Kyle Berg

Sunday I took an excursion to Merlo with Vanessa and Monica to visit Vanessa´s family. Going there was 1.5 hours by bus, train, and another bus and then 2.5 hours returning. Given the heat and lack of AC, it wasn´t the most comfortable day I´ve had. However, I really had a nice time. I´m looking forward to going back for Christmas.

Life is definitely different in much of the Provincia outside of Capital Federal. Officially, 1/3 of the Argentines live below the poverty level. But as is the norm anywhere, statistics are misleading. In reality, it´s the majority of the country–especially outside of Buenos Aires. Merlo is more of what we typically think of Latin America. Dirt roads and small, dark, very unrefined houses with cement floors. By Argentine standards, Vanessa´s family is middle or lower middle class. By our standards, they´re destitute. But there was no lack of happiness and laughter as we enjoyed (and suffered due to the heat) the day.

We ate some outstanding grilled chicken, potatoes, and salad and then retired to the living area. In order to keep cool (relative term), we lied on the cement floor. We also passed some time reading in both English and Spanish. I thoroughly enjoyed this as it helped keep my learning perspective in process. Vanessa wants to learn English, but only has the most rudimentary understanding of it right now. I had my bilingual Bible, so she would read a section in English and I subsequently would read a section in Spanish. My abilities in Spanish are child-like, but well ahead of her abilities in English. This comparison is not made at her expense, but only to illustrate the effectiveness of language immersion and encourage me to persevere. I was also able to understand why she and others have so much patience with me. There´s something very admirable about watching someone try with all their might, regardless of ability, to learn and practice a language.

While Monica was taking a nap (not sure how that was possible on a cement floor with hot, sticky air), we also had a chance to talk. My Spanish has to be improving because she had tears in her eyes as we shared some of our general desires and frustrations with our lives, especially as it pertains to patience and hearing from God. I don´t know how to describe it other than to make the very general observation that it was special. Vanessa is very sensitive, but in the best sense of the term.

My suspicions before coming here have turned into a full assurance. Because I wasn´t sure, I hadn´t told anyone other than Paul. One of the main reasons I came to Argentina was to find my wife. I´m not saying it´s Vanessa and I´m not saying it´s not. All I know is there is a complete confidence that I´ve never had before. As crazy as it may sound, I´ve known that God has been arranging something for me and now am even more confident of this.