Uruguay Trip

After being postponed for a day due to Laura’s overnight ordeal and the team’s need for some serious r&r, we set off for an adventure to Uruguay! This is a country none of us had ever experienced—an adventure also because none of our translators were able to accompany us. Pastor Salazar and his family stayed back to hold a prayer conference, and Josué needed rest to let his body recover.Up at 6:30 (Daniel gave each room cheery wake-up calls, just to be sure), we boarded the bus just after 7am for the 45-minute trip to Tigre. Tigre is the market we shopped at previously, but it is also an important port. Luis, our bus driver, promised to get us there in time, in spite of arriving at Las Clavelinas 15 minutes late. Poor guy—I think our team ran him ragged this trip!We arrived at the ferry station at 8am—30 minutes before the boat was scheduled to depart for Uruguay! We hurriedly filled out the necessary papers and marched through security (we each were wanded down. . .no concealed weapons with this bunch!) and boarded just in time.The ferry was two stories tall with a restaurant and duty free shop on the lower deck. We chose the upper deck. The temperature was cozy, a welcome change from the frigid Argentine winter. This, plus the constant hum of the engine and gentle motion quickly lulled us into some much-needed sleep.We awoke to the captain’s voice announcing our destination. Looking around to see trees lining the banks of a small river, we wondered, “Was this Uruguay?” It looked more like a rustic wilderness retreat.Assured that this was our stop, we woke the sound sleepers and left the ferry. The weather was overcast and grey, and there was a chill in the air, but nothing dampened our spirits.We were excited to see what new experiences the next few hours would hold.With fresh stamps in our passports, we set out walking the Uruguayan streets.We noticed lots of horse drawn carts whizzing by, and we stopped often for pictures. A trip into a little shop named “Florida” proved successful as several of us purchased souvenirs. One of the locals gave us directions to the center of town, and a recommendation for lunch. On our way we stopped at a bank to exchange a little cash. The exchange rate for Uruguayan pesos to American dollars was around 20 to 1.Our appetites brightened by the morning’s walk, we thoroughly enjoyed our lunch. Some of us sipped giant coffees, while others enjoyed pizza, or the house special, a gigantic sandwich with a fried egg! Delicious!With still a few hours before our ferry departed for the return Argentina, we decided on a walk, as all the stores were closed for the afternoon. (Uruguayan culture mimics Argentine in this respect.) Photo ops galore!Jamie even attempted one wide angle shot while hanging precariously over the edge of the dock—Don’t let go, Timothy!Our trip ended all to soon as we at last boarded the ferry for “home.”Our last evening together in Argentina was an encouraging time of fellowship. We did some last-minute shopping just as stores were closing in Tigre, and stopped at Jumbo one last time for some dinner fixings. . . our new favorite PB&J. International travel messes with your taste buds sometimes. PB&J sounded heavenly for some strange reason! Hitting Munchi’s on the way home for some ice cream and coffee, we laughed so hard at John’s impressions that our tummies hurt! He has a knack for capturing people, and for mimicking their unique quirks and expressions.After returning to Las Clavelinas, we all gathered in Daniel’s room for hot chocolate, tea and 4-on-a-couch until everyone was exhausted. After long weeks of intense ministry, it was so refreshing to enjoy just being together and having fun. It was a awesome day, and we went to bed that night with rejoicing, grateful hearts for all the Lord accomplished through us during the trip.