Argentina Adventures: December 2010

As you see it has been over three months since I last did an update of Benjamin's blog, but it hasn't been because there hasn't been much to tell you about! I will just share with you a bit of what he has shared with us. As some of you may realize, he only has a little more than 2 months left in his mission, so he will soon be able to give you more details when he returns.

During the first part of September Benjamin got some good news from his last area in Villa Maria. He learned that one of those he had been teaching decided to get baptized and that Raquel, the doctor that he baptized, gave her first talk in church.

Benjamin and his companions still do service projects for members or investigators. He mentioned that one day they helped an investigator move large cinder blocks, which he called a "great workout." On another occasion they power sanded a wooden door frame for a member.

Later that same month they were blessed with the visit of one of the General Authorities of the Church, President Arnold, who came to explain some significant changes, for example, some new ways to teach and a new focus on the work. One thing that President Arnold said that impressed Benjamin, was a quote from Elder Neal A. Maxwell, a former apostle, "when we finish our mortal lives, we will look back at all the temporal things and realize that they had relatively little importance while even the small spiritual experiences we had were far more important than we imagined(not a direct quote)." Benjamin noted that the Spirit was great and that his testimony was strengthened.

During the last week of September he reported another blessing. They didn't have much money left for the month and it was the end of the day as they were walking up the stairs to their apartment, tired and hungry, when their bishop, who lives below them, came out with a plate of empanadas.

(Their house: The Missionaries live upstairs and The Bishop lives downstairs)

He started off the month of October in a wonderful way: being able to watch all sessions of the General Conference broadcast from Salt Lake and having a very meaningful interview with his mission president, Presidente Salas, in which he shared with Benjamin his vision for the Córdoba mission.

(Ariel's Baptism)

Then later in the month the mission had its regular six-week transfers. Benjamin was excited to learn that he would be staying in the same area and that he had been assigned a new companion, Elder Silva, from Chile(this is the 3rd Chilean companion he has had). He later noted that Elder Silva has a great desire to serve and that his father joined the Church just 6 months ago.

(Elder Silva)

And on the 25th he hit his 20 month mark in the mission. He noted that his "vision is still the same: work hard, be obedient, love the people, and baptize." He went on to say that "Each day is one that I will never have again; I will only have one mission, and I will not have regrets."

(Ben says it was "meant to be"!)

October ended on a sad note for Argentina as their former president, Nestor Kirchner, who was also the husband of the current president, died unexpectedly at the age of 60.

The month of November brought a new cultural experience for Benjamin and all the missionaries in Argentina: the country had its national census. Apparently it is completed on one single day and all citizens as well as foreigners are required to stay home during certain hours until a census taker comes by. Furthermore, this meant that missionaries couldn't go knocking on doors until after 5:00pm.

(Asado with Nilda Sunday afternoon)

The highlight of the month of November, and possibly of the past several months, was the long-awaited ground breaking for the Córdoba Temple. As some will recall, this temple was announced by President Monson a little over two years ago. One of the Church's apostles, Elder Neil Anderson, came from Salt Lake to officiate at the ceremony. He also spoke to the missionaries in a special conference and shook hands with each of them. Benjamin noted that he shared many inspiring thoughts, in both Spanish and English, and that he, Benjamin, received a spiritual confirmation that Elder Anderson was truly called of God.

(Ground Breaking of the Cordoba Temple)

Argentina's weather in November is that of early summer and Benjamin observed that it was getting super hot and that they had seen quite a bit of rain which, of course, made it quite humid.

(His caption was: Flooding Cordoba with the Book of Mormon)

One day Benjamin's companion told him that he needed to walk slower, because he couldn't keep up. Benjamin observed in his letter that he had always remembered me, his father, walking fast, and he thanked me for the good "training." He also noted that on his mission his "brain has been set to not walk slow" as he feels that he needs to be doing much more.

(Nicola's Baptism)

(Milana and Candelaria's Baptism, November)

And he reported in that same letter that they have been having much success in their labors with several people planning to be baptized on December 25th which, in his own words, would make it a "true white Christmas."

(Lara's Baptism... Not one of the Christmas ones...)

Although Thanksgiving isn't a holiday in Argentina, Benjamin told us that he followed his personal tradition of eating pizza(he doesn't like turkey dinner) and ice cream. He also shared with us the things that he is thankful for: "for my family, for being a missionary and for the blessings God has given me; I love the gospel, and I am thankful for a prophet who is a special witness of Christ. I am eternally grateful for Jesus Christ."

To end the month of November, Benjamin had a unique experience: a preparation day(Monday) with Presidente Salas and all the zone leaders in the mission. In addition to having a very productive and inspirational planning meeting, they had fun soccer game. Benjamin noted that President Salas is a great soccer player and scored a goal(as did Ben).

(FUTBOL!!!!)

(Team USA)

And now I'm getting to the current month, December. Benjamin described the first week as "one of the most intense weeks of my mission." To start things off, on the 1st he celebrated his 21st birthday. As he put it, "I am now a man...legal in 56 countries." He also noted that he was grateful to have received a shirt, a tie, and a nice, new pair of socks(something a missionary always appreciates) and some goodies from his family, and that he went out with his companion, Elder Silva, to get a nice "lomito" hamburger for dinner.

(Presidente Salas as Santa)

Then on the 4th there was a Church Christmas activity in Córdoba and all the missionaries sang in a special missionary choir for which they had been practicing for quite awhile. Benjamin wrote that they did a great job and that about 800 members and investigators were in attendance.

(Choir Practice)

This was also transfer day for the missionaries and in the evening he got a call from his mission president in which he was informed that he was getting a transfer, a very special one. In Presidente Sala's own words, "Elder Corbett, I wanted to be the first one to tell you that you are going to be the next assistant of the Argentina Córdoba Mission. I have a lot of confidence in you." Benjamin couldn't believe his ears. He wrote, "I felt humbled and excited, but mostly humbled, and also shocked, knowing that there is a ton of great missionaries who could easily have been called."(Note: only two missionaries serve as assistants to the president at the same time). During the past week we have started to learn about his new responsibilities, and it is clear that he is working closely with Presidente Salas to move the missionary work forward in the entire mission, and that he is enjoying the challenge greatly.

(The Mission President with the office elders and assistants)

(Packages waiting to be delivered in the office)

In a few days Christmas will be here and our family looks forward to speaking with our missionary. It will also be his 22nd month mark in the mission field. How time has flown!