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WE HAVE A DATE!

November 14, 2022

Hey, what's  up, y'all? Elder Mergenthaler here! So you guys are probably wondering about the title because I am a missionary and missionaries don't go on dates, but you'll find out as I tell you about our week.

So Monday night we start our splits with another set of missionaries which, let me tell you, was so helpful for me because I learned a lot about how to push the work forward! 

On Tuesday, Elder Pinta, my temporary companion, and I began our day by planning it all out, and then, at like 10, we were off to do work, which I like. At our first stop, the person wasn't there, so we went to the next house, and her sister opened up, and she wanted to hear our message, so that was cool! We have to see what happens with her, but all hopes up! At another place, this guy comes out and is like, "Are you guys Mormons?" And we're like, "Ya, we're looking for ____." The guy goes, "He's not here." So that's where I thought it would stop but, no! My mans puts his crocs in sports mode and comes out the door and then basically starts to tell us our religion is wrong haha, sooo we just walked away because guys like that are not worth it.

After that, we got our lunch and went to the church to show one of our really promising friends around. That went really well!! Our second showing didn't go as well as the one before, but that is ok! After that, we contacted more people on our list until the end of the day when this guy stops me and goes, "I'm Jesus Christ and the guy behind you is the devil." I start to walk away, but this dude stops me again and says the same thing. Eventually, I make a getaway, and that was that, haha

The next day, we knocked on lots of doors, and then @ 4, we had a lesson with our really promising friend. During that lesson, the Spirit was so strong, the guy started to cry! It was so cool because I was able to share my witness of the gospel and my comp, Elder Castillo, asked our friend to be baptized, and our friend's response WAS YES!! SO WE HAVE A BAPTISM DATE which is the title of this email because it was the big bang this week. 

On Thursday, we didn't do much, which was kind of boring, but Friday got interesting. On Friday, my comp and I took a youth out to contact with us. We stopped for a little while to play soccer with some kids. I played goalie because I have no clue how to play. Everybody was playing and people were taking videos and it's like a big production. But then this girl's mom comes up to me and is like, "Hey, can my daughter take a photo with you?" First off, that's weird, but anyways I'm like, "Sure," because why not? I'm a missionary, and maybe it could brighten up someone's day. So we take the photo and then that was that haha. I just think its weird because I'm just an 18-year-old kid from America, but to people here I'm like a king because I'm from America. It's weird, but kind of cool, not gonna lie haha. I'll put a photo of the family in here so y'all can see these people. 

On Saturday, we went to the campo, which is like large fields, to eat lunch with this family that doesn't have much, soo i just had to eat and not think, haha. Well, I finished my first plate, and the lady goes, "Elder, do you want more?" I said okay, and I shouldn't have because she brought me out another full plate of food. I finished all the noodles and then I get to the meatballs and almost puke, but I keep it together. I had to stop eating, though. I felt bad about leaving the plate, but I really didn't want to puke! After that, we waited for a bus for forever. We took a bus back to the city and contacted for a bit, then helped set up for a church activity. During the activity, I got called on to be a part of it, so that was super fun, but awkward because I didn't understand anyone that well. Also, a member gave me another matte cup, so now I own 3. I hope to keep adding, haha. 

God loves you, and Jesus Christ has sacrificed so much for you! It's so amazing to see how much love God has for His children, and I'm so glad that I get to see it everyday! Also, something random i just realized, how weird it is that i am just an 18-year-old kid living in Argentina sharing the peace and love of the gospel? That's so weird. Good luck to everyone next week, and have a fun Thanksgiving  

Mucho amor, 

Elder Mergenthaler

P.S. There's also a picture of when a guy fell asleep when we showed him the video of the Restoration. He said it was really good. 







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