As the Ecuadorians were in the Midwest, a group of Argentines visited congregations in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), their partner in mission since 2003. On July 19, Amer Oyanguren, pastor of Piedritas Mennonite Church, preached at Neffsville Mennonite Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. His brother, Daniel Oyanguren, pastor of Villegas Mennonite Church, preached at Ridgeview Mennonite Church in Gordonville, Pennsylvania.
The brothers are both involved in evangelistic outreach in their region of Argentina through VEMZO (Visión Evangelística y Misionera de la Zona Oeste).
“We share gifts, but not ones that are necessarily monetary,” Daniel Oyanguren said. “The most important aspect of our partnership is that we are friends.”
Bob Martin, a member of Ridgeview Mennonite, agreed. “When we get together, it is like we are family,” he said. “It’s a community, a mutual sharing of gifts in Christ.”
Mick Sommers, pastor of Ridgeview, said, “The partnership is a strong reminder that life doesn’t revolve around Lancaster County, that there are persons beyond us who are also doing good things. It gives a global perspective on our faith, rather than a ‘me and God in the garden alone’ kind of thing.”
