Week 10 - El Bolsón

Okay, so on Tuesday, I woke up and I felt super miserable and I was like, Oh, figures. I hiked a bit yesterday, so I just continued on like normal. I took my temperature and it said 88, but I didn’t remember what I fever was so I ignored it haha We walked to Barrio Esperanza (like a 25 minute walk). After almuerzo with a member, I felt like I was going to throw up the whole thing. I couldn’t really see straight or walk straight. So, we thought maybe if I sit down for a bit I’ll feel better. We stopped at a member’s house, the Zuniga’s, and talked for a while until I signaled Hermana Ovando that I was not going to feel better. We walked back to the pension slowly and Hermana Ovando was texting Hermana Casariego (president’s wife) the whole way. When we got there I took a Tylenol, took my temperature and it was 38.5* C (a small fever…. I think. Its in Celsius!!!!) My pulse was pounding and super fast so I fell asleep (the kind of in and out of it asleep) for about an hour. I woke up and remembered we had a for sure appointment with some contacts we had met the day before in half an hour. I was determined to go! So, I got up and the whole way there, I was dizzy and miserable. As soon as we clapped at their fence, I felt better. We had a great lesson with Allie, Alberto and their son! They can’t read, but their son can and we have met with them again since and they are great! It was a little miracle that I felt well enough to teach them with my normal energy. When we left and got back to the pension, I felt miserable again, but that’s okay because I felt better the next day!

Also, I went on exchanges with Hermana Braithwaite this week. She is a gringa and leaves for home in two weeks. I was able to actually talk for the first time in a month! I forgot what it was like to speak English haha I learned a ton from her and I have a new perspective on the mission now. I definitely needed that little exchange so that I could talk to someone about how they learned the language and got used to things. It was great!

Oh yeah! Lucas and Silvina are getting married! Lucas has been an investigator for like half of a year and the only thing he's ever needed to do is get married and now they went to the court house and started filling out the paperwork for it today! They are going to be officially married on July 20^th! I'm so happy for them and their kid!

Mom's questions and my answers:

How often do you see your mission president? 

Once every transfer. I saw him this week for a conference. I don't have interviews until next transfer. 

How often do you see your zone leaders?  

I see them once a month for zone conference. 

How often do you see your AP's? 

Once every transfer with president. 

Do you go to separate stores to buy your groceries and household items? 

We can for specific stuff of different qualities, but we have a miniature Walmart style store right around the corner from our house called La Anonima. I just go there unless I need paper or writing supplies. 

Are you warm enough?  

Yes and no. In the nights and mornings I'm freezing, sometimes even in the pension, but when we are hiking up the mountain every day to see people, no. I get hot then but I still wear several pairs of tights (fleece lined). 

Does the city have electric lights on the streets? 

Yes. We are not allowed to travel on the unlit ones after dark. Which is difficult because some people live on those streets and are only in their houses after dark! 

What kind of cars do most people have there? 

They either have one from the fifties or one that's maybe 5 years ago quality or they don't have one. This is a really poor area. There are families that live in houses little house on the prairie style, no joke. Four walls mad of wood. A fire to keep them warm. All 8 people or more with the mattresses stacked in the corner.So if you have a car you're considered wealthy. 

That’s all for this week! Love you all!

And the pictures are taking more than an hours to load one! So I don't know how I can send any!

Week 9 - El Bolsón

Okay, the Internet is moving slower than snails up in here... and by that I mean I waited half an hour for this to load ... but we’lll see what I can do. Probably no pictures this week.

Okay, today we hiked part of Piltri! It was fun! We spent about 3 hours hiking up and some amount of time going down. Luckily, the sister of one of the members with us picked us up and drove us down the mountain. 

Okay, so, yesterday, we walked to Hermana Paula’s house so that we could make sure that she went to church in the morning and she has a car, so we were not worried about the time to get back to the church. We left the apartment at 8:30 and got there at about 9:20. She wasn’t home! So we called a family whose son-in-law we haven’t been able to teach for the past couple weeks (they had to move into the elder’s area for a little while because their house isn’t warm enough for their 1 month old baby). We asked when the bus came around and where it picked them up for church. They said they'd meet us and go with us. Pablo and Silvina (our investigators) were with them! So we all went to church together. It was such a miracle and it was great to have that experience out of the bit of discouragement about not being able to see Paula. Pablo and Silvina have such strong testimonies! I love that family. 

Also, my spiritual thought for the week: 1 Ne 15:8-9 

"8 And I said unto them: Have ye inquired of the Lord?

9 And they said unto me: We have not; for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us."

Part of faith is believing in ourselves. We cannot have miracles happen in our lives if we say, God doesn’t do that for me. We have to believe that god loves us enough to bless us. The reason why Laman and Lemuel never received their testimonies or the answers about the tree of life was because they did not believe in themselves enough to ask God. 

Love, Hermana Sant

From Tif:  Since Sari Hermana Sant couldn't send pictures, or even a decent email (I suffer!)  I thought that I would look up this Piltri and see what it's all about.  Here is what I learned, thanks to Google.

Guarding the Valley of El Bolson is the "Piltri," as locals call it. It hides the sun until after 10am and receives the last rays of the day.  (Swoon.)

In El Bolsón, the Piltriquitrón is always the reference point. It's name is hard to pronounce. In Mapuche it means “hanging from the clouds” and you can see why in this stolen picture:

Which led me down a rabbit hole of who are the Mapuche?  You can wiki it here (interesting stuff!), but basically they are the indigenous people of Patagonia and Chile who were conquer by stronger invaders.

Week 8 - El Bolsón

Hola! Last Monday night, I was feeling a little discouraged and was praying a ton to know what to do and where to go and that I could speak the language when I needed to. Then Hermana Ovando and I went to a house that we were referred to by some previous missionaries that never got to visit them. It turned out to be a super cute family. Analia, Matias and a little 1 and a half year old named Leon (yes like lion in Spanish). Matias has 3 little dreds springing out of the back of his head and they had om signs, mandalas, and such all over their house.  They let us in and we played with Leon and talked for a little bit and then started discussing the gospel. They said that they did not believe in God. They believe in the "natural." We still started sharing the first lesson of the restoration and when we talked about the first vision, the spirit was incredibly strong. When we completed the first vision Analia said through tears in her eyes that she felt a warmth in her heart that was welling up and it was good. This really strengthened my testimony that the gospel is really restored and the spiritual power that comes from talking about it can change lives. 

Also, the members here are amazing! They have such strong faith and are so generous! I have loved going to lunch with a different family each day. The food is really good. Yesterday, one member just brought our lunch to the church because she lives far away and we ate it at our pension. It was a huge quiche and chicken with a certain cut that I forgot the name of right now. And bread and granola bars. Its enough to feed us for a week haha. 

Oh and Rachel asked what I eat: I eat hot chocolate and toast for breakfast each day and then I have maybe an orange or banana at night when I get home. Lunch is HUGE so I am rarely hungry when I get back to the pension. 

Also, the mountains are gorgeous here. 

Oh! And there are legitimate hippies all over the place! There's always carts lining the streets with people with dreads and tie die selling their home-made crocheted shorts and mate cups. I love it! 

I had a two hour bus ride this week to Bariloche for a big zone meeting... and by big I mean with all 6 companionships in our zone. I learned a ton! We had a fun activity with bobbing for apples and everything. Also, I had more empenadas and a churro full of dulce de leche. I love the amount of dulce de leche they have here. They put it on or in literally everything. Want a piece of bread? Put some carmelized milk on that baby! Want a banana? Dulce de leche it! Buy a croissant? There's a dulce de leche surprise inside waiting for you!  

Also! I learned I eat my feelings. Panderias on every corner are not good for my figure. 

Love, Hermana Sant

Pictures of the pension and mountains: 

Week 7 - El Bolsón

Okay, soooo much happened this week! Its insane. I will do my best to include everything I can, especially pictures. 

How do you like being out in the field?

I like having real people with real thoughts to talk to and teach! Also, the freedom... with food. I can have hot chocolate and toast! 

What's your companion's name? Where is she from?

Hermana Alejandra Ovando.  She is from Bolivia.

Do you like her? 

She's great! I am learning a ton from her and she knows just enough English to help me without hindering my progress and speaking English too much. 

What's your apartment like? 

My pension is pretty big compared to all of the houses I've been in and the other apartments in other areas. 

How much walking is it?

I don't know. A lot. And all on muddy roads

Are you sore?

Yes. Very. 

Shin splints? 

How'd you know!? Do you have any quick remedies besides icing? 

How's the food outside the MTC? 

Pretty much the same, but more pasta and bread! 

How's the ward you're in? 

This is the biggest ward in the mission! Its almost as big as a small ward in America. The people are so sweet!  There were about 80 people at church and 150 are in the ward.  There is a set of elders and us sisters.

Are you homesick for anything?

My mom. Sleep. Music. Babies (Eli and Ezra) 

Is Neuquén different from the MTC? 

Yes and no. 

So far what is your favorite part about being a missionary?

The people. I love people! 

What was your favorite thing about the MTC?

The nap time Presidente gave us. 

Where are you?

Oh yeah! El Bolsón! We have mountains all around us! It's huge! And beautiful! Hermana Casariego said it's the prettiest area.  

What do you see when you look out your window?  

Mountains surrounded by clouds. 

What is the street that you live on like? 

It's a dirt road. Idk what else to say about it haha.

Are you walking a lot? 

A ton. The shin splints are for real time. We leave at 11 in the morning and don't return until 9 or later if we have a lesson. 

Is it freezing cold?  

Not freezing, but I'm using my big coat and it's not quite cold enough for big gloves, but I keep my hands in my pockets. 

Have you met members?  

Yes. We have lunch at a member's house every day except p-day. 

What are they like?

They are the nicest, most humble people ever. They all have firm faith in the gospel and help me speak Spanish. And those who don't have firm faith are more than willing to help us and have us teach them anyway. Kids are my favorite part of this place because they enjoy helping me pronounce things and I don't have to have a deep knowledge of the language to understand them or to play. 

Do they call new missionaries "greenies"  like they do here?  Do they call you verde?

I don't know haha no one has called me verde yet! They just say OHHHH she knows more Spanish than the other new Americans! Apparently its a huge huge benefit to go to Buenos Aires CCM. 

Do you share your apartment with other hermanas? 

Our apartment is just us. I'll send pictures next week. 

Have you met your district? 

No. We have an hour long bus ride to Bariloche this week to meet them! But my zone is the elders and us. 

How's your first p-day going so far? 

Its been a lot of waiting in lines to buy stuff and we haven't even tried to get food yet. 

What are you going to do today? 

Buy food. Clean. Study the language. Teach some people. 

What food do you eat? 

I only eat breakfast at my apartment so its all hot chocolate and toast so far! 

Did you buy sheets or did your apartment have leftovers (yuck)!  

Luckily my companion had some extra. 

Do they speak the language they taught you in the CCM?

Yes! But a ton faster..... and they ignore the second half of almost every word!

Also, the bus ride to my area is 9 hours long from Neuquén. I slept a lot!

 

And the view here is incredible!   

And, there is no oxygen cause we're in the mountains, but I love the people! Its just a lot of walking that I didn't do in the CCM.

I forgot to tell y'all about church! It is very laid back here! Sacrament started 20 minutes late, but ended at the appropriate time and the classes followed the same order. People are so nice and so talkative that there just isn't quite enough time for it all haha But they have wonderful lessons and great people! 

Also, we stood outside of the sacrament room and welcomed everyone. I was kissed by and kissed every single woman's cheek and shook every man's hand. I now I have a sore throat haha Hopefully it goes away! People are great here and I am learning so much! I have a ton more to learn though. The language is better, but I still don't know near enough for a normal conversation about anything but the gospel. I have been told by every member and every missionary that I know way more Spanish that the Provo missionaries, which makes sense. I proselyted 4 times before the field and the Provo MTC can't do that, not in Spanish. So, it is a definitely a huge blessing to have gone there! Oh yeah! and I had my first Argentine empenada this week! It was soooo good! I want to eat them for every meal for the rest of my life. The taco bell ones just don't do it justice haha!

Excuse my white face in the picture with my comp! 

Also, that mountainscape is what I see every day and I walk that road every day too. 

Also, look up Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ by Gene R Cook. I hope you can find it! Its about my mission president when he was a missionary! ***

Also, I just realized, Hamburgers aren't actually ham at all. They're beef....

Also, my comp made a welcome sign and blew up balloons for me! 

Also, good thing I spent all that money on dyeing my hair cause lice is a huge thing down here! 

Also, one member knows English. She reads full on books and watches conference in English but doesn't like speaking it. She is so sweet! She fed us yesterday and made lasagna with spinach and for desert we had peaches and cream that she made herself by hand! It was AMAZING! 

Also, I really hope you and dad can come pick me up when I finish my mission. Its beautiful here! 

*** Link to the talk here.  The part about Presidente Casariego: 

Let me tell you of a young man I knew when I was a mission president. He was a missionary full of faith. He was Uruguayan. He had been in the mission about three or four months when I arrived, and I noticed that wherever he served, people were being baptized. In the beginning I thought it was because of his senior companion, because he seemed too young, too new, to be the cause—that was my mistake. He knew how to make things happen.

He was called as a senior companion and a district leader. I sent him into a city that had gained a reputation of being a tough, “no results” city. Missionaries had not baptized anyone there for nearly a year—not one person! The members were discouraged. Only ten to twelve members were attending the branch. I didn’t tell him anything—I just notified him of the transfer. Three weeks later, he and his companion began baptizing. He served there about ten weeks. All of his district started baptizing.

It is great to have a missionary who can baptize, but if he can teach others how to do it, his leadership can bless the lives of many.

This missionary never wrote me much in his weekly reports. He would only write, “Dear President, I sure love you. Things are going great. Sincerely,” or “President, the Lord is blessing us greatly. I love the work. Your brother.”

He was called later to serve as a zone leader and sent to supervise the whole upper area of the mission where there were some very challenging cities. His new challenge was to teach the missionaries to do what he was doing. He served there two or three months and was responsible for scores of baptisms, and he literally changed the spirit of the whole zone, member leaders as well as missionaries. Together they wrought a spiritual miracle.

Then came a spiritual struggle for me, a restless feeling about him. I felt impressed that he should be sent to Paraguay. At that time the work was very slow in Paraguay. We averaged only 20 to 25 baptisms a month in the whole country. I wrestled with that and thought to myself, “He has really proved himself here, but to put him in that situation might drag him down in discouragement as it has so many others. He may have a hard time sustaining his faith there.” I had to struggle with my faith to convince myself that he really ought to go, but I obeyed the promptings.

I sent him a telegram transferring him to Asunción, Paraguay, as a zone leader and told him that he should leave the very next day. When he came into Montevideo, he didn’t even come to see me. He was modest and always a little embarrassed to see “the president.”

He departed from the mission home, but he left a letter, which was the first one that I had ever received from him. It said, in effect, “Dear President Cook, I received a telegram today telling me to go to Paraguay, and I thought you ought to know a few things: (1) You can’t baptize in Paraguay. I have had at least ten to fifteen elders tell me of their experiences there. (2) The members are not helping at all. (3) There are some real morality problems among the nonmembers there. (4) Many people live together unmarried. (5), (6), (7), (8) …” And he went through and listed ten to twelve of some of the most negative things that I have ever heard in my life.

I thought to myself, Oh, no, unbelieving people have gotten to him.

But as he finished the list, he said, “I just wanted you to know, President, that I don’t believe any of those things.” Talk about faith! Then he committed himself, after expressing his faith, saying, “I want you to know, President Cook, that on Christmas Day (and the date of the letter was December 1), we are going to baptize 25 people.”

When I read that, I prayed for him and thought, The Lord bless you, elder. You have a tremendous amount of faith, and the Lord will sustain you. You don’t know the country; you haven’t ever been there. You don’t know where you are going to live. You don’t know your companion, the leaders, the members. You don’t know anything, and yet you, in faith, believe that you are going to baptize 25 people in 25 days.

Well, this young man was full of faith and was a real example of a great Latin leader. On December 25, he and his companion baptized 18 people. They hadn’t reached the 25, but 18 was just about all that the whole country baptized in a normal month. It was a great privilege two weeks later to participate in a baptismal service where he and his companion baptized 11 more. His district baptized about 30 that day. Can you see how one righteous man can turn around a whole set of circumstances? He believed, he committed, and he and the Lord did it.

CCM Pictures! At last!

Week 6 - Neuquén!

Yesterday Sari arrived in Neuquén.  We did not know her travel plans or when we would hear from her again, since her p-days in the CCM were on Thursday and in the field they will be on Monday, we figured we were in for a long, dry spell.  We were so excited to receive an email from Sari!

So, I left this afternoon from the Buenos Aires airport for Neuquén! I didn't have any other North Americans with me or any other girls so it was me and six elders walking through the airport looking sort of lost. Luckily one elder speaks pretty good English, so I would ask him a lot if I heard things correctly. While we were in the airport we found another Hermana from Brasil who speaks as much Spanish as I do. We took her to her flight two hours earlier than ours, but she is going to Neuquen too! Just from a different MTC. Presidente Casariego and his wife are THE nicest people. They were waiting outside the security with two AP's for all of us to get through. Now I'm at the mission home and am not sure where I'll sleep, but that's fine! I'll figure it out as it comes! Also, because my group left at like 4:45 in the afternoon, I got to go to them temple this morning and help the teachers prep for the next group at the CCM. Also, miracle of the week: bot my bags were .5 kilos under what the limit is! Even with my added study books! 

Also, I started to miss mom for the first time today. I just want a simple drive to Costco with her. 

Anyways, I love you all! I can't wait to start getting out into the streets of Neuquen or wherever my area is and to help people find Christ! 

Also, in case you hadn't guessed, I am safe and haven't been kidnapped. 

Love, Hermana Sari Sant

(Tif adds - we were able to "talk" back and forth on the email for a few minutes!  She said that she found out that she would be spending the night with the sister training leaders in Neuquen.)

This morning we received this email and picture:

Dear Brother and Sister Sant,

We express our love and deep gratitude for sending your beloved daughter Sister Sant to the Argentina Neuquén Mission.

We have joyfully received your daughter and are impressed by how prepared she is. We are equally impressed by her desire to serve the Lord and His children of this part of the world.

We love you and promise to care for and guide your daughter in all that she needs during her time here in the mission.

Please, don’t hesitate to contact us with any concern that you may have.

Love,

Carlos and Rosario Casariego

Argentina Neuquén Mission

 

Pictures I stole from Presidente Casariego's Facebook: