Week of Miracles:

Remember, last week we mentioned that we were headed to Concepcion Del Uruguay to renew our visas? Well, I , Amy, need to back up a few days and mention that the week prior, I kept getting a nagging feeling that we needed to do something more for the visa transition. Going over the few notes that we had from prior missionaries, we decided to ask Yuca for a form letter with the ranch address on it. When we were at the immigration office a year ago, they had accepted the address we gave them without question, so we assumed it would be fine. However, with a little more investigation, we learned that we should have evidence from the police in Feliciano of our residence, and it would require a special form from police here. I talked about the process last week in the blog, but didn't mention that it was certainly inspiration to have it ready. We would not have been successful without it and would have wasted the full-time missionaries time as well.

The other miracle was that we had enough money. The fees for renewing the visa went up more than 3 times, so instead of 600 pesos each like we had been told, it was 2,000 pesos each. Using our back- up money that we carry in case we get a ticket for a traffic violation, we barely had enough.

Another issue we had was that the clerk we got to help us was new and didn't know the number of the document stating that the LDS church has permission to be in her city. The missionaries had the number for the Rosario migration office where they usually go and in Feliciano where we live but not in Concepcion Del Uruguay where the immigration office is. It took an extra hour getting the correct number. First, those who had the number were in a morning meeting, then the computers at the migration office weren't accepting the number, and we had to wait for the workers in the church office in Buenos Aires to call the immigration office and get the computer to accept it. In the end, a different number was used and we could move on to the next step.

The clerk that helped us a year ago in Concepcion was there again and remembered us. She seemed to be a little sympathetic to our long wait and when she saw that our passport pictures were US size not Argentine size of 1/2 inch smaller, and that in the picture, we were smiling (a big taboo here), it looked again like we were going to be rescheduling the trip. However, she told the full-time missionaries that next time, make sure the pictures are correct, but she would accept ours as they were this time only. What a relief as time was running out.

It was 11 AM and the banks close at noon before we had all the needed documents. We had to go to the National Bank which is the one we waited in last year for two hours and never got in so we were concerned. The missionaries dropped us off, we got a number for the long wait, we noticed that the situation was much like last year with too many people ahead of us, walked up to the enclosed cubicles of clerks, and watched for an opening. Immediately, there was a clerk waiting for the next customer who was either not paying attention or had left the bank. We went to the window and gave the man our number. He crumpled it without looking at it and began stamping our form. We had enough cash--barely and met the missionaries outside who had circled the block exactly one time waiting for us. The ride back was without incident due to the use of both their Garmin and ours otherwise, we may not have gotten back quickly because of the many one-way streets.

Once back at the immigration office, we still had another hour wait as the clerks took breaks, helped other people, and finally got around to our passports. We left the office at five minutes to one just minutes before closing for the day.

Waiting at the immigration office in Concepcion Del Uruguay with full-time missionaries from Santa Fe.




So let me back up again. Rain was predicted for Monday afternoon. It was suppose to start raining at 2 PM and the trip is 3 1/2 hours away, but needing to stop in Concordia to pick up Osmar from the hospital clinic, it was going to be a 4 hour trip. As we left the full-time missionaries and went our separate ways, it was pouring. It was suppose to rain all afternoon and evening which meant we'd have to be in a hotel for two nights in the lovely one-star Lopez Hotel in Feliciano. However, we had prayed for help and safety and felt confident that even if a bad hotel was in store for us, it would be okay, and something good would come of it.

We picked up the Espinoza's without a hitch other than terrible traffic in Concordia, and we were on our way. It was still raining heavy.

However, the closer we got to home, the less it was raining. There were puddles everywhere but the rain had stopped. We were hopeful that the roads around El Quebracho would have time to dry up enough to pass.

We noticed as we headed west, that there was a break in the clouds over the ranch. Dark rain clouds were on both sides of what appeared to be El Quebracho. Could it be that we are witnessing a tremendous blessing?  Sure enough! As we got to Feliciano and headed for the ranch, the roads were completely dry. The roads around the ranch had received no rain at all!

The Espinoza's picked up their loro (parrot) in Feliciano to bring back to the ranch. We didn't even notice it until we were part -way home and it started squawking. Maria was trying to get it to talk to us, but it was apparently too shy. (There are hundreds of parrots around the ranch. The Espinoza's had raised and tamed this one as a baby bird.)




Below is a picture of a 1959 jeep that still runs. When we say ancient, we mean it.



Tuesday and Wednesday were beautiful days with no rain. We couldn't go to Los Perales because they had been drenched like the rest of the area, but we continued to have gorgeous weather and therefore school.

We often see the animals drinking for local ponds. They are so picturesque, we had to stop for pictures.





Below is an attempt to get a picture of the sunrise--breath taking though the picture doesn't do it justice.


Vanesa finished the adult jacket that she started last week and sent me a picture. We are so glad that they carry on even when we can't get to them.



The picture below is the bridge that has continued to break apart and is a big part of the last miracle this week.




Thursday morning we had English class and computers with the kids and then took them to the public school by noon. One hour later it started to rain, so we dropped everything and got back to the school in record time. The kids came out quickly, and we headed back to their homes needing to cross the dangerous bridge above.

In those few short minutes, the road had turned into a mud slide and though in 4 wheel drive, the truck was swerving all over the road. Shortly before the bridge above, the truck went off the road, and I felt a strong impression to get the kids out of the truck and walk across. Of course the kids were excited about the adventure except for the youngest, Vale, who broke into tears. However, the rain stopped--absolutely stopped, and we walked about 1/4 mile. Gregg was able to get out of the ditch on the side of the road, got across the bridge without incidence, and caught -up to us. However, when we all piled back in, the truck began sliding again. Apparently, the extra weight did not add traction, but rather made it worse.

So, the 5 kids and I climbed out and began walking again. Gregg got out of the ditch but this time waited for us to walk to the first ranch home where Enzo lives which is about 1 mile from the school and 1/2 mile from the bridge. We asked Enzo's mom if the kids could stay with her until we got help. The kids slip-slided through her yard and out of harms way.

Just then Yuca came from the other direction not knowing what adventure we just had. He slowed down to wait for us as I closed the gate and slid to the truck. In the mean time, he too slid off the road and into the ditch. We learned a lot watching him maneuver the truck and mud to get himself set right. We then followed him back to the ranch and clued him into the situation. He was not happy, and we wished we had the language skills, and he had the time to hear the whole miraculous event.

Certainly, we were blessed and protected. The truck slid before the bridge alerting us to the dangerous road ahead. The rain stopped during our 1/2 mile walk. Gregg got across the bridge without the kids and without incidence. We got the kids to safety. We reached our home in safety. Yuca came just in time and would take the kids home later. Actually, we found out later that the kids got home by horseback. Fathers showed up for the rescue.

So there you have it...the Lord lives and loves his missionaries and will support them and ease their burdens. He loves you too. Will you look for how He blesses your lives? Will you thank Him?