Last Week: My Sincere Testimony

Well this is the start of my last week in the mission.

STATISTICS:

• I have had 14 companions. (2 PERUVIANS, 1 ARGENTINE, 1 GUATEMALAN, 1 COLOMBIAN, AND ONE BRAZILIAN. THE REST FROM THE UNITED STATES)​​
• I have had 7 areas. I have served in 3 of the 4 provinces that our mission covers. (Salta, Jujuy, Tucuman) *Never served in Santiago del Estero
• I have done 54 exchanges in in my mission with 36 different missionaries.
• I have interviewed 25+ people for baptism interviews.
• Convert Baptisms: Only the Lord needs to know :)

 It´s been a crazy ride. I have really treasured these experiences that I have had these past couple of years.

I have been able to really learn a lot. I have really come to strenghten my faith in My Savior Jesus Christ. I have really come to know him more and feel his love for me. I have been privileged to testify in his name these past two years about his infinite love that he has for us and his infinite sacrifice that he has done for all of us. I know I am a man with a lot of faults and weaknesses but through his atonement I am able to become strong. I know that God lives and that he is our Father in Heaven. I know he sent his son Jesus Christ to pay for our sins, and give us the ability to repent and change and become better through his example. I know through the Gospel of Jesus Christ we can return to the presence of our Father in Heaven. I know this life is to be had for joy. The only eternal joy and happiness is found in a family that is centered in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that families can be together forever. Through Heavenly Father´s beautiful plan we can have our families not just ´´until death do part´´ but rather for all of eternity! I know that prayer is the way to commune with Heavenly Father openly and for us to recieve answers and guidance from him. He can help us to recieve answers to our many questions and doubts in life. He can help us to feel his love and presence as we communicate with him. I know the scriptures can help us lessen the distance between us and our Father in Heaven. That when one desires to find answers, guidance, or spiritual strength, that they can find it in the words of Christ.  I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. That it is a true record. The Book of Mormon contains inspired words and teachings of Christ in his minsistry to the Americas and contains inspired words and teachings of Prophets of God. I know that the Book of Mormon and The Holy Bible can help us to come closer to Christ. I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God. That he saw God the Father and God The Son, Jesus Christ. I know they answered his prayer. I know that Joseph Smith was called to be the Prophet of the Restoration to bring the true and only church of Christ back to the earth so that all the children of God can have the opportunity to return to Heavenly Father. I know that through trials, we can become strengthened. I know that the Lord tries us to mold us into the person he needs us to become. I know that despite all our errors and some times sins, that we can always recieve the forgiveness from our Father. That he will always give us another chance if we are willing. I know that charity is the pure love of Christ and that through helping and serving others we are being instruments in the hands of the Lord to help his children. I know that God is still a God of miracles. I know that God has bestowed the Priesthood to his children. I know the Priesthood is the Power and Authority to act in the Name of God for the blessing and salvation of his children. I know that Christ´s Grace is sufficient for all of us. That he walks beside us. That he helps us to become the person we need to become and return to him and our Father again with our families.

I know these things to be true without a doubt in my heart, and I leave these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

I AM HOME THE 27TH OF JUNE!

LOVE YOU ALL

Élder Batman

Rama Pizarro

San Ramón de La Nueva Oran, Salta

La Misión Argentina Salta

Super Sabado Was A Super Hit 6/11/18

Well as you can see from the title. Super Sabado was a huge success. The two branches worked well together to from a beautiful activity. There was games, food, and a dance. I WISH I COULD SHOW YOU PICTURES BUT I CANT SEND PICS IN THIS CYBER. Sorry :(

A lot of new investigators and less actives came to the activity. We gained a lot of trust from the members. It was one of the biggest activities that the branch has had in a long time. It was a huge success.

The zone is baptizing and we are are hoping to meet our goal for the month. We are praying and working hard and seeing a ton of miracles. I know the Lord will pave the way if we give our all.

GASTON IS PROGRESSING GREATLY AND WILL BE BAPTIZED MY LAST WEEK IN THE MISH! HES FIGHTING A LOT OF STRUGGLES BUT HE WILL PULL THROUGH!

No time! Got to go! Love yàll!

Élder Batman

Rama Pizarro

San Ramón de La Nueva Oran, Salta

La Misión Argentina Salta

Crazy Week 6/5/18

Hey guys,

Well this week we are still running around like crazy.

We have been so busy with our Zone and coordinating things with the District of Oran so it can become a stake that we have not been working so much in our area. It´s a bit frustrating. I feel almost like a manager and less like a missionary. I voiced that to President in my interview, and he said to keep working and that the Lord is preparing me for something after. That I shouldn´t worry because we are making a big impact on the zone and district and that the Lord will prepare the way for our area. That brought me comfort because it´s been difficult. Our zone is baptizing and the district is preparing to become a stake in the near distant future. So we hope our efforts will amount to something!

We are planning a huge activity. The two branches Oran and Pizarro are working with us on this Mission Activity. We are going to call it SUPER SABADO. It will be from 4 to 10pm. There will be a bunch of games, food, and a Dance at the end. We are working with the members to invite their friends so that they can be apart of this great activity. We know it will help us to find more investigators and strengthen the branches.

We are teaching an advanced english class. It is having a good turn out of 5 people. They are people that speak english pretty proficiently. We are beginning to teach them the gospel. We know we will see the fruits of this soon.

I have been able to baptize people these past few weeks, it´s been a great blessing to be able to do the baptismal ordinances for them. Antonela, is the niece of my mini missionary companion, Elder Corbalan. I also was blessed to be able to baptize Damian, a little kid of 8 years old. He was super excited. THE WATER WAS REALLY COLD. It´s been a great blessing.

I am in Salta right now. I got to pass my preparation day today because we had interviews yesterday. After interviews we traveled with the assistants and President in his car for 5 hours back to Salta because after Pday today we do exchanges with the Assistants in their area. MITRE (MY OLD AREA) It was great to hear all these stories that President Orquera has. He´s a great guy, an influental leader, a hardworker, and is hilarious.

I am currently in the mission offices writing this and in the middle of this email I was interrupted. An investigator came to the office of another elder working in the area here. He was late so we had to keep her occupied. We began to get to know her and teach her a little. Her name was Jessica and she loves the Book of Mormon. She wants to be baptized but doesn´t want to get married. Her boyfriend is member and wants to be married but she does not. We began to talk to her and explain the blessings of marriage and the family and obeying the law of chastity. I could tell we were making an impact. I felt strongly impressed to say: ´´Jessica, It´s not a coincidence that Elder Santana is late. It´s not a coincidence that we are here today with you. We have been called by a prophet of God as missionaries. We have been sent by God and represent his Son. And God has sent us to tell you these things. We know that you are feeling the presence of the Spirit that is manifesting the truth of what we testify.´´ She began to tear up. I felt the Spirit so strong in that moment. She said that she knows know that she needs to get married. And that´d she pray to God.

Good experiences.

I love the mission. I love the work. All is well.

Élder Batman

Rama Pizarro

San Ramón de La Nueva Oran, Salta

La Misión Argentina Salta

Quick Update

Quick update:

We have had no power since Monday and will not have it until Thursday.

I had to travel to Salta (5 hour travel) to go to the nicer hospital there for my lungs. I have bronchitis and it hasn`t gotten better but I was able to recieve the treatment I needed because In Oran the hospitals arent too great. We came back Wednesday Night.

Thursday we planned for the week and then traveled AGAIN to Salta for the Leadership Council. It was awesome and we talked about the importance of members. It was awesome and I had to give my final testimony which was real hard.

Things are going well Elder McGrail is awesome. Has a lot of love and charity and is helping me a ton.

Gotta go. All is well.

​​

Élder Batman

Rama Pizarro

San Ramón de La Nueva Oran, Salta

La Misión Argentina Salta

Transfers

Well, Elder Utai left. It was such a good time to work with that guy. He was the companion that had the greatest impact on my mission. I will miss him and I`ll see him when I`m finished with the mission.

Well I got 6 weeks left. And my new companion ALSO has 6 weeks left. Elder Jared McGrail from Montana. He arrived with me in the mission. A great guy who has a lot of love for the people. I know I will learn a lot from him and we will work will together in the final stretch of our missions.  I`m stoked.

Well we got a new investigator this week. He showed up to church with his girlfriend who is inactive. We started teaching them. They`re Gaston and Erica. Gaston is 18 and Erica is 17. They are living together. GASTON IS SUPER PREPARED. He wants to be baptized and come closer to God and loved the church. He also attended this week. We put a baptismal date with him for the 2nd of June. We will need to discuss what would be the best course of action for them. To seperate or to be married. (THEY ARE YOUNG, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN LIVING TOGETHER FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS) A tender blessing of the Lord. A prepared investigator just came to church ready for us.

Nanci will be baptized in the coming weeks. We just need to help here recognize her answer, and obey the Word of Wisdom.

Welp, the final stretch. I`m ready for it. I want to end really well having given my all! I AM NOT TRUNKY OR BURNT AND NOR DO I WANT TO BE! I WANT TO END WET FROM BEING IN THE BAPTISMAL FONT AND CONSECRATED TO THE WORK UNTIL THE LAST MOMENT.

LOVE YALL

NO PHOTOS SORRY THIS CYBERCAFE SUCKS

Élder Batman

Rama Pizarro

San Ramón de La Nueva Oran, Salta

La Misión Argentina Salta

Quick Update

Well this week was awesome.

We baptized Aylen, Vanesa, and Abigail. It was awesome. I baptized Abi. It was awesome! They were so prepared and converted. They were a referral we received from the branch 4 weeks ago and their conversion has been so strong. They were such a blessing.

Nancy is preparing to be baptized soon. When is the question.

We got a lot to do. Elder Utai finishes his mission this week. He leaves 1:30pm sunday. We´re gonna give it our all this week to find so our area can keep baptizing in the weeks to come. I won´t have a comp for sunday afternoon. I´ll have a member with me. I have to do transfers alone. yay....

And then to talk with momma and the fam on sunday and all that. 

Love you guys. Gotta go!

Élder Batman

Rama Pizarro

San Ramón de La Nueva Oran, Salta

La Misión Argentina Salta

Close Call

This week was filled with interesting stuff.

Monday we recieved a referral from a member. The family was super awesome and asked to learn from us. The Mom of the family is a member of the church and the husband wasnt and wanted to learn more. They were super chosen. We invited them to be baptized and they accepted. They were GOLDEN. They accepted an appointment to return another day. Then when we return the next time they told us not to come back. The family members of the family told them likes about the church and they don´t want to hear anymore. It´s so sad when that happens because they were such a chosen family. But the adversary got a hold of them and they chose not to accept the invitation from the Lord.  We just gotta keep working and finding.

Tuesday we had a multi zone conference in tartagal. It´s 3 hours away. We had to leave on the bus at 5:45 am. There was a huge storm and we had to walk 15 blocks in the rain and flooded streets. I was completely soaked in my suit and bascially shivered on the bus and was half wet all day. The conference was awesome. President wants more out of the mission. ANd we gotta do more to work harder as a mission. It was really good.

We had exchanges with the assistants after in our area and Elder Andersen worked with me. He´s a stud and I´ve known him for a long time. We worked hard together. Taught some good lessons found some people and on the way back we were in a sketch barrio and I felt the Spirit strongly advise me to turn another way. I realized We were about to pass the house of the man who tried to fight us a couple weeks back I told Elder Andersen:   ´´Hey lets go this way some guy tried to fight us last week and he lives there.´´ and as we turned Elder Andersen looked back and said  ´´IS THAT THE GUY?¨ and I looked back and IT SURE WAS. He was following us. He had the strangest look in his eyes like he wanted to hurt us. We walked faster. We felt the Spirit strongly advise us to go certain directions and eventually SOMEONE stopped the man. We made it safely to the pension. If I had not listened to the Spirit and turned we would have met him front on on the street we were originally on. Elder Andersen said he saw him with binoculars in the median of the street scoping us out. And he got up when he saw us.

I got to go. I know the Spirit directs us even in times of danger. We must always follow his impressions!

Love you guys!

Gotta go!

​

Élder Batman

Rama Pizarro

San Ramón de La Nueva Oran, Salta

La Misión Argentina Salta

Symbolic

Hey guys,

We had council of leaders this week in Salta. It was awesome President showed a lot of excitement for the temple that will be built in Salta but also said that we as leaders need to do a lot more to show our appreciation to the Lord for this wonderful blessing. Our mission can do a lot better and we are improving but President and the Lord expects a lot more of us. It was good to see some good friends and the spirit is so strong in those council meetings. We can really feel that President does love us and wants us to be our best.

This weeks been crazy arranging stuff for the conference we have tomorrow and stuff. Franco Cardozo, our recent convert, lost his brother this week. He asked if we could go to the viewing and funeral for his brother. It was my first funeral ever. Never had been to one. There was a lot of saddness in the family. A lot of people that were real distraught. Franco was sad but had peace because he understood the Plan of Salvation that God has for us. Eventhough we lose loved ones, we will see them again after this life. It´s all part of the plan. It was a somber feeling to be there.

This week was difficult in terms of numbers we couldn´t find hardly any new investigators and we couldn´t get anyone to church but there were plenty spiritual experiences to come by.

Sunday night we had a family home evening in the Chapel. We had a little activity planned. The sisters had prepared banana bread and we had everyone sit in a circle. Elder Utai went around the circle one by one to every person and asked if they wanted a piece of banana bread. The first accepted and Elder Utai said ´´Elder Batman, can you do 15 pushups for the piece of banana bread that he took.´´ And I crank out 15 pushups. And Elder Utai goes to the next and the next and I keep doing pushups. People are laughing at me and trying to look for ways to make it harder for me so I´d have to do more pushups. Then one person who saw that I was struggling thought to not take the piece of bread so maybe I wouldn´t have to do more pushups. Elder Utai looks at me on the ground and says: ´´Elder Batman, can you do 15 pushups for the piece of bread she didn´t take?´´ And everyone was confused why I still had to do the pushups. There were people who were still laughing and making fun of me struggling to do pushups. Some people were somber and quiet and started to tear up and started to notice what was going on.

 There were 16 people present in the circle. I had to do 240 pushups. By the 10th person I was struggling a lot to do them. I was shaking and gasping a ton. Some were still laughing when it got to the 15th person. Then Elder Utai decided to read a scripture.

´´As it says in the book of mormon:

3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

As Elder Utai closed that scripture. There were few in that room who didn´t have tears in their eyes. This activity was designed to represent a small minute part of the Atoning Sacrifice of Jesus Christ. I, being the one doing the pushups for everyone who had taken the bread, which symbolized Christ paying for our sins for our salvation. And those who chose not to take of the bread, I still had to do the pushups because eventhough some choose not to follow Christ and be saved through him. He STILL PAYED FOR US.

On the last set when I was at 225 pushups. I was struggling a ton. To hear Elder Utai say read that scripture I started to think ´´ Christ had to suffer the most pain and suffering of all for each one of us and I can´t even do 240 measely pushups? I collapsed and I was so emotional. I started balling and thinking of the sacrifice that he did for us. It was a surreal experience and something I´ll never forget.

I know Christ suffered for ALL OF US. The least we can do to repay him is follow his path and obtain salvation through him. 

Thank you,

I love you guys.

Élder Batman

Rama Pizarro

San Ramón de La Nueva Oran, Salta

La Misión Argentina Salta

"You Know Martial Arts"

Hey guys, how´s it going?

Well another good week here in Oran. It just seems here like new investigators are just popping out of the woodwork. We knock and they invite us in. We have been really focusing on talking with everyone and being bold in our contacts. We are finding a lot through this way. Funny story: Elder Utai and I were walking through Barrio Caballito during mid day. (it´s like the sketchiest part of our area) And a man drunk and drugged out of his mind stops us and blammers on asking If we are from the USA and stuff and about Donald Trump and we say yes but we are missionaries and we are in a rush right now so take this card and have a nice day. And we keep walking and he screams back to us ´´CHICOS WAIT¨ and we come back to talk to him and he asks ´´DO YOU GUYS KNOW MARTIAL ARTS?´´ and I said yes because I boxed and wrestled and took Muay Thai for a bit and also if a strange man in a sketch barrio asks if you know martial arts I´m gonna say yes because he´s probably trying to rob..

So I said yes and then this guy over here says ´´ALRIGHT, I WANT BOTH OF YOU TO FIGHT ME ONE BY ONE RIGHT NOW´´ and we asked ´´Why?´´ and he said ´´YOU AMERICANS HAVE BEEN KILLING EVERYONE IN THE WORLD AND ITS TIME FOR ME TO PUT AN END TO IT.´´Elder Utai and I are pretty big guys and we did like our odds, but as missionaries and representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ we said with power (and in spanish of course) that ´´we are not here to fight or ´´kill´´ we are here to share a message of peace about or savior Jesus Christ and we will not fight you sir. Good day.´´ And we walked off. Weird experience. But yeah things happen.

We have been inviting every new investigator to be baptized on the first lesson and it´s crazy how many people are saying yes to us. We have a lot of people preparing in th coming weeks.

Aylen, Vanesa, And Abi are three girls that showed up to church last week invited by a member and Aylen has been attending seminary ever since. They are really prepared and have a lot of questions and are preparing to be baptized on the 28th of Abril! They attended church as well this week. BLESSINGS

Well we have to go to Salta today for a leadership council. The zone´s good. the district is good, life is good. And the mission is good. I. My comp is awesome and we get along and work well together. ALL IS WELL TODO BIEN

LOVE YA

Élder Batman

Rama Pizarro

San Ramón de La Nueva Oran, Salta

La Misión Argentina Salta 

ENFERMITOS

Well, this week has been interesting. Elder Utai is super awesome. We get along great. Super obedient, spiritual and a great bold leader. He is super funny and we have a lot in common. It´ll be a great transfer. I am learning a lot from him!

Well we got the flu this week. I had it for a couple of days then Elder Utai had for a couple of days. We only missed one afternoon of work because we were just dead exhausted. It´s been real hot lately. And having the flu in the heat like that was just too much. So we rested up and now we are better. Not 100 percent but better.

We´ve been focusing a lot on finding investigators. We have seen a lot of miracles in finding. We were able to find a good amount of investigators this week to which we know will progress and grow. 

Saturday night, we had already been fasting, and it was a really hot day. We were covered in sweat from riding our bikes so much in the blazing heat. We had so many appointments and they either cancelled on us or weren´t there when we got there. It was quite frustrating, but we kept moving and working. Elder Utai and I, noticed a man sitting on the corner of the street, smoking a cigarrette. We walked by and then we both felt the strong impression to go back and talk to him. We talked to him, and his Mom came by as well. His name was Gustavo and we started talking to us. He started telling us how his life has been the past few years and his Mom told us as well. (He was currently drugged up at the moment) We talked a bit and made an appointment to come back tomorrow when he was sober and more able to hear and comprehend our teachings. We taught a very powerful lesson to him and his mom about Faith in Christ and how he can help us break our addictions and problems in life. How he can help us to change and become better. I know these things to be true and testify that God loves us and sent his Son for us so that we may always have the way to change and become better as people and as disciples of Christ.

Also miracles, none of our investigators we had commited to come to church had come. BUT, a member had brought a long 3 people to church for the first time. They supposedly had been attending seminary and really like the church! We are going to visit them Thursday. The Lord really blesses us when we do our best and our keeping his commandments and rules.

I am loving the time I have as a missionary and want to take advantage the time I have.

I love this mission.

I love the Gospel.

I love Argentina.

And I love how the Lord is molding me into the man I need to be.

GRACIAS!​​

ELDER UTAI AND I NOW.

ELDER UTAI AND I AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MISH.

Élder Batman

Rama Pizarro

San Ramón de La Nueva Oran, Salta

La Misión Argentina Salta