August 21: First Days

My first three days in Uruguay are in the books. It has been really good and really challenging! The people that I have met are great, I am learning a lot and experiencing a lot! The Spanish is of course rough and there are many cultural differences that I need to adjust to, but it will get better with time! For instance, it’s considered strange to smile at people that you don’t know and there is a different sign for “thumbs up,” but the side-kiss-greeting probably requires the most adjustment, but I think I have the hang of it. J

But it’s fun. On Tuesday, I was greeted at the airport by Andrés (the missionary that I am living with and working with) who is from Costa Rica and Josh who is a missionary from the U.S. with SIM as well. It was great to talk NBA offseason with Josh as he is from Minnesota and is less enthused about losing Kevin Love. We arrived at Andrés’s house where I met the SIM Uruguay staff. I’ll be staying at his house for a couple of weeks until the apartment behind his house is finished.

Staying with Andrés and his wife Sonya has been awesome. They are a great help with language learning. They’re very gracious and patient! I have thoroughly enjoyed our conversations; many laughs. Sonya’s cooking is excellent too. I have not been suffering at all!

I’ve been helping with the apartment renovation although I’m sure I am more of a good source of laughter for the Uruguayan workers because I really struggle to understand what they are asking me to do. Unfortunately, I am not fluent in Construction or Spanish, but I have been doing what I can; mostly chiseling cement!

Andrés took me with him to run some errands so I could experience some of this side of Montevideo. We went to the bank, the hardware store, etc. We stopped by at his church and met the kids that I will be working with three days a week in the afternoon!

Yesterday, I also met Pastor John who is from Kentucky originally. He’s been pastoring a multinational church here for 11 years. I will be working with him for much of my time here as well. He took me to his church’s Wednesday night supper/meeting so I could meet some of the people there. He has me leading worship on Sunday! That’ll be fun!

I got to see downtown Montevideo for the first time this afternoon when I was helping John drop off some donated items at a ministry there. Pretty cool and interesting city! I even dog-sat for him tonight at his house. I just do whatever needs done! It was actually nice to chill for the first time since I got here! We topped the night off with some McDonald’s.

God is at work in this spiritually dark place! Please continue to pray for me! I need it! And pray for the Christ-followers here that they would have strength and endurance in faith!

Nathan Harley

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”

Proverbs 3:5