Martin and Hazel Frost Our Life in Argentina

The title of this blog entry was a favorite saying, many years back of a guy called Chris, an I.T. friend. There's some truth in it. As a programmer, I have spent endless time sitting through interminable meetings, thrashing things out in front of the coffee machine or over a fag. Eventually, our minds would clear and we could throw ourselves into the code. There was nothing like the hit you got when everything finally came together.

Yesterday, I had two objectives: One was to pay Hazel's hospital bill for the year (giving us a 10% discount off the cost) and the other was to collect a laptop which a friend had brought over from the U.K. for use in Hazel's work at the Cottolengo. I thought it would be good to take a friend from Córdoba with me for the ride. Whilst I achieved my objectives not everything went to plan.

Despite having phoned my bank the night before advising them that I was going to make a large-ish transaction, my card was still blocked at the point of payment so I had to phone them (twice) to sort it out and then re-join the every growing payment queue in the hospital for the second time!

Then I went to my friends house. He had developed a severe ear infection to the extent that I did not wish to be on his left side. So, we had a little diversion via the local chemist to pick up various treatments and then to the hospital to have one of the said treatments firmly planted into his posterior. He developed an interesting limp and facial expression as a result.

Finally we set off for Villa Giardino to get the laptop stopping at La Falda for coffee and Lemon pie. (The Lemon pie is particularly good there). Whilst enjoying our refreshments I incurred a multa (fine) for parting in the wrong place. I was totally unaware that I could not park here. I had parked there before but things had changed! In fact, I'm sure all the other cars were equally unaware as well - it was not particularly clear. On top of that, there were no instructions on the form as to how I pay it or for how much it was. Merely an instruction to present myself at the Municipalidad within the next five days to make my defense. So we had another diversion around La Falda trying to find the Municipalidad. It was closed when we finally found it.

So we went on to get the laptop. This passed without incident!

However, we did have plenty of time to talk. His partner, a recent convert and pretty sharp too, has been having a few issues with the church. Last time they went there were four or five collections for tithes and offerings and the preacher took a swipe at the catholic church - the church in which she had been raised and which had taught her, in conjunction with her parents, her values. We talked about other issues too - issues we have visited many times. I asked what they were currently studying in the Bible. "We've just started out on 1 Corinthians!" came the response.

Finally, when we got back to Córdoba, we chatted over coffee.

"You do realize that all the problems we've discussed can be found in the Corinthian Church" I said. Her eyes lit up. I took just a few minutes showing them issues in the church that can be found there. "All this is not new. The majority of problems we find today in the church can be found back then as well. So we do have teaching covering these things" I added.

It was a quick impromptu study, 5-10 minutes, held standing between the hall and the bedroom. However, it gave credence to her frustrations. It was a surprise too because the approach here to bible study can be very egocentric. That is to say that everything has a direct application to all of us, be it a criticism, blessing, instruction or whatever. A little theology is applied to the worst cases of judgment that we find in the bible so that they can be ruled out.

So, we have now agreed to meet up every 2-3 weeks to go over their recent readings together. If I had done nothing more yesterday than that 10 minute bible study I would have been happy with it as a good days work. However, it could not have happened without all the faffing around with hospitals, municipalidades, English banks etc.

I think my friend was right. 90% of the work is done in 10% of the time.

This is a picture from a local Stationers window. On the Right you can see a calculator. In the centre, standing up is a can of pepper spray. To the left is a taser gun. All around are various trinkets including a car, fan, cash till etc.

Thankfully, in the main, San Francisco is peaceful and I do not feel the need to carry any protection. There are areas I would not go, especially at night but then, I hesitated to go to Hatfield Town Centre in the evenings. One of my Lodgers was robbed three times there.

However, it is an interesting reflection on what is socially acceptable here compared to the U.K.

Saw this today - enjoy! BBC News Article

A frend of mine with serious hearing difficulties recently was chatting with me by MSN and said:

"I mostly get the banging of drums and some nasty cacophony on top."

whilst referring to Church worship.

How strange I thougtht. I too, so often have the same experience!

I don't quite know what it is about the Jehovah's witnesses but you can spot them a mile off. They look exactly the same the world over. They can often be seen out in force and they always seem to catch us off-guard.

Having woken up from the siesta, Joni wanted to watch some television so, we ended slobbing it a bit in the bedroom watching Doctor who, Driver Dan, 64 Zoo Lane etc., when the dogs suddenly started barking. Half asleep and shabbily clothed in my old shorts and slippers I went to see what all the comotion was all about. Two Witnesses were standing outside my front door.

As I opened the door to them Joni started demanding more 64 Zoo Lane with menaces. So, I asked them to come in while I tended to his needs. Normally, I would do a quick assesment of the situation, decide I was not in a position to present myself in the best light possible and make my apologies. Today I thought I ought to talk but I'm not sure why.

I've had a few run-ins with J.W.'s in England. Normally it is a bit like a tennis match (Hazel's analogy). We just score points off each other. Someone wins, someone loses but it really does not matter. I've been thinking for some time now that these guys need to be credited with integrity and dedication albeit not from the best motives. I would hate to have to go around knocking on doors. You never know what's on the other site. I guess these guys didn't either.

So cordially, we sat down and I explained that I was a missionary here. I made a point of getting my English copy of the New World Translation to impress them and we started looking at John 1. I thought it good if I could grab the initiative from the beginning. I explained that I knew something of their teaching but would appreciate hearing it from them.

We spent about two hours comparing translations. We looked at their translation both in English and Spanish, together with the New International Version and the Nueva Version Internacional. We threw in a little ESV for good measure. It all got a bit complicated but was thoroughly enjoyable so I deepened my understanding of their position a little more.

The woman had to leave half-way through leaving me and Gustavo to continue alone. I asked him about why he became a Jehovah's witness. He explained how, when he was a catholic, he could see the extra factors that had been mixed with the faith to make it acceptable to the people here by the Spanish Conquerers* so it was not really biblical. He wanted to understand his faith directly from the bible and the J.W.'s took a more serious approach to it. He certainly did not find the Trinity therein.

He was articulate and intelligent and I believe he really enjoyed chatting. I certainly did. He's hoping to come around again Monday. I need to do some brushing up on some teaching in the meantime. Prayers therefore appreciated.

*The Conquerers basically put catholocism on top of the local religious beliefs they encountered. So, for example, the virgin Mary has been 'merged' with the Patcha Mama an earth godess.

I sent an SMS to our landlady the other day which read:

"Can you come at 7:00 p.m. to collect the rent as, until then, Hazel is in Quebracho Herrado"

However, what was actually received was:

"Can you come at 7:00 p.m. to collect the rent as, until then, Hazel is in the desire of your heart sweetie."

She then received another text simply saying "Quebracho Herrado"

I am scared to send texts now!