Another week? Clearly, the clocks in Argentina aren´t working correctly... I have now experienced my first full week in the Mission Field! Today has been nice. We got ice cream during siesta. I washed my clothes by hand. And we played some Padle: a combination between tennis and raquetball, played with a pickleball-like paddle. Aka tons of fun.
My address, again.
Elder Ryan McMurray
Entre Rios 435
Resistencia, Chaco CP 3500
ARGENTINA
Crazy things that have happened...
The beginning of this week was cold. Since there are no AC or Heating Units in the apartment, that meant it was even colder. So cold, that in the mornings I woke up to a runny nose and could see my breath. See my breath! I had no idea it could get this cold down here. And what makes it worse, (or fun, in my opinion, depends on how you look at it) is that the colder the temperature outside, the colder the shower is. For those of you that have been in the water of the Colorado River, after Lake Powell, I would have welcomed that temperature (47ºF).
Needless to say, it was a little chilly. But, I will have you know that the weather is now amazing. This is peak time for weather in Argentina, before the death of summer.
Though San Vicente is small, they still have a bus system. So, in order to visit a few members in the Branch, we have to take a Colectivo (bus). It costs a sum of 2 pesos, or about 50 cents. They´re fun, because I´ve never really used buses much growing up.
This week, we had our semi-monthly District Meeting. The reason we only have it every other week is because we (the San Vicente elders) are a 3 hour bus ride away from the rest of the district. Meaning, basically our entire Tuesday was taken up by the meeting and our travels.
Remember how I mentioned that we had 12 people attend church last week? Well, this week we had about 40. It was awesome! It made me laugh how much the weather can effect your faithfulness in church attendance. With that being said, I already love these people. So friendly! Though I am thousands of miles from home, people are still very similar. Crazy enough, we ran into a guy that was wearing a Tennessee hat; how did that get here??
The church building
The children gathered for a church activity
Yes, I have discovered Dulce de Leche -- and yes it has changed my life -- and no I have not called Jenny20, yet.
Siesta is a very real thing, here. From 12 to 4, everyday. I thought it was strange last week when they shut off the lights at the Supermarket while we were in the checkout line. Clearly, they mean serious business.
The language? Oh, the language. Yes. It is still here. It´s very difficult, but now that I´ve adjusted more to my new surroundings, I am learning more and more Spanish everyday. Luckily, Elder Escobedo is patient with me. It does get a little tricky when I have no idea what the person just said to me and they are expecting a response. We were at someone´s house and my companion went to the bathroom. These are my least favorite moments thus far. I had the total deer-in-headlights look going on after she asked me a question. I was traumatized!
Ryan and his companion
In my personal scripture studies, this week, I read Alma 40. All about the Resurrection. Of late, I´ve used a notebook when I read. It´s amazing how much more you can learn with a pen and paper next to you. If you´ve never tried it before, do it!
With a churro, filled with ducle de leche, in one hand, and a desire to serve in the other,
Elder McMurray
Here is a picture of the Buenos Aires temple, which is being worked on:
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