Monday, October 19, 2009

Feliz Dia de la Madre! Or, in other words, Happy Mother's Day in Argentina!


Family,
Hey family. Sounds like things are going well since I only heard from mom and Whitney, saying she doesn't understand Castellano. haha. jk. I know you guys are busy as well as am I. but, I am going to take it as that all is well with the fam. I can only imagine what everyone is doing. Scrambling with errands, working, studying, taking care of kids etc..etc.. haha. I don't have to do any of that stuff, but I do have to work. It's just that my work, is way better than yours! San Clemente is awesome! I miss Elder Harris and El Jaguel and the fact that we were going to baptize a lot this transfer there but oh well. They will still get baptized with Elder Harris and his new comp Elder Lopez. San Clemente is a tourist town. Yes. It's not as popular as the other coastal towns but I imagine once summer gets here that everyone will be headin' to the beach. I still don't know the beach. It's a few cuadras (blocks) away from the pench, but I don't think we can go there unless it's super early in the morning before the people come. The biggest difference is how "tranquilo" it is. It is a whole different world than Buenos Aires. I love it. Most of the people have manners, even though they're still pretty duro (tough). A lot of them are still pretty nice. We live above the chapel o sea (or in other words) the place where we meet as a rama (branch). A senior couple used to be here. The Shumways. Everyone still raves about them. The President of the branch is Presidente Salas from Capital. He just lives out here to take care of the branch. He's really a great guy and knows his doctrine as well as does his wife. They are very educated, awesome people. There is only a handful of people who come to Church. I have already given a talk, taught a class and I have only been here a week. haha, it's going to be awesome! This week we did really well with teaching. We were able to find a bunch and took out 7 fechas. We're hoping that they can really make it, as well as their family members who we still need to find. We have a bunch of people who could get baptized but there's always one problem or another. Either the wife doesn't want us or the husband. Satan is good at this stuff. We also are teaching a senora who is baptized and would like to get married to her husband but he is out of work. They receive money by not being married. Satan does a really good job at keeping people out of the water who are so close. We are going to work hard here and see what we can do to try and get this little rama to grow.

Elder Ordonez is way cool. He's really good at soccer. We have a good time. He's helping tune up my Castellano and I'm teaching him English, since this is my first latino comp I have had. Hay que aprovechar (Need to take advantage). But, we are doing well and excited for this transfer.

Mom, here are the answers to your questions. there are four elders in my district including our companionship. They are all latinos except for me. Our Zone Leaders are Elderes McCord and Backman. Son Yankees (They're Americans). For P Days there really isn't anything to do. We can get together as a district, but to do what...we can't watch Disney movies anymore. Not any type of movie actually. We are going to play tennis here one day. The thing is is that everything is way more expensive here. I'm going to miss playing futbol with everyone. The office's are way up where the mission is. It was like 6 train stations away from me in El Jaguel. I wish I could send you a map of the mission. I think it would be like driving from Salt Lake to Vegas, and maybe a little further still. So yes, the office's are way out of reach. We don't have zone conferences with other zones. Just our own which includes a bunch of hermanas who are all latinos. I think there are 6 of them and other missionaries. For zone conference Pres. Asay will come down here, as well as for interviews. As for the work in a tourist area...it's still not summer so I'm not sure how that will be. I know we won't be working in the part that tourists will be in so that won't be a problem. We have been doing tons and tons of contacts, and finding friends of friends of friends! That is the good thing. We are teaching a handful of mom's which is funny because instead of teaching 4 separate lessons, they always get together and we teach them together and answer all their questions. It's just annoying cause their kids are everywhere! There used to be a senior couple here, yes, I think I already explained that. The church maybe used to be a store, I don't know, but we live above it. The pench is awesome! The Shumways (the senior couple who lived here) stocked it with tons of cooking supplies. Too bad I don't know how to use them! That's one thing I miss. Eating with members. We do eat de vez en cuando (once in awhile) with members but not too often. Well, I love you all and the Church is soooo true! Tell your friends about it's truthfulness. As well as mine if you see them. Que todos tengan una buena semana. (Have a great week everyone).
P.S. Go Cougs and Jazz and Broncos!
Elder Gavin Phillips Rice





La Siesta?

Good look...Argentine jersey with a tie! Not sure about the hat, but it has potential!
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1 comment:

Raber Family said...

You look like you are having a good time! Mia just got baptized on Saturday! Wow! My oldest is 8! We are sure happy for you. Keep up the good work!
Dawn and Family