Fontana is a suburb of Resistencia and the home of some of the Criollos.  Here, the paved streets of the city are replaced by dirt roads, the automobiles replaced by non-functioning tractors, the sidewalks replaced by open sewers, and tall apartment buildings replaced by small masonry structures.  Most people who have jobs must ride bicycles to get to work in the city. Local employment is hard to find and wages are very low. About 50% of the people are unemployed. Some people earn a small income selling staple goods from their homes.  Yet, one of the things the Criollos value highly is hospitality and the visitor is welcomed and offered mate, a tea that is shared from a common cup.

Behind a levee that protects them from the Rio Paraná and in the shadow of a large grain elevator is another community called La Toma.  On the edge of this community is the home of a boat builder by the name of Jose. He builds good fishing boats but he is unable to sell enough to improve the living conditions of his family. Jose, his wife, Raquel, and their 4 children live in a home where the walls and roof are made from sheets of black plastic.

The flat terrain of the pampas is well suited to raising cattle. The care of the cattle throughout the area is entrusted to the Gauchos. The rainy season turns some of the pastureland into lakes, which requires extra work in caring for the cattle herds. Gauchos take great pride in being macho men.

One exciting part of the Gaucho’s life is the rodeos and an opportunity to show off ones horses and horsemanship. The Gauchos cling fiercely to centuries-old traditions. On this day, it was also a time to share experiences and techniques with North American horsemen. The methods are different but a helping hand and an Argentine handshake bind the friendship of these men of different cultures and beliefs. These Christian volunteers told them about the most macho man they had ever met, Jesus Christ.

Total Length:  2:01

Catholic churches are prominent in most cities in the area; however, Catholicism is heavily mixed with animistic beliefs and popular folk heroes.

Many people believe that they can pray to Gaucho Gil and he will intercede and persuade God to grant them favors.  He takes the place of Jesus for them.  The story goes that the Argentine cowboy, Gaucho Gil, was captured in 1875 and hung from the tree that once stood at this spot. This happened after he had deserted military duties that he thought to be wrong.

Many accounts circulate about the favors granted by Gaucho Gil. Plaques abound at the shrine expressing gratitude to Gaucho Gil.  License plates on the wall are from people who attribute the gaucho with the good fortune of acquiring a new car or perhaps being saved from a bad car wreck. The wedding dresses hanging from the ceiling are a thank offering to Gaucho Gil for a good marriage.

Two other popular religious symbols are the Virgin of Itati and Saint Death.  Saint Death was the patron saint of Gaucho Gil so people here will also pray to Saint Death as well as Gaucho Gil petitioning for a non-violent death.

Total Length: 2:57

Many of the Criollos live and work in the rural areas of the provinces. The roads to get to these settlements are rough and poorly maintained.  When it rains  these roads become virtually impassable.  About 30 miles northwest of Saénz Peña is the small settlement of Pampa Alegria.  The living conditions in this colonia are similar to that throughout the area.  The small homes are made of mud and sticks with a dirt floor.  But this colonia is different than most of the other places. They have a church here.

People gather for worship.  A few men leave the comfort of their churches in Saénz Peña and make the hour drive to Pampa Alegria to assist in the worship service as well as teach Sunday School.  One leads the group in prayer and songs of praise.  He continues with a lesson from God's Word as the people stand and listen carefully.

The worship time concludes after an hour and Sunday School begins.  M. takes the six little children and sits them in a circle near the tall grass.  Four teenagers help their teacher bring a table outside. They use a hand cranked cassette tape player as part of their Bible study.  Meanwhile, B. and four young adults gather next to a house where they enjoy mate while discussing the lesson. There is no need for a nursery here. As R. teaches the seven adults under a tree, a little one plays quietly and a mother comforts her baby.  Their time together ends with the observation of the Lord’s Supper.  Servant Leaders serve a small loaf of bread and a common glass of peach nectar.

God is here in the midst of these believers. Those in attendance are eager to learn more about Jesus. Other small villages like this one are opening to the Gospel.  The church planting movement is growing in this part of the world as the Criollo people discover that Jesus can give them hope in every circumstance of life.

Total Length: 1:40

The Criollo … the hidden people … are overlooked and pushed aside. Their lack of education, environmental conditions, and family problems all present difficulties in reaching them with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  One of the greatest challenges we face is to stay on focus with the mission that God has called us to carry out because it would be so easy to prioritize the social part of the ministry.  That is important but we are here with one mission and that is to begin a church planting movement so that our people can come to know the Lord Jesus Christ.

Fade out with children