Though our flight is scheduled for 8:30 AM, we were asked to be at our gate by 7 AM AND we had to take a 10 minute shuttle to the infield terminal. Arriving at the airport at 5:30 AM has paid off! We are so grateful for our families and Mr. A, who got up super early too, to send us off in prayer! 

We are at our gate now and ready to board. We are looking forward to (not really) the more than 14 hours of travel ahead of us. Thanks for covering us in your prayers. 

The team is very excited for our time of serving in Uruguay. Continue to check our blog for daily updates and to hear about all that God is doing. 

Half awake but texting while they still have their phones,

Team Uruguay

We have arrived safely in Uruguay! After meeting our Teach Beyond hosts, we will travel by cars and vans to the seminary residence where we will be able to stretch out and catch some Zs. 

The team is tired from the day of travelling but in good spirits. We pray for a restful night and are grateful that we will have all morning to sleep and get settled in. 

Other than a team orientation in the afternoon, we will a games night scheduled and will have time to prepare for our ministry opportunities on Sunday. 

Ready for a bed,
Team Uruguay

¡Buenas noches de Uruguay! 

Though this may have felt like one of the longest days of our lives, it has been such a good one! Yesterday, strengthened by the snacks and notes lovingly prepared by the whole school, we made it through our many hours of flying. Today, in the early hours of the morning, strengthened by airport Big Macs, we made it through two more hours on the road to arrive at TeachBeyond’s campus. As the sun began to rise around us, we settled into bed at 4:45 AM, more than ready for a good rest. 

We slept until lunch, when we had the chance to meet the TeachBeyond team and seminary students over pasta and cabbage. There is a mix of English, Spanish, and Portuguese in the air at all times as those living and working here are either locals or Brazilians. It certainly makes for fun conversation! The PCA students have been wonderful at stepping out of their comfort zones and getting to know our hosts. We played some fun icebreakers to learn each others’ names before enjoying a cultural overview of Uruguay and its best known traditions. Then, we got to try our hand at making and drinking mate, a traditional steeped tea, accompanied by a delicious spoonful of dulce de leche. The rest of our afternoon was spent practicing our drimes, choreographed dramas set to music, and rehearsing the worship songs for tomorrow. 

As Uruguayan dinner is traditionally eaten at 9:00 or 10:00 PM, in the late afternoon we were served a hearty snack of tuna and crackers with orange and chocolate cake to tide us over until then. 

In the evening, we had a lot of fun getting to know more about the TeachBeyond team and playing different card games. Nothing brings people together, no matter the native tongue, like Dutch Blitz and Spot It! After grabbing pictures of the sunset, we also enjoyed a spontaneous worship session, led by our students, before eating the Uruguayan version of shepherd’s pie,  carrots, and rice. Our day ended with team devotions and a quick debrief. 

We are excited for tomorrow as in the afternoon we will have the chance to host a local youth group in a time of games, worship, and testimonies, and then lead another church’s evening adult and children’s services. Some of us are feeling extra ambitious and will be headed out for a morning run as well! 

Please pray for good rest, and for continued intentionality and courage in our interactions with those we meet. Pray for the different groups of students that will be leading worship in Spanish, sharing their testimonies, presenting their drime, and leading Sunday school, that God will speak through them and that the different moving parts all come together well. Pray that we may build on the relationship base that was formed today so that we may be a blessing to our brothers and sisters serving here in Ecilda Paullier.

Glad to be here,
Team Uruguay

Boa noite de Uruguay!

Though the boys slept through their alarm and didn’t join the running crew, Mr. Chung, Mrs. Bennett, and several of the girls began the day with a run through the beautiful countryside. We are happy to report that we have had several cow sightings by now, and we are more inclined to believe that Uruguay is indeed home to more cows than people! We dedicated time to morning reflections before eating breakfast together with the TeachBeyond group. Following that, we began a time of communal devotions which will continue the rest of this week. We played a few songs in Spanish and one of the staff members shared insights into Colossians 4. After co-existing with them for a few days, we feel as though the TeachBeyond students and staff are an extension of our team as they have been so welcoming, engaged, and inviting to us all. We are learning from them, and we hope that we are being an encouragement to them and their ministry. 

Starting at 11:00, we hosted a local youth group for several hours. Some of our students led us in fun icebreakers before we all went outside to play soccer, volleyball, and football. Yes, it was about 30° and full sun, but it was also a lot of fun to bond and sweat together. We broke for a lunch of chorizo sausages and hamburgers, and enjoyed the fellowship that came with sharing a meal. Our students have been incredibly brave in stepping out of their comfort zones to connect with the locals, and they have found that a little intentionality mixed with a little bit of Spanish goes a long way. With bellies full, we moved to a time of worshipping and sharing some testimonies. You would be so proud to see the team in action, singing and speaking with open hearts and a desire to share how great God has been to them. We ended our time with the youth by engaging in a group discussion about the similarities and differences between Canada and Uruguay. We were shocked to learn that the students go to school from 7:00-1:00, and that university is free for everyone here, while they were very intrigued by the concept of -30°. Upon reflecting on this session later in the day, we realized that yes, there are differences, but at the core we really aren’t that different, especially when united in Christ. 

When the youth left, we spent a few hours preparing for the evening programming and organizing the VBS and ESL supplies. While we are doing many things here, we are growing more confident each day, and we are working well as a team as each member chips in without complaining or hesitation. Our late afternoon snack consisted of cake and tuna again, as well as sweet, sweet dulce de leche, which we are enjoying slathering on everything. Our day culminated in attending and helping to lead a local church service. Uruguay is a very irreligious country, and strong church communities are hard to come by. We were so blessed to be a part of an incredible ministry this evening. The church had prepared worship, and we were impacted by how vigorously and loudly the congregation sang. They were few, but they were mighty! Several of our students shared their testimonies with the church and one of our prepared Drimes was performed. Though there were some technical difficulties, the students stayed professional and focused, performing very well. Mr. Chung gave a sermon for the adults and teens, and part of the team led Sunday school for the children. We later learned that this was the first time that the children had a dedicated lesson just for them, and we were so glad to have shared the experience together. A real highlight of the day was when our team led worship after the teaching. PCA family and friends, we wish that you all could have joined us, too, and experienced God’s presence through this time of praise. It was impactful to participate in such earnest and pure worship, to have our microphoned voices drowned out by the passion of the people, and to sing together in different languages with one purpose. We ended the service by sharing a meal of finger foods before heading back to our base. In debrief, we reflected on the unity that we felt today and the connections that were made. We all have so many stories to tell and so many moments to remember. Finally, before heading to bed, our students joined the seminary students in an impromptu worship session outside under the stars.

Tomorrow we will be helping out in some gardening, painting, and decorating around the campus and in town, as well as inviting the youth group back for an evening together. Please pray for strength and flexibility as we get our hands dirty. Please pray that the final preparations for VBS and ESL go smoothly, and that the final result is not a reflection of our hard work, but rather of God’s perfect plan. Pray for the youth that we met today and for the connections that we would like to continue to build. Pray for continued unity, joy, and diligence in all that we say and do. 

Full of worship,
Team Uruguay

Our morning run group grew today to seven brave souls. Maybe we’ll all be runners by the time we get back to Canada! Breakfast was a traditional simple Uruguayan meal of bread, dulce de leche, jam, juice, and hot milk for making hot chocolate. Our morning devotions were led by Arthur, the vice president of TeachBeyond Latin America. He reminded us about the reality that in missions work, everything changes all of the time, yet God never changes. With that in mind, he raised the following questions and thoughts for us to reflect on: What does God want to do today? How can my presence be a part of His plan?

Next, we divided into four work groups to do various tasks. Group one went to a local elderly woman’s home to help prune her many trees, plants, and bushes, clean up the yard, and spend time with her. Though we were unpleasantly surprised by many, many, many snails and some strange, scary-looking critters, we learned her story and were glad to help her out both practically and emotionally. Group two did gardening at the TeachBeyond campus: pulling weeds in the greenhouse, planting seeds in planters, plowing the soil outside. It was a laborious task, especially in the heat, but it was made enjoyable by the companionship of good friends. Group three got their hands, arms, faces, and clothes dirty while painting inside a new building on the campus. They may not be ready to set up a summer painting service just yet, but it was a worthwhile experience, that also ended with finding and eating figs. Finally, group four was charged with preparing the decorations for the VBS program we will be leading starting tomorrow. They transformed the common area into a jungle, complete with animals of all shapes and sizes, towering trees, and welcoming signs. Our work projects were broken up by a well-earned lunch of rice, pork  in a rich sauce, and salad. We were all glad to come together again in the afternoon, especially since we had Uruguayan torta frita and dulce de leche ice cream waiting for us! 

Sugared up from the snack, we gathered our energy and focus to prepare the final elements for tomorrow. At 7:00, youth and parents from four surrounding churches joined us for a night of fun, games, and learning. We played soccer, volleyball, football, and frisbee for hours, meeting new faces and learning new names, all the while laughing, running, and bonding in the fresh air. As we gathered to worship, we realized that the group was bigger than we had ever anticipated – we were expecting maybe 15-20 people and there were easily 50 people in attendance. We were later told that TeachBeyond had never had such a large group, and never had they had all four churches together at once. It was truly God’s work. Some of our team presented another drime for the rapt audience before Mr. Chung shared a message of trusting God to lead us on a good path, whether he seems far away, or right beside us. Perhaps the biggest surprise of the day came in the form of a spontaneously joyful dance party with the seminary students after the youth had left. Unfortunately for us, these Brazilians and Uruguayans have serious dance moves! Fortunately for us, they are excellent teachers and encouragers! 

Tired but full of energy, we shared laughs and told stories of our day over a dinner of mac and cheese. In today’s debrief, we discussed what today would be if it were an ice cream flavour. We had a full ice cream shop day, with flavours such as chocolate chip (refreshing with little surprises), neapolitan (sun, paint, dirt), salted caramel truffle (oh so salty and sweaty but bursting with moments of joy), strawberry vanilla mushroom (delicious and comforting with some not-so-great bits), and superkid (incredibly sweet and long-lasting). 

Please pray that this is a superkid day – one whose sweetness lasts for a long time and spills over into other days and moments. Please pray for the English classes tomorrow with the seminary students, that the base we have built may be helpful for us to teach, encourage, and connect with them further. Pray for the VBS, for the team members who will lead it, the children who will participate, and the families to whom they belong. Please also pray for the health of our team, that the bug bites, sore legs, strained voices, and tired bodies would not hinder us from our mission here.  

Dreaming of ice cream,
Team Uruguay

Hi This morning began with devotions from Psalm 46, and a reminder to be still and know that He is God. We are busy scurrying from activity to activity, preparation to preparation, meal to meal, so it was a pertinent prompt. After taking time to be still, we got started on our day with breakfast. For this morning’s collective group devotional, the TeachBeyond team led worship, and Mr. Chung shared some reflections from Matthew 18 and 19, challenging us to have a heart like a child, sure of God’s love, totally dependent on Him, finding something new every morning, and letting go of hurts. Following that, we were privileged to hear about missions from Bruno, one of the missionaries here. He helped refocus our mindset to remember that missions does not begin with what we do, but with what God is already doing in Uruguay and around the world. He encouraged us to get involved in missions past this experience, be it praying, supporting, going, mobilizing, or a combination. We are excited to hear more from him tomorrow. 

Our formal English classes started today as half of the group spearheaded 90 minute conversation workshops for the seminary students. Split into lower and higher levels, we tried to teach them more about Canada – the famous icons, the food, the money, the places, the animals. We had a lot of fun racing to make correct Canadian dollar and cents amounts, playing guessing games, battling it out in mini air hockey, and role playing both customer and worker at Tim Hortons (where else?). Our students were patient and caring, going the extra mile to be compassionate, creative, and inclusive with the differing levels of ability. The seminary students were very happy to receive Tim Hortons coffee and Coffee Crisp chocolate bars at the end of the time.

We broke for a lunch of chicken milanesa, mashed potatoes, and coleslaw, after which we prepared the final details for VBS. Before the children arrived, we spent time praying over the room for the kids we would meet, that the time would be rewarding and engaging, and that the lessons learned would be impactful and lasting. When the children came, we had a blast playing animal guessing games with them before learning their names and playing red light, green light – jungle style! Our students led worship like seasoned experts and presented the story of Creation in a creative and interactive way. The VBS boys and girls competed enthusiastically in the bible verse hangman before designing a butterfly craft. We ended off eating worms in dirt, something which many had never seen before. We were exhausted by the time everyone left, but content at a job well done. 

Our daily afternoon snack of cake preceded some prep and relax time. The team gathered for debrief to go over the events of the day so far before heading out to a local park. There, we reunited with the youth group and met some new friends as well. Everyone was connected and intentional, trying their best to communicate in Spanish and enjoying a time of sports, dancing, and just being together. One of the drime groups presented again, this time without a hitch! Then, one of the students led the group in an object lesson and reflection of God’s love for us. We pray that the experience be a lasting impact in the lives of the youth, both those who there to learn more about Jesus, as well as those who were there just for the fun of it.

Upon returning to the campus, we dined on pizza and prepared our materials for tomorrow’s classes and VBS. To close off the day, our students made phone calls home. Witnessing them speak with their families and seeing the joy on their faces was such a blessing, as some paced to no end, some huddled away in a corner, and some casually gave updates about the veggie situation here in Uruguay. It was a precious time to connect, and even though we were plunged into darkness for a few minutes as the power went out right on cue, everyone enjoyed checking in and sharing their experience. 

Please continue to pray for the health of our team, as many are feeling tired and some are experiencing discomfort in their feet and legs. Pray for the English classes tomorrow as we share the 5-finger gospel, and for the VBS program as we move into the theme of corruption and sin. Pray that we would find moments to be still and moments to be as a child, and that we would seek to further the work that God began in Uruguay far before we ever arrived. 

Happy to connect, 
Team Uruguay

The runners were back at it again! It’s hard to beat a Uruguayan sunrise and some cool morning air as a start to the day. At a slightly more reasonable hour, our team gathered outside in the shade for devotions and worship before breakfast, today focusing on Psalm 53. After breakfast, the girls led us in devotions with the TeachBeyond team, sharing a short message and breaking us up into small groups to talk about why they joined the missions program, and what has impacted them so far on the experience. This activity tied together well with the time of sharing from the seminary students and staff. We were given the chance to ask questions about their journeys, laugh at funny stories, and learn more about how God moves in different ways in different peoples’ lives. 

The next order of business was English classes, starting with a fun name game and competition before transitioning into learning how to share the five-finger gospel. When we split into the upper and lower sections, we were so impressed by how hard the students worked in all the activities such as tackling the difficult terms of repentance, grace, and glory, making salvation bracelets and learning an accompanying song in English, and roleplaying approaching people and sharing the gospel with them. Our students have been so patient and supportive, and it is heartwarming to witness the impact that their encouragement has on those learning English as they grow more confident each day. There may be some future teachers among us!

For lunch, we enjoyed zucchini salad and pasta with beef, as well as fun conversations and general mealtime companionship. We are trying to make the most of our days here and engage with the TeachBeyond team as much as possible. We have been grateful for the time to relax and prepare for VBS after lunch as it helps make our long, busy days feel more manageable. When the children arrived for the program, we were armed with board games and colouring pages, ready to jump back into action. Like a well-oiled machine, we played fun, silly games and sang songs in Spanish. The lesson today focused on corruption, the fall of man into sin. While it was a heavy topic, the lesson was engaging and the children seemed to receive it well. Once again, they loved the hangman activity and the boys managed to eek out a win. We finished with making a paper snake and eating gummy-wormed apples, which were received with much intrigue and joy. We are encouraged by how the seminary students participate in the activities and also seem to be learning new ideas. We are also encouraged by the participation of the kids, and how well-received the lessons have been. We move on to Christ on the cross tomorrow.

Our afternoon snack included sweet oranges alongside several types of cake, the perfect thing to energize our evening at the park. We arrived knowing that it would likely be bittersweet, as we may not get the chance to see the youth again after today. So, we decided to really be present. There are too many stories to tell here, but it was a time of playing, dancing, and laughing, as well as connecting, learning, and praying. Our final drime was presented to much applause and one of our students led the group in an engaging message. We made sure to take lots of photos and give lots of hugs, and we were touched by how many of the children and youth let us know that we would be missed. This is a community that doesn’t receive many visitors, and it seems that, by God’s grace, our presence has been impactful and meaningful to many.

Our dinner of a mashed potato/chicken dish accompanied by rice was eaten alongside a screening of a Brazilian soccer match. There are some passionate soccer fans in the building, and it was fun to share the moments of despair and excitement that only sport brings. We did not watch the whole game as we transitioned into a time of powerful, whole-hearted worship together as a team. Everyone sang with abandon of how great and holy our God is. It was a special time of group connection, formed by the ways in which God is currently stirring in our hearts. The time of debrief that followed encouraged us to reflect on not only the sights of the day, but also the sounds, tastes, smells, and feelings. In small groups, we all shared the different moments that left a mark on the day, with many of us pointing to our interactions with the seminary students and the time at the park. We have so appreciated the efforts that we have put forth to get to know others, as well as the efforts that have been given back to us. We are feeling many things, not least of which is tiredness, but we are taking it all in and aiming to make these next few days rich in intentionality and connection. 

Please pray for our hearts as we struggle to think about heading home before too long, for God’s wisdom as we navigate growing closer while starting to say goodbye. Pray that we may seek first to glorify God and set aside selfish ambitions of personal gain. Please continue to pray for the English classes and the VBS, both for those leading and those participating. Pray for continued good weather and safety, especially as we head to the beach tomorrow evening. 

Still connecting, 
Team Uruguay

Though it was a rainy start to the day, a little bit of water didn’t stop our athletes from enjoying a run together. The rain brought some welcome cooler weather, and we were even cold enough to put on our hoodies during team devotions. Today we read Psalm 13 and reflected on how we can take our sorrow to God while still praising and rejoicing in Him. After breakfast, we had the privilege to lead worship for the full group devotions, which we were extra excited to do, as we had a special surprise planned. We sang one song in English, one song in Spanish, and one song in Portuguese, which we were able to do after secretly practicing it using phonetically written lyrics. The Brazilians were definitely not expecting it, and it was worth the early morning meetings just to see their smiles and to worship together in another language. One of the TeachBeyond staff spoke on John 13:1-5 and 12:17, highlighting Jesus’ service towards his disciples, even to the end. We were challenged to think about whether our own hearts are tuned towards service, and to consider what God is teaching us through the text.

After a time of reflection, we were able to hear more about what TeachBeyond does and how others can get involved. For English classes today, the topic was sports, so we dove into conversations about hockey, baseball, and soccer before making dream teams, learning new sports equipment terms, and playing Spot It! hockey edition. Not only have the classes been fun, but they have also been very rewarding as the students open up more and feel more comfortable trying, making mistakes, and learning from them. Upon finishing, we enjoyed a lunch of chicken, noodles, and carrots before beginning our afternoon prep for VBS.

In today’s program, we presented the good news of Jesus Christ and what his death on the cross means for us. There was a smaller turnout today, but we continued nonetheless, racing through an obstacle course and singing new songs before presenting the truth of the gospel through a skit and an object lesson. During the craft time, some of us were able to chat with the kids and ask them about their thoughts on the lesson. It was so great to hear that not only did they pay attention, but they were also able to articulate the significance. In the evening, we briefly discussed how we may have the inclination to feel disappointed with the smaller number of children, but that ultimately if even one child hears the message and accepts it, then it will have been worth it. Our notions of success are not the same as God’s, and our plans are not His plans.

This evening, we were blessed by the opportunity to go to a nearby beach with the TeachBeyond students and missionaries. Though we had been unsure during the day if the weather would cooperate, God was faithful even in this, bringing warming sunshine and a beautiful sunset. It was a time of play and rest in the water and on the sand. Of course, many pictures were taken to mark the occasion and to remember God’s artistry on display across the sky. Our day was completed by hamburgers back at home base and a quick debrief about the day. Tomorrow brings our last big group devotion time, which we will be leading. We plan to do an encouragement activity for the students and staff, which will surely be meaningful and impactful.

Please pray for deep rest tonight for those who are feeling the weight of many long days. Pray for our final day of ministry tomorrow, that it may be glorifying to God. Pray for the encouragement activity, that we may speak words of truth and light into the lives of those we have met here, and that it would encourage them to continue to follow God’s calling wherever it leads them.

Blessed by the beach,
Team Uruguay

Our last day of ministry has been full of emotion and reflection. This morning after breakfast, the boys led us in a devotional time, sharing what they have learned this week before facilitating an encouragement exercise for the TeachBeyond crew, in the spirit of Philippians 4. We had all chosen someone yesterday who we would encourage, so we went around acknowledging the students and staff one by one, sharing how we have seen God working in them and giving them words of support and affirmation. It wasn’t something that they are used to, but it was very meaningful and special for everyone. When we were done, they shared that they are used to giving, but they are not so used to receiving, so it was much appreciated. We feel very fortunate to have worked and connected with such an incredible group of people, and we were glad for the opportunity to tell them what they mean to us. 

The connections continued in the English classes as the topic was testimonies. We played some junior school parachute games in the beautiful weather before separating into our smaller groups. The seminary students came prepared with 2 minute testimonies, which they bravely shared with us in English. We took advantage of the opportunity to pray for each one after they spoke and to more specifically speak truth into their lives. We are glad that the classes have gone so well this week and that the students have been so diligent, open, and enthusiastic. 

We enjoyed lentils, meat and rice alongside zucchini salad for lunch. Then, we prepared for the final afternoon of VBS, which centered around the idea of God’s beautiful plan for a new heaven and a new earth. It was a time of fun, but it was also so encouraging to hear from the children that they remembered the previous days’ lessons and that they had been enjoying themselves. In speaking with the seminary students, they were so impressed with the whole week of activities that we planned. They enjoyed participating in the events and helping the kids, but also learning and gathering new ideas for their own ministries. 

Today’s snack was rice pudding with dulce de leche and whipped cream. Then, we had a time of rest before heading to our final ministry opportunity at a different local church. We began playing volleyball and soccer outside with some youth and adult members of the congregation, and then moved inside to lead worship, present a drime, and share a message from one of our students. It is always a privilege to praise together, and it was moving to see our students boldly stepping out in faith to proclaim God’s truth. There may be future pastors among us!

Upon returning to the seminary, we dined on pasta as well as tomato and cucumber salad. Near the end of the meal, the music started to get louder and many of us gathered to sing and dance. The numerous break-out dance parties this week have been an unexpected joy and a unique time of connection with the Uruguayans and Brazilians. Today’s was no exception. To end off the night, our debrief focused on encouraging one another, lifting each other up, and expressing our gratitude for the shared experiences so far. It was a longer meeting than usual as we all wanted to speak with each other, but it was also a very sweet, meaningful exercise. We have learned so much this week and we have been witness to God’s hand in numerous ways. We hope to be bold in our encouragements moving forward, not needing to wait to have a pool noodle in hand for an excuse to build someone up. 

Please pray for our final day in Uruguay tomorrow as we head to Colonia to do sightseeing. Pray for our hearts as they are feeling heavy with the weight of connections made and goodbyes imminent. Pray that we may end our experience well, and that we leave more rooted in Christ than when we arrived.

Encouraged, 
Team Uruguay

This will be a short update to report that we had a wonderful day of sightseeing and debriefing that ended with a surprise encouragement from our Uruguay family. 

It is very late now. We are finally packed and will need to be up by 4:30 am to ride the coach for 1.5 hours to the airport to catch our plane to return home.  As we travel, please pray that we will be disciplined to continue processing all that God has shown us. Like the branches on the vine, our desire is to abide in Him but we’re still working out what that looks like back home. 

Stay tuned for a more detailed update on our last day in Uruguay. 

Grateful for our missions experience,
Team Uruguay

After the long and emotional Friday night debrief, Saturday morning arrived sooner than we would have liked, especially for the three runners who had to take advantage of a final chance to run in South America. Breakfast was a quieter event with just us as most of the TeachBeyond staff and students had the day off. Seeing as it was Valentine’s Day, we left little cards for them with the cheesiest lines we could find before heading out for a day of tourism. We were taken to Colonia del Sacramento, a very old town on the River Plate river which separates Uruguay from Argentina. Walking the streets, we learned a bit about the history, enjoying the cobblestone roads and old European style buildings. We had the chance to buy some souvenirs in the little shops dotting the town and then we sat down for a lunch of chivito canadiense with salad. The afternoon was made complete with a stop for ice cream and a quick detour to the Plaza de Torros, an old bull-fighting ring. 

Upon returning to the seminary, we enjoyed a snack of oranges, alfajores, and cake, happy to be reunited with those we now call dear friends. The rest of the afternoon was spent packing and debriefing. During this final on-ground meeting, we went through the details of the whole week, marvelling at all that had happened and remembering moments that we had already forgotten. Then, we spent time talking about the 5 Fs of returning from a short-term mission, ending with a focus on fruit. Turning to John 15, we discussed what fruit we may hope to bear as a result of our time in Uruguay, and the possibility that we may be heading into a season of pruning. We do not want this experience to simply be a wonderful memory; we desire to use it to further God’s kingdom in different ways. We ended our time with worship, singing together one last time and rejoicing in the greatness and holiness of our saviour. 

It was at dinner time when we realized that the TeachBeyond team didn’t just have a day of rest. They had been busy at work! We all went out to a local pizza place and were incredibly blessed to be the recipients of encouragement. The students and missionaries were so impacted by our activity in Friday’s time of devotions that they decided to prepare beautiful bookmarks for us with a key word or two, and then present them to us alongside words of encouragement. It was so special and heartwarming to witness the things that they had noticed about us, and to hear how much of a blessing we had been to their lives. We have set the bar high, they say, for the rest of the year, and despite their youth, our students have set such a beautiful example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity (1 Timothy 4:12). It is safe to say that we all were touched.

We walked back to the campus one last time together, talking, laughing, making silly noises, and enjoying the communion of brothers and sisters bound by love. It is no surprise that both parties shed many tears in the following hours as we had to say our final goodbyes. Distance is certainly difficult after experiencing such joy together. We rest in the promise that we will one day see each other again, be it here on earth or in our heavenly home. Our team had decided to write cards to each member of the TeachBeyond crew, so we expressed any final prayers and thanks in written form to finish off the night. 

Sunday wake-up came at 4:30 AM. We quickly finished our cards, rolled out our bags, and neatly stacked our team hoodies after deciding to leave them as a gift to the TeachBeyond crew. We hope that the sweaters will not only keep them warm when the temperatures grow colder, but that they will also be a tangible reminder that they are loved, seen, and prayed for by family across the world. Grabbing a final quick bite of bread, dulce de leche, and jam, we boarded the bus and headed out for the airport, sleeping on the way and arriving at 7:30. A few of the staff and one of the students also drove down to see us off, a truly thoughtful and meaningful gesture. Bookending our time in Uruguay at the airport’s golden arches, we were happy to share a final meal with them, and we learned that they didn’t even know that McDonald’s served breakfast! After one last round of hugs, we continued on our way through security and to the gate. Boarding was quick and take-off right on time – things are a bit more predictable without layers of ice and snow.

As we wait in Panama to board our second flight, we are feeling many things: ready to go home, full of the Spirit, saddened by goodbyes, and grateful for a week of service, community, and intentionality. Please pray for us as we process all that has happened on this experience. Pray that we do not simply fit upon our return, but that we bear much fruit. Pray that the community we built does not grow cold as the responsibilities and business of daily life creep back in. Pray for a final smooth flight and for good, deep rest whenever we can get it. We are looking forward to seeing you. We hope that you see a difference in us. 

Homeward bound,
Team Uruguay

After more than 22 hours of travel, we are finally home and were blessed with a sweet reunion with our loved ones on this Family Day.

Thank you to all our supporters for walking this journey with us. During our time in Uruguay, we experienced and encountered God’s goodness in new and meaningful ways. We are deeply grateful for your prayers and financial support, which began long before we departed. As we settle back into life in Canada, we ask that you continue to uphold our team in prayer. We hope for a smooth transition, but even more, we pray that we will remain faithful to walking in the new direction God has set before us.

With sincere gratitude,
Team Uruguay

“For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 100:5