False god, False Hope
And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof… and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree? Isaiah 44:19
Here in Buenos Aires, in almost every neighborhood, on a corner or in a park, you can find a small house. Inside it, there stands a statue of Mary surrounded by flowers and other religious icons. Outside it, at any given time of the day, there stands an individual gazing at it. This individual will touch it, kiss it and even bend down on their knees to pray to it, all in hopes of receiving a special blessing. Interestingly, at another given time, you would see someone unlocking the padlock on that little house, pulling everything out of it, cleaning it all, taking care of the surrounding grounds, then locking everything up again. The question almost screams at us ¿How can they trust something for blessing and protection that cannot even protect and take care of itself? That is the faith of the typical Argentine, faith placed in a false god that cannot help or even hear them. Please pray for them to receive the message of the only hope that can save them, the One True Son of the Living God, Jesus Christ.
Memory or Ministry?
Flashback— 7:30 AM, I hear the familiar wake up bell and a camp counsellor telling everyone to get up and get ready for the day. Marcos Paz summer youth camp in Argentina is one of the highlights of my life. Soon after, as the morning service was underway, young voices lifted up praise to their Savior in song. Then the main speaker for the week was introduced, but no one stood up right away to head to the pulpit.
Flash back to reality—my brain woke me up to the fact that it was my name they had called. For an instant the memory of past years at this camp had clouded the present reality that I had the privilege to challenge these youth from God’s Word for the week. What an honor to participate alongside other missionaries and pastors in such an essential ministry: one that helped shape my life when I was a youth. Now it was the next generation’s turn to discover what it meant to be the “Generation of Hope,” which was the camp’s theme this year. We rejoiced in the decisions of four young people to receive Christ as their Savior during that week, and several other decisions to live for the Lord. Two more weeks of camp for the younger ages saw more salvations and many other decisions as well. Praise God for your investment and prayers which enable and empower us to help carry out the Great Commission here in Argentina!
Our group from Iglesia Bautista Calvario
Ben had the privilege to speak at camp for the week.
Click to print: Prayer Letter- Jan Feb 2015
Metzgers to Argentina 
It is great to see how God is blessing you and your family.
Ron,
Great to hear from you! I checked out your website also and signed up for your prayer letters. It’s an incredible thing to use the skills God has given you in the ministry around the world.
Keeping your family in my prayers,
Ben.
Hello Metzger Family,
I happen to be in Linked In and ran into your post. As the country of my birth it deeply saddens me to know that my people are worshiping idols like the stories in the Old Testament. Argentina’s hope is in Jesus, and in Him alone!
Where in Argentina are you (City and name of Church?).
By the time you read this post I would have lifted you, your family, and the mission of Christ in my prayers.
In His Holy Name,
Victor Santillan
Southside Baptist Church, Dover, DE
Hola Victor,
Glad you ran into us again! Do you want me to add your email to our prayer letter email list so you get them directly into your email inbox?
We appreciate your prayers and encouragement so much, we’ve been keeping you guys at Southside in our prayers as well.
In answer to your question, we are in Isidro Casanova, on the west side of the city of Buenos Aires, helping out at my in-laws’ church, Iglesia Bauitista Calvario. We’ll be there for probably another year until God moves us on to another location to start a work. Thank you for what you do to enable and empower us to carry out the Great Commission here.
Argentina for Christ,
Ben Metzger