Bárbara Pino is one of two SAMS Latin Volunteers serving in UK parishes. Bob Lunt heard her story
source: samsgb.org
Where are you from and what family do you have? I’m from the big, noisy city of Santiago and live with my parents and sister Carolina.
Your church? La Trinidad, a large, active, growing church based on Bible study, evangelism and knowing God. My pastors Alf Cooper and Juan Luis Navarro are great men of God whom I admire tremendously.
Education and career? I attended a Catholic school and then studied educational psychology at university. This involves helping children with learning difficulties to acquire and use knowledge and to process information. I worked for two years in a secondary school with such children and young people who also had behavioural problems. Every day was a new adventure but it was very challenging and I loved it.
How did you come to personal faith in Jesus? I was brought up a Catholic and learned about God at school, so the concept was not strange. However, I didn’t know I could have a relationship with him and that he was loving and near. At 16 a friend invited me to EJE, a Youth Encounter at an Anglican church. It sounded interesting and fun. That weekend I came to know God in a different way. He made a real impact on my life and still does …. So here I am in England serving him, ten years on!
Whereabouts? All Saints, Anchorsholme, in Blackpool. I came in October 2007 as a SAMS Latin Volunteer and I’m there for a year.
How did you find out about the Latin Volunteer scheme? Through the Southern Cone’s Youth Committee. My church leader thought it a good idea, as did some friends, so I applied. My pastors and the bishop were in agreement, so here I am!
And what do you get up to at Anchorsholme? I’m involved in various children and young people’s ministries. I help the youngest ones in the Playgroup and in the evenings I have homegroups, young people’s groups (pictured), Alpha. I also help with Sunday School and at NEXUS, a Bible study group. I might also take part in assemblies and Christian clubs at local schools.
You look happy! I am! Of course, it’s not easy to be a long way from your family, but God supplies all your needs and puts people in your path who love you as part of their family. It’s a great opportunity to get to know another culture, how the Christian faith is lived and how you can serve here. It’s also a chance to grow spiritually because God uses times like this to mould character and help you mature. Being on your own, you have to learn to solve your problems and take decisions.
Future plans? I’m fully occupied here. When I get back to Chile, I intend to look for a job in a secondary school, because that’s where I enjoy working and feel most comfortable.
Would you recommend the Latin Volunteer scheme to other UK parishes – and to other Latin young people? Definitely! It’s a great experience, but most important is that your relationship with God grows significantly as you have to face everything alone. That drives you to seek God more, depend more on him! God becomes your father, mother, brother, sister, best friend! Not that he wasn’t before, but when you’re far from familiar surroundings, it’s different; but God is good and faithful! And he’s sufficient … whether you’re in England or Chile! It’s a good time for us all to grow …
