After we awoke earlier than any of us desired, we hurried to the Mendoza Airport only to find that our flight had been delayed…yet again. So we sat in the airport from 7:30 to 2:00 occupying ourselves with card games and an improv comedy song competition. Then we got to Buenos Aires and met our new hosts, Manuel and Berta Sosa. Soon we were on our way to Iguazú, and we finally arrived there around 6:30 instead of our originally scheduled time of 2:00. This is where the craziness began.
Our luggage popped onto the baggage carousel as Dr. Bradley anxiously told us all to change into one of our two Argentina t-shirts since we would be driving straight to the concert in Andresito. All decked in red and blue, we rushed outside into the humidity. The bus driver instructed us to throw our bags on top of the bus, which had the luggage rack. The first problem that reared its ugly head was the lack of room for all the luggage on top of the bus. Thus, we piled the suitcases and instruments in the aisles of the bus, forcing all us passengers to climb over the bags, seats, and each other. The sun set as we hastily drove off into the heart of the jungle.
The problematic luggage rack soon became the recipient of a tropical rainforest downpour. The rain forced us to close the windows, which were our only air conditioning, and fret about the distinct possibilities of all our belongings being drenched. I thought to myself, “Man, we’re really on a mission trip now.” Our belongings were soaked and our man stench grew, but we finally arrived at the Free Brethren Church in Andresito. We hopped out of the bus and took note of the large crowd gathered inside for this special community concert in commemoration of Argentina’s Independence Day. Within ten minutes, Mr. Sosa introduced the group and Dr. Bradley began the concert. Yet since we had set up in the front but needed to process from the back, we left the stage right after our introduction, which might have appeared strange.
We finally processed in to our a cappella song “Windham,” and surprised the audience. After the first two songs, the audience was reluctant to clap. However, after the third song, “El Cielo Canta Alegria,” the pastor of the church initiated the raucous applause. Many gracious members of the church and many more visitors from the community were in attendance to hear the music. Yet most importantly, they heard a far greater message than just our music. Three testimonies were shared, and Mr. Sosa laid down the gospel message so clearly that even those of us in the choir who only understand a moderate amount of Spanish could understand. It seemed that there were more women/girls there than prior concerts who all greeted each member of the choir with a kiss on both cheeks afterwards. Also, many people wondered how we could start singing our songs without a starting pitch, because they hadn’t seen Clint play the pitch pipe behind the choir. After eating asado (assorted meat), homemade bread, and two different cakes, all served by the church, we returned to our cramped bus and sweat for two more hours back to Iguazú and checked in between 1 and 2 am. It was the most insane day in the rain forest for any of us, I’m certain.
James Cheesman