Noche de Tortas

Monday. Pday. We played some ping pong. And after we tried doing some contacting but didnt have any success at all. But this morning a guy came to our pension and told us he was a member of the church and wants to start coming back to church.

Tuesday. We had district meeting today. Then we went to a few lessons and some recent converts today.

Wednesday. We had mission correlation. We had a great lesson with the less active guy and his family.

Thursday. Today was the River vs Boca game, which wasnt good because no one wants to talk to you while its on. So we just went to a members house. We tried contacting today but didnt have much success. Our appointments we had fell through. 

Friday. Today we made some cake. We made 7 cakes with the other Elders. 4 for the activity Saturday and 2 for us and 1 for the hermanas. We then went to a few peoples houses and visited them.

Saturday. We finished decortating the cakes. We had an appointments before the activity but it fell through. Then we had the activity. The activity was Noche de Tortas. Basically night of cakes. We had a few games and shared a message. It went well!

Sunday. We had church and then had lunch with our mission leader because our lunch fell through. Then we did weekly planning and then did a tsunami in the area of the other elders to help them. 

Con Amor

Elder Tyler Opfar

Me and Elder Diaz got your letters with the nativity paper thing in it. Elder Diaz says Gracias! And today I think is a holiday because all the cibers are closed. So we are emailing at the house of a member. And we went for the other bolsa today but it was closed. so I think I'll get more letters this week. 

1.  Who are some of your favorite members or people there and why? 

I like them all. They are all great to us. Rincon is one of the best areas. We have lunch everyday. And there are a lot of places that don't have lunch everyday like here.

2.  It makes me so happy to hear of times you listened to the spirit and were protected/warned or times that you were led to those who listened...Did you have an experience this week where the Spirit directed you to do or say something?

Yesterday we helped the other elders in their area and we were walking one way and we both were like no the other way. so we ended up going and set up 4 appointments this week for the elders. Some good potential investigators. 

3.  Is the Spring weather still being unpredictable?  Hot one day cold the next, or is it settling into summer and being mostly warm? Is it super windy?

No its basically all hot now. It is super windy some days. Yesterday was really windy.

4.  How much is the bus ride to Cutral Co?  Is that what you put on your debit card or did you get to buy something fun?

The bus to Cutral Co is 147. I just took 200 out this week to 1 pay for stuff for cake for an activity and to just have a little extra if I wanted some alfajores. The other times I used it were at a place to get some scissors and tape and a few pens. 

5.  What is the most beautiful thing you saw this week?

Well I'm in a desert. But the sunset here is always beautiful and awesome! 

6.  What is the best thing that happened this week?

We had a less active knock on our door last pday in the morning. He told us he was a member and wants to come back to church. his wife isn't a member. we and a good lesson with them this week.

7.  Did you meet anyone new this week?

We talked to a Jehovah's Witness and he invited us back to his house to talk about the bible. but we aren't going to go because he just wants to bash on us. We didn't have a good week with finding new investigators. 

8.  How is Elder Diaz's English coming?  How about your Spanish?  Are you feeling more comfortable?

Elder Diaz gave up on English. My Spanish is getting better. Learning new words everyday. 

9.  Transfers are next week if my calculations are right...do you think that you and Elder Diaz will stay together in Rincon for one more transfer?

This Saturday we find out transfers. And the next transfer starts on Monday. I think I will stay here for one more transfer. Usually 3 transfers in one area with President Lovell. 

10.  Did you learn anything awesome at your Zone conference a couple weeks ago?

We talked about the talk The Reason for our Hope, from conference. I forgot who it is by but it is a great talk!  (Here is the link to that talk, it's by Elder Packer.  

11.  So, I know there are lots of dogs...are there other animals, like cats?  Do people have pets?

Dogs are everywhere. People usually have dogs or cats as pets. Or also I have seen a few people with turtles. 

12.  Did you eat anything awesome this week?

We ate empanadas this week and they were delicious. We also ate lots of cake. Lots of cake. 

Saludos

The view of the Cristo from the valley at sunset.

Tyler with Hermana Scofield and Hermana Reid and a sweet Hermana who feeds them twice a week.

They used a flame thrower to heat the water at the baptism a few weeks ago.  

Using his best manners and eating a brownie.

This plate of yumminess is flacturas.  :)

I'm going to assume this is someone's pet turtle...

Well this week was pretty good. To start off I will begin with a few things I forgot to add last week. So last Sunday the power was out for half the day so we only had 1 hour of church. Also the bus ride going to Cutral Co the bus broke down and we were on the side of the road for an hour. So we ended up getting there and then we had to walk around at 1 am because there were no Taxis coming. We first took the hermanas to where they were staying and then we went to where we stayed. So that was exciting. Also one last thing the 2 days we were there at Cutral Co I worked in the more dangerous area so that was fun. 

Tuesday. We did zone pday. We played some basketball and soccer. It was fun to get out and play basketball again. We ended up leaving at 10 pm to head back to Rincon. 

Wednesday. Today we had Mission correlation meeting and district meeting. so we didnt get much wok done today. VIsited a few recent converts. 

Thursday. We helped the other Elder move pensions. That took a couple hours. Also I ripped my shirt. I was walking and a nail was sticking out and ripped it some. Still wearable so thats good. Today we just visited a few people. We had a couple appointments fall through.

Friday. We did weekly planning today. Then we tried doing some contacting but didnt have success today. We went to a recent convert and her dad told us he wants to be baptized.   (I think that's what he said). So that is pretty awesome!

Saturday. Today we had a late lunch. We had pizza and it was pretty delicious. We then did a tsunami in our area. A tsunami is basically when the other missionaries in your district come and help in your area. So we did that and had some success with all. Got some references and a few appointments for the next week. 

Sunday. Today we did a tsunami in the area of the Hermanas. I went with Elder Rodriguez. We saw a dog that looked like Yoda so that was awesome. We also talked with a deaf girl. That was an experience. We had to write everything. After that Elder Diaz and I went and contacted references in our area. We had an appointment fall through. But today was good. 

This week was good. 

Con amor,

Elder Tyler Opfar

My Questions:

1.  When did you finally make it back up to Rincon this week?  Did you ever find out why the road was closed?  Did you have a good pday in Cutral?  And...when did you get to do laundry? 

We left Tuesday night. Got back at 1 am. Well I found out the buses weren't leaving because someone was killed in Cutral Co and so there weren't any buses leaving. Pday was fun, basketball and soccer. It was fun to play some basketball again. I usually do laundry throughout the week. It makes it less stressful on me to just do some every couple of days rather than trying to do all of it on pday and be stressed.

2.  Are there any farms in your area?  What do they grow?  Do people have gardens?

No there aren't any farms in my area. Our area is basically all houses. I have no idea what they grow here. And I haven't seen really any gardens. 

3.  Were you able to do any service this week?

Well we helped the other elders move pensions.  They moved into their area. So that was fun. 

4.  Are there any Christmas things in the store yet?  Christmas is everywhere this year already.  How do they celebrate Christmas? 

I have seen like one little paper Christmas tree. That's the most Christmas I have seen. I have no idea what people do down here. I'll find out in a few weeks.

5.  What was the funniest thing that happened this week?

We were helping the hermanas in their area yesterday and I went with Elder Rodriguez. We saw a dog that looked a little like Yoda. So that was pretty funny. 

6.  What is the most memorable thing you studied?  Did anything impress on your mind in particular?

In Jesus the Christ I finished up chapter 12 this week. But About John the Baptist and everything with him before Christ and yeah. It was good. I love following the references at the bottom of the pages in that book. 

7.  Best and worst food this week?

I don't know worst food. But we had some lasagna yesterday that was pretty delicious. We also had some pizza Saturday that was pretty good too.

8.  What is the prettiest part of your area?  What do you like the most about it?   

Well our whole area is dirt. Lots and lot and lots of dirt. Probably the view from Cristo.

9.  In what way did the Spirit guide you this week?

With just visiting people. We will be walking after our plans fall through and the thought of someone will come to my mind. so when we visit them we either set up an appointment or can have one there

Bienvenidos a la Mision

Tyler left his SD card (and I assume his camera) in Rincon when they went to Cutral Co for zone conference, so no pictures this week.  But he assures me he has some.  Whose kid is this???

Well to start off I am currently in Cutral Co sending this weekly email and not in Rincon. You might ask why. That would be because we had Zone conference with President yesterday. And we were supposed to leave last night but the bus couldn't leave because the route was closed. So we are going to leave today. Not sure when though. 

This week was good! We had a little more succes finding people to teach! So that was great! We also had a few days that were a little harder. Especially when it is hot and we are walking so much. We had one day though where we had appointments all afternoon, but when we went to the appointments they all ended up falling through. So that wasn´t fun. Now I will explain the title of this email. The title is bienvenidos a la mision because at least once a day Elder Diaz tells me that after something happens. 

This week we went and got haircuts before conference. And last week the zone leaders came to Rincon for training so that we wouldn't have to go to Cutral Co two times in like 4 days. Also down here in Argentina my last name is hard for people to pronounce so they usually just say it like Op-far. 

But all is well! We have a few investigators that I think will end up being really great!

Con Amor,

Elder Tyler Opfar

My Questions:

1.  Have you been chased by any dogs lately?  And, speaking of dogs, how are your shoes?  Are they still comfortable and holding up well? 

No I haven't been chased by any dogs. just dogs barking at me as we walk by. My shoes are holding up really well. My feet don't hurt from them.

2.  Your face looked a little sunburned last week...are you wearing sunscreen?  (Sorry, the mom in me came crashing through!)

Yes I put on sunscreen, but not as often as I should

3.  Have you been called on to teach or speak in church yet?  Since you are in an area with a "group" rather than a branch or ward, who is the "leader?"  What is he like?  Are the members helpful in finding referrals?  **This week on FB, the Rincon page posted pictures of a Relief Society project and a YW activity.  I love seeing the people you are serving with.**

I haven't spoken in church. I gave a talk at the Hermanas baptism like 2 weeks ago though. We have a group President. Hermano Ponce. The Ponce family feeds us every sunday. The members sometimes give us referrals. Me and Elder Diaz are working on asking for more.

4. Do most of the people there work in petroleum?  What do they do?  What are some of the things people there do for entertainment or fun? Yes most people work petroleum. Rincon is a high petroleum city. Most of the men work in petroleum. I don't know what people do for fun in Rincon. 

5.  You said that it is dusty and the wind knocks up a lot of dirt.  Does that make it hard to keep your pension clean?  Does it make it hard to get your clothes clean in the bucket?  Where do you hang them to dry? 

Our pension always gets sand in it because of the wind. So we sweep a lot. I put my bucket in like the middle where there aren't any windows so I don't get dirt in my bucket. I hang them on chairs and wherever I can find a spot.

6.  Did you learn any new Spanish this week?

I learn more Spanish every week. Especially speaking it 24/7. It helps

7.  Are there any recipes you want me to send to you?  I can mail them so you don't have to try to print them out.

I don't know. I'll have to think about that. You can send recipes that are easy. 

8.  What was the funniest thing that happened this week?

I don't know. There are many moments that are funny.

9.  What was the best/worst thing you ate this week?

We had pastel de papas. Which is basically like shepherd's pie. But with meat, hard boiled eggs, cheese and potatoes, and that was delicious. I didn't eat anything bad this week. It was all really good.

10.  What was the hardest thing that happened this week?

One of the days this week we had appointments set up all afternoon, but when we went to them they all ended up falling through.

11.  Have you seen any crazy bugs or animals?  Are there bugs in your pension?

I saw a dead dog and dead cat this week. Does that count as crazy? I haven't seen any bugs in our pension yet. Like a few really small spiders and that's it.

12.  What are you studying or what have you learned this week that was especially important?

Jesus the Christ. That book is just great.

Last week you asked what has been hard to get used to. I thought about it this week. Dogs bark at night and at first it was hard to get used to. it is all through the night sometimes. One of the nights a dog barked outside our window at like 3 in the morning and woke me up. Also at the hermanas baptism 2 weeks ago we made a flame thrower trying to warm the water because the lady is kind of older. So that was exciting. Also something that has been hard to get used to is the siesta. there isn't anything you can really do because a lot of people sleep. So we try to set up appointments during that time. Also people here water their dirt. It's weird because they just water dirt. 

I got 2 letters from you this week. one with talks, and the other was the Christmas one that has the countdown with the scriptures. One question, do I start at 1 or 25? 

Also homemade alfajores are great! And no I havent had gnocci yet.

Crazy Weather

Tyler and Elder Diaz

By the Cristo.

Well this week was pretty good! We found some new investigators. We found another family. And we also found a less active member whose wife isn´t a member. And we actually have lunch with them today. Like the first time I haven´t had to prepare a lunch on pday. But so that was good this week.

This week was hot at the begining and then towards the end it was pretty windy and cold. Crazy just just a week ago we were complaining about it being hot. And then we started getting wind and it felt great. Except here when the wind gets super strong it blows up sand and that is not fun to walk through. But on Saturday we had rain and wind. It was cold. And we were walking and my pants were wet. And that was when we found the family. We went to contact them because they were a reference. We had gone before but they were busy and stuff so we went again. And the lady told us to come right in. So we started talking with her and her oldest daughter and son and the power went out. So we gave the lesson in the dark with a candle. But they were super receptive. It was awesome! 

I am loving it here in Rincon. We have such a great area and branch! 

Also this week we had a dinner. First time having a dinner with a family. It was yesterday: And it was with a less active family in the Hermanas Area. The family have a nephew out on a mission right now in Chile. And they wanted to feed all of us and get to know us. It was great!

Con Amor,

Elder Opfar

Questions:

1.  Did you ever end up going to Neuquen for your visa?  

No I didn't end up going. I think i will just going during this transfer sometime. Im not sure

2.  Does Argentina celebrate Halloween?  If yes, what do they do? 

Nope. They didn't do anything for Halloween.

3.  What do you do for exercise?  You mentioned using the sheet on the floor.  Beside walking, do you do anything outdoors?  

I do pushups and sit ups and that's about it. Don't run because Elder Diaz doesn´t want to. 

4.  What is the most interesting thing you have learned about the culture there?  What has been the hardest thing to adjust to?

Well like we clap outside peoples gates. and you wait for them to tell you to come in and you wait for them to tell you to sit down. And it´s respectful to say permiso when you go through a gate, or through someones door, or before you pray in someones house. That was hard to get used to. But one thing that has been hard to get used to is women breastfeeding. They breast feed basically anywhere. I haven't seen a lot of people do it but that was really weird. It still is.

5.  How was this week with your new investigators?  We are praying for you and them!

We gained 4 new investigators! and our others ones are going well! Everything is great! 

6.  And finally....what is something that you learned or studied this week? 

I have been reading Jesus The Christ. And wow that book is pretty amazing. I am loving it so far.