Uruguayan Evangelists Encouraged by Conference

December 1, 2002 - Olga Correa says her husband thinks she is crazy.

by Karen Pierce

After all, what woman in her right mind would move the furniture in her home every week so nearly 100 neighborhood children can pile in to hear Bible stories?

What kind of a woman would paint Scripture on the walls of her house and go from business to business asking for donations—of food, clothing, anything—for the children to whom she ministers?

This Uruguayan woman is doing all that—and more—to reach the children in her Montevideo neighborhood for Christ.

Correa is one of more than 700 Uruguayan evangelists and ministry workers who attended a Beyond Amsterdam 2000 conference, which took place Oct. 3-5 in Montevideo, Uruguay.

Held in July and August of 2000, Amsterdam 2000 was a gathering of some 10,000 evangelists in the Netherlands' Amsterdam. The purpose of that conference was to unite, train and equip evangelists for the 21st century. The Uruguay event was one of many regional follow-up conferences designed to extend the benefits of Amsterdam 2000 to even more evangelists.

"It's a blessing for me (to participate)," said Correa, who has two children, ages 9 and 11, of her own.

"I like the Gospel preaching ...," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "I like learning more about myself and about God."

Attending the conference was a sacrifice for Correa, who is unemployed and whose husband is not able to work. Their family lives on a small monthly income from the government. Times are especially difficult because Uruguay is in an economic crisis.

For Correa, though, the conference was worth it, and her ministry will continue—even if people call her crazy.

Why?

"Because," she said, "I love Jesus Christ."