Mission to Buenos Aires Diocese, Argentina

In the midst of praying for one person, God showed me how I myself, at that very moment, needed to, and could be, filled with His Holy Spirit!

By Fr. John Allen

I have had the blessing and opportunity to serve on many church related and cross-cultural mission trips. These have ranged from building projects with youth groups to participating in GAFCON Conferences. However, my recent SOMA mission has been unique. I am used to getting out of my comfort zone when traveling to other countries and cultures, but I am not used to being taken out of my comfort zone when it comes to something as “normal” as prayer. 

Praying out loud is not something I fear; in fact, praying in public is part of my role as a clergy. However, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide my prayers for people I don't know is a different experience altogether. I was entrusted with praying for intimate personal matters, medical issues, family troubles, and deep-seated wounds. These topics are far outside my comfort zone, more than I have ever encountered before with strangers. Yet, this experience taught me something significant about myself. I often teach and preach that we are all works in progress, with more room to grow in our relationship and journey with the Lord. On this mission though I was the student, the Lord revealed that there is still more for me to grow into. 

Spiritual growth is not always comfortable. When we offered prayers in Buenos Aires, I was thrust into that uncomfortable place. Dozens of people were asking for healing prayer or to be filled with the Holy Spirit. In the midst of praying for one person, God showed me how I myself, at that very moment, needed to, and could be, filled with His Holy Spirit! I saw Him move in ways I had heard and read about, but had never actually seen for myself. I witnessed miraculous healings occur. Not just physical, but also emotional and spiritual. I saw people accept forgiveness for things they had carried for years, even decades. I saw the Lord move His Holy Spirit amongst His Church in ways that feel like they jumped right off the pages of the Book of Acts.  

I learned many things on this trip. I realized that Buenos Aires feels more like Europe than Latin America. I learned that Argentinians can give Texas a run for its money when it comes to the best steak of all time. But, above all else, I discovered the power of prayer and the desire of the Holy Spirit to work through the prayers of the Church. I went to Argentina in the hopes of being a blessing to others, but I can certainly say I was the one who received the blessing.