How am I? Pretty terrific!
One of the most exciting events of this week was on Thursday. It stormed that night like it has never stormed quite possibly in my life. I was drenched to the bone and then some. Most of the streets were literally turned into rivers. No one was around...it was pretty surreal and fun. We were on our way to a cita which was on top of a hill. We were starting our climb up the hill when suddenly the lights were cut. Elder Vidal then commented that this is when the Zombies start to come out. Right when he said that a shadowy figure ran across the street. Elder Vidal totally screamed and that gave him and me both laughs. We arrived at the house and they were totally expecting us. That is always really great. We taught the lesson and that was really really hard cause they had a tin roof and the lightning was going NUTS. We had to yell everything, and even then it was next to impossible to hear. They had an 11 year old daughter and she was crying the whole time. It was pretty terrifying to a degree. At one point there was a HUGE flash of light in the window and a blood curdling crash! Lightning struck a house super close. Well, I have no idea where it hit, but I remember this equation they taught me in science when I was 8: Tin Roof + On Top of a Hill = Perfect Place for Lightning to Land. Needless to say the lesson went really well and we walked home happy and drenched.
--Elder Barnes
Monday, February 8, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
February the First
This is way back when I was hiking in the forests nearby. It is me lost in the heart of darkness.
Just in case you wanted a better view of the two best looking missionaries in the world, Elder Vidal and Elder Barnes.Hello!
What's going on? Well, let's divide this email into subjects or something.
Funny:
This last Saturday to Sunday we fasted. I decided to fast from water too which was arguably a ridiculous idea. Anyway, we were fed lunch on Sunday and both Elder Vidal and I were dying (it's hot and it's hard to walk 12 kilometers and not drink any water). We were both looking forward to the lunch, like a ton because the member always cooks really well. Anyway the lunch went terribly. I easily drank a liter of orange fanta and then started to sweat profusely because my body was so low on liquids beforehand. We were also fed a ridiculous amount of food. Afterwards Elder Vidal ended up puking cause he was soo filled (this is the second time he has puked because the member fed him too much). This is the first time in my life where I felt like I was going to literally burst. I could barely walk and I suffered stomach pains for easily 3 hours after the lunch.
Work:
We did service again at the food kitchen. It was really fun per the norm, but this time we went to cook. There are lots of characters in the kitchen. One was an older man who commented on how the fat in the bone had lots of flavor and was even good raw. He then stuck his finger into the marrow to retrieve fat which he quickly slipped into his mouth. Anyway, we were on meat cutting duty. It is hard to cut meat with dull knives. That’s a fact. Anyway I learned lots and cut LOTS of meat. It was rather…well let's just say that I might go vegetarian when I get back--for a year or something. The meat was…not terrible but…rather…raw.
It is a new transfer and Elder Vidal and I are pumped for the work. We have started to work really hard with the members and we are having lots of success with that. Elder Vidal has and will be here for a very long time. He has a year in the mission and only two areas…that’s ridiculous. But it's really good because we know where all the church members live and who is good for whom. We are really pumped. This last week we went on a baking spree making brownies and banana bread for members, investigadores, and menos activos. IT was a fun way to start off the new transfer.
We are good, as in Elder Vidal and I.
Stay safe.
Much Love,
Elder Barnes
Monday, January 25, 2010
Habrá Torta
Hello!
How are you all doing? I am good.
So the obviously "big news" is that I am 20. I do not like the thought of it. I wish I could be 10 forever. But how was it? My birthday that is?
Let us begin:
My birthday was filled with uniqueness which helped me feel like I was having one. To start the day I was awakened by Elder Barrat and Elder Garay who made me pancakes. After I ate my pancakes Elder Vidal and I went to the church to fill the font. What font? Yup, the baptismal font. We were blessed to baptize Ismael. He is 21 years old and filled with youth and love. The baptism was simple and small, just how he wanted it.
After the baptism our lunch appointment was canceled, so Elder Vidal and I made tacos and they were yummy. The afternoon was more of the same work, but in the night we went to do service. There is a comedor that feeds the needy and poor that Ismael does service at, and he invited us to come along. It was a blast. The comedor is Christian affiliated. Which was great cause I am all for Christians doing Christian things together. The kitchen was cramped with people wanting to be served and people trying to serve them, but everyone was still well behaved. Lots of people were amazed that I was American, and I was amazed I could understand all their questions. My duty was glass filler of juice and I filled quite a few glasses. One of the best parts was that there was a mujer and her guitar in the central room playing Christian tunes. Everyone would join in at one point or another and I did too. The songs were rather predictable and repetitive so that helped. Needless to say I hope I can go back.
Anyway, we returned home and did some contacts. Elder Vidal was acting up and delaying us from going home for no good reason so my suspicions began to rise. When we finally got back there was a pizza waiting for me. Elder Barrat and Garay made it. After 3 pizzas and an ice cream cake we were all filled and ready for bed.
And that was my first day as a twenty year old.
As for everything else, nothing much has changed. There were transfers and we were all surprised to find out Elder Vidal is not leaving. Yup, this will be his 5th transfer here (that's 7 and a half months in all in Jujuy.) OOF so much time in an area. But I am glad. He is great, and that means one more transfer with a Latino, which means lots more progression in this language I need to learn. Elder Garay was transfered which was sad. He would clean the pension. I will miss him.
Not much more to say.
Much love!
Elder Barnes
How are you all doing? I am good.
So the obviously "big news" is that I am 20. I do not like the thought of it. I wish I could be 10 forever. But how was it? My birthday that is?
Let us begin:
My birthday was filled with uniqueness which helped me feel like I was having one. To start the day I was awakened by Elder Barrat and Elder Garay who made me pancakes. After I ate my pancakes Elder Vidal and I went to the church to fill the font. What font? Yup, the baptismal font. We were blessed to baptize Ismael. He is 21 years old and filled with youth and love. The baptism was simple and small, just how he wanted it.
After the baptism our lunch appointment was canceled, so Elder Vidal and I made tacos and they were yummy. The afternoon was more of the same work, but in the night we went to do service. There is a comedor that feeds the needy and poor that Ismael does service at, and he invited us to come along. It was a blast. The comedor is Christian affiliated. Which was great cause I am all for Christians doing Christian things together. The kitchen was cramped with people wanting to be served and people trying to serve them, but everyone was still well behaved. Lots of people were amazed that I was American, and I was amazed I could understand all their questions. My duty was glass filler of juice and I filled quite a few glasses. One of the best parts was that there was a mujer and her guitar in the central room playing Christian tunes. Everyone would join in at one point or another and I did too. The songs were rather predictable and repetitive so that helped. Needless to say I hope I can go back.
Anyway, we returned home and did some contacts. Elder Vidal was acting up and delaying us from going home for no good reason so my suspicions began to rise. When we finally got back there was a pizza waiting for me. Elder Barrat and Garay made it. After 3 pizzas and an ice cream cake we were all filled and ready for bed.
And that was my first day as a twenty year old.
As for everything else, nothing much has changed. There were transfers and we were all surprised to find out Elder Vidal is not leaving. Yup, this will be his 5th transfer here (that's 7 and a half months in all in Jujuy.) OOF so much time in an area. But I am glad. He is great, and that means one more transfer with a Latino, which means lots more progression in this language I need to learn. Elder Garay was transfered which was sad. He would clean the pension. I will miss him.
Not much more to say.
Much love!
Elder Barnes
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Here We Go Again!
HELLO
How is everyone doing?
First order of business: Pday has been changed to Monday, BUT on Friday we were told there was a change of plans and that the switch will be made this upcoming transfer. I had no interest in going to the cyber AGAIN and letting you all know I would be writing on Tuesday. So cool, I am safe. Keep writing me for Monday cause this next MONDAY will be Pday. HURRAY!
This week was another “dry” week of work. We encountered 12 new investigators which is an all time high and needed very much so. I got verbally abused twice this week for being an American and that was a new record, too. One guy claimed we are here in Argentina to steal petroleum and their “sweet water.” Ummmmm, sorry Argentina, I am not totally into your water.
Elder Vidal had to go to Salta for paper work, so I worked with Elder Barrat and Garay for a day. That was fun. You always learn lots when working with other elders. I am happy to learn. As for other stuff the air is electric with transfers. The big question is who is going to be the new AP (One of the AP´s is ending his mission this transfer). We all like to harass Elder Barrat about possibly being called. Whatever.
TODAY has been rather fun. We went to Papala (the city were the Hermanas work) and had breakfast with a member who “loves missionaries.” About 14 missionaries showed up. It was a nice chill time. Breakfast was just crackers and dulce con leche, which was fine. Afterwards we had a good ol´ time in the parks of Palpala. The parks are filled with gnome statues, and there is another one with a HUGE crocodile slide and elephants. Both parks rival the dinosaur park of my youth in southern California. Then we went to downtown San Salvador de Jujuy and treated my pension mates (Elders Vidal, Barrat, and Garary) to lunch using the gift Mom Hatch sent me. We ate well and afterwards went to Gridos (a popular ice cream chain in Argentina). I had some money left over and treated myself to three scoops of ice cream. Yummy Yummy. This was all, of course, to celebrate my upcoming Birthday.
Much thanks for the birthday wishes and photos and all.
Love,
Elder Barnes
How is everyone doing?
First order of business: Pday has been changed to Monday, BUT on Friday we were told there was a change of plans and that the switch will be made this upcoming transfer. I had no interest in going to the cyber AGAIN and letting you all know I would be writing on Tuesday. So cool, I am safe. Keep writing me for Monday cause this next MONDAY will be Pday. HURRAY!
This week was another “dry” week of work. We encountered 12 new investigators which is an all time high and needed very much so. I got verbally abused twice this week for being an American and that was a new record, too. One guy claimed we are here in Argentina to steal petroleum and their “sweet water.” Ummmmm, sorry Argentina, I am not totally into your water.
Elder Vidal had to go to Salta for paper work, so I worked with Elder Barrat and Garay for a day. That was fun. You always learn lots when working with other elders. I am happy to learn. As for other stuff the air is electric with transfers. The big question is who is going to be the new AP (One of the AP´s is ending his mission this transfer). We all like to harass Elder Barrat about possibly being called. Whatever.
TODAY has been rather fun. We went to Papala (the city were the Hermanas work) and had breakfast with a member who “loves missionaries.” About 14 missionaries showed up. It was a nice chill time. Breakfast was just crackers and dulce con leche, which was fine. Afterwards we had a good ol´ time in the parks of Palpala. The parks are filled with gnome statues, and there is another one with a HUGE crocodile slide and elephants. Both parks rival the dinosaur park of my youth in southern California. Then we went to downtown San Salvador de Jujuy and treated my pension mates (Elders Vidal, Barrat, and Garary) to lunch using the gift Mom Hatch sent me. We ate well and afterwards went to Gridos (a popular ice cream chain in Argentina). I had some money left over and treated myself to three scoops of ice cream. Yummy Yummy. This was all, of course, to celebrate my upcoming Birthday.
Much thanks for the birthday wishes and photos and all.
Love,
Elder Barnes
Photos
Me at Gnome park in the mouth of a giant gnome head.
Elder Barrat (the other Gringo in photo), Elder Garay (of Buenos Aires), Me, and Elder Vidal (the one with the hat) enjoying our meal.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Surprise Post: Greg's birthday is coming up
Subject: EMAIL
From: saltagreg@myldsmail.net
Date: January 13, 2010 11:55:39 AM CST
To: Mom and all
Hey!
Why I am writing you?
Well the big news received today is that the mission is changing p-day from Tuesday to MONDAY. So, yeah. The switch starts this upcoming Monday, the 18th. SO! PLEASE write me proper.
Love
BYE!
P.S. Greg turns 20 on Friday, January 22. Please send him a birthday greeting email in the next few days. Thank you! He'll love hearing from you all. --The Mom
From: saltagreg@myldsmail.net
Date: January 13, 2010 11:55:39 AM CST
To: Mom and all
Hey!
Why I am writing you?
Well the big news received today is that the mission is changing p-day from Tuesday to MONDAY. So, yeah. The switch starts this upcoming Monday, the 18th. SO! PLEASE write me proper.
Love
BYE!
P.S. Greg turns 20 on Friday, January 22. Please send him a birthday greeting email in the next few days. Thank you! He'll love hearing from you all. --The Mom
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Martes, 12 de Enero 2010
Hello family,
So how was this week? The big news is that we had Zone Conference. It was really good. The big announcement over Zone Conference is that we are all (as a mission) reading the Book Of Mormon over a 4 transfer period (about 6 months). We are to mark every time Christ is referenced/named in red. Then in blue we are supposed to mark the gospel of Christ and every time it is taught in its many facets. The goal is to find Christ on every page. It is/will/should be a great experience. We are all reading it in our native language, which is cool. We were given the pencils to mark and the books and everything.
As for today we went on an adventure as a zone. We went to Humahuaca and Pumamarca. They are the big tourist traps here in Jujuy and kinda far away. When people say there are parts in my mission that look like the moon they are referring to these places.
COOL!
Love
Elder Barnes
So how was this week? The big news is that we had Zone Conference. It was really good. The big announcement over Zone Conference is that we are all (as a mission) reading the Book Of Mormon over a 4 transfer period (about 6 months). We are to mark every time Christ is referenced/named in red. Then in blue we are supposed to mark the gospel of Christ and every time it is taught in its many facets. The goal is to find Christ on every page. It is/will/should be a great experience. We are all reading it in our native language, which is cool. We were given the pencils to mark and the books and everything.
As for today we went on an adventure as a zone. We went to Humahuaca and Pumamarca. They are the big tourist traps here in Jujuy and kinda far away. When people say there are parts in my mission that look like the moon they are referring to these places.
COOL!
Love
Elder Barnes
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