Ward baptism

Maya's baptism

Maya used Eric's camera to take this picture of her brother with the missionaries

The little Zapata boy

Preparing for church on Sunday

Hey everyone!! Good day to all!! I hope everyone is doing good today!!

Nothing too exciting happened this week. It was just a pretty average week. Probably the most exciting thing was the ward baptism of Maya, David's niece who turned 8. (David is one of their converts who was baptized a few weeks ago.) Except her baptism almost didn't take place! As I have explained, I love our branch leaders, I really do, but they're all very new, and so they often forget things, or just don't realize certain responsibilities. Ward baptisms, as any returned missionary or church leader will tell you, are supposed to be directed by the ward, with no need of the elders or sister missionaries. Well, our branch didn't know that.

Friday night we decided to swing by David's house, just to make sure that everything was in order for the baptism on Saturday, because we didn't want anything to get overlooked. Although we had all been talking about it for some time, we realized after we swung by, that no one but us knew about it. I called our branch president to ask if he had done the baptism interview, and it turned out he didn't even know there was a baptism the following day. I explained it to him, and shortly after that he passed by and had the baptism interview with Maya, so she was ready. We had been talking to her before because of all our visits with David, so we knew she was ready, but you have to do things in the right ways. So we told the branch president that we were willing to help him in whatever way necessary, but that he has the responsibility to delegate the tasks, arrange the speakers, fill the font, etc.

So the next day we worked as usual, but then decided to swing by the church and start filling the font, just because we figured they'd forget, which they did. And then later at the baptism, they hadn't set anything up, so it was kind of funny, and it was all a little scrambled, but it turned out really good anyway. We had been hoping and encouraging David to do the baptism, but he was too shy and so he asked Brother Dieso, the second counselor, if he would do it instead of him, which is okay. It was cool, and it turned out really nice and I liked it and Maya was happy.

So even though David didn't perform the baptism, he did prepare the sacrament on Sunday which is cool. Both Jorge and David (Jorge is the recent convert in the wheelchair) have been coming every Sunday in their shirts and suits, which is really cool to see them dress up so good. The Rios family also continue coming, which is great although still not the dad though, and they don't have church clothes yet.

The mission is ordering DVD players!! They say that every companionship is going to have dvd players so we can watch the missionary training videos during studies, which is pretty interesting. And it's good because many families don't have dvd players to show them church videos. Many changes are coming, and I imagine that we're going to see even more changes when the new mission president comes (in July.)

Well, I've pretty much slept all day, and I might go back and sleep more!! I got pretty sick yesterday, which I thought was a bad migraine because my head and stomach really hurt, although maybe the Argentines were right because they said I was getting the flu, and since I still feel bad today, maybe it really is. But whatever happens, happens. I've gotten sick so many times, but I know I'll get over it. Right now I'm fighting sleep urges, because I am very tired even though I've slept a lot today.

But don't worry, I'm doing good out here. I love you all very much, and hope you have a great week!

Love,
Eric

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The baptism of the Rios children

At the baptism of the three oldest Rios children

Everyone is excited and ready to be baptized!

Eric and Elder Page with the Rios children immediately after the baptism

Hey family!! How is everyone!! Wow, it looks like everybody's doing great!! I was impressed with the two new cars in the family, especially nice cars like those. I would have liked to have my opinion asked, ha ha, but it's okay, I'll get over it, it sounds like Scott and David chose well.

Well, transfers came!! And it turns out that believe it or not....we're both staying!! So, we're excited, it's what we thought was going to happen, so yes, we got what we wanted. Here's a fun fact, from now on, all trainers are to be with their kid for 2 transfers with no exceptions. It used to be that there were occasionally exceptions, but now in order to be "trained" you MUST be with your trainer for 2 transfers. So my kid is halfway done being trained, and it actually shows on the transfer sheet now if they're in the first half of their training or the second half, so that's interesting and new.

After this, the new mission president is coming in, which I'm excited for, but mostly just to see what's going to change, because I really really like President Villalba. So nothing else changed for us, except now I'm district leader again so I am over a couple of companionships, which I am fine with, although it is easier to focus on missionary work when you have less leadership stuff to take care of.

So we're super excited for these changes, and we're excited to be here again, to watch over the new converts and baptize more!

We had a great baptism with the Rios family. The three kids got baptised, and it was great. The mom really wanted to be baptised, but due to certain things, she has to wait, which is good, because that's how things should be done. It was a really really good baptism, as you'll see from the photos. I baptized Jesica (Yuli) and Emanuel (Ema), and Elder Page baptized Juan (Juancito.) It was a really good baptism, and a good confirmation as well. I confirmed Jesica and the Branch President and First Counselor confirmed Emanuel and Juan. So, it was really good, and the mom absolutely loved it and wished she could have been baptised with them, but she understands, so she's still working on the not smoking and doing well.

We scheduled a Family Home Evening with them for tonight, which was going to be a farewell party if we were being transferred. It'll be in the church, which will be super fun because the church has everything, ping pong, soccer, piano, etc.

By the way, I thought I'd let you know that the portable dvd player you all gave me played a big role in their conversion, as we used it many times to watch the church movies, which of course they loved, and they always want to watch more. Since then, they've bought a dvd player, so now we don't have that problem, but that little portable machine helped them feel the spirit. They especially loved the Joseph Smith movie!! Also, we have played "El Gato", the pounce game, many times which they love.

Our other recent converts are doing great. Jorge got his official wheelchair in the church now, which he'll be able to use from now on, which will make the transportation arrangements so much easier now. (Before this, Jorge's mom would drive Jorge on the back of the family's motorscooter to the church, while the missionaries would take the bus out to Jorge's house to collect his wheelchair and carry it onto the bus and then meet them at the church. Which meant a lot of time traveling on Sunday mornings for the missionaries, as well as more traveling after church to return the wheelchair back to Jorge's house.) We're also expecting to see his whole family in church this week. The mom promised us that she would come with all her relatives, because she said that they decided to all reactivate for Jorge, which is fulfilling something I had told Jorge, which is that he would be the door opener (portero) to the kingdom of God for his family. They're a great family, and the mom just loves us, she's really nice.

David's also doing just great, his niece is going to be turning 8 either this weekend or next, and we're trying to get David to baptize her. She wants me to baptise her, but we definitely want David to do it, so we're going to be talking to him about that more so he can use his priesthood!!!!! I absolutely love using the priesthood, and to me it is a huge blessing to live in these days when we actually have the priesthood. I hope that David and Jorge can both receive the Melchizedek priesthood soon, too, possibly in the next leadership conference in about 6 months. As much as I want them to get it, I of course wouldn't want them to get it before they are ready! But I don't have to worry about that, as the president will know when it's the right time.

Today has been very rainy which isn't too fun, but we went into San Nicolas and I found some really cool Central jersey's (Rosario's team) and they were only 35 pesos. I also got a 40 peso Boca jersey (B.A.'s team). Pictures to come soon.

To answer your question about getting to church, yes, most people take the bus. Most people take the 500 bus, which is the bus that goes between Ramallo Pueblo (where we work) and Ramallo Villa (where we live and where the church is.) On a good day at the church, we'll get 2 or 3 cars and a couple of motos. And everyone else comes on the bus.

Still haven't gotten your letter sent to the pench. Elder Page got one a week or so ago, but it looks like mine never arrived, so maybe it's too risky to send here.

So it was a good week, and we expect a really good transfer here! Love you all very much!

Love,
Eric

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A weekend of miracles

Eric and Elder Page with Jorge at his baptism

Eric and Elder Page with David (and his niece) at his baptism

Zone Conference May 2011

Hey family, how is everyone!! I enjoyed reading the letter and hearing how everybody's doing. We had a pretty good week here as well.

First of all, the Rios family didn't get baptized, which is okay, because even though the kids really wanted to be baptized last week, we decided to wait until this coming week. That way we can baptize the mom and the kids together,and that way the mom could have more support and a reason to stop smoking. She wants to be baptized with her kids, so she was happy when we changed the date and it's really motivating her to stop smoking, and she's doing good with it and is on track. So this week we'll have four baptisms!

Someone I've taught, brought to church, and committed to be baptized however, did get baptized this past week. Her name is Yanina, pronounced like Janeena. We found her (Elder Larson and I) in Pergamino and always referred to her as the blind lady, because she was going blind in one eye. Well, we found her just knocking doors one day and we brought her to church and she loved it and we committed her to be baptized, which she eagerly accepted until her lovely boyfriend showed up and forbade her from being baptized and going to church anymore. She couldn't separate from him, either, because she needed his money for her eye surgeries. Well, it turns out that she finally broke up with him about two weeks ago, found the elders and got baptized, so that's cool. So it was a weekend of miracles.

It was a great Sunday also, because both Jorge and David received the priesthood. I loved seeing Jorge wheel up in his new shirt and suit he bought, and David too, it was really special seeing them both go up to the office of a priest.

Also, we had 8 investigators in church! It was some relatives of the family Rios, and they loved it of course! It was great because in total we really had 15 investigators, but only 8 counted because you have to be over 8 years old to count as an investigator. They took up the two widest rows in church, and luckily they didn't take the sacrament this week or we would've run out, NEXT WEEK FOUR OF THEM WILL THOUGH!!!

Also, the branch president brought his dad, who told me he loved it, so we expect to see his baptism soon. Well, hopefully I'll stay here this next transfer, because this area definitely has lots of good people that are ready to progress, it's just loaded right now. I expect we'll both stay because a trainer usually stays with his hijo (son) for two transfers.

As far as other investigators, the best people we have are the familia Rios and the people that went to church, which we're really good friends with. We're also teaching Ruben who wants to be baptized. Expect lots of baptisms in Ramallo cause they're coming!!

We're super excited for the baptism of the Rios family this weekend, although we may end up doing it in the church, because it's kind of cold now, and the river is definitely not warm water!! We had the baptism interview for the kids last Saturday, but the other kids were gone so Jesica was the only one who did the interview. It was a good interview and pretty funny from what Elder Laws said. He told me that he asked her if she'd killed anyone before and she responded, "Never, and I haven't even TRIED to kill someone before!" So that was pretty funny.

Then afterwards, the Rios mom who was there, but not ready for her interview, enjoyed upsetting and teasing Elder Laws (who doesn't know she's very sarcastic). He was very concerned because she said she doesn't want to be baptized until she's 33 because she wants to do it just like Christ. He tried aimlessly to teach her to resolve her "doubt", and he never figured out that she was kidding, and he left quite upset until I couldn't hold it in anymore and told him.

Well, the area's doing pretty good, and we enjoy the work here in Ramallo. We also had our zone conference this week, which was pretty good, and the last one we will have with President Villalba before he is released.

To answer your question, I never got the year and a half card, the last card like that I got was at my one year mark. Yes, we receive bills in the pench to the direccion (address) I gave you, so sending it directly it should have gotten to me, but since I never got it, I can't say it's a sure thing.

It amazes and frustrates me the amount of theories and beliefs about the most random things here. We've gotten some grief about the US killing Bin Laden this week, just from misinformed people, because by the time the news gets here, it is changed quite a bit. For example, on the news here, they're saying that many kids, women and adults were killed, all of them weaponless and defenseless during the murder of Bin Laden. Which even though I've never seen the report in English, I'm almost 100 percent sure is not true. The news here always represents the States as just loving to kill people, for no reason. It's frustrating sometimes, because there are lots of people who really believe what they hear, although there are some who don't believe everything they hear and so they like us.

I'm now hearing a song playing here in the ciber which I've probably heard at least 99,999 times in my mission, although to my comp it's something new!! It makes me laugh because last time I heard this song, I was told that "pan americano" was a sort of drink, when it's really referring to a street in Buenos Aires which people use to avoid the police when they're drunk. Anyway, Argentines are funny people sometimes, which I think helps me love them, because they really are the best type of people ever. I'm definitely glad I'm here. Anyway, I love you all very much and p.s., I would like some taco seasoning in the next package.

Love,
Eric

Inside a cybercafe where they write their emails home. Eric said "This ciber is really nice, they are not usually this nice!"

Another view inside the "nice" ciber

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The baptisms of David and Jorge

Jorge at his baptism, surrounded by his family

Hey, how is everyone!! It was great to be able to talk with you all yesterday!! It surprised me how much everyone's voices have changed, or at least from what I can remember! It was great to be able to chat with everyone, not as long as I would have liked, but a little bit!

The baptisms of David and Jorge were excellent as I explained in the phone call. I'm now uploading photos of their baptisms. In answer to your question, the people being baptized always choose in their interview who does the baptism, so that is why I baptized them both. Both baptisms were great.

My comp and I were lucky to have been able to participate in the baptism of someone in a wheelchair, that's an experience most missionaries never have! It was pretty special. To do the baptism, we both got into the water, and basically just carried him in our arms like a baby, and then said the prayer and we dipped him under the water. It was a very cool experience, and he really liked it.

David's baptism was obviously much easier, but equally special. It's always fun to hear the baptism experiences from the people afterwards. David told me that when he went underwater, he felt a strong internal burning, like his body was surrounded by fire. It was a really good baptism.

It was good to see much of Jorge's inactive family come to see his baptism. And the next day in church it was great to see them both get confirmed and receive the Holy Ghost. It was really good overall, and now we expect them to be able to get the priesthood!

Today our Pday has been pretty lame so far, we spent all day in San Nicolas trying to find a hoody (sweatshirt with a hood) for my comp, and shoes for me, (Eric wants to spend his birthday money on a pair of soccer shoes) and we couldn't find either. We had not realized just how small the city of San Nicolas really is because they have nothing! We found plenty of stores, but none with what we needed, but someday I'll be able to use my birthday money!

This computer is uploading my pictures so slowly that I'll be lucky if I can send you guys just ONE PHOTO. It's around 4 and we still haven't eaten since yesterday's lunch and are dying, but of course, there's the siesta here, so nothing's open, so we'll probably just try to have dinner somewhere.

I loved getting the pictures and video of Maya you sent, I think they're pretty funny. Unfortunately, that one photo is all I can send this week. So, I'll have to send you the rest of the baptism pictures another day. I have plenty of photos, but I just can't send them!

I love you all very much, and thanks for everything you do!

Love,
Eric

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Mother's Day Phone Call

We had a wonderful time talking to Eric when he called us on Mother's Day. He sounded like he is doing great and is very happy to be immersed in the work of the mission. Here are a few of the questions and answers.

Us: What is your favorite area that you have served in?
Eric: It's hard to say, because it seems like every new area I go to I like better than the one before. I love the area I'm in right now.


Us: What are most of the houses like in your area?
Eric: Most of the houses are made out of brick and have tile floors. But there are some houses, a few streets of them, where the people are really poor and the houses are just metal with dirt floors.


Us: Are the roads paved in your area?
Eric: The roads are paved only in the main areas, and the rest are all dirt.


Us: Are you using the gas detectors and other detectors for safety?
Eric: Well, I usually do plug in the gas detector for a little while when I first get to a new pench to be sure everything is okay, but I really can't leave it plugged in. There are only like 3 outlets total in the whole pench, and we need them for other things.


Us: How is the branch doing in your area?
Eric: The branch here is great. We have lots of activities. In fact, just two days ago we had a dinner at church where we served rice and chicken. But we put some pepper on the chicken, so the people all thought it was really spicy! They don't use pepper here. Their food at first seems bland, but it really isn't, because they use lots of different herbs and spices and flavors, but they just don't use spicy stuff. Everyone kept talking about how spicy the chicken was because of the black pepper.


Us: How is the food?
Eric: The food is awesome. No matter how poor the people are, when they have us to lunch, they make SO much food. There is a rule in the white Bible (slang term for missionary rulebook) that if there isn't much food, to be sure not to take too much. But that is never a problem here, because the people make a lot when they invite you. Even if it is just sometimes a lot of noodles. They also like mayo (mayonnaise) on everything. Even hot dogs. I really like empanadas and I even had ravioli a few days ago.


Us: Do you have a big store there to buy your groceries?
Eric: There's big stores in big cities, but in the small places, you just go to a separate shop to buy your stuff. Like you go to the fruit stand to buy your fruit, and the butcher shop to buy your meat, and the bakery to buy bread.


Us: Do you have any callings in church?
Eric: My comp and I are the Gospel Principles teachers for the investigators and recent converts. We also bless and pass the sacrament on Sundays. We haven't given an official talk here yet, but I've learned that in the mission when you need to give a talk, it is usually on the spot. I also always introduce myself in Sacrament meeting in every new area I go to, and I usually bear my testimony on Fast Sundays, too.


Us: Are the people in this area kind to the missionaries?
Eric: They look at us as curas, which are like healers. They want us to give blessings to people when they are sick, even though many of the members could do it themselves. Yesterday we gave a blessing to the Rios baby because she was sick.


Us: Are you being careful around guns?
Eric: Oh, don't worry, that rifle that was aimed at my head in the picture was a single action, so I knew it was unloaded. But kids using guns around here is no big deal. And all little kids carry a sling shot around and use it all the time.


Us: Do the people have cars in this area?
Eric: No, not really. Most families just have a moto, like a little motorcycle thing, to get around, and they also walk or take a colectivo, which is a bus. And usually only one moto per family.


Us: Do you need anything?
Eric: Well, I have pretty much worn out another pair of shoes. I could use a new pair. Other than that, I'm good.


Us: In what ways are you different now than you were before your mission?
Eric: I feel like I have put on my spiritual goggles. I am thinking and seeing things in ways I never did before. Every day I learn spiritual lessons. It's great. When I finish my mission and get home, I want to be an awesome member.

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Getting investigators prepared for baptism

With David (blue shirt) who will be baptised on May 7

The Rios family holding their baptismal invitation cards. They are scheduled to be baptised on May 14.

Having "spaghetti" lunch with members in their home

Hey family, how is everyone!!!! I hope everyone's good.

This past week has been really good. We were pretty successful and managed to get 6 investigators in church, without even having to leave and search for them on Sunday morning. We actually got 7 if you count Jorge, who was in San Nicolas visiting a friend in the hospital, but he let me know that he went to church there.

We had the baptism interview of David on Saturday, and he passed good and is super excited to be baptized this Saturday. Jorge, like I said, was out of town so we'll have his baptism interview tomorrow, but I expect no problems with him.

The Rios family is doing great. The mom went to church and liked it a lot. The three kids are super excited to be baptized on the 14th, even though they could theoretically be baptized today. The mom isn't quite ready yet but she is trying to stop smoking, and is making great progress. The dad is an inactive member, but we are trying to reactivate him. We told our branch president to pass by his house tonight and to ask him if he'd like to have an interview, and the branch president said he'd love to. I love our branch, and the leaders, because no other area I've been in has leaders so willing to help.

This week we've been working a lot with these investigators, teaching them and also working with the ward, and are happy to see the results. One day we took a few minutes to do a little bit of hunting with the Rios' and their pellet rifle. So we went into the field right by their house, and both Elder Page and I each got a bird first shot. We just shot them right out of the trees, so I'll send you guys a photo of the bird I shot, which the kids say is valuable and they can sell it for a lot here.

After that we had a Family Home Evening activity at the church for everyone, and the Rios family and our other investigators all went to that and enjoyed it. We played a little soccer at the end, and it was pretty cool. We had no lights so it was hard to see the ball, but luckily it was a very small field. Everyone enjoyed it a lot.

I love this area a lot, and yes it has lots of dogs. The other day we had a dog follow us in as we headed from the city into the villa, and it caused a huge dog fight with the local dogs. Dogs in this country are very territorial and its like they all belong to a gang.

The weather has been pretty bad lately. It's been rainy and cold, we're definitely moving quickly into winter. Even today, which is sunny, is still a pretty cool fall day here.

I can't believe I'm already almost at my six months to home mark. This Sunday sounds fine for the phone call, so I will call around 3 or 4-ish Argentina time. I think we can use Skype, but I'll just call from the church on the old phones, I don't really want to try and figure out some new skype thing. I know that probably sounds more like something you or Dad would say, but I just don't want to risk anything with the call.

Everything else I can just tell you about in the phone call, but those are basically the highlights this week. I like hearing that Grandma and Grandpa are doing better, although I'd rather hear that they're doing awesome like they were before.

I am sending you pictures right now, but I ran out of time so I will have to cancel the two with Jorge because they aren't downloaded yet. I will send them next time.

Tell all the ward people and everyone that I say hi. Thanks for all you do, I love you all and we'll be talking this Sunday!

Eric

Bird hunting in the Rios' backyard

Eric with the bird he got. Be careful with that gun!

Of course we know Eric won't be swallowing that bird, but it seems the little boys think he might!

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