Hey,
I love Pehuajò. It's
officially my favorite area so far. In Bahía Blanca the people are really cold
and stiff. It's sort of a rich city. And I don't know, more than that, the
people are just really closed. They like their house and their ideas and
minding their own business. It's like the Dursley's. Everyone in Bahía Blanca
was like the Dursley's. Here in Pehuajò, we asked a lady who was mowing her
lawn, the name of a street and she turned her lawn mower off, walked over, said
hi, gave us directions, and sent us on our way. It was incredible. I was so
used to Bahía Blanca I got very confused that someone could be so helpful and
kind! And not just her, everyone!
Long story short, I like
it.
Elder Arias and I are
working really hard here too. On Saturday, it rained all day. Somehow, in my
hurried rush to pack and leave, I left my rain coat and my umbrella in Bahía.
So I got soaked. Drenched. But we worked anyway and I at least had my
winter coat. And it turned out to be the most productive day in my mission!!!
We found 5 new investigators in one day, had 3 other lessons with members
present and taught 9 lessons overall. It was incredible. But the whole
week was that way. We also had lunch with the members every day! And there are
only like 10! Hahaha. But things are changing. We are training our Branch
President. The other elders tried to confront him and point out his flaws. But
he only got defensive and they lost the Spirit, fighting. Elder Arias
and I realized quickly, though, that President Uriona knows absolutely nothing
about the Gospel. And even less about being a Branch President. He was called
just as they were about to close Pehuajò because he was the only Priesthood
holding, active member!! We started by having a meeting with him and his counselor
and the family that recently moved in from my old area who are the Branch
Secretary and Relief Society President. We explained what needed to change and
that we are all in it together to support one another.
It was interesting
because we talked about little things like saying hi to everyone at church,
arriving on time and stuff like that. But President Uriona got so animated, it
was great!
Yesterday at church
there were 19 of us instead of 13. President Uriona did all the little things
we asked him to do and the environment was so much different. There was so much
more order and the spirit was so strong that our investigator Rosa, who has
known about the church here in Pehuajò since 1994, said she had never felt what
she felt in church yesterday. And went on for like 5 minutes about how nice it
was that the "director" came up and said hi to here and gave her a
beso (kiss on the cheek, it's what they do here).
So things are changing
slowly. God does the same with us. He pushes us through hard times so we can
struggle and grow. But he never makes us overcome that which we don't have the
ability to overcome. He does it because He loves us and wants us to progress.
He is doing it with me, with Elder Arias, with Branch President Uriona, and
with each one of us. His plan is so huge and perfect; it's literally
incomprehensible for us. We just have to trust in Him and trust that He has our
best interest at heart.
Elder Arias has already
been my most influential companion so far. He has baptized more people in his 11
months here in Argentina than any other missionary in the mission. He is
about to break the record of most baptisms in the mission and he isn't even
half way done. He has baptized almost every week of his mission. Yet he does it
because he is incredibly humble and has the deepest love for the people: he
desires nothing more than their salvation. That is the pure love of
Christ. Christ suffered and died to bring to pass the immortality and
eternal life of man. He desired nothing more than our salvation and for that He
gave His life. I, on the other hand, am struggling with that but for that
reason, I am grateful to be with Elder Arias because he helps me by pushing me
to grow and learn.
Thank you so much for
always writing and praying and helping! Happy Belated Birthday, Mom, you're 29
again! I love you all and will be talking to you on the phone very soon! Weird.
CHAU!
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