This week we have been getting ready for transfers that will be
happening this coming week. We were supposed to be receiving a group of
30 but it´s gone down to 20 since some missionaries will be waiting in
temporary missions for their visas. It´s the first time in over a year
that this has happened. It caught us by surprise!
Elder
Garcia made us some traditional Mexican tacos this week. I made the
guacamole and he showed me how to make the tortillas as well. We had to
buy the corn flour to make the tortillas in the main market in Mendoza
because you can´t get it anywhere here. They were very good. Authentic
Mexican tacos consist of homemade tortillas, chopped beef (not ground
beef), a tomato-based salsa with jalapeno, guacamole, and cilantro... I
think I included everything. There is no cheese and they are served with
the ingredients lying on the flat tortilla. They aren't served folded.
You just pick it up and fold it when you are ready to eat :)
I
thought I´d share with you guys something very special from last
weekend. I don´t think I have mentioned this before but there is a
family in Villa del Parque (the ward that I´m serving in) that has been
coming to church for over a year now. They aren't baptized because the
parents are waiting on a divorce (which takes a very long time here
especially if you don't have any connections) to go through before they
are able to get married. They have been together for almost 20 years but
he never legally divorced his wife from before. They have 2 children
together and they both assist church regularly with them. The youngest
child, who is 10 years old, is very involved in primary and actively
participates in the classes and in ward activities. He loves going to
church and his group of friends he has there. His parents really felt
that, although they couldn't get baptized at this time, that he should
go ahead and get baptized because it is something that he had been
anxiously awaiting. So he was baptized last Saturday in a beautiful
baptismal service. He was full of excitement and his parents wouldn't
stop smiling the whole night. It was a very uplifting experience.
This experience was especially meaningful to me because it's a family that I found with Elder
Rich when we were in this area a year ago. It's crazy to see the
difference the Gospel has made on them. I have had an especially unique
opportunity because most missionaries get to serve in an area once and
only get to see the effect the Gospel has on a family for a short time
period. I have been able to see this family go from sleeping their
Sundays away to attending the full three hour block at church each
Sunday morning. From having struggles in their marriage and family to
growing a deeper love and respect for one another and facing the
everyday trials with faith and hope. The mom has especially grown in her
testimony as she used to only invite as in to help her husband. She
shared her testimony in church last Sunday in the sunday school class
about how the Gospel of Jesus Christ helps them in their relationships
as a family and she even said, "you have no idea how much I long for
Sunday to come so that I can go to church. We used to sleep until 2pm
every Sunday since it was our only day to rest now I usually wake up
before my alarm because I am so anxious and excited for church." Haha!
Her testimony re-fueled my spirit and brought tears to my eyes. They are
a special family and if they were the only family I found in my two
years then it would all be more than worth it. I really love them and
they have a special place in my heart.
I hope everyone has had a good week!
- Elder Rainock
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