February 6, 2023
Hey what is up, my people? Elder Mergenthaler is back with news from Argentina!!
Monday, we really just had a really chillaxed p-day and then went out to do some work. I wasn't super motivated to go out, so I told my companion, "Let's give Facebook work a try, and do some language study with it." Right, so I start talking to this guy who is a Dinsey fanatic, which is right up my alley. We talk about the church too, of course and make an appointment to talk another time. We made a delicious dinner and knocked out for the night.
Tuesday, we made a bunch of calls and knocked out. Nothing special. Wednesday was really cool cause in the morning, we got to go and serve these people in our ward by helping them clean their duck pen, which is right behind our little apartment. It was super fun and we also got some eggs out. After that, we had an awesome meeting with elder Renlund over Zoom to our whole mission. He answered some of our questions. The meeting was super cool and spiritual!! After the meeting, we went to the church building and studied while filling up the baptism fount for a little girl in our ward!! We witnessed the baptism. Let me tell you, it was amazing to see the ward come together and help this little girl out!! We didn't get to stay there for long, though, because we had to rush up to our friend's house. She's also planning on getting baptized, but she's working through a few doubts. My companion and I felt some of the same feelings she shared, so we were able to testify of what we have learned on our own journeys. She's all ready for her baptism on SATURDAY! so that's freaking exciting!! That night, we made this new food called soupa Paraguayo which is basically like cornbread but way different and with cheese. It's sooo good.
On Thursday, we head out and do some contacting in the rich part of our area--idk why but we had points out there of non-active members, so why not check it out? On our way back to the church to pick up our vianda, we see this little dog in our path. We don't think much of it. The dog starts to bark, and gets louder and louder. I still don't care because I could squish this dog with my foot if needed. We walk by, then I feel a stab at the back of my ankle! I look back and this little chihuahua had bit my ankle and then it ran off. I was like, "That little dog actually bit me!!"
We had another appointment with the lady who is getting baptized. We wanted her to meet some of the members of the ward. While we were there, her husband had some questions about how the process worked to get back into the temple after being a non-active for a while, and my companion and I didn't know how to respond, but luckily our member friend literally had an experience just like it and was able to walk him through and help him feel the Spirit!! So that was freaking awesome 👌
The next day we found our miracle friend. It was almost the end of the day and we were waiting to have the temple night where people share their experiences to help others feel ready to go. We were getting a little bored waiting for the meeting, so I ask my comp if we could pray to help us find one last person before the end of the day. So we get on our knees and say a little prayer we get up off our knees and a name of a contact we missed in the morning came to mind. We were like, "Ehh, why not?" So we walk over to where the guy lives and the guy is super happy to see us because he hadn't seen the missionaries in a while. I'm like, "So you know us? He's like, "Ya, I know you guys. I used to be taking your lessons and really liked it, but then I lost my phone and then we lost contact. It's super weird that you guys show up right now because I literally just got off work at 6..." Anyway, after that, we talk to him about our church for a little bit and we get another date with him! The miracle was we caught him when he was at home if we had come earlier, we would not have been able to meet him!! Weird how the Lord works, no??
The next day we meet another miracle friend named Ezequiel. The story with him is that we found him through one of our other friends on Facebook and started to message him. Well, we got a date with him and talked to him about the restoration and about the promise in the back of The Book of Mormon. When we explained it, he's like, "WOW! GOD SPEAKS TO US!" and we're like "Ya, of course he does." and he's like, "Dude, then I guess I need to read." and I'm like, "I guess so." I mean, it goes deeper, but I don't have much time left to write, so you get the idea, hahaha.
BTW Argentina makes energy drinks, but it's literally like a Coke in the USA, sooo it's weak. Kind of weird, huh? Anyways, I'll let you guys go, but I love you all so much and hope you have an amazing week!!
Mucho amor,
Elder Mergenthaler
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