Argentina: The Sequel: Two different churches in Lujan

This month we visited Lujan

This month has brought us lots of different experiences. One day it rained so hard on our way to the office that we had to take our shoes and socks off and put them next to the small portable heater we have in our office to dry them out. On the other side of the room was the air conditioner blowing cold air! Weird. Anyway, one of the other couples said they had taken a taxi to work since it was raining so hard....that thought never crossed our mind...but it would have been smart since there are so many taxis that we dodge every morning on our way to the office.

We continue to have great Open Chapels. We meet the cream of the crop when we go to the various wards. We meet some of the best bishops and counselors in the church. In a ward called Lopez Camelo we met one such counselor ,Brother Arcos. He was so enthusiastic, meeting the visitors at the front door of the chapel. From there he made sure each one had a member to go with them on the tours. Several visitors came off the street so this was a big help to the missionaries. The members love these Open Chapels. It helps the unity in the ward and reminds them of their responsibilities to be missionaries. We see great things happen when the missionaries and members work together. Pte. Monson has said, "Now is the time for missionaries and members to work together". If they can catch the vision and bring friends and families to these events, the spirit really works to help both have great spiritual experiences.

We had a unique experience at a small branch called Lujan 1. The largest Catholic Cathedral in all of Argentina is in this city. It is called the Basilica of Lujan. It was built to house a tiny 18 inch tall statue of the virgin Mary. Now it is called the Virgin of Lujan. People crawl on their hands and knees during the Holy Week from the plaza up to the place inside the church where they pray to the virgin for forgiveness. We saw a man doing just that when we visited the cathedral. These humble people believe what they are taught. It helps us to know that there are many who are ready for the gospel and we need to be ready to take it to all the world.

The branch president, President Saitta, was so excited to have an open chapel. They had had one last year and want to have at least one every year because they like how it brings the spirit of missionary work to their little branch. During our open chapel that night, there were 5 people baptized. One was a 90 year old woman who needed two elders to help her into the water and baptize her. Her son was really touched by her baptism; he is not a member. Most of the investigators who came were brought by the members. These are the best kind because they already have a friend in the church. The missionaries were so awesome, too. They were out on the street trying to invite people in and the sister missionaries did such a great job teaching them once they came inside.

There are so many people here who are really sincere in their beliefs, but their beliefs and traditions are wrong. It is awesome when they recognize this and begin to look for more.