Waiting in Line Can Be Fun!

In Argentina you have to get used to waiting in line.  You go to the pharmacy and wait in line... Go to the hardware store and wait in line. To the corner to take a bus and wait in line. You go to the bank and wait in line. I can remember lines at a bank that went clear down around the corner.  Frances was waiting in line at a bank one hot day when an elderly lady fainted on the sidewalk.

I took these shots while waiting in line at 5 PM (two hours prior to service time) to get into the indoor stadium for our annual General Council of the Assemblies of God Pastors in the mountains of Cordoba.    

The crowds have exceeded the stadium capacity of 2,300. Hundreds will be left outside to be in a tent with a large screen. They tell me that the line was three blocks long at this time. Every few minutes someone would come running to me to hug my neck.  

This little guy came out of nowhere and was hugging my legs and when I bent down he gave me a hug and a customary kiss on the cheek.  He was so cute I had to have someone take a picture of him.  I don't even know his name or who he belongs to.  

Waiting in line is a lot more fun when filled with Argentine hugs. 

Worship is heavenly! The presence of God is powerful. 

Every available seat is occupied. This morning's speaker is Pablo Silberbeib, part of a group of boys that came to Christ when I was preaching in a city park in 1977.  Now he is invited to speak in many countries all over the world. When he saw me in the stadium before service he came running with a big hug. 

The night service was over.  An hour passed as I was stopped by many long-time friends. As usual I was one of the last ones out. The lights were out and pretty much everyone gone.  I was waiting for a cab to my hotel when I was attacked by this delightful group of youth from over 1000 miles down south in La Patagonia... some of them from churches that I had helped to start.

I just wish you could be here to witness this!  Words cannot convey the love and excitement I feel.

Ralph