Oskar

Sometimes I wonder how these sorts of things happen to me. It was nothing planned, though I suppose they rarely are, these moments. I'll share the context nonetheless.

Returned from the institute and just as I got home, Eva was leaving to meet with some mutual friends for lunch in a nearby park. She invited me, but I declined, saying I needed to buy my ticket to Mendoza. Which I had every intention of leaving right away to do so. But then I got distracted.. writing an update letter, as well as chatting with a friend on Facebook.

I finally made my way to the bus terminal, and found my ticket to be much less expensive than I was planning. So that's a plus, and it made me happy enough to walk a little before going home. Everything went faster than expected, so I found myself wandering to San Martín Square where I took a seat to continue reading my book.

Even this comes with details, as I have always planned to sit and enjoy an afternoon in the square. It's almost always full of people, and well, I'm a people watcher. At the same time, I watch after myself, and took a seat in an empty bench with no one around.

Until Oskar came, and sat on the bench a little ways away from mine. Just in time?

I was reading when he first said, "Disculpa", asking for the time. "4 minus 20," I casually tell him.

A few minutes later, he "disculpa"s again. Basically he realizes that I'm not from here, as I am reading a book in English. "Well no, but I do live here.."

The next thing I know this man of about 35 is telling me about all his worries and doubts about God. He knows Scripture, which helps a lot, but it's as though there are some things that are missing. I encourage him to think about what church is, and to realize the true power of the Holy Spirit.

And to be honest, it was a Spirit-filled moment considering all of the theology he brought up. I'm not that smart, and so it was cool that various verses came to mind to help with the conversation. Ahem, in Spanish.

So I present to everyone Oskar. A gentlemen trying to figure out the whys of life.. lacking peace.. and yet enjoying many things at the same time. Pray for him.

What a way to begin my second week back in the country!!!