From the South to the Deep South

Thirty-four hours of traveling, 26 suitcases, 10 men and three women with one purpose: to glorify God. On September 16-25, 13 Men and Woman of Action left the Big Macs and clean running water of Thomasville, NC, behind to spend five days in the dusty streets of Campo Gallo, a village in the province of Santiago, Argentina, to build a pastoral training center with the Iglesia de Dios of Campo Gallo. Pastor Oscar Padilla had a team of his church members as well as a full load of handmade bricks waiting for the team upon arrival. The Sunday night church service brought in about 150 people including pastors from other cities, some as far as 10 hours away. The project began bright and early Monday morning as the workers of both countries began laying brick from the time the sun came up until it went down. From 5-years-old to 69-years-old, from dark skin to light skin, from professional brick layer to novice, everyone worked together. The majority of the team was from the Thomasville Church of God, and needless to say spoke very southern English. The two translators did not speak this distinct language, but along the way learned phrases such as "wore slap out" and "right quick," while the southerners learned "gracias" and, well, yeh, gracias. The Argentine children learned "okay" and used it as often as they could. The last night was an informal church service to say goodbye. With about 250 attendees, the team said, often with tears, that even though it was difficult to communicate there was an obvious spirit of unity, an obvious purpose, and a sense of fellowship that words in either language cannot describe. For it is in the sacrificial obedience to God that His name is glorified.