and life there in a very short time.
It was a long flight, both physically and emotionally. We were happy and sad at the same time to leave our friends and family in Mexico and move to South America. But God has been so good and faithful to us every single moment of this crazy adventure. We are getting to know lots of new people that have become our new family in our time here. All our strength is in the Lord and we trust only in God and what he has prepared for us, the new things in the future.
Our kids, Ted Jr. and Nathan, are meeting new people too. They played soccer last “fall”, spring to you as seasons are reversed here, you know, and entered their new school. It has been an adjustment for all of us, leaving a condo in Valladolid and moving into a fourth-floor dormitory where we have our private quarters but share a common kitchen for breakfast, lunch and dinner with some of the other students. We all share the chores, cleaning, cooking and doing other odd jobs for the 26 students we live with. My joy is fixing Sopa de Lima for all of us! There are two couples with little kids in the school and we have so much fun sharing the things we have in common. But, as you can imagine, it has been an adjustment doing all these things together with people from different places in a small space!
Our first intensive ministry introduction lasted six weeks, all very interesting, and additionally I translated the classes for some students from Nebraska and North Carolina, and it was a pleasure to do it. Since then, we have continued with more classes and ministry opportunities that are helping us continue to grow in knowledge and wonder of his faithfulness to us. Classes were in the church, about 30 minutes from where we live; we used the subway to get there. On the weekends, we had some free time to explore this big, international city but we also did mission work, serving in different churches that the Bible school works with around Buenos Aires. We know that God took us from our comfortable spots in the Yucatan—Valladolid, Xocenpich, Piste, and Merida to prepare us for ministry, to equip us with all the training and skills we will need.
Many of you have been with me for most of my life, Nelson and I growing up at the home of our parents Ulises and Femia, my mother’s work with the nursing school and clinic, my father’s ordination as a pastor, our marriage and the births of the boys, my work as a guide at Chichen Itza. We share many happy memories with the mission teams coming to Xocenpich and working with the Maya people. It is important to us for you to know what we are doing, all the changes that have been happening with our family. Please keep all of us in prayer, each one of you.
We are trusting fully in his will and have been obedient to his calling for us. All the doors are still open for us to be here, we feel secure that God has plans for us. Since we have been here, God has been using us in many ways for His Glory. When we were preparing ourselves to come to Argentina and start school, we sold many of our own things to solve some of the expenses, plus we could not bring it, and of course, we need replacements, plus clothing for a growing family. We see this nation opening the doors to receive us and teaching us this different culture—though Mexico and Argentina are both Hispanic countries, they are quite different. But step by step, we are adapting. The boys are doing well in school and fitting in, although it is funny though to hear Mexican kids using Argentinian slang! And if there is one thing all Hispanics love, it is soccer and the boys were playing twice a week.
If you would prayerfully consider helping us with our expenses as we continue with our studies and ministry, we would be grateful. But, in any case, please continue to keep us in your prayers as we keep you in ours.
With many blessings,
Familia De La Cruz,
Ted & Paulina, Tedsito, Nathan.
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