A Mission Sabbath

We woke up to a cool, rainy day. Luckily we didn't have to walk anywhere. Our plans were to take a remise to Tigre to church, since Elder Kroff couldn't walk to the office to get the car. It was announced last Sunday that we would only be having Sacrament meeting again this week due to the gripe (flu), and that it would start at 10:00 instead of 9:30. But during the week, an email came from the Area Presidency that all meetings were to resume being held. So we made plans to be there for the 9:30 starting time.

Last night we called for a remise to pick us up at 8:30 this morning because I wanted to get there a little early to get used to the piano and practice my hymns. Plus, I needed to put up the hymn numbers and pick out hymns to play for prelude. This wouldn't be such a big deal to an accomplished pianist, but to me it was a little stressful. I had to be on top of it today.

While getting ready and eating breakfast, we turned to the Mormon Channel on the iPhone and listened to an institute address giving by Elder Richard G. Scott before he became an apostle. That proved to be a good thing to do today.

With our directions, the remise driver had no trouble finding the chapel in Tigre. We are impressed that a branch meets in this nice new building. There are no other wards or branches that use this building. Perhaps at one time our branch was a ward, and due to lack of leadership it was changed to a branch. Who knows? But it is a nice facility. The church consists of one long and narrow hallway with classrooms and the Branch President's office and clerk's office. Then, the chapel and cultural hall are at the end. It isn't a huge building, but adequate. Heat is provided by small wall heaters in each classroom and the chapel. There is no central heating. Thermal garments are a must during the winter.

We arrived at 8:50 a.m. We didn't know how long it would take to get there in a remise, so we were a bit early. In fact, too early. The gates were locked and no one was there yet. So we stood outside in the misty air for about 15 to 20 minutes before someone came. We were almost wondering if word didn't make it to this branch about having all three meetings. Maybe they were still on the 10:00 schedule.

Soon we were inside and all was well. Rich decided to sit with me up on the stand by the piano. Our branch president is out of town this week, so the counselor approached Rich and asked if he could give a 5 to 10 minute talk today. The high council member was speaking, but they needed another talk. This is what happened to the sister missionaries last week. They were each called upon to speak on the spur of the moment. Rich, of course, said, "Yes" and immediately remembered what we had just listened to this morning from Elder Scott about filling our spiritual reservoir and using it to serve other people. How grateful he was we had turned on the Mormon Channel today. He could have pulled something out of his vast experiences to expound upon, but felt blessed to have these thoughts fresh in his mind. Maybe I am glad I don't speak the language.

Sister Rodriguez and her companion were late in arriving because they were bringing an investigator with them. She was going to lead the music today since the branch president's wife is gone. The meeting started, so I motioned to Rich that he would have to lead the music. He hobbled a few steps to the front and substituted nicely for the substitute. "Did You Think to Pray" was sung by 29 people. After the sacrament, more people arrived making the total for church today 42. This was a small attendance. Usually there are more. The new goal is 90 people in attendance for Sacrament meeting.

Elder and Hermana Kroff were sustained today as the branch Music Chairman and Gospel Principles teacher. So Rich taught his class today too. Those in attendance seemed to enjoy it, and he held their interest. However, when you are only talking to about 7 people, you have a captive audience.

There were 11 sisters in Relief Society. There is not an official R.S. room, just a small classroom. One of my assignments as the music chairman is to lead the music in Relief Society. I wasn't sure if there would be a keyboard. . . . there is not. Then, I didn't know if I should pick the hymns to sing. I selected a couple that I thought they might know so that I would be prepared. But the president already had some picked out. She announced the hymn and handed me a hymn book. Duh!! What song is it??? I don't know the spanish titles and most often they don't translate directly. I need to know what it is in English first. On the spur of the moment I couldn't sing it in my mind to figure it out. They tried to help by singing a few bars of the song. Then I caught on. It was "Because I Have Been Given Much." Okay, that helps! After church I had Rich ask her how she wanted me to help with the music in Relief Society. She said she picks the hymns to correlate with the lesson. She gave me her name and phone number and I will call her every Friday or Saturday to find out what I will be leading. Perfect! Then I can find out what the song is and learn the words better. Some of the hymns in the book are unknown to these saints. We grow up knowing them and having them memorized, but that isn't the case here. So it will be better if they pick the hymns.

The remise driver who brought us to church said he would come back to pick us up. It was about $4.50 each way. After we got home, he said that next Sunday if we call and ask for coche #12 (his car) he will take us a shorter way that will save us some money since he now knows how to get to the church. We will do that if Rich still can't walk very far. If we still have access to the office car and can walk to get it, we will drive ourselves.

We, and the elders, had a dinner date with a family in the San Fernando ward. He is the Elder's Quorum President and was sad to see us leave the ward because Rich taught two of the priesthood lessons. It was in the same area as last week's dinner we had with other members. There would be no walking of 62 blocks today. We ordered another remise to take us.

We entered an unbelievably humble home. William and Elizabeth Peñalosa have five children. Valentina in blue is 5 years old. It was a cement one room home about the size of our living room and kitchen area. The floor was cement - no rugs, and the sleeping areas were divided by a couple of wardrobes. There were two bunkbeds for 5 children. Probably the two smallest slept together. There were no doors or private areas for changing, unless the bathroom was used for that purpose. Stand alone cupboards and a fridge provided the wall between the parents bed and kitchen. There was no living room type area, neither a couch nor soft chairs. . . . just beds, cupboards, closets and a table in the small kitchen area.

Elder Valente helps Sandy, age 15, fix the torta. It was a delicious large chocolate cake with peaches and cream in between the layers. The food was rice with chicken in it and pieces of fried eggs. It was like ham fried rice in the chinese restaurants. We put soy sauce on if desired. It as really good.

Here is the creation. Sandy is very cute and friendly.

The winking child is Facundo, age 8. Malena, age 11, is sitting by me. They have a 2 year old son named Gabriel. He is in the video clip.

They are a happy family, and very active in the church. Brother Peñalosa is a construction worker, and Elizabeth works cleaning houses for people. Malena is learning English in school and was right by my side practicing her new language with me.

We are just overwhelmed with the circumstances of these humble saints. They don't know any other way of life and would be blown away if they saw how we lived in the United States. We certainly have a reality check every time we visit in these homes. We take so much for granted and feel so fortunate, sometimes guilty, about that with which we have been blessed.

Following is a video clip of dinner today with this family.