Date
December 23, 2013
Area
Resistencia
Companion
Hola from Argentina!
12-23-13
Mom!
Hola from Argentina! Holy Cow! I am still in complete culture shock...This definitely aint the States!
So yeah, we stayed our first night in Buenos Aires, in a hotel, and then the next day flew to Resistencia. There we got a little bit of an intro to the mission (so I thought..). You probably didn´t get a picture because those pics were the new misisonaries with their companions. I still don´t have a companion yet - for the past couple days I´ve been in a temporary companionship with Elder Perez and Elder Idrogo (from Mexico and Peru). Elder Perez speaks a little bit of spanish, but not much, and Elder Idrogo can only say hello. I am going to find out who my companion is and where I´m going today at our mission christmas party....the pres wanted to wait til today since we were all getting together anyway. So I hope it´s someone good.
First, I have never seen such poverty in my life. To say that the people here live in humble circumstances is the epitome of an understatement. For these past three days (which honestly have felt like 2 weeks) I have lived with these elders in their apartment which is in an abandoned/being built building. There are just two rooms - one for a tiny stove and a tiny fridge, and the other is the room with two tiny twin beds....yes only two....sleeping arrangements have been interesting these past 3 nights. Where we have been is all dirt roads. Honestly, this place is filthy. There is trash in the streets and everywhere. There are so many dogs running wild (we have to be careful with them....). All the streets have senjas (or maybe cenjas?) which are pretty much just ditches that line the streets - filled with water, sewage, trash, and who knows what else...they don´t smell good....Also, since it can get kinda dangerous here, we usually have to be in our apartment by 8....and we have to walk fast everywhere!....but don´t worry, it´s all good.
Another thing I´ve noticed is that the people here are CRAZY (in a Good way=) Just driving here I saw so many people driving their scooters around - driving with one hand and holding their baby in the other!!!!! Also, the lanes on the roads are guidelines¨....nobody uses them....Everyone here drives so fast and they get so close to eachother, I am amazed that I haven´t seen more crashes.
This is a really big adjustment....I knew that it would be different here, but I had no idea to what extent. I realize how shallow I have been. I have been so blessed to live in such a clean and safe place. I have honestly felt very awkward at times becuase I have brought so much stuff with me. These people have nothing, and several kids have been amazed with how nice my waterbottle is! I´m going to have to change what I wear a little too. I can´t really wear my watch, because if people see it, I´m going to get robbed. Also my backpack, I´m going to have to buy a new one - these elders and many of the members have told me to be careful with my backpack....that it´s too nice. I have already been asked several times if my family is rich. I say no, but they don´t believe me. They think I come from lots of wealth, and that I´m just saying no. It´s really humbling. I have become so much more grateful for the little things like = clean water, shower curtains, paved roads, AIR CONDITIONING, clean food, soap, etc.....Don´t worry, I´m planning on adding to this list every week...
I still can´t understand much...or anything. The people speak so fast and so quietly that it´s very difficult to distinguish what words they are saying....I know that sometimes they are making fun of me....I just cán´t always understand what about. =) `Hopefully I will be able to understand them better soon. It´s hard becuase we´ve met with several members and recent converts and taught lessons to them, and there are times when I don´t understand ANYTHING, but I so badly want to share what I know also. I just can´t wait to be able to speak.
Oh, I almost forgot....MY FIRST BAPTISM! Well, okay, it wasn´t really mine....it was the other elder´s, but it was cool. Hermana blanca! I really don´t know much about her, but she seemed excited to be baptized. After the baptism I got to speak a little bit about the gift of the Holy Ghost, which was really neat.
Well, I´m sorry I don´t have too much more to write.....I just don´t even know what to say. CULTURE SHOCK! Right now we are in downtown Resistencia - close to the mission office / chapel - using the computers in a internet cafe ( una ciber)....These computers are kinda bad....just old. Oh well.
Mom, I love you so so so much. I can´t wait to talk to you on Wednesday. I honestly have NO idea when I´m going to be able to call or skype, so just try to be ready...it might be really early there. I wish you a very merry Christmas! It doesn´t even feel like christmas here - probably because of the heat.....Anyway, I miss you so much. Í´m praying for you. Pray for me....I LOVE YOU!
Con mucho amor para siempre,
Elder C