He is Changing Who I Am

Hello Everyone,

This was another very busy week. I wanted to do something different, and so we set a goal to visit every less active member that lives in our area, as there are a lot of them. Many members in this area do not follow through with the important commitment of coming to church after baptism, but that doesn’t matter to me. I really know that I am doing what the Savior would be doing when we stop by, share a message, and offer help any way we can. 

There is a sister in our area that is a good example of this type of experience. I have been going there sometimes twice a week since I arrived in Bariloche. I don’t know if she will become active during my time here, but every time we go I know I am doing my job.

I am being the “hands and feet of the Savior.” I am nowhere near who Christ is, but the more I think of the love He has for these people, I know He is changing who I am. 

This past week we went to a neighborhood called, Dos de Abril and it makes me so sad. I had never seen something like it before my mission. There are a lot of drugs and trash, but it motivates me to serve. I want everyone to feel the love of the Savior, and the change He can bring into their life.

Another experience this week was visiting with a young man who has not been to church for a long time. He’s very quiet and he doesn’t want help from anyone. However he has started to open up and tell us what he’s feeling. He’s struggling since he cannot go to school because he has to work to help his mother.

I really prayed for him last night and that the Lord would help him. I think it was the first time I have prayed so hard for another person since I’ve been on my mission. I felt the distinct impression that Christ is constantly doing the same for us. He wants us to have everything that we need, ALWAYS. Please pray for me that above everything else I can do what needs to be done for the people here in my area. It is called Frutillar.

I wish you all great week and send my love as always!

Elder Kauffman aka Jack

Transfer Week in Bariloche

How is everyone?! This week passed by so fast. Yesterday was the last day of the transfer period (which lasts 6 weeks), and today I dropped off Elder Candia (who was transferred) at the bus terminal and spent the majority of the day with Elder Real who is from Spain. 

My new companion, Elder Supelano, just arrived a few hours ago. He is from Columbia. We get along really well from what I can tell so far, and I am excited to work with him. He has about three months left on his mission so I should learn a lot from his experience. 

It was hard to say goodbye to Elder Candia as he was my trainer when I first arrived in the mission. We learned a lot together and helped a lot of people come closer to Christ. One important thing I learned from him that will always impress me is that language is not a barrier between people. I can honestly say I know him as well as I know Ethan, Jason or Coleton. He became a great friend and I hope to see him again in the future. 

Today many missionaries from the north passed through Bariloche on their way to areas down south. One of the missionaries I met was Elder Wessel. He is a very cool guy, and the first thing we talked about was his aunt Linda who introduced my dad to the missionaries back in high school. I'm glad I finally met him!

This past week I increased my faith a lot through small actions. I conquered some of my fears like calling members on the phone, because at times I don't know what they say, or asking for more help from the ward, as that can be hard too. As I did those little things throughout the week they became easier, and now I no longer fear them. The other week Chris wrote me "you can either fear everything and run, or face everything and rise." I prefer the second. 

I love being here and I love inviting people to come unto Christ. I thought a lot during the week of some of the personal experiences I have had with the Savior. My love for him, and loyalty to him, are the best motivation I have. 

Please continue to pray that I can take care of the people here that need the good news of the Gospel. I am going to do all I can!

I love you all and I wish you a great week. 

Elder Kauffman aka Jack

¡Otra semana en la gran ciudad de Bariloche!

How is everyone? Thank you for your emails and for telling me how things are going. It is always feels good to hear from home!

I cannot believe how fast this week passed. This morning I was thinking of what I could share, and I could hardly remember anything that happened! Its been a blur but in a good way. 

Since I arrived in my area we started to visit a sister that was less active. She has two sons, one that was recently baptized and another who is nine years old. We have been having family home evening with them regularly for a while now. This past Monday was a special experience for me as I realized all of the change that has taken place since we started stopping by. The sister has a steady calling in the ward as a Gospel Principles instructor, her oldest son is blessing the sacrament, and we are working on helping the youngest boy to be baptized soon. 

I love how all of that change has come about by doing something so small. I am grateful that we could be a part of it and see the unity that the family has now. 

Elder Candia has been in San Carlos de Bariloche for about six months working with another sister who has not been to church in years. We love to stop by and share scriptures with her and her son. We always learn together and then just talk about challenges she is having with other family members. Finally after 6 months of inviting her to church she said this week she would come. We were very excited to hear her say yes, and even more excited to see her this Sunday. 

This last Friday Elder Candia and I went to the central part of Bariloche to work in the area of two other elders. I worked with Elder Yanez from Chile and near the end of the night we talked with a guy named Paulo, and we got along really well. The whole time we talked I could not help but think that finding him was meant to be. Experiences like that show me that this mission is the one for me. 

There are only a few movies we can watch in our pension (apartment), and one we watch often is called Finding Faith in Christ. A part that impressed me this week is when Christ is asked what the way is to eternal life. “Yo soy el camino.” “I am the way.” I know that that is true, and I love sharing that more than anything. 

I love all of you and I wish you an excellent week!

Elder Kauffman aka Jack

¡Hola!

Hello!

So many things happened this week. Time is a lot different here for some reason. What I did just this last Tuesday, feels like it happened a lifetime ago!

This Tuesday Elder Candia left for Neuquén to receive leadership training (he is our District Leader), so I stayed in Bariloche with Elder Gregory from Arizona. We arrived in Argentina the same day so it was fun to work with him. We went to visit a sister who had just been in the hospital, and while there, she had a friend come to visit. 

The Bariloche Zone - October 2014

I know the Lord prepares people and puts them in our path, because out of nowhere, the member's friend started to ask us about our religion and what sets us apart from other churches. She was sincere too which can be rare. I won't be returning to teach her, but it was very cool to answer some of the questions she had. 

We have also been working with a 9 year-old boy in our ward. His mom and brother are members and he is not. He has never been very interested in listening to lessons, but again, out of nowhere, his mom called us and said he wanted to talk to the missionaries. When we met with him I was really impressed by his faith. We talked about the restoration, and the importance of having the church God established when Jesus Christ was on the earth in our lives. I asked him if he thought these things could be true, and without thinking he said yes. He is so young but he is a great example of believing without seeing. 

General conference occupied a large amount of our time this past week and it was really special for me. I realized how much it means to have a prophet when all of the members around the world gather to listen. For me a major theme was the importance of decisions, and how we determine our own happiness. Our joy never depends upon what another person does. We create it.

I hope that everyone has a great week. Tonight I will be traveling to Neuquén to renew my tourist visa. It will be about a 12-hour trip, but it should be fun! 

I am finding a lot of joy in serving the Lord. I love you all!

Elder Kauffman aka Jack