We were able to complete all of our responsibilities this week. We are truly happy when the weather cooperates. For us the term "cooperates" simply means "doesn't rain" because it was really cold. The temperatures hit 36 degrees which is record cold for our area--too cold to rain. One morning, when trying to get gas, everything was frozen up and we had to wait for it to thaw.
On Tuesday, we were asked to get the ranch kids to Feliciano by 6 AM for a field trip to Parana for a holiday called Technopoly--an exhibition of science, technology, industry, and art. It was founded in Buenos Aires by their President in 2011.
Anyway, we arose early and picked- up the kids in pitch dark. It was pitch dark except for the amazing display of stars and the sliver of moon that was so gorgeous. It reminded us that there is indeed a God in Heaven. With no city lights and no clouds, the sight was incredible. We got the kids to Feliciano right- on- time and returned home for the duration of the day.
We were suppose to pick up the kids again about 6 PM so we gathered up a couple of high school kids that needed a ride and arrived again in Feliciano at six just in time to get a call from the teachers reporting that they would not be back until about eight-thirty. With nothing more to do, we conversed with German, one of the high school-ers, and waited, and waited.
While waiting, we got to see the display of joy Argentine's have when their soccer team wins.
For hours they drive in circles around their little town honking, beating drums, or whatever they find and then complete their parade in front of the government building to announce their delight and apparently to show patriotism.
It kept us amused until we realized that it was preventing us from meeting the kids because of the traffic jam that had been created. So we left the town square to meet the kids at the bus stop On our way, we noticed a flat tire. Oh great! It was late. Gomeria's (tire repair shops) were all closed, the kids were tired and ready to go home, and it was "COLD". Fortunately, German knew where to go for a fix since there was still some air in the tire.
Amazingly, this man opened his shop even though he was closed for the night and spent almost an hour getting the tire off without many tools;--finding a broken nail, removing the nail, patching the hole and reassembling everything.
With an hours labor, after hours, how much do you think he charged? It was only about 6 American dollars. One of the gaucho's wives thought that was high -way robbery. Yuca thought it was the going rate. We thought it was a steal and a deal of a lifetime.
Below are more ranch shots:
Below is Enzo's house (one of our students) with all their horses.
The anthill below is one of the many huge hills of tough, truck jolting obstacles that we see all the time on the ranch. This particular one is not on the road so it has been left to "grace" the landscape. We call it DIA since the peaks are like the "roofscape" of DIA (Denver International Airport).
Los Perales:
Vanesa made some winter gear for her two boys. Her mother helped with the hat pattern, and she cut the scarves herself. She is amazing! Her boys are kind- of- cute too, don't you think?
Super News!
Yuca astounded us with the news that we have been approved to have a second home in Feliciano. We thought it would be a monumental project just to get approval, but just one word to Mauro, Yuca's boss, and we're past step number one. We have the full-time young missionaries in Feliciano checking out the possibilities for us. Now, actually pulling this off will be a feat, but maybe by the time the new missionaries come to take our place, we'll have found something.
Speaking of new missionaries, the Copes from Spanish Fork, Utah are working on their visas and hoping to be here the latter part of November before school closes for the summer. With Sister Cope being from Buenos Aires, and both of the Copes having served a mission in our area as young adults, we think they will be a perfect fit.
We have the house in good shape and hope to keep it that way. We utilized more tape and paint this week keeping up on the mold crystals and cracks. Mauro told us that though the house has been condemned for major renovating, it still has another ten years of use before it could be a dangerous situation. That message was our clue that the next missionaries will probably be living here and thus the continued upkeep.
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