Mucho Dinero

As Financial Secretary, Elder Kroff is responsible for a lot of money.  Mainly he sees that 158 missionaries have money on which to live.  He sends money to their missionary cards, and gets them new cards when they are lost.  He writes checks to cash at the bank so he has money to disburse for a number of needs dealing with missionary apartments, and the paying of some bills that are not on an automatic withdrawal.  He is the "go to" person when money is needed. 

President Argyle saw a need to change some things relating to the finances of the mission, which resulted in a large sum of money that needed to be counted, organized, and deposited in the bank.  

Rich and the Elders were drooling over the amount of money that was made ready for deposit. They lined it up neatly for a picture.  When Rich and a "body guard" took it to the bank, they were delighted that the total amount counted by the teller balanced with the amount counted by Rich.  The size of the bills here are a lot larger than in the U.S.  They have to fold them over and put elastics around them for stacking and handling purposes.

Today, Elders Clegg and Nelson left early for the Area Offices to meet two Latin missionaries who needed to go there to complete their temporary residency. Instead of sending missionaries there to meet with representatives who will accompany them to immigrations, each mission will send someone to help this procedure get done.   Rich and I were prepared to go and learn what to do for future times, but the President decided that he wanted the Elders to take care of this responsibility, and leave us in the office. That is great news for us.  They are young and able to withstand long days in lines, and can understand the language better.  I am relieved that it has been taken away from us.  However, they were through rather quickly today, so maybe it won't be as bad as we imagined.  We just remember the two days when we, as matrimonials (married missionary couples,) went there to get our visas completed.  It was a rather complicated and grueling day.  And, we still don't have them.  We have to go back in June sometime to finish.

One of our phone lines is not working in the office. Our fax machine is somehow connected to that line, we think.  So, I am not getting the faxed copy of the Baptismal Registry that I so desperately need.  There are about 20 copies that I have not yet received, and tomorrow is Thursday.  I only have two days to get them entered.  We have called the phone people, but so far no response.   It better get fixed tomorrow, or I will be in deep trouble. 

After work today, we went to find an Escribano (notary).  We need to have our signatures notarized on papers that have to be submitted to the insurance company for our robbery. Could we possibly get it all done in one visit?  Of course not . . . he had gone home.  He will be back at 9:00 in the morning.  We will be on his doorstep.  

After picking up Rich's pants at the dry cleaners, we came home for the night.  My, the days go fast here in Argentina.  Do they elsewhere?