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Thumbs up in Argentina

Witnessing faith and resilience

Part two of this a December online interview reflects Josh Ebener’s unique seminary internship in Argentina.

Based in Resistencia (pop. 422,400), Josh serves two small congregations: Misión Maria Magdalena (Mary Magdalene Mission, MMM) in Resistencia and San Mateo (St. Matthew) in Corrientes (pop. 364,500) across the Parana River.

The ELCA’s Horizon International Internship program works with ELCA Global Mission to provide seminary internships like this one around the world. Josh grew up at St. Paul and has received tuition support through our Endowment Fund for Mission Outreach.

How would you describe your congregations, the people, and the community?

The character of the people of both churches is one of love and hospitality. When I do pastoral visits, I am always met by warm welcome and sharing mate (the classic Argentine tea).

If I had to pick two words to describe the people it would be “faith” and “resilience.” These attributes can be seen even in the responses to the question: “How are you?” Often people will respond, “Muy bien, gracias a Dios (Very good, thanks to God).”

The faith of the people here is powerful, constantly acknowledging God’s presence and giving God thanks. Another common response is, “en la lucha (in the struggle),” the ongoing struggles of daily life. Through these struggles there is a strong sense of resilience in the people.

I am getting good experience in pastoral ministry. I preach every other week, teach First Communion and Bible School for children, help with adult Bible studies, do pastoral visits, and help with the various social outreaches of MMM. I am learning that ministry, especially in this context, is not just what happens within a plan or structure, but it is often spontaneous. I am learning to pray spontaneously in Spanish and answer questions like: “What is the theology of the cross?”

What is a Lutheran church like in Argentina?

It has been interesting to learn about Lutheran identity in a majority Catholic country. Like all of Latin America, Argentina is seeing a growing number of Pentecostal and Evangelical churches. Some Brazilian Lutheran pastors recently mentioned the staggering rise in Pentecostalism there. It is pretty polarized, and Lutheranism is something of an enigma for most people here. Usually after explaining I’m not Mormon (many U.S. Mormon missionaries here), I give a long explanation about the Reformation.

Lutheranism is very new at MMM, having started about 20 years ago. However, I find that they know more about Lutheranism than many “life-long Lutherans.” I was teaching on the 95 Theses on Reformation Day, and realized that many of the members could also have been teaching.

What’s it like for an Iowa boy to live in Argentina?

Actually, this part of Argentina has somewhat of a “Midwest (U.S.)” feel, in respect to the friendliness of the people. The reversal of the seasons throws me off a bit, as I will enjoy my Christmas likely sweating in 100-degree weather.

I struggle with my identity as a U.S. citizen, and answer questions from “Is it like what we see in the movies?” to “So what do you think of that president of yours?” My Spanish is getting better. Part of my learning and adjusting has been of the distinct dialect here, since I learned Spanish in Mexico. Preaching in Spanish isn’t easy, but it’s getting better.

What are you learning about mercy and justice? How are your eyes being opened in new ways?

One day when people came to church to pick up their monthly food bags, I saw a couple of small frail boys eagerly grabbing the bag of food, excited about the chance to eat a full meal. Often some of these children have no other choice but to search the dumpster for their next meal. Mercy and justice seem so far away. How great the urgency is when we pray: “Thy Kingdom come.”

It is easy to get sucked into the darkness of this world, into the reality where children go hungry, where mercy and justice seem far away. During Advent, amidst the darkness of this world, we would light a candle, a reminder of the Kingdom of Heaven, where mercy and justice flow like streams, and no one goes hungry. This candle fills us with the strength we need to work for mercy and justice on earth, and it empowers us to “prepare the way of the Lord.”

I also continue to learn that this call to mercy and justice goes beyond charity. There’s the analogy of the person pulling people out of the river and saving them, who needs to then go upstream to find out who’s throwing them in. At MMM, not only do kids eat food, but many of them participated in a march, holding signs that said, “Hunger is a crime.” Also, MMM provides “citizenship” resources and workshops, to educate people on their rights and empower them to exercise them.

What else do you have to say to the folks back home?

I am grateful to St. Paul for having nurtured my call to ministry. Thank you all for your continued support of me through my time in seminary. Grace and peace in this Advent and Christmas season [writing in December], as you light a candle and prepare the way.

Follow Josh’s year in Argentina:

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"Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal. We must pursue peaceful ends through peaceful means." ~Martin Luther King, Jr.