There are so many different voices trying to highlight different emphases of Jesus' ministry that one can get lost wnong them. The Scriptures are clear and pertinent when relating what the Lord was doing in the mission entrusted to him by the Father. The synoptic Gospels emphasize how Jesus "went about preaching, teaching and doing good."
     They do that through related references and varied nuances. It is not wrong for believers to go about preaching and teaching, but a sound interpretation of Jesus' ministry that has been entrusted to us also includes doing good.
     The church we pastor faces the challenge of engaging in that third part of Christian ministry, that is trying to meet urgent needs common to most of Latin America. A sewing workshop has been set up in the church basement where clothes for all ages are made and repaired, and sewing is done for the local hospital, and for social work and first aid centers. It is a gratifying experience and provides work for five women who can thus contribute to the support of their families.
     With the help of the Social Welfare Department, we have begun a conununity garden. Besides growing vegetables for needy fwnilies, we try to demonstrate that this method can be reproduced on a smaller scale in any home where there is a small plot of land and the desire to plant and grow crops for their own use. This community garden provides work for two fathers. The youth group, with the help of church families, provides fresh vegetables from the garden for about 25 families weekly. As part of our ministry, we have formed a work pool that allows us to fill some job vacancies in our community.
     The dream of some people to help children from a poor neighborhood is taking shape. It began by paying for a bus to transport 50 children to our church every Sunday, where they are given a good breakfast, participate in Sunday school, and then are returned to their homes. As we evaluated this project, we saw that it would be better to construct a modest building in their neighborhood. It would provide a dining room to feed the children, tutorial classes for school help and a place for Christian witness.
     Construction on this building moves forward as ftinds become available. As shown in the picture, we have gotten as far as the roof and we now want to begin working inside. Voluntary offerings for this project are welcome. The community garden is located on the same lot.
     As a church we have also undertaken the third part of Jesus' ministry (doing good) with the conviction that a practical witness can speak as eloquently as teaching and preaching. (Anita and Raúl O. Garcia, former MWC President, are pastors of the Mennonite Church in Pehuajó, Buenos Aires, Argentina)