First Day

We didn't get an immediate report that Andrew had arrived safely. Apparently the high temperatures and heavy rainstorms have taken out part of the power grid, and the Mission home was without power for four days. We were very happy to receive Andrew's first email from Argentina on Thursday, followed the next day by a message from his Mission President.

It sounds like Andrew saw a few areas of the Mission as he traveled with the Mission President on his interviews. Sister Carter (the Mission President's wife) reports:
He went with us on personal interviews and went out with one of the zone leaders for three hours. They were in a torrential downpour and he came back drenched, muddy and seemed to be incredibly happy, but tired after a long flight, of course. He has a wonderful companion and I am sure that he will have a very positive experience with him.

Andrew says:
So, I´m in Argentina now! The flight was great. I slept fine. I met the mission president and his wife and we went to lunch. ... After lunch we went to an area called Catán (it´s been settled) where Pres. Carter was interviewing missionaries. While he was interviewing missionaries, one of the zone leaders found me and said, Okay, Elder Stockton, time to get to work. We went tracting in Catán, in pouring, pouring rain. I got super muddy. I slept that night (after eating some weird, weird pizza!) in the President´s Assistants´ apartment, which was fine.

He has been assigned to 'el campo,' which I understand to be a more rural area. The people in this area definitely aren't rich. He says it is beautiful there -- the trees and flowers are incredible. It hasn't been unbearably hot, and supposedly it doesn't rain too much, despite his first experiences.

The view from Andrew's window!

We think this is his first companion, but he didn't say specifically. He says they're going to work hard and do well.

The food ... well, it's best told in his own words.
Meals are different here. My first lunch was a large meal, a milaneza sammich. Pretty good! Almost more than I could eat. However... they don´t really eat dinner. (Last night we had... 1 egg each for dinner. Ack!) Or, really, breakfast. Breakfast is kind of a donut thing, it seems. I´m still trying to get the hang of things. So, big big lunch, then little tiny meals to tide you over until the next big big lunch.

And another adjustment, no toilet paper here ... just a bidet! Hmmm ...

Of course, as might be expected, he feels a bit homesick, despite the beauty of his surroundings and the excitement of the work he is involved in. He compares it to what anyone experiences as they leave home and loved ones, comfort zones and comforts. But he concludes with these words:
I´m so greatful for your prayers, and I pray for you too. I´m very happy to be here, happy to serve a mission, happy to have a good companion, and happy to hear from my wonderful, wonderful family. I love you all so much. Please take care.

If you're interested ...
Andrew's picture and a brief story about him (the waiter...meaning he was waiting for his visa) appear in Sister Carter's mission blog, January 10th entry. Visit it at buenosaireswest.blogspot.com