Argentina Team Update #8

Day Seven

Last night we stayed in a couple small cabins in the “campo” after having dinner with Alberto. We were loaded up on Milanesa (like fried breaded chicken) and Coca Cola. The consensus was that most of us have not drank Coke, much less any soda, like that at such a late hour for quite some time. After waking up this morning, I was able to snap a few pictures of the surrounding countryside filled with the low fog. Later, Chris, Ryan, Segundo, and I found a bird that lays their eggs in the ground. The bird is very territorial and will attack anything that looks threatening. We were in stitches watching each other take turns walking up to the bird and trying not to flinch as it dive bombed us.

After playing with the wildlife, we loaded into the van and headed over to the fire department in Gardey, which is where Alberto got his start in the fire service. They had been roasting a pig for lunch and set out quite the spread for us. They were very interested in us coming back out to conduct training with them. I had to tell them that we weren’t immediately available but would be open to making plans over the next couple years. It is so cool to see how this ministry is starting to balloon and I feel so fortunate to be present on the leading edge.

After eating an entire pig, we got back into the van and began the long journey to San Nicolas. Tom Cooney did great driving us safely over the next 7 hours and Colleen Feeney had Empanadas waiting for us when we arrived! Now, we just need to get some sleep because tomorrow we train again with the local fire department.