Update through May 31st, 2005
Why is this blog being created?

From time to time people have asked about special work fund needs for the work here in Buenos Aires. Those who want to know about such needs can go and read about them here without having to ask me about them personally. Donations are handled by my overseeing congregation, Faith Village church of Christ in Wichita Falls, Texas. Simply ask me how to contact them. Those who don't want to know about them, do not have to hear about financial needs they are not interested in!

Some needs are becoming pressing as of the end of June, 2005. The University church of Christ in Abilene has been in the process of phasing out of their financial support in Buenos Aires at the time that Jacquie Mitchell is moving to Cordoba, where she is hoping to continue her ministry (This is another need I can tell you about! Just ask me! ) For example, funds will no longer be available to pay our secretary, Rosalina, as of the end of June, 2005 (see on Church secretary / secretaries below). God has blessed us with a beautiful church building, in a great location. However, we cannot make full use of it if there is no one there to greet the public. Osvaldo and Laura Valdez, who work with the church here full time, and I are there some of the time, but we have other obligations during the week as well.

Let’s Start Talking ministry. In the past the University church has generously given $1000 per year towards Let’s Start Talking. This covers a $500 per year contribution on behalf of the Caballito congregation towards the LST ministry. The remaining $500 is used towards advertising for LST. The total amount covers part of the commitment the local church is requested to make in order to receive LST teams. This commitment is: (1) to provide housing for the LST teams, (2) to provide a working space for them, (3) to be responsible for advertising, (4) if possible to make a contribution towards the LST ministry. What University church in Abilene has given has covered the last two requirements. This year (2005) a special contribution from Harpeth Hills church of Christ made it possible to cover part of LST expenses and Nations University translation needs (see below). Remaining LST expenses were covered by my existing working fund, although this meant cutting back on previoulsy budgeted items (such as advertising in general).

Church secretary (secretaries). The church building’s excellent location is not made full use of adequately because of insufficient staff to answer the phone, etc. Roslina, our secretary has been working fifteen hours a week in the afternoon. This is the maximum amount of time a person can work in Argentina without the employer’s having to pay the equivalent of social security and other benefits. When the University church's work support for a secretary ends at the end of June, 2005, I think it would be good to have Rosalina continue working, if possible, and have someone else do at least another similar shift. Rosalina is being paid 100 Argentine pesos a week, which is a little over two dollars an hour. This would be considered a fairly good salary for a non-specialized secretary, provided she were permitted to work more hours. Rosalina is subsidizing her salary by working other places during the week. (Since first posting this yesterday, part of Rosalina's salary has been covered as of July 1st, 2005, the Lord willing!).

Ideally, if someone else could work another fifteen hours a week (a total of six hours per day of part time help from Monday to Friday), we could have the building open more often than it is now and more adequately stay in touch with contacts. $300 a month would pay for this part time help (including Rosalina's present three-hour a day salary and another person's doing the same amount of time). Still another $150 would cover a third persons's working part time during the week...


NationsUniversity (nationsu.org) has made it possible to use their excellent teaching materials in Spanish. Some of these are being prepared locally in our new Bible institute. They are made available on line to Spanish speaking persons interested in university level Bible study in the United States and throughout Latin America. Others have been and are being translated from English into Spanish. A translation for one course runs from around $200. This year a special contribution helped with translation for about two courses (the second translation is to begin in late June), although more materials could be translated if more funds were available. I've found that using persons who are trained in the area of translating makes the final product much more user friendly for students. If you would like to see already existing courses, you can look under "languages" (select "Spanish") on the nationsu.org home page.

I continue to thank Rylie church of Christ and one Christian couple for making my work fund available. If possible, I'm hoping to not have to rely on their present funding to cover these part time help salary needs. Thanks for reading this! The Lord willing, future work fund letters will keep you informed about other "blogs" concerning special needs. You can contact me about anything written here at my usual e-mail address... jtbanks@u-naciones.org

If you ever want to call Argentina, the cheapest calling cards (4 cents a minute) that I have found are at nobelcom.com

My co-workers, Laura and Osvaldo Valdez... are raising $500 monthly support beginning January, 2006. This is to replace funding that was only short term. In addition they have become aware of increased work fund needs. The Valdez's are great workers and a blessing to have here. At present they are the only married full time workers involved in this congregation, which makes them a real asset for working with married couples. They are also great with Let's Start Talking follow up, personal classes and teaching in general. Osvaldo is a good preacher and is helping train young and older men both. Let me know if you would like to know how to get in touch with them !