Checking In

Dear family and friends,

We had a really good week. Two of our investigators committed to baptism on May 14th. Their names are Fabio and Ester. We are really excited for them. After a lot of prayer and hard, work things have advanced a lot here. It's almost too good to be true.

This week Elder Gonzalez from the area presidency comes to Argentina. We have mission conference with him on Friday in Neuquen, and on Saturday Elder Gallegos and I go to Bariloche for a leadership meeting with him. Should be cool!

Our last P-day we went to Burger King. Have a great week everyone!

Elder Kauffman aka Jack

Another Transfer - Staying in Plottier

Dear family and friends,

Last week was a really good week! Today was transfer day and Elder Gallegos and I are both staying in Plottier as the zone leaders. That's fine with us and we are very happy to still be here. We got things moving last transfer and now we are ready to see the fruits or our labors. Only two transfers left so its likely that Elder Gallegos leaves after this transfer and that I stay to finish up here, but you never know! I'll be happy to finish wherever I am needed.

The small miracle we had this last week was finding Andres and Ester. Andres is a member but Ester is not, but she is really excited to learn more. Andres has a lot of desire to be active in the gospel again, and Ester has a baptismal date for May 14th. We're confident that with a lot of help she can make it happen!

We are working with the members of our local ward and teaching a lot more. We had two days this week where we taught four lessons and that's a big deal for this mission. Little by little we are taking down the barriers that have been set here in the past. It goes to show you how powerful putting your mind to something can be. 

I love what I'm doing. It doesn't get old. I think we taught the restoration three or four times yesterday to investigators and less actives. We were able to personalize the message every time. The gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored.

I love everyone and hope you all have a great week!

Elder Kauffman aka Jack

Checking In

Dear family and friends,

I had a really good week. We found a few more people to teach and are progressing with a few that we found previously. One is doing really well. His name is Fabio. He's 31 and has had a pretty hard life and is dealing with a lot of challenges, but he wants to change. 

Too often we tend to think that people like Fabio can't overcome their circumstances and that's impossible for them to change. On Saturday we gave Fabio a blessing and as soon as we started we felt strongly that he´s loved just as much as we are by Heavenly Father. That there is hope for him and others like him.

I am enjoying my time in Plottier and I love the people. We had a zone conference on my birthday so that was a good way to celebrate the morning. The day after a member made a cake to eat after lunch! 

I love everyone and have a great week!

Elder Kauffman aka Jack

Last General Conference

Dear family and friends,

I had a great week and it flew by! We are finding a lot of people to teach and we keep working with those that we have found since I first arrived in this area. Working with Elder Gallegos makes the time go by fast.

We are working a lot more with our zone, trying to find time to work with every companionship and model how we work as a companionship. This Friday I worked with Elder Opfar from Texas, and yesterday I worked with Elder Opazo from Chile. We were even out in between sessions of general conference. 

I loved conference. I watched four of the five sessions in Spanish in the stake center here in Neuquén. I did realize that conference is very “Americanized.” There were a lot of jokes and comments made that made me laugh, but just confused members that were sitting near us.

I had a lot of favorite talks, but I keep think of one that was given in priesthood session. Stephen Owen said that the greatest leaders and the most faithful followers. I’m having opportunities to apply that thinking in the zone here. 

This was my last general conference in the mission field. I am proof that the Spirit works wonders if we are dedicated to learning. I understood everything said in the conference sessions I watched in Spanish. My first conference in Argentina I remember understanding a little less than half of the one session I watched in Spanish. 

A member here has been helping us a lot with our work. He comes to lessons with us and shares his testimony. He brings his autistic son and carries him on his shoulders to all of the lessons. Investigators fall in love with the little boy who’s name is Mariano.

I find that the more I teach something the stronger my testimony becomes. I know that the plan of salvation is true and that it is simpler than we sometimes think it is.

I love everyone and hope you have a great week!

Elder Kauffman aka Jack