The Work Rolls Forward



Attending interreligious activities fills many of our evenings. We´re in with the in-crowd in that regard and take the subway or bus to a church or presentation location a couple of times a week. Our Hare Krishna friends visited for lunch in the office dining room.


Generally present with us are representatives of the Muslims, Catholics, Buddhists, Evangelists, Hare Krisnas, and Protestants in varying combinations. Topics have included the sharing of Iftar dinner during Ramadam, each group’s view of God, views of healthful living, scripture study of two Psalms, and the benefits of building interfaith relationships.



We spent an evening at a Turkish Orthodox Church with our host Padre Omar Di Mario, Chaplin of the Argentine Boy Scouts and someone we see on occasion. The topic centered on the martyrdom of a Christian every five minutes somewhere in the world. [The Muslims were oddly absent from that evening’s presentation. Perhaps the Turkish Orthodox Archbishop forgot to send them an invitation.] We enjoyed Iftar (Ramadan dinner) with Muslim students from Turkey. Their food is very much like Greek food, but better, and they assured it is really Turkish food, not Greek.

At the monthly gathering sponsored by our Multi-stake Director of Public Affairs the topic was Genealogy.

We celebrated the arrival of our Director of Public Affairs, Elder Alfredo Salas. Filled with knowledge of Public Affairs, the Church and members here, computer programs, and Argentina in general, he hit the ground running. His multitasking ensures a whirlwind of welcome ideas and activities. His abilities strengthen our skills and his compliments uplift our self-esteem. We are one with the force.

We were able to help organize seven open houses with our Visitor Center in the Chapel assignment. We enjoyed working with the members, visitors, and ward leaderships in each of the Chapel. The program gives a wonderful introduction to the Church. A new coordinating couple has arrived who are enthusiastically taking the presentation to other congregations. We reached our limit of time and energy and had to let go.

One of John's excursions was to Puerto Madero where The Libertad, pride of the Argentine Navy is at anchor. LDS Bishop Salas, Chief Petty Officer 1, his personal ship's tour guide, took him into the depths of this sailing vessel.

Senior missionary excursions continue, this one at P.F. Changs, others like watching “The Lone Ranger” or attending very Argentine events like the barbeque and folk groups at the Feria de Mataderos.
 A Dr. Pepper miraculously appeared from the US one afternoon. John felt a divine presence about him (note the halo)
                                                                     as he slowly savored his favorite drink.



Never one to avoid adventure,
John mingles here with the
 “Stay out of Syria”
group one afternoon.

John walked the length of Puerto Madero one Saturday afternoon. This area used to be lined with dilapidated warehouses. Now it is the residence and eating place of the rich and famous.  

 

 



The monthly Ladies’ Luncheon generally includes a small service project. One was newborn blankets and hats; our last one was bagging homemade cookies for a school for homeless kids. Yes, of course we had to sample the cookies! What a treat it is to get to know these marvelous people. How do I get them to all move to Phoenix? Actually, a large portion of them are from Idaho Falls, perhaps we should move there. 

  

 

The Church held a dedicatory meeting for the new LDS Institute building, a small restored  mansion in the Belgrano neighborhood. I remember with fondness the little old house that was our institute building in Flagstaff. No resemblance whatever, except for the warm spirit.

 

“And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another.

                                                                                                                              1 John 3:23 

Halfway

Variety is the spice of life. Spicy should be our middle name.




Hand delivering a letter
to President Kirchner´s
office is another part of
our “work”.

We were guests of the Minister of Culture at the

Mass Celebrating the new Pope.


 
 





We missionary wives enjoy a once a month potluck

luncheon. Those smiles are permanently affixed.

During our days of training Public Affairs

Directors in Santiago, Chile, we toured

the Japanese Gardens.



                  

    



Nearby La Plata was inundated with flood waters then with the donations from Church members from around the country. The city had so many contributions from so many generous people they had to turn some away.


Two of our best finds were

"Dr. Candy" and "Trixie's,

a Fiftys Diner the Fonz

would love.

        







We happened upon the local Army base celebration of 25 de Mayo battle and the Congreso de Tucúman Treaty, the beginning of Argentina´s independence from Spain.
 

         

After the Mass in Luján [Did I mention we traveled there with 4 other vans in a motorcade complete with escort vehicles and traffic stopping police motorcycles with sirens blazing?] we happened upon marchers headed to join the 750,000 others in the Plaza de Mayo. They were very welcoming!



La Bombonerita

Helping our Stake clean and paint School #11, Congreso de Tucúman, was especially fun because many children helped.



  

 

We worked at a service project with a couple of dozen volunteers, including the Ashtons and Silvia Carranza, the President of CILSA –Centro de Integración Libre y Solidaridario de Argentina. These integrated handicapped young people played indoor soccer at the Boca facility.



Further celebration of the 25 de Mayo events included a special mass at the Cathedral of Luján. Amazingly they had us sit in the crossing section of the Cathedral, at the immediate front left of the alter with the Imam of the Mosque and the Archbishops of the Armenian and Syrian Orthodox Churches.

 

 

 

Attending with us were
President Kirchner,
Buenos Aires Governor Scioli,
and several Cabinet members.

 





These are our two favorite skeletons in the
Natural History Museum of La Plata, a blue whale and John the Ninja Turtle.





True Public Affairs work occurred for the visit of Apostle Quentin L. Cook and his wife. We arranged his visit with Rabbi Abraham Skorka and were invited to accompany him, our Area President Walter González, and his wife for this visit. 

 

With the extensive assistance from everyone around us, including inspiration from above, I believe we have gotten the hang of this calling and even of the language. We established routines and break away from them with side activities. As we realize we have passed the halfway mark of our mission we realize time is flying faster each day. We are savoring it all. Okay, almost all. Our gratitude increases daily for the Argentine people and for each of our loved ones back home. You are in our prayers. 

“Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.”     Psalms 2:12

Tough Life

Each time we attend an activity I make a page for our booklet. This is our page for yesterday. Life as a senior missionary is tough; but someone has to live it. Sure glad it's us.

Evento: Boca Juniors Soccer Game, 108th Birthday; Boca Juniors vs Equador’s Barcelona

Donde:  La Bombonera Soccer Stadium, Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina

 

First you wait in line a few days ahead for tickets.

Then relish the thought of going.



 





The Entry

The Pre-game

 

The Crowd

 

The Barra Brava (Jugador #Doce) and Friends

 

The Play

 

The Score

 

The Celebration

 



“. . . Surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.”

                                                                                                4 Nephi 1:16