Urban Church: Global City: Paysandu, Uruguay

10/9

With the congregation in Paysundu

The city of Paysandu sits on the banks of the Uruguay River just south of the General Artigas  Bridge that connects Uruguay to the Entre Rios Province of  of Argentina.  The 4th  largest city in Uruguay, it's surprisingly cosmopolitan for a city of its size. It is famous for a battle that turned back  an invasion  from Brazil 253 years ago today. (2/12/1864). 

We have come here to visit with the  local Waldensian  Church

Pastor Nicolauand its  Pastor Marcelo Nicolau

and visit. Driving  around the city with him, the tensions of the city are clear. On the one hand, there is the thriving Brazilian owned  Norteña brewery, well located  because of the  proximity of the agricultural raw products needed for brewing.  The Azucarlito sugar factory , and  Paylana, a producer of world-class woolen fabrics, and Paycuero, a leather company. . Paysandú is also the centre of plantation forest industry. The forest plantation  industry is controversial because of the demands of a massive paper plant built near the river. Even with these, the effects  of deindustrialization can still be seen and life can be extremely difficult for those on the margins of society, the edges of the city. 

The neighborhoods on the edges of the city come close to what some describe as shanty towns. Horses are very visible throughout the neighborhoods as a vital part of a family's economy. Pastor Marcelo laughs and says, "Argentina has its dogs and Uruguay its horses." And I was happy to learn that the Church had begun a Bible Study in a home in one of the marginal  neighborhoods. 

i was also surprised to learn for the  first time of the high rate of suicide in Uruguay. It is surprising in a country known to be "safe and secure" , secular and progressive. (Or maybe not.) At any rate this would seem to be a spiritual issue worth pursuing by la Iglesia Valdense in Uruguay. 

Back at the church, the community is gathering. There is still a number of traditional programs continuing at the church in addition to worship. These include women's group, youth group, Bible school and a special sales program to support mission. There's also a  choir.

The choit

Tonight after I shared my music,an original "Rest Awhile" and Bob Dylan's "Blowin in the wind,"

"Blowin in the Wind...''''

the choir shared their music accompanied  by the pastor on guitar. (Nearly every Waldensian pastor I met played the guitar. Not all, but nearly.)

Pastor with guitar

And when they began to sing "Blowin in the wind" in Spanish, I came up an joined them.

Among  the challenges facing the Paysandu community will be :
1. Overcoming a certain weariness just from keeping things going. 
2. responding to the social,political, psychological challenges that exist in the context of the city.
3. Bringing together people from the marginal neighborrhoods with the more established middle class congregation.

The continuing youth group is a sign of hope, once again with friendships, espcially from summer camp, leading to occasional new members. 

Time for food and refreshment before the long ride back to Dolores.