Technology and Missionary Work

 I have been amazed at how missionary work has been so successful during a pandemic.  Missionaries have found new ways to find & teach people.   Missionary work in Argentina has all been virtual for the last year and a half.  Most of our missionaries have found, taught and watched them be baptized without ever meeting them in person.  Many of our missionaries are just now starting to talk to people in the street for the first time ever on their missions.   It has been incredible to watch.   What a blessing now that Argentina is opening back up to have new ways and old ways of finding and teaching the gospel.   It has been a great blessing to have technology for us as Mission leaders to get to see all of our missionaries more often.   

Also, we are able to connect with our kids and grandkids so often.  Facetime, Sunday zoom, readeo (super cute way to read books online to my grandkids) and texts are such a blessing for us being so far away!  

This is the Lord's work and He is leading it!   There is a great quote from Thomas S Monson that really describes this time of missionary work " Remember that this work is not yours and mine alone.  It is the Lord's work, and when we are on the Lord's errand, we are entitled to the Lord's help.  Remember that the Lord will shape the back to bear the burden placed upon it."

This is so true!   These missionaries have been unbelievable and so good with technology and finding new and better ways to do missionary work! 

weekly sunday family zoom

Domingo gigante - each sunday we get to connect with all our missionaries

weekly english class 

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Watching 2 baptisms 

Mission Leadership counsel

Zone conference

Joining in on a lesson with our missionaries

teaching a lesson while on a long drive

Teaching a lesson while on a break from Zone conference.

Never give up!

 One of the biggest perks of our new calling is getting to know the new converts.  The stories are inspiring and miraculous!  This week, we went to a baptism of a family who had been investigating the church for MANY years.  They restarted again with our missionaries during COVID and this time really wanted to know more.  They decided to get married so they could get baptized.  They are from a branch at the northern part of our mission in a little oil town called Catriel.  Branches are the best because everyone comes to the baptism and they have a big party to celebrate after!  This branch doesn't even have a church building they meet in an old house.  I love the portable baptismal fonts the church has for situations like this.   The branch president dedicated & sang a song to them right before they were baptized. “I know that my redeemer lives” it was so special and the spirit was so strong!  After the closing prayer our friend who got baptized was telling Steve that during the closing prayer he saw the faces of over 50 missionaries that had taught him.  

Steve told him they all are feeling a warm spirit right now and have know idea why!  What a beautiful story of how the Lord is preparing hearts and to never give up!

the baptismal font

Always a great party with great food!

Los Refuerzos

 Our mission only has 40 missionaries, so we are all so excited when we get new missionaries!   This last transfer we were able to welcome 5 Los refuerzos!  What a a great blessing for our mission these wonderful new missionaries are!  Four were from Argentina and one was from North America.  She served her mission here in Neuquén before the pandemic and instead of finishing her service in a reassigned mission,  she chose to wait 18 months and come back to her original assignment!  We are so glad for that decision! 

  I love the quote from Thomas S. Monson " You may sometimes be tempted to say "Will my influence make any difference?  I am just one.  Will my service Affect the work that drastically?" I testify to use it and that it will.  You will never be able to measure your influence."  

We really feel that.  We need missionaries so bad.  Our sweet missionaries are doing the work of 160 missionaries.  We pray daily that the borders will open so we can welcome all our missionaries waiting to come to our mission, who are serving in other missions while they wait.  We feel so blessed to be able to add 5 more Los Refuerzos to our efforts!  

Hermana Catacora, Gonzalas, Nuarte & Elder Rodriquez

Hermana Reeves

Los Fieles

 The last few weeks we have had a few of our Great missionaries finish their service.  What a privilege it has been to serve with them even for a short time.  We always have a dinner in honor of our Los Fieles and then they sign the quilt & mark a favorite scripture.  These two Sisters were very good missionaries with beautiful testimonies and have helped change countless peoples lives.   Both of these Hermanas were loved by everyone in the mission.  They were kind, compassionate and strong!  What great examples they are and we can't wait until we will meet again!  

Hermana Santa Cruz

Hermana Salas Mora

Domingo Gigante

A few weeks ago we started a Sunday night meeting with all our missionaries.  We call it Domingo Gigante.  It is my favorite meeting.  We talk about our mission goals for the week, what we have accomplished in the last week, miracles that have happened during the week and hear the conversion stories of the people who were baptized.  It is so inspiring each week.  What a blessing technology is so we can have this meeting.  These missionaries are such good examples of service.  They leave their families for a time so others can be with their family for eternity.   Domingo Gigante is a great way to finish the week.