Mennnonite Mission Network–Delmar and Tammy Yoder’s five-month sabbatical experience in Argentina made them more open to prayer—to the Holy Spirit leading them in supplication for other people. Now, they hope to nurture that same spirit of openness and prayer in the churches of North Central Mennonite Conference.
Delmar, the pastor at Strawberry Lake Mennonite Church in Ogema, Minn., said that many times after church services and at other times during the week, the brothers and sisters from the Mennonite churches they attended in Argentina would gather in the front of the church to pray with each other.
One Sunday, the pastor came into the pews, grabbed Delmar’s hand and led him up front to lay his hands on people’s heads, channeling the Spirit for healing.
“We often didn’t even know of the person’s problems, but I believe God is so much bigger than the communication barrier we see,” Delmar said.
The Yoders were sent by North Central Conference and Mennonite Mission Network to Argentina to strengthen the partnership between the North Central Conference, Mission Network, and Mennonite churches in Argentina that make up the Missionary Program of Northern Argentina.
While both sensed a strong call to go to Argentina when they heard about the opportunity for an exchange, the logistics of leaving their family farm in Strawberry Lake, Minn., and leaving behind their six young adult children and six grandchildren was a large barrier.
Tammy talked with a woman from her church who told her: “God is the God of details. If he tells you to go, get ready and let him take care of the rest.” Her words helped Tammy feel at peace about the decision, and, she said, God faithfully cleared the way for their departure.
“I used that a lot of times in Argentina,” Tammy said. “When I would start to worry or wonder about something, I’d say, ‘God is the God of details.’”
The couple shared about their experiences in Argentina during the North Central Conference Assembly in Bloomfield, Mont., in May. Delmar told representatives from churches in the conference that he believes God is calling them to something great. As a result of his experience in Argentina, he said, he is praying for openness for both himself and the conference.
“Am I open for what God wants in my life? Is North Central open to what God wants in its life?” he asked.
Nacho Soto, a pastor in Argentina, spoke highly of the Yoders’ time in Argentina, and reported with a translator through a Skype call to a small group of assembly participants who had gathered together.
“The truth is, the experience of Delmar and Tammy here with us in Argentina was really very, very beautiful,” Soto said. “We saw them to be people very similar to ourselves with our love for the Lord. They also demonstrated a lot of ability to be willing to adapt to our situation, which is very different from their own.”
Linda Shelly, Mission Network’s director for Latin America, said that while the Yoders were only in-country for five months, the relationships they had built previously through hosting visitors from the Argentina Mennonite Church and in a previous visit to Argentina helped them forge deep connections.
“Developing relationships is a key to strong partnerships,” Shelly said. “In this experience we saw how short-term experiences can really enhance a long-term partnership. They understood a significant part of their role to be developing the partnership. They were representing North Central Conference and Mission Network – not simply serving individually.”
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Mennonite Mission Network, the mission agency of Mennonite Church USA, leads, mobilizes and equips the church to participate in holistic witness to Jesus Christ in a broken world. Media may contact Andrew Clouse at andrewc@mmnworld.net, 574-523-3024 or 866-866-2872, ext. 23024.
