A Sunday in Tigre

It was raining when we woke up this morning, and cooler as predicted. Will the church be as cold as usual? Even with our 80 degree weather yesterday, we weren’t taking a chance. On went the thermal underwear and we were glad we made that decision. The building felt a little more comfortable than usual, but still chilly enough to warrant warm clothes. Some even left their coats on.

Sacrament meeting was High Council Sunday. Our Relief Society President spoke first and then the gentleman from the High Council. There were 40 people in the congregation for church. The small attendance could have been because of the rain this morning. It was coming down pretty good when we entered the chapel. Our member we had the picture for did not make it today. The Branch President asked everyone to move forward in the chapel so it was a more cozy group. In Argentina, they are no different than at home – everyone sits at the back.

Today I received many comments of appreciation regarding having music in church. Since no members play the piano, they rely on the missionaries or visitors to use their talent to add music to the meeting. It is sad that they don’t have a member accomplished enough to be the regular pianist. The Branch President’s wife leads the music and more than once she has thanked me whole heartedly for playing the piano. I make mistakes, but they don’t seem to mind. Something is better than nothing, I guess.

It is very hard to lead the hymns without accompaniment because some people are so new in the church that they don’t know the songs. The second Sunday we were there was right at transfer time and Sister Shaffer, who played the piano, was transferred. We sang a cappella and it was pretty bad. That’s when I offered to lend my limited ability to the cause.

We arrive at church about a half hour before the meeting starts so I can practice and get ready. The Branch President has expressed appreciation for having prelude music so that it sets the spirit and tone for the service. Today, a couple of sisters came up to me and said they enjoyed having music in church and that I played well. I smiled and took the compliment. Oh, the things we take for granted back at home with wards that have overflowing musical talent.

Sister Rodriguez finished her mission and left last week, and now we have Sister Jenees Howard who is from Oregon. She was serving in the South where it is so cold. She and the others that were transferred back here to Buenos Aires say they are dying from the heat. She and Sister Cano will make a great team.

When we came home I popped the meatloaf I made this morning in the oven with some baked potatoes. With green beans added, we had a pretty good meal. We missed my homemade chili sauce for the meatloaf, but we survived.

Today at church, the sister missionaries ask Elder Kroff if we could come back to Tigre this evening and go with them to the home of Brother Rodriguez. He is not a member of the church but his wife is. She was baptized a year ago along with their two daughters, and is a counselor in the R.S. Presidency. He comes to church quite regularly and really enjoys Rich’s Sunday School class – Gospel Principles. One of our first Sundays there, Rich asked a grammar question about Spanish. Right after class, Brother Rodriguez came up to him and engaged in a detailed conversation giving him the answer. He told him he liked to talk about language, grammar, and conversational things. Since then their friendship has developed. Br. Rodriguez really likes Elder Kroff, so the sisters wanted us to go with them to visit him tonight and get more acquainted and visit in his home. They want him to be a member along with his family, and are anxious to teach him the gospel.

In the picture are their two daughters, Daniel and Laura, Sister Cano, Liliana and Lito Rodriguez and us. Sister Howard opted to take the photo.