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