April 2020 Report

Two Years in Argentina

Another Month in Mandatory Quarantine

So how do you write a report for a month that feels like a year. April saw us still in quarantine here in Argentina but we didn’t slow down we just changed our methods. Scott has continued to send out a daily message to our ever growing list of friends and followers here. Whenever he goes out to buy groceries he takes the opportunity to talk to the employees of the stores and let’s them know about the messages he sends out to a list of friends. So far the reception has been very positive.

Open Doors in Spite of Closed Doors

Open Doors in Spite of Closed Doors

One perfect example of an open door was when Scott went to one store that an agnostic friend owns. The daughter of the store owner was working that day when Scott told her about the encouraging messages he sends out daily. He asked her if he could talk to her father to see if he would like to be on the list of recipients. She was adamant that he would not want to listen to anything Christian since he’s agnostic. But Scott got his number anyway and told her he would still like to ask him. We were a little surprised but happy when he agreed whole heartedly that he would certainly like to receive the messages Scott sends out.

      We praise the Lord for all those who are willing to hear the Word of God and we pray that each one that hears will come to know the Lord as their personal Savior through the preaching of His word.

Online Bible Meetings

Besides these daily messages we also have been continuing the  Wednesday night Bible Study with the group that normally meets at Marcelo’s house. Only now we’ve been having to experiment with ways to meet electronically. So far we’ve tried WhatsApp and Zoom. You can view those recorded meetings on our YouTube channel “Profundizando En La Palabra.” 

If you want to see a list of all the Bible Studies audio and video that we’ve been sharing during this time you can view the list on our Spanish Website at profundizandoenlapalabra.org.

The above pictures are of the various online Bible Studies we’ve had and the last picture is of the Pastors’ Monthly Prayer Meeting which we originally planned to host in our home this month. We plan to invite them to our home again at some point when the quarantine has lifted.

Good News from a Friend

Another praise is our friend, Hugo, that Scott had been having Bible studies with before the quarantine, called Scott through his mother’s phone. That truly was a blessing to our hearts as we had no way to communicate with him before his call and no way to know how he and his family were doing. They are well but as with many the quarantine has hurt their business financially.

Other Activities

  Also during the month we continue to work on our language learning with 4 hours of classes through Zoom each week. 

• Elisabeth and I continue taking violin lessons through WhatsApp. 

•  We as a family have also finished reading through the book of John together out loud in Spanish. We are now setting out to finish Matthew by the middle of May. 

  Not getting to go outside has been hard but we try to make up for it with activities at home which we would probably not have started on what would have been our schedule this year.  You can see pictures of some of those activities included in this report.

  Also this past month Hannah started back offering guitar lessons for her friend. Since they couldn’t meet in person for their lessons Hannah offered to teach her online. Hannah did a video for her which can be seen on her YouTube channel

  Jonathan has also been working on digital music recording and we’ve been posting his videos on YouTube as well. Here are some links to our various YouTube channels:

Our Spanish YouTube Channel – Profundizando en la Palabra: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL1srJ8XWa1QVzKXu9Q5clA

Scott Maness’ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/psalm34vs3

Anastacia Maness’ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/asmile4ever

Hannah Maness’ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNUDyDxWM0mOy4DcGinkNUQ

So during this time of mandatory staying at home we are still keeping busy and reaching out in every way possible. We can only imagine the doors the Lord will open as soon as the quarantine ends. Please pray for those we are in communication with that the doors will continue to open.

Bonus Pictures

Our annual family Easter Pictures. Our annual family Easter Pictures. This year we used our phones to include Joshua and Ruth in the pictures.

March 2020 Report

A month ago when we wrote our February report we had no idea how different our lives would look in March. At the beginning of March schools were starting back after summer break. There were long lines of parents taking their children to their first day of school. 

The hospital ministry had just started back up and Scott went with another brother to preach at the hospital. Scott also attended the monthly pastors’ prayer meeting. We were still having Bible Study at Marcelo’s house and Scott still met with Hugo at the plaza for their weekly Bible Study. 

We were still going to language school and discussing world events. We were still house hunting. Basically we were all living life as usual. At that point the pandemic seemed far away on the other side of the planet from us.

Many of the area churches announced they were canceling services until further notice because of the worldwide pandemic and the call for social distancing. 

We still met at Marcelo’s for our weekly Wednesday night Bible Study and we tried out a new schedule giving an extra hour at the beginning of the normal Bible Study for me to teach the children’s Bible lesson. Everything went well and even with the extra precautions we took to not spread germs everyone had a wonderful time.

The very next day, March 19th, was Elijah’s Birthday and the government announced a nationwide mandatory quarantine starting at midnight. Scott and I went out and bought necessary supplies for the next couple of weeks. We never imagined this happening.

Elijah’s 10th Birthday the day before the mandatory quarantine began.

So how are we doing with the current change of plans?

Honestly we are doing pretty well. Probably one of the hardest parts is watching from a distance as our friends and family there in the United States are affected in harder ways than we are. (At least we still have toilet paper in the stores here.) 

We are continuing to meet online with our language instructor each week to keep up our Spanish progress. Elisabeth and I are also having our violin class virtually. The other children’s music and band classes were canceled but they are practicing at home. 

We homeschool anyway so the kids are continuing in their education. We try to take breaks. We don’t have a yard but we do have a walled in section on our roof where the kids can play and get fresh air. We also have a small balcony where Scott and I can retreat for a little break from kids.

You can find more lessons and activities in Spanish at profundizandoenlapalabra.org.

We are allowed to leave the house for groceries and Scott takes care of that for us. Scott also records a daily devotional in Spanish which you can find on his Spanish website profundizandoenlapalabra.org 

Hannah requested some down home country cooking for her Birthday.

Our big Birthday party plans for Hannah’s 15th Birthday had to be changed. Hannah’s heart had been set on a big birthday party sharing a little bit of Texas culture with all her friends here in Argentina. We weren’t able to do that party as originally planned due to the quarantine but she enjoyed all the videos and phone calls from so many of her friends here and in the United States. Thank you to all our friends that took time out of your day to wish Hannah a Happy Birthday.

Bonus Pictures

The kids played hymns before the Children’s Bible Lesson the last Wednesday Night before the quarantine was announced.

Birthday Cake and Texas Bluebonnets.
Hannah shaped a felt hat into a cowgirl hat.

Click Here for the Printable PDF of this Report

February 2020 Report


One on One Discipleship

Each Tuesday evening Hugo and I have met for coffee and Bible discussion.  We have been spending about two and a half hours together answering questions and discussing current life struggles and God’s solutions.  Each time we open the Bible God’s simple plan of salvation is presented.  The book of Matthew has been our guide for basic discipleship with a current focus on the Sermon on the mount.  

This is the cafe at the corner of the plaza in Alta Cordoba where Hugo and I have been meeting each Tuesday evening for a Bible study.  This photo was taken after one such occasion as I was heading back home in the trolley.  Please pray for these meetings!

Asked to Teach for Three Days on Marriage and Family

We had been asked to help with a three day camp meeting and teach.  We were asked to teach each morning on marriage and family.  When we arrived, we found ourselves teaching not married adults but single kids.  We adapted each lesson for their personal needs and everything went very well.  It was a great blessing to be able to have several discussions throughout the weekend.  I brought the morning lessons and brother Oscar brought the evening lessons.  There was a lot of time put into the lessons before the camp preparing materials to help a troubled marriage, which the Lord has been using not only at the camp with the adapted lessons but with a few individuals that we know and talk to that have major problems in their marriages.  Please pray for the many people that we have opportunities to speak with on a daily basis.

Stacie has begun teaching a Bible Story in Spanish before the sermon each Wednesday!

The Lord put on Stacie’s heart to offer something for all of the kids that have been coming on Wednesday evening to the Bible study at Marcelo’s house.  She has been printing off a Bible story and taking it to her language coach for suggestions on grammar and usage.  She has been doing an amazing job sharing with the kids!

Looking for a House to Rent Closer to the Plaza

Our rental agreement will end at the end of May so we have been diligently looking for a place to rent that would be big enough for our family and also to have Bible studies.

Planning a Party

One part of the Argentine culture is the quinceañera.  Picture planning a wedding.  Hannah will turn 15 next month and we are planning on having a party for her in this tradition without breaking ourselves or the bank.  We are planning on having a party with a Texas theme and sharing the Gospel with all that come.  Please pray for us.


Thoughts from Stacie


Tranquilo: That’s my word for the year. It translates as “Tranquil, Peaceful, Calm, Quiet, Relaxed…” Basically my goal for this year is to keep the stress levels down. Any time I realize stress is building I go back to that word, “Tranquilo.” Usually I pick words based on what I know I will need during a given year for me one word is so much easier to remember than lists of goals. 

Teaching: As Scott mentioned I started teaching a childen’s Bible Lesson each week to the children that come the the Bible Study on Wednesday nights. I noticed that sometimes children from the neighborhood would just pop in to see what was going on and then leave. They weren’t getting much from the preaching as they would typically leave shortly after the song service ended. This month I started reading a short Bible Story after the singing and I share the gospel with them at the end of each lesson. We also pass out coloring pages from the story for them to take home. These lessons help me gain experience teaching in Spanish and introduces the children to God’s Word at the same time.

Teaching: As Scott mentioned I started teaching a childen’s Bible Lesson each week to the children that come the the Bible Study on Wednesday nights. I noticed that sometimes children from the neighborhood would just pop in to see what was going on and then leave. They weren’t getting much from the preaching as they would typically leave shortly after the song service ended. This month I started reading a short Bible Story after the singing and I share the gospel with them at the end of each lesson. We also pass out coloring pages from the story for them to take home. These lessons help me gain experience teaching in Spanish and introduces the children to God’s Word at the same time.

Partial block Alphabet by Elisabeth (7)

Homeschool: Also this month as our schedules change from the summer break we decided to revamp our homeschooling. The month of February I had the kids testing for the Alpha-Omega Homeschool Curriculum. This new curriculum looks like it will be a good fit for us. Please pray for us as we try to  adjust to these transitions “tranquilly.”


Bonus Pictures


Above are Photos of Hymnals that Scott prepared for Praise and Worship Services. 

Translated the cover reads:

 “Hymnal of Praise”
Revelations 4:11
“Thou art worthy, O Lord,

to receive glory and honor and power:
for thou hast created all things,

and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

The ABA National Meeting 

Many of the friends we have made while on deputation we got to see again at our association of churches messenger meeting.


The kids enjoyed seeing their friends as well at the meeting. Many of the children present are preachers’ kids or missionary kids. 

The first part of the week is the annual National Women’s Conference. I took the girls to that while Scott took the boys to the Missionary Committee meeting.

There were a lot of sweet babies at the meeting this year. I wish I thought to take a picture of all the strollers lined up by the wall where we sat.

Scott was honored to carry the Argentine flag during the flag ceremony on Tuesday night honoring the countries represented by missionaries and pastors present.

Probably one of the most exciting part of the meeting for the children are the booths.

We spent most of our time at the meeting attending our booth. The bracelets we passed out were a big hit.


Bro. Chase Reynolds shared an amazing missionary message about the responsibility of each church to send someone somewhere to share the gospel with a lost and dying world. 

It truly was a week!

Jonathan’s Impromptu Sermon

Sunday night, after the service at Cornerstone in Roswell, New Mexico, we enjoyed an ice cream fellowship. We also enjoyed an impromptu sermon from Jonathan on the life of David from 1 Samuel. 

Below are some pictures from the evening and a video of Jonathan’s sermon.




Trinity River Local Association Mission Rally

It was a blessing being able to attend the mission rally in Cleveland, TX.  It was great hearing the message presented by brother Moyers this evening.   He preached from the book of Nehemiah beginning at chapter 2.  His message encouraged us to not get discouraged in the work of the Lord.  In chapter 6, he brought out the mischief that Sanballat and Geshem had in store for him.  Nehemiah responded correctly that, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down.”
There would be many in this life that would dissuade use from doing the will of the father.  Some oppose out of envy, others out of fear and many from hatred of God and his people.  The scriptures comfort us that no matter what, God is still greater.  The enemies of Nehemiah were persistent.  They sent four times trying to  stop him or discourage him from the work.  Each time he responded the same way, “I cannot come down!”

What work would God have you busy at right now? 
What distractions are hindering you from serving the Lord?

In the book of Hebrews, it says, “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”

Enrolling my son at TBI

My son, Joshua and I went to Texas Baptist Institute and Seminary this morning to get him enrolled for the fall semester.  We sat in on some of the classes and he was able to already make some new friends.  We heard a great message that morning and he was able to get all of his paperwork and fees taken care of.  He is planning to move up to Henderson the first week of July.  Pray for him as he embarks on this great journey and adventure of preaching the word of God.

A woman after God’s own heart

After going to the pre-association meeting in Texarkana, It was my great pleasure this week to sit down and discuss the Bible with my wife’s grandmother, Charlcye Taylor.  She has walked consistently with the Lord for many years.  One of the things that she has done over the years is to mark the sermon texts that had been preached over her lifetime.image

You can see from the margin of her Bible the small printed text that she had added with the name of who preached the message, the title and the date.  She is no longer able to read the small print that she wrote, however, As I mentioned a text, title, name and date, she could remember the entire event whether it was a revival message or a Sunday sermon.  I could see her face lighting up as we walked through the last 40 years of her memory. 

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We started from the back of her Bible in Revelation and slowly flipped back through the pages talking about the associated events.  We lost track of time and realized that by the time we had flipped backwards a page at a time into the Gospels, a couple of hours had past.  Those were a couple of hours that I would not have given anything for in exchange.  Since then I started doing the same thing, marking the name, date and text preached.  It is a great mnemonic device, bringing back the floodgates of memory with a couple of marks.

What do you do to remember your time spent in the Word of God?  I would love to hear your comments!
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Texas State Pre-association Meeting

It was her riding up to the pre-association meeting with Glen Griffith, Shawn Findley and Travis Robinson.  We had a great time of fellowship en route to Texarkana.  When Jesus was on earth, his disciples spent a lot of time with him, going everywhere together.  That is a key ingredient that is many times left out of a modern discipleship program, quality time.

It was good to see several of the brethren again that I had not seen in a long time.  Before I got up to present the work, brother Griffith shared that when Nevill’s Chapel voted unanimously to be our sending church that 17 people joined their church that day.  God is great and still on the throne!

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