Tabernacles and Bible Training Argentina, 2024
What a feast we had this year! Tabernacles Argentina 2024, and the Bible Training right after, were incredible experiences. I thought I would share them here in the hopes that it encourages you.
The “party” began several days before: the group from Puerto Rico arrived a few days before Atonement. We spent a very blessed Sabbath, and two days later, the Day of Atonement, with them. I hadn’t had such a refreshing time in several months. We enjoyed deep talks, heartfelt music and conversations. Aside from Carlos, Heidy and their daughters, I had only met the others via Facebook, but it took only seconds before we were comfortable with each other, as if we’d known each other for years.
A few days later, the Ebens family arrived. I was happy to see that Daniel E. instantly remembered “his room” from last year and seemed to feel at home. A few days later, we all made the long car trip to Villa Giardino, Córdoba, for the Tabernacles celebrations, the same camp we used in 2022 for our first Tabernacles meetings in Argentina.
This year has not been my best emotionally or spiritually, and part of me was not excited about having to travel to be with so many people. But all of that was soon forgotten: it was actually energizing to meet again with people who have shared the feasts with us since 2022 – people who by now have become my heart brothers and sisters. There’s a special bond there that I cannot explain, and which I don’t have with any other group of people. It’s precious.
Tabernacles was a true blessing. The music, the fellowship, the presentations! How is it that, even though the speakers did not monitor what each of them would preach about, the topics neatly complemented each other and helped us to make clearer connections between key Biblical topics. So many times I thought, “How did this brother decide to preach about this topic? How did he know that I needed to hear this?” I found myself getting emotional more than once as I realized what was happening.
And then there was the atmosphere: peace, love and acceptance could be clearly felt. I kept thinking how wonderful it was to be in a group in which the only “prerequisite” for belonging was to simply want to be here and be a part of the group. If you observed our group, you would have seen that it included people from different countries, age groups, religious backgrounds and financial status, but none of those differences mattered as we talked, shared meals, hugged and spent time together. On Sabbath, which was the last day of the feast, we enjoyed a joyous baptism. I wish you could have seen the happiness of each of these people (several of them couples or family members) as they expressed their belief in our loving, non-violent Father and His literal Son.
And just like that, this blessed week was over, and it was time to say goodbye as people had to return to their homes. I realized I found it quite hard to say goodbye. So did the others: the last night of the meetings, people just lingered and chatted for a very long time, until there was no more choice but to leave, yet no one wanted to leave. As I hugged each of them goodbye, I prayed they would keep on studying the topics we’d learnt this week, and not lose interest as the months go by.
After Tabernacles was over, a new chapter began: the Bible Training. Since only a few of us stayed behind for the Bible Training, we had to move into a shared house: six bedrooms, two bathrooms, one kitchen. As I moved into what would be my family’s bedroom for the next three weeks, I felt a bit of trepidation. What would it be like to share two bathrooms with thirteen people? I really hoped I wouldn’t end up annoying someone. And I especially hoped I wouldn’t feel annoyed by anyone! Yet even as we were moving our stuff in, I realized there was a delightful spirit among those who had already settled into the house. Lots of laughter and clean jokes – in the first two weeks I probably laughed more than I’ve laughed this whole year put together! Lots of patience with each other, and a clear willingness by all to be helpful and not step on each other’s toes. But not just that: the conversations were meaningful. We got to know each other in a way you never can if you don’t spend the time with that person, and we got to discuss deep Biblical topics. In these discussions, there was also freedom to question and to express doubts. Pastor Adrian, Daniel and the others patiently answered questions and cleared confusion, and it was rewarding to see that everyone could relax and ask questions without feeling judged, condemned or rejected. After all, each of these questions helped to better refine how we present the message and how to make it clearer and ensure that it’s based on a strong foundation.
As the days went by, we got into a comfortable routine: presentation by Pastor Adrian in the morning, then QA while us ladies prepared lunch. Then lunch time, then the men helped clean up the kitchen. Then free time, then another presentation by Pastor Adrian, then QA again. Then free time and supper. In the evenings we’d sing a bit, then have one of the men give a brief devotional. Sometimes, if we were too tired, we wouldn’t even sing. And as the days went by, I realized to my amazement that we all got along really well. At least for me, I can say that nothing annoyed me and I felt comfortable and accepted by everyone in the group. I’m still amazed even as I write this, as I’ve never spent so much time, so intensely and in such limited spaces, with a group of people. One of the guys pointed this out to me on the last day, saying, “I’ve been to many camp meetings, and they always start off great, then after a couple of days, someone always gets mad about something, and things get sour until someone fixes them. But this didn’t happen here. I can imagine this is a bit what heaven is like, except it will be even better because we will no longer be struggling with our weaknesses and selfishness.” Yep, I agree!
Our group was not the only one who noticed the lovely spirit, the peaceful Spirit of Christ, which we experienced those weeks; the couple who was in charge of the campgrounds noticed it, too. The camp we were in belongs to the Baptist church, so they’ve received many groups of people for retreats.
One day the man in charge knocked on our door just as we were listening to one of Pr. Adrian’s presentations. When he looked inside, his face turned solemn, and he quickly walked away. He later explained, “I came to ask something, but when I looked inside and saw all of you so deeply engrossed in the lecture, I felt I couldn’t interrupt, so I just had to leave. I’m sorry I interrupted that.” Then he expressed his amazement at how “you people have been going on for almost three weeks, and you’re still listening intently! I see you all sitting outside in a circle, speaking earnestly and laughing and having a good time.” He said that most groups that come for several days end up arguing after 3-5 days, and he was surprised that we were still living together so peacefully. Apparently, that’s quite unusual.
This man’s wife mentioned the same thing, “How come you guys have been here so long and are still so happy and still wanting to have your meetings?” When we heard that, we knew it was not us – it was the Spirit of Christ. There is nothing in us that can make it possible for us to get along in such tight quarters and for such a long time. Only Christ could do this for us!
Another sign of Christ’s tender Spirit, to me, was the way the younger men played ball at the end of the day. After hours of so much mental work and sitting and listening, some of these guys needed to use up their energy, and they would grab a ball and play friendly football (soccer). And it really was friendly football. It was about having fun and moving, not about competing and crushing an opponent. They kindly included my children in their games, and I was happy to see that my son, who doesn’t usually like to play ball, gladly joined them. One evening Sarah came over to me and said, “Mommy, I scored a goal today! I know they could have stopped me from scoring it, but they let me do it!”
Needless to say, by the time the first person had to leave (not everyone left on the same day), I found it very difficult to say goodbye. It’s comforting to know that each person left with their hearts full and an eagerness to share this message through their own ministries. Please pray for these men and their wives, that they will keep on studying and will not get sidetracked or discouraged. Pray for them to be lights in their countries and provinces (Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, and different provinces in Argentina – and let’s not forget the brothers from Puerto Rico and Mexico who could not attend, but have been following the Bible Training online).
This whole month of Tabernacles and Bible Training gave me a whole new perspective on what we’re doing. It’s motivated me to continue even though sometimes things are hard. We have a most beautiful message, presenting an even more beautiful God. I’m grateful to find renewed strength to continue supporting my husband in sharing this. Will you join us from your own country?
