*Julie’s note: Ryan’s mission instructions said to
wear glasses because of the possibility of serious eye infections in
Argentina. So before he left we filled a prescription for glasses.
He took the last couple pair of contacts he still had so he could use them
while in the MTC. Unfortunately, his correction is very strong and when
he got to Argentina, he was having a very difficult time using the glasses
while out on the street. He had no peripheral vision and was concerned
about walking around and crossing streets with crazy drivers!
We buy 4 pair of contacts for one year at Costco for
about $239. Since he’s been gone a year and a half, we suggested he go to
an eye doctor to get a new prescription we could fill in the U.S. The
first doctor he went to said he could not give him the prescription, but that
he had to order them for him at a cost of 2 pairs for 680 pesos (over $500
U.S.).
Hola,
Mom, I went to have the contactologist (hahahaha) take my
prescription and it was pretty similar. I figured he wanted to make money off
me too (rich American with shirt and tie) but what happened is that I told him
I had to wait to pay and when I went outside, I realized that there was another
contactologist place next door! So I called the member that has been helping me
and turns out I went to the wrong one. So I went in to the second one and he
told me it would cost 800 PESOS for each one! Which is way more expensive. And
that no matter what, all contacts are imported from the States and that due to
the new import laws here that it is taking 30-40 days for them to arrive. He
said he can't give me a prescription either. But when I showed him the contact
boxes he got confused and asked who told me I have to wear 4 pairs a year. I
said, "....uh the eye doctors?" He then explained that a lot of people
in Argentina buy the exact same toric lenses that I use and that they only buy
ONE PAIR for a whole year but technically, because of the special material of
the lenses, it should actually last that long. So he, wanting to know if they
were doing it wrong here in Argentina or if they are ripping me off in the
States, invited me back into his office (which was a miracle because he was
super short with me at first). He took a look at my lenses and told me it looks
like I put them in yesterday. That they're in great condition. He said that if
my eyes start bothering me to come back and he'll help me out but that it isn't
necessary to buy more...The only thing he recommended was buying a higher
quality cleaning solution. I think I'll take his word for it. I am sure to
avoid lawsuits or who knows what that in the states they make me buy 4 pairs.
He ended up being super nice and I doubt he'd have said that if it weren't true
because he could have lied and made tons of money off me.
So this week Mariano Romero and Mónica Gutierrez got
baptized!! We had super great lessons with them both this week before their
baptisms. The both of them saw many blessings and many trials this week but
they were overcome and both of them made it to their baptisms. Mariano is super
excited because the whole time we taught him we prepared him for what comes
after baptism. After the meeting with Elder Viñas was put a new focus on our
teaching and it worked out fantastically. Mariano is already prepared to
receive the Priesthood and knows that his goal someday is getting to the
temple. We focused a lot on what covenants are and why we make them with the
Lord and so he is ready to make more covenants and continue in the gospel. Oh
and we asked Bishop Pilati to baptized him because he had never baptized
anyone! He was excited and did it perfectly. Monica was so happy after her
baptism that she just cried and cried upon coming out of the water. Her father
baptized her. The whole family was there to support her (and Mariano) and it was
super cool to see them all there. It has been a long chain of baptisms all year
long up until Mónica. Her sister-in-law and two children also attended the
baptism so we are going to see if we can teach them. Hopefully! The husband is
definitely against it. But maybe we'll see a miracle.
So I thought I was leaving! I have been here as long as I
was in Balcarce, my first area. Since Balcarce I had never again been in an
area for three transfers. So now that I have been here for three I thought I'd
be out of here. Wrong. I stayed! For at least another month and a half I will
still be here in the Santa Rosa 4th Ward. And not only that, I am still with
Elder Howard! Hahahahahaha. We were together in the MTC, in the office, and now
here! We are loving it though. We get along super well and it has been a great
learning experience for both of us. We set a lot of goals for this transfer and
we are excited to find more people to bring the gospel to.
Anyway, thanks for the letters and support!
Elder Garrison
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