Hellooo Spring...?! & First Argentine BDay - Sept. 23, 2024

 

Howdy There!!

Hope everyone is doing great back in the States, unfortunately I did not get time to send an email last week so this might be a tad long so I apologize in advance. However, first of all, thank you all for the birthday wishes! I enjoy hearing from everyone and I truly do appreciate the love. Im not sure if it still has fully set in yet that I am a 19 year old on a mission haha. But all jokes aside, with the stress of life, it is so nice every once in a while to just sit down and reflect on everything that has brought me to this exact point in my life. Crazy. Celebrating a birthday in Argentina, exacly 5,292 miles from home... A little sad I wont see the fam as a 19 yr old, but all is well and I see the blessings every single day of serving the Lord here in the suburbs of Buenos Aires, Argentinaaa

These past 2 weeks were filled with lots of finding success, and exciting/crazy experiences as usual. As for the weather, the seasons are opposite here, so it is the beginning of spring, and is starting to get very hot and humid, so wish me luck. In interest of a lengthy email, I'll just share some highlights from the past couple weeks.

9/10 - Had an exchange with my zone leader Elder Trendler!! He is an amazing missionary and taught me so much. We had a day filled with blessings and even found 6 new people to teach about Jesus Christ and His church, in one day. (I'll attach a church invitation so you guys can see what the building looks like here) Also, if you happen to be in Trujui, Argentina... we would love to have you at Chruch!!

09/12 -

Me and my Comp, have loved being able to run in the mornings at the park nearby. This particular day there was a handful of workout groups and even a few other runners!! Over the past few weeks I have been training my Comp to run, and with no prior running experience he went from a 7:30 mile to a 6:10. He's killing it to say the least. My goal is to try to run a sub 5min Mile again here soon after no training. I will keep you guys updated on that... Also, some other fun experiences this day were: We had a lunch with a Sister from the ward, she is super welcoming and even has 10 dogs haha. In the middle of lunch two of the dogs started having an all out brawl right behind us so that was quite entertaining to say the least. And lastly, we finished out the day with a tastyyy steak. (Argentina is know for it's meat. There is a meat store on literally every corner around here)

09/13-

We happened to run into more atheists and angry guys than usual this week which was odd. But one guy in particular said that we are all accidents of the universe. The conversation wasn't getting anywhere so we decided to leave while it was still peaceful... As we were walking away I said "God loves you" and he said "You too"... haha got him there. 

09/14-

First service activity of the mission so that was quite fun. There is a school for autism nextdoor to the church and believe it or not, a few guys broke into the small house/school and stole the toilet. So our task was to rebuild and reinforce the fence.

09/17-

Had a awesome day full of finding, as there were many open and receptive people ready to hear the word of the Lord. We even found a lady named Eliza so that was cool, and reminded me of my amazing mom! Love ya mom We also got trashed talked by a typical handful of drunk dudes. There is indeed opposition in all things.

2 Nephi 2:11

11 For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.

09/18

So a little background, there is two huge fútbol teams around here... Boca Juniors and River. They are both from here I'm Argentina and are a huge rivalry. I would say it's about half and half fans around here. But people get quite rowdy to say the least... especially when they play. And as you may know, my last name is Bowcutt, or Boca with a "T" to people around here. So anyways, we were walking down the street, got stopped by some rowdy guys, he asks for my name and he just starts going crazy, screaming "Aguante Boca, Aguante Boca" (Which is just something they say around here. Not exactly sure what it means) He just kept screaming and going crazy. I think he may of liked my last name. Hah. 

09/19

Had the wonderful privelage of getting to walk and work in the middle of a dust/rain storm!! Let's just say It reminded me of the Midland, TX days... We then had a lesson go a little long, so had to run through this dust storm to lunch which was quite the memorable experience! We later made our way back to the pension and found water leaking in, underneath the door!! Luckily we caught it before it got too bad. The houses and apartments here are not built very well to keep out water. (Vid in Google photos)

We finished out the week strong and we're able to teach and find a ton!! However, Saturday night Boca and River were playing (soccer), so everyone was preoccupied. Funny enough, we were in a lesson with our friend Oscar, and let's just say it was quite easy to tell when someone scored as we just randomly heard a roar of people and cheering. I regret to inform everyone, Boca Juniors lost 0-1. 

But overall, these past two weeks were so fulfilling. This work although not easy at times, is something unmatched. I can't describe the joy I feel whenever I see lives changed. For example, our buddy Gonzalo who we baptized a few weeks ago is a perfect example of this. Before talking with missionaries, he told us he wasn't the best person ever. He said he struggled with having a purpose, alcohol, drugs, and things like that. However, within just a month, his life has taken a turn. He is closer to God than ever, comes to church every week, completely sober, and has a plan for his future. He even said he wants to serve a mission!! This is just one example of the impact the Word of Our Savior has on His children. As missionaries, we are not the converting source, we leave that to the Holy Spirit and the Book of Mormon. We are simply instruments in the Lord's hand, called to serve and bless his Chlidren. 

Mosiah 5:13

13 For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?

One quote I loved this week is:

"True success in this life comes in consecrating our lives—that is, our time and choices—to God’s purposes. In so doing, we permit Him to raise us to our highest destiny."

I encourage everyone to listen to this talk by an Apostle of The Lord:

Reflections on a Consecrated Life

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2010/10/reflections-on-a-consecrated-life?lang=eng

Thanks again everyone for the birthday wishes, I am so grateful to have such amazing friends and family. I hope everyone has an amazing week!

Nos Vemos!!

Elder Bowcutt

https://photos.app.goo.gl/STRZyJYpKBeNzSup7