The Bar Has Been Set

Well, this week has been interesting to say the least.

Monterrico and Universitario are polar opposites. The Branch is quite small. It´s sad but the members don´t really support the work. Our Branch President is a stud and helps the most he can, but really there´s a lot of work to be done here. We dont have lunch with members every day, just 3 times per week. Our area is very poor and very big. We bike a lot. I´ve already lost 6 pounds. Ive been sicker than a dog this week. A LOT OF ADVERSITY IS GOIN ON OVER HERE.

But that´s all good. You know why? I´m ready to work. Elder Mejia and are ready to kick butt and take names. I know the Lord has a purpose for me here. Maybe it´s that I learn to work harder, or that he trusts me in an area like this. But I know I got to be more obedient, more diligent, and more focused than I am now. I know that if we work hard and do what were supposed to we will be blessed and miracles will come.

Elder Mejia and I get a long very well. He´s the funniest companion I´ve had man. We put in work in the streets. There´s some things we need to get better at but we´re working. He´s very bold and direct. I respect that. We´re both very big guys. We feel like giants here with all the little Argentines and Bolivians. I´m glad hes my comp.

The work of the Lord never stops ladies and gents.

FOTOS 

PABLO ESCOBAR (ELDER MEJIA)
My District. (Left to Right´ Your Boy from Ptown, Hna. Rimac de Peru, Hna. Gomez de Mexico, Hna. Rothwell de Boise, Idaho, Hna. Daldegan de Brasil, Elder Mejia de Colombia)

Asadito

Gracias familia!

Nos vemos!

Élder Batman

Rama Monterrico

Monterrico, Jujuy

La Misión Argentina Salta

Keep It On The DL

Hey guys, so I finally left Universitario. It´s been a sad goodbye. I have really came to love Universitario. I will never forget the experiences and memories I have had there and the people I have come to love there.

We had the baptism of Mayra Càceres Saturday. She asked me if I could baptize her. I feel like the fruits of my labors finally paid off. After 6 months, Mayra finally got baptized! It was a tough effort and my companion and I fought for her and tried very hard. We felt like the Lord did his part. We showed our willingness and he put his hand in the work. 

A lot of goodbyes this week. I don´t like goodbyes. I like to just work and move on, but It was quite sad to leave there. So many families and people that I will never forget. (Familia Caceres, Familia Trejo, Familia Gomez, Familia Santucho, Graciela, Jose Paz, Obispo Salinas, etc)  I didn´t think I would cry but man the tears got to me. I hope I can visit there again.

I have been transferred from a strong ward to a weak branch. I have left The Ghettos of Tucumán to The Fields of Jujuy. It´s so weird. I actually don´t feel like I need to worry about getting robbed here haha. I have been called as District Leader. This is my first time and I am excited and nervous at the same time. My companion is Elder Mejia. I lived with him in the same pension in Salta. I get along real well with him. He is from Medellin, Colombia. I call him Pablo Escobar. We have a district of 6. Elder Mejia and I, and 4 sister missionaries. Let´s see how this goes....

My papi, Elder Cloud, is our Zone Leader so I´ll get to veritfy with him and do divisions with him haha. 

I feel like the challenge is upon us now. I am excited to get to work here. It´s gonna be a test but I know we can do wonders here. I am excited for the challenge. I know Elder Mejia and I are gonna find some new people and baptize some great converts.

Sorry not much time, but thank you for all the love and support!

Ciao!

Élder Batman

Rama Monterrico

Monterrico, Jujuy

La Misión Argentina Salta

Why Am I Here

Hey guys, this week was pretty good in the way that I feel like I have learned a lot this week, and I am grateful that for the experiences I have had this week.

Why am I here? I believe every missionary has asked that question in one way or another to themselves on their mission. Why am I out here? Whats my purpose here? What does God need from me here? 

I feel like this week I came to ask that. I love my mission, dont get me wrong. I am so thankful to be out here, and have enjoyed the experiences I have had out here.  But I felt the need to study, meditate, and pray about the question I had. What is my purpose here in Argentina? 

I felt like I didn´t know my purpose, that I didnt feel like a successful missionary.  I wasnt changing my nature and becoming more consecrated to the work of our Heavenly Father. For sure we are baptizing here, but baptisms doesnt make a successful missionary. Yes In South America the baptisms come a lot quicker than in other parts of the world but really, baptisms dont make a successful missionary. I just felt like I was not giving my ALL.

This week was really hard. In away that I found myself in tears praying to my Heavenly Father asking him to help me find my purpose, help me to become and feel like a successful missionary

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I studied hard the scriptures and felt that I needed to be more humble, that I need to be more obedient, that I need to be more diligent. I learned that the time of the Lord is very sacred. And 2 years is short time in the work of salvation of souls. Not just the salvation of others but the salvation of my soul also. That now is the time for me to become to man I want to be. I want to be a hard worker. I want to be humble man. I want to be a man that is always able and willing to act on the Spirit, and his Priesthood Duties. 

Now saying is easier than doing. I felt like Im a guy who talks more than he does, and I want to become someone who does more than he talks. But really now is the time. To become the person I want to be.

I have recieved a lot of experiences this weeks and miracles to help me find my purpose here in Argentina. To help me in the direction I need to go to become a more consecrated and successful missionary. I know that I am here for a marvelous work, and I know that my Heavenly Father wants to bless me and guide to save the souls of his children. I know many are waiting to hear the power of my sincere testimony, and that I must not fear man, and open my mouth and bear it with the Spirit. 

I AM HERE AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF JESUS CHRIST.

I AM HERE TO SAVE SOULS.

I AM HERE TO BUILD THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

And I and my brothers and sisters in missionary field with me doing the same thing fighting the same battle. And we must do EVERYTHING WE CAN to maximize our potential, our time, our efforts and consecrate more to this work.

I have prayed and covenanted with my Father in Heaven to become more of a consecrated missionary. I know it wont be easy, but it will be worth it. And I know the Lord will be with me hand and hand along the way.

I love you all, And I am thankful for your prayers and support everyday.

Élder Batman

Barrio Universitario

San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán

La Misión Argentina Salta