Belgrano        Skip to Feb 1988                            Back to MTC

Jan. 11, 1988

D-Day.  5am check out.  Hugged Hma. Smith + Greeding goodbye.  Bus to SLC Airport.  Saw Holly + Lisa.  Grandma Lee, the Jacobsens, Uncle Keith and Aunt Marcia.  Hugged all.  Plane delayed 1 hr. due to heavy snow storm.  2 hrs. later in downtown LA.  70 degrees + sunny.  Amfac was great hotel.  Called Mom + Dad.  I'm now an uncle.  Laurelei + Sean are parents.  It's a boy, 8lbs, 14oz.  Last American supper = orange + strawberry yogurt shake + Kentucky fried chicken.

 Everybody except E. Woolley (taking pic) - Coat hangers!

Jan. 12, 1988

Left LA.  Flew on a 747-SP.  That's the shortened version of the 747. We took a "Before" picture in the airport (all us Elders on our way down to BA).  The start of our mission.  Then 3 hrs to Mexico City.  4hrs to Lima Peru (1am and HOT/HUMID 85 degrees!) then 7hrs to BA. 

Jan. 13, 1988

Arrive Buenos Aires.  Met President Aguerro.  He's the greatest!  Drove to his home.  Ate lunch.  Met the exec. secretaries and AP's.  Napped, interviewed, tracted w/ E. Pretwick (Petric), ate and slept.

Jan. 14, 1988

Early day.  Out the door at 6:30 to go get our papers.  Waited 2-1/2 hrs. Saw E. [Brian] Smith from Hinckley 2100 floor.  He's got 6 months to go and lovin it here.  No go on the papers.  Someone screwed up in LA consulate.  Back to Aguerro's house to meet my trainer.  E. [Brian] Davis from Tucson, AZ.  He's an awesome guy.  Him + I are going to be Branch President + 1rst Counselor in Gen. Bellgrado [Belgrano], Arg.  Right now we're in the middle of an 8hr transfer.  Most of the time has been spent waiting for the next train or bus.  The country side out here is beautiful.  A lot like Nebraska, except more houses.  I'm experiencing a mix of emotions between being excited about my new comp, new area, and all the new things I'm seeing; and being a tad home sick.  The homesickness will pass, my good experiences will only multiply.  Got to Bellgrado [Belgrano].  Apt is nice!  Kitchen, bedroom, bath w/ hot water and study room.  For $20 a month!  Can't beat that.
BT: Friendship of Ward, Woolley, Winn, marble, Aguerros, Davis, Smith, et al.  Spirit!  Lifting me, helping me.  Not one bad experience today.  Great food.  Good health.  Nice apt.  Friendly people.  Language is coming.
TTWON: Language, humility, friendshipping Davis - compliments + encouragement.  Be the best comp he's ever had. 

Jan. 15, 1988

1rst real day.  Out by 9am.  Did lots of stuff: visited families, got to know area.  Not much tracting.  Luis Lopez is our one member.  We eat at his house.  In fact, we're over there quite a bit.  The day went fantastic.  Everyone here is friendly.  I've got to get to work on the language.  Today was a long one: Bedtime = 11:15! MAL!  This can't go on.  But other than that, we're doin' awesome! 
BT: Friendship of E. Davis, nice day, friendly families, people, et al.  good food and health.  Great attitude.  
TTWON: Language, manners, make better use of time.  Watch cash flow.

Jan. 16, 1988

Not much tracting today.  It seems to me that we're doing a lot of things that could be done on P-Day, but I don't know.  he's the boss.  Right now I can't do a whole lot of teaching b/c no one can understand me, and I can't understand them.  Until I can communicate better, I'm useless and right now I sure feel useless.  But at least I'm learning.  
BT: Friendship of Davis, Spirit, good attitude, good health, friendly people. 
TTWON:  Language, humility.

Jan. 17, 1988

Sunday.  Had my first sacrament mtg in Argentina.  What we lacked in people we made up for in spirit.  Me, Davis + Luis Lopez.  All of us spoke.  Luis said: "Many times when a child is sick, he doesn't like to take the medicine to get better.  It is the same with the Argentine people - - we have the remedy for their 'sickness', but at first they'll resist it.  We need to be patient, long suffering and most of all, loving.  Keep working hard + find that one golden investigator here."  Met Susana Margarite + her family.  It was the closest I've come to teaching yet - - told her kids about Christ, Lehi and the sacrament.  They're fun, but the keep us from really teaching Susana well.  Need to figure something out.
BT: Friendship of Davis, Luiz.  Friendly people, good health, spirit, nice weather, learning more castellano. [Argentine for Spanish - their dialect]
TTWON: Language, working hard (10hrs a day) feeling the spirit, blessing the heck out of people.  Making better use of my time.
PS: Ate duck's backbone for dinner tonight.  Yum! [not...]

Jan. 18, 1988

1rst P-Day in the field.  Fun day.  1rst, slept till 9am.  Got up at 6:30 to obey the rule, said my am prayers, then back to bed.  Washed all my clothes BY HAND.  Yippee.  Man that is new.  It's not hard, but it is time consuming.  Really lets you get to know your clothes, though.  Then caught some serious Argentine summer sunshine while writing letters.  After that, me + Davis cruised over to the Lopez's for lunch.  Played frisbee all afternoon.  got some awesome ice cream at Hedaderia [Heladeria] Italia.  Talked to the guys there a little.  My castellano is steadily improving, thanks to lots of help from Him.  We came back to the pench just in time to bring my clothes in off the line b-4 it started to POUR.  Man can it rain here in Belgrano.  Hurricane force winds, huge claps of thunder + lightning, the works!  It ended as we started our "reunion de acruerdo" (comp. inventory).  Sent my 1rst carta of many to Pres. Aguero.  Then dinner at Luis'. Had another big blessing today - - spirit got me to read "Tools for Missionaries".  This has helped me a lot to realize what I must do to improve, and this is what I've been asking for in my prayers.  Charity - the pure love of Christ - love of all men.  Cultivate it; live it.  Life is awesome when you have it.  Loose yourself in serving the intrests of others. 
BT: Spirit helping me w/ Tools, Language, friendship of Davis, Luiz, guys at Italia, friendly people here in BG, Good health, Good food, a dry, solid roof over my head.  A day to rest.
TTWON:  Language, feeling spirit + teaching w/ it.  Being a more effective missionary. 

Jan. 19, 1988

Spent the whole am looking for a fridge.  We need one b/c we can't keep eating dinner at the Lopez's.  We didn't even start eating untill 10:15 last night, so basically, we just wasted time watching TV until dinner was ready.  I know that's not right.  We can't sleep during siesta, either.  Taught Maria Inez the last part of Charla 4.  I'm still having trouble understanding her, but things are improving.  On our way there this guy called Carlos Jatti stopped us + wanted to buy dollars.  We set an appointment to give him a book of Mormon instead.  He seemed real interested in the church, but I'm wondering if it wasn't just to humor us into selling him some green stuff. Oh well, maybe the seed will grow.  you never know + must always try.
BT:  Friendship of Davis, friendly people, language progressing, Carlos Jatti, Good health + weather + food.  Happy attitude + enthusiasm. 
TTWON:  Language, working more on proselyting, becoming more effective, feeling + teaching w/ the spirit. 

Jan. 20, 1998

Bought a fridge today.  Yay!  Had our mtg w/ the Branch Mission Coordinator, AKA: Luis Lopez.  It was cool. We need to baptize!  Then we traveled to Chascamus.  6 hrs by bus + train.  Met My zonies, E. Perez + E. Leone.  Both Argentine + very cool.  Leone was in  a band before his mission playing drums!  Slept in chapel in Chas.  w/ E. Inostroza + E. Campbell.  Fun Stuff.  [Inostroza and Campbell were working in Maipu.  Even then it had a bad reputation.  Campbell introduced me to the joke "Su 'poo', tambien"]

Jan. 21, 1988

Zone Conference.  Pres. Aguerro + APs Cowley + Biruek [Buriek].  All day talking about the Purpose + Method of Missionary Work.  It was great.  Talk about a burning spirit.  Now more than ever I want to just work my butt off, find families, teach w/ the spirit + really convert them, not just baptize.  Got our bikes today.  Yay!  Played v-ball + frisbee after ZC.  Then all of us slept in Chapel again.

Jan. 22, 1988

Had to wait for our "new" Argentine bikes to get fixed this AM.  Then began our famous "Bike Trek Across the Pampas of Argentina".  What an adventure! We started out in Chascamus, [Insert theme from Gilligan's Island here - "It started out as the ship set sail from this tropic island port... a three hour tour, a three hour tour...] Looking at the wonderfully accurate Argentine map we had, we figured it to be about 30km between Chas. + Ranchos, and then another 25km between Ranchos and Bellgrano.  Ok: that's 55km total which ='s about 35 miles.  On bikes, no problem.  We should do it in under 3 hrs.  ["A 3 hour tour..."]  

Having had both our bikes fully worked over by the local grease monkey, we started out.  I'd like to add here that our plans to cycle to Bellgrano were greeted with skepticism + doubt by everyone who found out about them: "No, you can't do it...  too long, too dangerous..."Anyway, here's me + Davis cycling out of civilized Chas. into the vast uncharted Pampa.  About 2 or 3 miles into the Pampa, we learned something neither of us realized before.  You see, the pampa is much like the great plains of the US.  Wide, open, and flat.  Hardly even any trees.  And what we learned is that there is simply a whole lot of nuthin' to slow down the wind.  Hence, just like the song says - - "Oklahoma! Where the wind goes whipping 'cross the plains..." - or pampa if you're in Argentina.  In short, we had some serious headwinds.  This was compounded by the fact that our bikes have only one gear - - TENTH.  Needless to say, we were going slow.  

Sometime later we encountered another fact of life here in Argentina - - inaccuracy.  We had gone no less than 6km when we saw a sign for Ranchos.  Distance: 30km.  "30km!? Holy Suck!!"  Unfortunately, the sign was right and our beloved map which had told us a sweeter story now blew across the vast plain somewhere to the east of us.  Nevertheless, we kept pressing on. Knowing that we were two men in the prime of our youth reassured us that we could accomplish any task in front of us.  We sang songs, talked and waved to passers-by, who looked at us as though we were trying to swim across the Atlantic!  Some 2hrs after we had left Chas. we finally arrived in Ranchos.  I was beginning to believe that my calculated time of arrival in Belgrano was going to be a little off.  We took a break in Ranchos where a friendly man charged us 2.50 for a bottle of soda and when we asked him for some water he gave us one glass for the two of us.  Que bien!  Soon after we departed.  

The first thing I noticed  was that my legs felt like mush.  Davis felt the same way.  "Well,"  I said "at least it's only 25km to Belgrano.  We're more than half way."  The next thing I knew I was half way over my handle bars, and heading into a ditch on the side of the road.  Looking down, I saw that my left pedal had come off.  "Oh happy day..."  You know, it's a good thing Argentine bikes don't have crossbars like the American ones do (they all look like our girls-type of bike) because had there been one, my family life (future) would have been lost in that slip.  Anyway, here I am in this ditch, minus one pedal, and 25km away from home.  "Estoy feliz! Yo amo Argentina!!"  

Davis and I proceeded to walk out to where we picked up the route south to Belgrano.  At the intersection we were fortunate enough to find a service station, where they fixed my pedal, and we talked to the owner (who lived in Belgrano) about the church.  He seemed interested + said he'd drop by our pench for a visit.  Well we got back on our way.  Turning south we discovered yet another eccentricity of Argentina:  Head winds follow you.  Yes, we still had a vicious headwind, only now from the south.  I turned to E. Davis + said "I get the impression God is trying to tell us something, because He's truly pulling some amazing stunts with the wind..."  There was nothing to do but keep going.  Only now, our songs and talk, and waves had changed into silent anguish and the occasional curse to the wind, or to some speedy driver.  Looking up, we saw a sign for Belgrano.  It said: "Belgrano: 33km".  AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! 

The rest of the trip passed slowly.  When we finally arrived in BG, it had taken us 7hrs.  We were sun burnt, and every muscle hurt.  My butt was one big pain.  We'd missed all our appointments for that pm, and now had to shower + go out immediately to apologize.  Such is the life of a missionary.  I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Jan. 23, 1988

Good day.  Much blessings from Him.  First was getting out of bed this am.  We went + read w/ Ignacio + Juan Carlos.  Then back to the pench where Eloy Martinez (from the service station) dropped by with his son to see my pictures of NYC.  They were very friendly and sometime this week we're going to drop by with a film + get an appointment to teach a charla.  Then after lunch we had a long siesta.  Later we found Maria Inez at home.  We taught her about prayer.  The spirit was really strong.  If she starts going to church tomorrow, she'll get baptized.  Then we went to see Miguel, but he wasn't home, so we visited his neighbor Manuel Pintor.  he wants us to come to dinner Sat. nite!  We'll bring a film w/ us and arrange to teach him + his family, too!  To top it all off, tonight we got to be in the pench on time for the first time since I got here.  Early to be + good dinner fixed by me.  
BT:  Spirit w/ Maria, Eloy Martinez, Manuel Pintor, getting up was easy, friendship of Davis, friendly people, good food, good health, good weather, great attitude, early bed time.
TTWON: Language, humility, diligence in working, goals, cultivating the spirit.  

Jan. 24, 1988

Sunday.  Sac. Mtg.  No one came except Luis.  Bummer.  I don't know what's up.  Strong spirit once again.  Gave a Book of Mormon to Carlos Jatti today.  Still can't tell if he's really interested or just wants American money.  We'll see.  Saw Miguel Cabral today.  Have a "cena cita" (dinner date) w/ his family this week.  That makes two! Man, God really looks out for you while you're on a mission.  If there ever was a week when we needed people to feed us it's this week b/c my money's running low!  Still, I feel like we could be working harder.  Our hours were real low this week.  I want so bad to baptize!
BT: Cabral, Jatti, Lopez = contacts.  Spirit, Friendship of Davis, friendly people (kiosko) health, attitude, weather, all great.  Getting up was easy.  good food.  Sac. Mtg. 
TTWON:  Discipline - don't let the body dictate orders to the mind.  Don't be lazy, slothful, etc...  Language, humility, studying.  Be an awesome missionary.  Don't keep thinking about pre-mission things.  Think w/in mission.  have enthusiasm, smile + a great attitude.  Don't give up!

Jan. 25, 1988

P-Day.  we got up on time today + studied.  One step toward dominating my body.  Wrote home, washed clothes (by hand).  Frisbee in park.  Tonight we were blessed very much.  First, on our way to see Maria Inez, we were stopped by a lady who wanted to talk to us + meet us.  Soon after we started talking to her, her husband walks over.  She was very interested and wants us to come over + give her a charla.  HOT DOG!  There's the Lord working for us!  Then once we got to Maria's place, we set a baptismal date for Feb. 7.  This way she has a goal to work for.  We'll make sure she gets to church this Sunday.  I hope we're not pushing too hard.  She still seems to have some doubts but we can't get them out of her to help her w/ them.  I'll just trust in God that he'll help us + her to get going.  
BT: Spirit, enthusiasm, rest + relaxation, friendship of Davis + Lopez's, good health, food, weather.  Friendly people.  Language, Daniel Perez, Maria Inez.  
TTWON: Humility, language, cultivating spirit +  teaching with it. diligence + obedience.   

Jan. 26, 1988

Not a very busy day today.  Met Norma Hansen tonight.  She's nice.  She has had a tough life: Separated + raising her daughter alone.  Talked to her in the dark b/c there was a power outtage.  Then over to Miguel Cabral's for an absolutely fantastic asado (barbeque).  I have never tasted food so good.  Meat was like lobster.  Salad, potatoes, bread, juice.  Man were we full.  Didn't get home till 11:30! Ouch! We were going to show them a film  but it was too late.  We'll go back again soon.  Reading "Tools For Missionaries" today.  it's real good + a big help in seeing how I can improve and what I need to do.  
BT: Language, food (Miguel) friendship of Davis.  Health, weather, friendly people, spirit. 
TTWON: Cultivation spirit, language, discipline, humility.  

Jan. 27, 1988
(See p. 89 "Tools for Mish")

GOALS:

Hours per week of work: 58    48.5
(outside pench, pertaining to achieving baptismal goal)

Families to be found this week: 4    2

Potential converts at sacrament mtg: 3    2

Charlas: 3    4

Commits to Baptism: 1    1

Other Commitments: No TV at Lopez's; Time every day to plan + meditate; Prayer: specific + centered on achieving goal.  Read "Tools for Miss." every day.  Review commitments each day.

"In the Lord's work there is no place for despair"  Be Happy; share it.  

Don't get so caught up in improving yourself that you become an asshole to other people.  Smile, laugh, be fun and be amiable.  Don't be stone faced, self-righteous, judgmental, or inconsiderate.  Let all your actions be motivated by love.  Let all your actions be deeds of Love.

Avoid pride, conceit, + selfishness like the plague!

Another so-so day.  The high points were the spirit I felt when I was reading "Tools for Missionaries" and setting the above goals.  Had a test of my faith today: My money never got to BA.  Who knows what happened.  Now I've got to write home to M+D + tell them.   There's a good chance they'll freak.  I don't think I'll starve b/c the office has some personal checks of mine, but it's a real pain.  I'd like to eat more than just bread + milk all the time.  Maria Inez is doing better.  She had a good exp. reading the Testimony of Joseph Smith pamphlet.  I'll keep praying. Already God has really blessed me.  I feel kind of guilty for asking more, but hey, He benefits, too!
BT: Friendship of Davis, spirit w/ "Tools", Spirit + exp. w/ Maria Inez, good health, food, attitude.  Friendly people.  Strength in my hour of need.  Resolve to be a great missionary.  
TTWON: FAITH as a principle of POWER.  Humility, language, miss. skills, Cultivating the spirit.  Hard + diligent + consistent work.  Mind Control.  Focus attention on goals. 

Jan. 28, 1988

Business as usual.  Taught Juan Carlos.  He's tough b/c I don't think he understands us.  Ex: "Juan, do you think it's important to know the truth for yourself?"  JC: "Yes"  Us: "Good! Now, how can you find out for yourself if this message is true?"  JC: "yes"  I don't think he's got a firm grasp on the concept.  But at the same time, I dont know what to do about it.  Guess I'll keep trying + put my trust in God to help me help him.  Tough time today trying to keep my mind focused.  Best part of today was teaching Daniel Perez + wife.  They're awesome.  So humble! And receptive + loving.  Felt the spirit really strong.  Davis + I are getting  along great.  (As long as I curb my selfishness + just love him like I ought to)
BT:  Friendship of Davis + Luis.  Friendly people (Sra. Lopez), Perez, good health, food, weather, + attitude.  Language ability increasing.  Help in being diligent. Love + the spirit very strong.  
TTWON: Language, focus mind on goals, work hard + consistently, love + show love + be humble to all, esp. Davis.  Listen + act on promptings of the spirit.  Don't be scared.  Give others the opportunity to accept the message.  Cultivate spirit!

Jan. 29, 1988

Real slow day today.  All we did in the am was paint benches for the chapel.  The pm was slow, too.  But, to compensate, we had an awesome charla 6 w/ Maria Inez.  Luis Lopez was there to help out and he was great.  I can really see him becoming a leader in the church here in Belgrano. He really knows how to explain things well.  The spirit was really strong, and I was able to identify it in the charla to Maria.  All in all I'm a happy camper.  
BT:  Friendship of Davis, + Luis.  Friendly people, SPIRIT in ch. 6! Great attitude, God helping me in all the little things (keeping my mind from becoming homesick).  Good health, food, + weather.  The opportunity to bear witness to the truth + see the spirit confirm it in the heart of another.  Tears in the eyes of Maria.
TTWON:  More hours in the day toward achieving our baptismal goal.  Language, humility, diligence, focus my mind, cultivate the spirit thru obedience + faith.

Jan. 30, 1988

Another so-so day.  We really need to start working longer and harder.  There's no way the Lord is going to bless us until we start putting forth a full effort.  I'm in kind of a dilemma: here I am a greenie - - only 2-1/2 weeks in the field and I want to work my butt off.  Now, I can't exactly go telling my trainer how to be a missionary, but he will not go tracting for nothing.  He says they've tracted just about all of Belgrano out.  BULL!  Our long siestas are becoming quite a habit, and it's a habit I don't want, but never the less, it's hard not to sleep when you've eaten for one hour + studied for 1-1/2 after and still have 1-1/2 hrs to go before we leave the pench.  I guess I've got to show a little leadership + find subtle ways of getting Davis back into personal contacting.  Sheez, how else are we going to find families to teach?
BT: Friendship of Davis + Luis.  Friendly people here in BG.  Blessings of the spirit in study, + in charla 1 w/ Norma Hansen.  Good attitude, weather, food, health.  Language comprehension, desire to improve.  
TTWON: WORK, DISCIPLINE, EFFORT, Humility, language, study charlas, cultivate spirit, focus mind.

Jan. 31, 1988

Sunday.  Went really well.  Sac. Mtg. had one guest member and both Maria Inez and Norma Hansen showed up.  I think they both liked the meeting.  Tonite went to Suzanna Margarite's b-day party for her kids.  Got two referrals from there.  
BT: Friendship of Davis, Luis, Friendly people.  Good health, weather, food, attitude.  Referrals at party, Davis wanted to tract today!  Language comprehension.
TTWON: Language, discipline, focus mind on goals, cultivate spirit, be more friendly w/ Davis + support him.  Light a spiritual fire in others (+ me). Humility. Be more thankful for what I've got.

The Holy Ghost is like [a] gas.  You can't see it.  You need to light it in others so that they'll burn w/ the Spirit + share it.

Feb. 1, 1988

GOALS:

Hours: 58    50

Copiar: 12    4

New Family: 3    1

Pot. Converts at
Sac. Mtg: 3    4

Charlas: 5    2

Commits to Bapt.:1    1

Others: No TV at Lopez, time every day to plan + meditate, copiar 12 hrs this week, read "Tools for Missionaries" every day.  PRAYER - specific centered on goals.  Review commitments each day.  

P-Day today.  Wrote Mom + Dad + answered a few Christmas cards.  Played frisbee.  This night spent talking to Carlos Jatti and then Sr. Lamion.  We got really blessed by Lamion giving us 1 kilo of spaghetti [fideos].  That will really help us stretch our money, seeing as I'm about dry.  
BT: Friendship of Davis + Luis.  Friendly people in BG.  Blessings of food from Lamion

Feb. 2, 1988

Busy day. Spent AM on the phone with Zonies Perez + Leone and then 'Gopiared' for 1hr.  After lunch we picked up the afiges [flyer/stands] from the negocios [businesses] where we placed them. In the first store the lady walked back to her store room and comes back with our afige.  As she blows all the dust off it that collected over the past week in her closet she says - "No luck, I guess..."  Yeah, no wonder lady.  How's anybody gonna see it in the back room?  Anyway, we knocked some more doors back to the second store where it was at least out.  We had one referral.  We spent the rest of the PM "Gopiaring" until our evening apt. w/ Norma Hansen.  She's still up in the air about the gospel.  I'll keep praying + see what happens.  After Norma we looked for Eloy Martinez but found instead his landlady + talked to her for 1-1/2 hrs.  Gave her a folleto [pamphlet] and things seemed to go pretty good.  Maybe she'll want to talk to us some more.  We didn't get a return apt. b/c she doesn't like the slightest hint of insistency or pushy-ness so we just let it be the way it was + pray for a favorable impression.  
BT:  Friendship of Davis + Luis, Friendly people, Martinez landlady, opportunity to tract, good health, attitude, food, weather.  Language + spirit.  Money from Banfield!
TTWON: Humility, cultivate spirit, language, perfect door approaches, learn charlas, listen.  Work harder.

Feb. 3, 1988

Average day.  Mtg. w/ Luis this am. Went well.  Really felt the spirit.  Meetings like that are important b/c it helps me remember why I'm here and what I should be doing.

[I recall sitting in a cramped workshop, no more than a shed out behind Luis' home.  Small and dark, lit by a single bulb and the light peeking through the cracks in the roof and walls.  We were an island in this town.  Isolated and far-removed from any other members of the church.  We did not feel so alone.  We felt the Holy Ghost, burning in our hearts as we prayed and planned for the people of General Belgrano.  I recall feeling the Lord there to support us, and knew we were doing the best thing we could hope to do with our time. ]

The power went out at the Cabral house so we couldn't show them a film, but Miguel talked our ears off @ how somebody's probably playing w/ our money in Bonplan [Church Area HQ in Buenos Aires].  It still hasn't got here yet. We found out today that we need to be in Banfield on Sat. for a meeting of all Branch Presidencies.  That is going to make the baptism this Sunday more tricky, but I think we'll pull it off.  Maria Inez seemed excited today about her upcoming baptism.  We're trying to stay in contact w/ her as much as possible this week seeing as we're through with the charlas.  I wish we had the home teacher manual + lesson, but we don't.  They say the last 72hrs before a person's baptism are critical, which doesn't do anything for my peace of mind knowing that we'll be gone out of town for the majority of that time.  Our Zonies are going to have to come + have the interview here Sat. nite without us.  Hopefully Luis will come through and smooth out any wrinkles that might arise.  Tonight Susana Margarite blew us off for an appt.  we had w/ her.  It was just as well since Yubo Martinez dropped by for a visit.  We'll be going to his house tomorrow nite to chat some more.  Then it was an early bed time for me b/c I was feeling really beat.  No appetite + aches + pains all over my bod.  Probably a sign of fatigue.  Oh well, I'll get used to it.  
BT: Friendship of Davis + Luis, spirit in mtg.  Good attitude, hard work, friendly people (Yubo Martinez), got to bed early, no appetite which will mean I'll be able to spend less on food.  
TTWON: Language, cultivate spirit, focus mind, humility, stamina, patience. 

FIND MORE PEOPLE		TEACH MORE PEOPLE		BAPTIZE MORE PEOPLE
Short Range Goal		Medium Range Goal		Long Range Goal

Fri Feb 5, 1988

Low production day.  Saw Maria in the am to inform her of our plans this weekend.  After lunch we copiar'ed for an hour or so and looked for an inactive member.  Couldn't find her so we visited some people. Hopped on the 7:30 micro to La Plata to stay in the pench of the ZLs there.

Sat Feb 6, 1988

Up real early to catch the train to Banfield.  Got there, ate breakfast.  Saw Pres. Aguerro + family.  Saw E. Adam Woolley from MTC.  I can't tell you how AWESOME it was to see a familiar face!!  He's doing great out there in Bolivar.  He's having money problems, too, so now I don't feel so bad.  Him + me sat together for the BP's conf; it was rad.  Much good info. and really strong spirit.  man I love these meetings because they just totally PSYCHE you up - - kinda like getting your spiritual batteries re-charged.  I also love them because they totally give you mass food.  We had our lunch CATERED. Needless to say, we chowed.  Drank real pepsi (so we can stay awake during the next session of conf)  For desert, they gave us this great "postre" [desert]. It was awesome except for the fact that it was made with liquor!!  Most elders mowed it down before poor Presidente could clue-in!  Of course I didn't (heh, heh, - - only because I didn't feel like sitting there in conference w/ a buzz.  Hell I was tired enough as it was!)  Then after conf.  Elder Buriek (AKA: Mario Andretti) flew us back to the office.  He's one of those crazy Argentine drivers who's crazy enough to make even ME reach for the seat belt.  Can you picture going 90mph over a cobblestone blvd and passing cars against on coming traffic??  Welcome to the exciting world of South American driving.  Anyway, after we got our passports + some money (and our MAIL!) we headed to La Plata to catch our micro home.  On the bus we got to sit next to a live sex show which did wonders for my spirituality and ability to keep my mind in the mission! - - Gheeee!
BT: Friendship of Davis, Woolley, Smith, Buriek, Cawley, Orme, Petric, et al... Great food, strong spirit, nice break from routine, got passport so I can get my money, got mail (Todd + family), good health, attitude, + weather.  Safety in travel, help w/ language.  
TTWON: Catch vision of Misional (Obra, that is) [Obra Misional = Missionary Work] and my own potential, humility, language, work harder, focus thoughts on mission, cultivate spirit. 

Sun Feb. 7, 1988

Zonies Perez + Leone in town today for the baptism of Maria Inez Veiyra [Vieyra?].  The day went well, although for fast sunday I had a pretty weak fast (17hrs).  Next month I'm gonna have to do better.  The testimony meeting went great.  We had 11 people! (New record) including Ignacio Moreno and 3 kids of Susanna Margarite.  All stayed to see Maria's Baptism.  The baptism itself went ok.  I accidentally walked in on poor Maria while she was changing in our room!  No one told me she was in there!  E. Davis baptized her (3 times, 1rst time she wasn't all under, 2nd time he forgot to say the prayer.  3rd time's the charm, as they say!)  I confirmed her.  My first time really using my priesthood.  It was cool.  
BT: Baptism of Maria, friendship of Davis, Leone + Perez + Luis, health, food, weather, attitude.  Spirit in meetings.  Language.  
TTWON: Working hard - sustained effort, cultivate spirit, language, prostelyting skills. 

Mon Feb 8, 1988

P-Day.  Real busy.  All am spent buying stuff and sending telegram home to tell M+D that I got their money.  Then after lunch I spent the PM writing a 3-pager to Weep, and also M+D.  The caught up on some sleep.  Tonight we were supposed to have an asado [barbeque] with Manuel Pintor, but he blew us off... again.  What an Ed!  Why doesn't he just say he doesn't want to, instead of keep inviting us over only to see him run in side + tell his wife to get rid of us??  Sheez....  Argentina!
BT: Friendship of Davis, friendly people, great weather, health, food, attitude. Language.
TTWON: Humility, language, use time wisely, focus mind, keep mind in mission, cultivate spirit, find more people.

Tue Feb 9, 1988

Got tools for bikes this am. I've found that in the morning, being out and about doing errands can bring you as much if not more opportunities to talk to people, as they too are generally out of their houses doing errands (hence, if we gopiared, there'd be no one home). Never the less, we still need to make better use of our time throughout the day. This pm we had charla 3 w/ Ignacio. I believe he understands the points about authority very well. We still need to work with him on prayer and graven images. Norma was sick so we didn't do anything w/ her tonite.
BT: Friendship of Davis, Martinez. Not sleeping durring siesta. Great charlas w/ Ignacio, his understanding and involvement. Great weather, food, heatlth + attitude. Spirit in charla, language.
TTWON: Better use of time, finding more people, improving my skills as a missionary, humillity, charity, language + cultivating the spirit. Increase faith, focus my mind on mission.

  Wed Feb 10, 1988

- How do you open up a town?
- How can you establish the church; baptize investigators and have them stay active without the support and fellowship of other members??
- Can you MAKE somebody into a golden investigator? An instant strong member? An instant leader?
- If so, HOW??
- I feel so frustrated. There are people here searching for the truth, but I don't know how to teach them.
- Sure you can teach them the charlas, have the Spirit convert them and baptize them into Christ's church, but the problem is, there's no church here.
- How can I assure their long range spiritual well-being without having an operating church to support them?
- we need home teachers, visiting teachers, youth programs, stake missionaries

Good Day. Mtg w/ Luis this AM went well. We're still taking too long of a siesta. Maria Inez is doing great! I've never seen her look so happy. I think she's going to be a strong member. She's going to have to be for a while until we gt the branch really rolling. Susana Magaria is still hanging in there. Her kids want to be baptized. Every little bit of enthusiasm helps! After seeing how hard her life is: 7 kids, no husband. She's got to work from 6am to 8:30pm just to feed them. They can't even afford electricity. I'll never complain again.
BT: Friendship of Brian (E. Davis), Luis, friendly people in Belgrano, home, family, money, health, happiness, food, good weather. Spirit, help w/ language. Warm clean bed. No kids to support. Help w/ questions from "Tools for Missionaries"!
TTWON: Language, use of time, focus mind on mission, cultivate Spirit, humility, appreciate what I've got.

The General Belgrano Branch in February 1988

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