Elder Elijah Vincent: 2018-09-03 2 First week in the mission field

My first week in the mission field.

President and Sister Hymas. I know every missionary says their mission president is great, but THESE GUYS ARE GREAT!

Our first night in Bahia Blanca. The living room of the AP apartment was filled with bunk beds. We took off for our areas the next day.

Waiting to catch our bus to Santa Rosa.

Bhia Blanca Bus Terminal.

Still waiting.

08/28/18, Tuesday

We had our first day here in the field. We had to wait until 1pm so the Hermanas in the house could leave and we could move in. We unpacked and then went out to contact and meet the members and to specially get to know the area because we know nothing about it.

We had a meeting with the bishop in his house. He showed us around and it was cool. He has a sick motto and it is cool. He is part of the motorcycle club here in La Pampa. We had a nice visit. He told us about his conversion story and then told us he will help and all that.

There’s a lot of dogs running around here jaja. Most are good but you just have to look out for the mean ones. You call out to them and if they growl or bark, they are not good. And yeah, I met Samuel, the dog that follows the missionaries around. He’s fairly clean, friendly to all missionaries and he likes me! Jaja. I have a few pictures of Samuel (below) and he lives with the Zone Leaders and not in our area sadly. He followed our taxi for a bit when we were leaving to go to our house but he stopped when he was too far from the Zone Leader’s house.

08/29/18, Wednesday

We had a lot of success today! We found 7 new investigators and they are all really good. We met Olga and Sebastian. A mom and son and they are awesome. They are super interested and I can see them being great! We have a cita (appointment) planned for a lesson with them for the next day so that is great.

08/30/18, Thursday

We had a good day. We gave service to Hermano Falcon and then we hiked to the chapel. The chapel is not in our area so it is a little far but we went there to pick up lunch from a Hermana that could not have us in her home.

After that, we went to Changomas to buy stuff we need because we had a lot of stuff we need in the house. Changomas is like a spanish branch of Wal-Mart so it is pretty good and well off. It is cheap and apparently being American means you’re rich here jaja.

Then we went to our appointment with Olga and Sebastian. We shared about the restoration and the spirit was so strong. I could see Sebastian tear up a little when I recited the first vision and it was a great lesson. They do not like the crazy churches and we got them interested by talking about how reverent ours is and it was great. I extended the baptismal challenge and they said yes so they have a fecha for the 30th of October. We have two fechas!

08/31/18, Friday

Today we went back to the Falcon house for more service. He is drilling a hole in the house to put a gas line in so we helped. I am super tired, there is a lot of walking and the work is hard but it is all worth it!

09/01/18, Saturday

We went out today and contacted investigators that the Hermanas had and visited more members to get to know them and the area. We have 2 baptisms for us this month and they seem like great people! All the people here are super humble and they are amazing!

There is so much dust here, my shoes and clothes are all brown a little because of so much polvo! jaja.

09/02/18, Sunday

Today was good, we had church and the bishop invited us up to introduce us. And we bore our testimony in Spanish. It was good. The ward is maybe less than 30 people. The Hermanas are in the 4th and 1st ward of Santa Rosa.

After church we had lunch with a member. It was fideo and tuco or spaghetti jaja. Then we went contacting for members we don’t know. We came across Hermana Koka and she was great. We gave her a blessing because she needed one and it was good. She said that she was waiting for us to show up and it really shows that the Lord really does prepare his people for us. She needed a blessing and we were received and she was prepared. It really helps to see the Lord’s hand in the work so much and it is just so great to know he is with you no matter what.

09/03/18, Monday

This morning we ate at a super cheto buffet for breakfast and we now emailing and then we are going to play soccer for p-day.

We have study time during siesta and it sucks because no one gets out after siesta. Most people are still sleeping even when siesta is done but it’s whatever and okay jaja! Siesta is 12:30 to 3:30. We proselyte from 9 to 12:30 and then at 3:30 proselyte again. During siesta time we study, plan and cook. I have not cooked yet, not much food in the fridge right now jaja. We have meals ever day except p-day so it is good.

My Spanish is getting better. I can understand way more than I can speak but it will come.

Elder Taylor and I are the only greenies in Santa Rosa. I have divisions tomorrow with him so it will be two greenies walking the streets in my area.

Doctrina y Convenios 24:8 it is a great verse and it helps no matter what!!!

8 Sé ^apaciente en las ^baflicciones, porque tendrás muchas; pero ^csopórtalas, pues he aquí, estoy contigo hasta el ^dfin de tus días.

8 Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days

Con Amor!

This is Samuel. He is a stray, but has decided to make the missionaries his humans. He follows the missionaries everywhere. I guess the Lord felt this guy needed the missionaries to keep company, or perhaps he is helping the missionaries. Either way, it is nice to have him around. The Zone Leaders are lucky he is there.