The Cathedral Outing

 Recently, we took a little "tourist" visit to a neighboring town about 20 min. from where we live. It is very well-known in the area for its ginormous cathedral. Let me tell ya, it truly is a sight to behold. What you see here is the biggest part, but it is only the beginning of a quite complex, huge structure attached behind and onto the right side, too. As for the inside, I can't say what it's like because we didn't want to take the kids in there and interrupt anything (fine with me as these gigantic Gothic-type Catholic churches kinda give me the creeps anyway {shudder}), but I have been told that it is pretty ornate as well.

La Catedral, Lujan, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Here's the thing that really gets me. First, it strikes me as rather comical that this monstrosity of a building is the only even remotely large building in the whole town. It definitely makes a statement. Secondly, the statement that it makes to me personally is very sad. It makes me think about all the people that sacrificed their hard earned money in hopes of earning Heaven to build this mega church building, which does not even teach the truth from the Bible. There is shop after shop and every street corner covered with people selling rosary beads and little statues of this saint or that one. People come from far and wide to visit this church and attend mass there. In fact, once a year (just a week after I took these pics) they have a big pilgrimage in which thousands upon thousands of people walk all the way from downtown Buenos Aires out to this Cathedral.

Matt in front of the cathedral--gives you a better idea of its immense size

A few ?s that I asked myself while gazing up at this towering edifice:
Who will go and tell all these masses of people about the only One True Way?
Who will love them and strive to help them, not just take their money?
Why does it so often seem that our enemy is winning and has so much more territory covered than we do?

My "Big Kids" lol

And then I stop and think:
What a great reminder! This is why we are here. To tell them of Christ's love. To show them that Jesus, yes, died on the cross, but that He did NOT stay there! To show them that it's not just a pretty story, but a priceless gift that God is offering to them.
Yes, this is why we have come! This is why we are attempting {struggling, beating our heads against the wall, at times} to learn another tongue. This is why we are adjusting to the differences in culture and opposite seasons. This is why we flew over 5 thousand miles south, leaving our beloved families and friends behind. This is why we took our daughter, Clara, away from her grandparents, and why our baby boy, Ethan has not met or been doted upon by our families.

Me n my cuties ♥

We came to make a difference! A difference in people's lives. But not by our own power and strength, only to bring them to the understanding of God's mighty power and strength and overwhelming love that can change their lives, and their eternities, forever! Such wonderful, good news that we bring, if we only have the boldness to share it. May the Lord grant me the help and strength that I need to go in His power and tell those that I meet along the way His amazing story!

Enjoying the outdoors!

Ok, back to our little outing. As all these {deep thinker} thoughts were running through my little head, I also thought about what a blessing it is for me to have my sweet family with me and to share the day together.

Smiling down at Ethan & Daddy after climbing some steep stairs

God is so good to give us families to walk through life with and share life's joys and sorrows. It is amazing to me how God directs your path to the one {perfect-for-you} person and that together you have the blessing of forming your own family. As much as I miss my parents and in-laws {and siblings, and cousins, and church families, and friends, etc., etc.}, I am so thankful that the Lord has given me my own family that I was able to bring with me on this journey of ours. This journey to Argentina and this journey of our life together.

Monkeyin' around! :)

God bless,