This past week was pretty wonderful. On Tuesday Romina Pinto gave us a few referrals and contacted them with us! We've been struggling all transfer to get referrals, so it was great to have a member give us some and contact them with us. It makes all the difference in the world.

On Tuesday we went to Vicente Lopez to give the sister missionaries some priesthood blessings because they had had a hard week. Afterwards, Elder Lopez had to go to the hospital because he wasn't feeling well and they said he has problems in his gall bladder. We spent all day in the hospital/on the bus so it was a pretty tiring day. The good news was that I was able to read about 50 pages in the Book of Mormon. 

Elder Lopez and I eating Locro

 Thursday was Argentina's Independence Day, so we had a ward activity. There is this traditional meal here called locro, it's like some sort of bean/corn/cow stomach soup. Not going to lie, it's pretty gross. My companion and I forked it down (I guess spooned) with a smile on our face and said it was good. Sometimes as missionaries we have to eat weird things and say that we like it. Later that day we had an appointment with the Narro family from Perú. They are doing really well. Edwin and Diana need to get married, but their daughter Maria and Edwin's dad Andrés are preparing to be baptized on the 25th of July.

On Friday we had a special meeting in San Fernando with all of the missionaries that go home this transfer, next transfer, and the transfer afterwards. It was kind of a way to boost everyone up to end the mission well. It was a really great meeting and it was fun to see friends. Later during the day Elder Lopez fell in a zanja and it was pretty funny. The zanjas are these sewers on the side of the street that pretty much are full of animal/human waste. I felt okay laughing because I fell in one when I was in Pacheco. It happens to everyone.

On Sunday we had an appointment with our less-active friend Andrés that I've told you a little about. The first time we met him 3 weeks ago he didn't want to read the scriptures or pray, and yesterday when we arrived he said he had been reading during the week and he offered to say the opening prayer. It's incredible how the gospel changes people.

This week we read a lot in the Book of Mormon, it's been great. The challenge of reading 26 pages per day really makes the Book of Mormon seem more like a story (I mean, it is a story anyway), so it's been really fun to read and I've learned a lot.

Today for pday we went to an all-you-can-eat pizza place and then played tennis. It's really weird to think that I only have one more pday left... the next time I write will be the last time. I'm going to take advantage of every moment I've got until the very end! Thanks for everyone's help, love and support! You're the best!

Love, 

Elder John William Garrett