Mennonite Weekly Review

ESPINILLO, Argentina — Expectant students gathered around open Bibles on March 20 when a new branch of the Instituto Bíblico Toba (Toba Bible Institute) began classes in Argentina’s Chaco Province.

Damián Díaz, Carlos Aurelio, José Oyanguren and Feliciano Flores celebrate during the Toba Bible Institute’s first graduating ceremony in December. — Photo provided by MMN

The need for another location grew out of the excitement generated last December when 35 students graduated from Instituto Bíblico Toba’s first three-year program in Castelli.

This month, a second group of students will begin classes in Castelli. The student groups meet in churches.

“Learning together is a great experience,” said José Luis Oyanguren, who leads the Bible institute’s teaching team. “We are encouraged by many who are eagerly waiting to begin the coming year’s studies.”

Instituto Bíblico Toba graduates named the benefits they gained from studying together:

• Learning with and from each other knit them, as members of various denominations, into a more cohesive body of Christ.

• Studying in their mother tongue helped them rediscover their identity and their value in the sight of God.

• Knowing more about the “hidden” parts of God’s Word helped them better teach their own congregations.

Alfonsina and José Luis Oyanguren and their three children are members of Iglesia Evangélica Menonita Argentina (Argentine Evangelical Mennonite Church) from Buenos Aires province. They became Mennonite Mission Network International Partnership Associates working with the Mennonite team in the Chaco in 2004.

In addition to teaching at the Bible school and participating in indigenous church life, the Oyangurens continue to work on their Toba language skills and deepen their understanding of Toba cultural values.

“What is important is to maintain a learning spirit and an appreciation for the indigenous worldview, for in this we communicate the good news,” José Luis Oyanguren said.

Oyanguren, along with two Toba teachers, was chosen by the Chaco Province Department of Education to write a Toba grammar curriculum.