Ok Fellas,
You know that red was a pretty lame color for a room. So I’m
glad you guys are changing it. And after a year away from home, you are finally
kicking me out of my room. But Katie should know that there are responsibilities
to the queen bed; which is … that it’s not actually your bed. It’s the bed of
anyone that wants to come over to stay at the Greene residence.
We’ve hit a new transfer here in the ole Santa Fe mission. So
I’m stuck with Elder Ramos for a little bit more time. Actually we thought he
was going home in about two weeks, but we received a call the other day for Elder
Ramos. He was on the phone for about a half hour with President; who called to ask
him (tell him) to stay until the end of the transfer. An extra 4 weeks. President
pulled some of his smooth talk, and got him to stay. Elder Ramos wasn’t too
happy because it pushes all his plans back a few weeks. I thought it was pretty
funny, actually hilarious, because this kid is trunky city right now. 4 more
weeks of the greatest time of his life. Good thing he won the jackpot; ending
it with Elder Greene here.
So the sister missionaries of Recreo have been teaching a 77
year old man named Domingo for quite some time. Actually this guy has been an
investigator since like June of last year, so everyone in the ward knows him. But
he has recently left la casa feliz (the happy house, a resting home for los
viejos), and is living in our area; so we are teaching him now. I can’t wait
for this guy to be baptized because he is a golden addition to the church
membership of Recreo. I wish you could sit with us during church class; and
that you knew Spanish to catch up a bit. But this guy cannot go through a
sentence without making a fantastic comment. And he does it all while throwing
"the bird" around, because he’s missing a few fingers.
(Argentines are the kings of hand movements and pointing,
and it kind of rubs off, so don’t be surprised if I get really into my conversations
when I get back)
So… we were sitting in class the other day (two days ago), and
we are in Elder’s Quorum talking about home teaching; and it’s just the perfect
time for Domingo to come in. Because as a non-member he knows all about home
teaching. And so he says, "well I’ve been a man for a long time. In fact
my whole life. I am a great grandfather and I’m still alive (yeah he’s a great grandfather
and only 77 years old), and as experienced as I am as a father, I know that you
are a bunch of women. Was it not God that created Adam before Eve?”
(Just for some info… people are pretty sexist around here,
so I’ve heard the Adam before Eve comment plenty of times)
But anyways, he goes on… pointing the bird at the Elders Quorum
president, who is a pretty young guy, saying, "now boy, do you have a
child?" - "Actually, no. I just have a girlfriend, but I don’t think that’s
the subject we want to have now." - "Oh. So you are playing around
with the sexuality are you? The sexuality is the definition of sin." -"Well,
no. We are about to get married. So, let’s talk about our home teaching
companions."...
Actually this next part was pretty awesome too because people
have been lame on their home teaching lately. And so he asks Brother Santa Cruz,
“Why have you not done your home teaching?” And he says, “My companion has not come
to get me to go do it.” Then he asked, “Who is your companion?” And he looks
around and finally realizes that his companion is right next to him, and it was
Lalo. Then Lalo is asked, “Why do you do your home teaching alone?” And Lalo
response and says, “Well, my home teaching companion went inactive." Boom!
Totally crushed brother Santa Cruz. I totally died with that response.
But Domingo should be baptized in the near future. He’s
pretty ready to be cleansed of his sins. He came up to me and said, "Yesterday,
was incredible. I don’t need to be baptized anymore.” And I asked why. He said,
"I have been cleansed. At 4 in the morning it started to rain. I couldn’t
resist but go grab my shampoo and bathe myself in the rain." I said,
"Wait... Did you go outside naked?" He said, “Well, do you think I’m
crazy enough to go take a shower with my clothes on?" – “No Domingo. That
would be insane if you did that.”
As I’ve been out here for over a year now, I’ve really
mastered the clothing hand wash. But I was most impressed with myself this last
week. I had actually finished cleaning my whites, feeling like they looked pretty
white. But that’s because I took much more time with the cleanse; it was much
more vigorous, with a touch of love. But I think the real touch, was the
replaying of Franz Ferdinand’s "Take Me Out" through my head while washing.
I was walking through the street when I came across a man. Actually
he came across us, because he saw us first and came screaming, "In the
name of Jesus, bless you Men of God, who have come to bring the Word of God."
I was flattered, so I paused to see what this praising man had to say. But I couldn’t
really understand what he had to say. He just started talking and talking, and
it didn’t really make any sense to me. But about 20 to 30 minutes later, he
finally came to a close. And so I gave my favorite response to something I didn’t
really understand, "Wow. Bueno." I wished him a fine day, and he said
he would come to church. Which he didn’t. Liar. It actually turns out he was
reciting all of a chapter of Psalms, I haven’t gotten around to reading too
much of Psalms. But I’m sure the one he was reciting was a good one.
Just the norm here in Recreo.
Sergio and Rosia are doing great. We’ve been teaching them
all great lessons. With we as missionaries teaching; and recently we taught the
subject of temples, and that’s something that really got their attention and they
are excited about.
I love you guys, have the best week!
Elder Greene
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