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