2024 – The Maness Family

Classes have started back

Here in Argentina, our month of March corresponds with September in the US, when schools open again and people have come back from their vacations. For us, since we first arrived here, the month of March marked off several new chapters in our lives as well as opportunities for reaching out to people.

Spending time at the University of Cordoba

The city of Cordoba boasts of at least 8 major universities and half a million combined student population! The national university of Cordoba (Universidad Nacional de Cordoba, UNC) began in 1613 and averages about 180,000 students. It worked out that my son Jonathan and I had the opportunity to sign up to take some music classes at the university together! We have been enjoying time spent together as well as meeting several new people. Please pray that the Lord will guide our steps and our conversations with the teachers and students that we meet!

Teaching a New Testament Greek Class

For a couple of years now, brother Victor has asked me to teach a Greek class for their church seminary. It is a great blessing to have finally worked it into the schedule and begun. We are having the class on Tuesday nights and will be going from March to November. Please pray for the students, a few of them that have surrendered to preach and may be some of the future pastors here in Argentina!

I am here because of you!

“I am here because of you!”
This is what Juan told me as he hugged my neck after his baptism.

If you look back on the front page of January’s report, you will see a picture of him and his wife visiting our Sunday night service. His wife was baptized last year by brother Elinai (Missionary from Mexico) but for several reasons Juan was not ready at the time and they were still struggling in their marriage. When they visited us, we counseled them that they should follow the Lord together as a family and return and work out the problems and conflict. It is surprising when the advice that you give is followed! (Sadly, much pastoral marriage advice is not followed: “I know the Bible says, but…..”) They are not only together in their marriage but now active members together in one of the Lord’s churches! Continue to pray for them as well as the city of Malvinas where they live!

Bonus Pictures

http://argentinabaptist.org/Newsletter/Report-2024-03.pdf

Stacie’s Parents

The first two weeks of February were occupied with helping Stacie’s parents (Paul and Janie Clark) with Physical Therapy sessions and a Doctor’s Appointment. The doctor’s appointment went well and she was approved to fly. They were scheduled to fly out on Valentine’s day but had to push back a day because Stacie’s father came down with a stomach virus. The Lord got them through their flight and once back home Paul saw a doctor about his stomach problems and Janie can now walk without assistance. It is good to see them getting back to normal. Janie’s birthday was on the 24th and Stacie sent her flowers for her Birthday.

Family Counseling Session

One week during the month a mother reached out to Stacie asking for help with one of her children. Stacie talked with the mother and the next day we went to their home to talk with both parents about the problems and were able to help them communicate better with each other and with their family.

Open Door for another Home Bible Study

A friend of ours that owns a Bible Book Store in our city mentioned a family that was interested in learning more about the gospel. He had talked with one of the daughters but said they needed someone to come visit and talk with her mother. They gave us the address of the vegetable store where the family works. Stacie and I went and spoke with the mother (pictured with the bird). While I was sharing the gospel with her a parrot surprised me by jumping on my shoulder. That was the first time I have ever had a bird land on me while I was witnessing to someone. During our visit she prayed a prayer of repentance.

She said that she tries to read the Bible but that it is often too hard for her to understand. She would like us to come to her home for a Bible Study. I have visited with her at the vegetable store twice. Pray for us as we make plans to go to her home. She lives in a part of town where there are no other Baptist churches available. This would be another good area to start a church.

Classes on Baptism

On our Wednesday night Bible study, Marcelo had requested that I begin a series teaching on Scriptural Baptism. Nobody besides my family coming on Wednesdays has scriptural baptism yet. One of the ladies coming each Wednesday will be turning 90 this year! She said that she would like to be baptized after the classes. Please pray for everyone coming as there is much error being commonly taught. God’s Word is well able to dispel the darkness with His glorious light!