Zarate part 3

Transfers came last Monday night and I'll be here in Zárate for at least another 6 weeks. I wouldn't be surprised if I'm here for another 3 months but let's take things in little chunks at a time. My new companion is named Elder Deschamps. He's from Necochea, Argentina, just a few hours south from where we are. Elder Deschamps has almost 20 months in the mission. He is teaching me a lot about how to be a leader. I anticipate a great transfer (or more!) with E. Deschamps. 

A Little on Faith

This week was pretty slow. The Argentines are hiding from the heat and a small number open their doors to the sweaty missionaries clapping in front of their houses. We are in the process of changing the way we think in Zárate. The stake has seen little growth in the recent past and we are trying to help every missionary expect to have great success in their area. Believing that something can be done is so important. 

This Saturday I was stretching my hamstring (not the stretchiest part of me) and my companion came over to help me. "¡Eso no es nada!" he told me. "You can't reach further than that because you don't even believe that you can." He then played the "personal trainer" role and got me to stretch just a little further. It actually worked! I wasn't able to touch the ground but I was able to do more. We have to believe that we can do what we are called to do. We all need Nephi's faith who said, "If God has commanded me to do all things, I could do them. If he should command me that I should say unto this water, be thou earth, it should be earth; and if I should say it, it would be done" (1 Nephi 17:50). This is the kind of faith that I want and the kind of faith that we all need to take on the task of being true disciples of Christ.

Milanesa Sandwich

This is a fairly common lunch (see attached picture). There is a sandwich shop one block away from my apartment named "Rody's Sandwichería" (the possessive grammar of Spanish don't work that way but they put it there anyway). As Rody makes the huge sandwiches, there is always a Spanish drama playing on his TV and sizzling grease masking the conversation. It is a pure Argentine experience. Today I noticed the parrot that wanders around the shop. I didn't catch his name but I'll ask him next time. 

 I hope everything is going well back home. I love you all and know that God is caring for you. 

Love, 

Elder Smith