Crazy Experiences

 Dear Family,

We had a better week with finding people this week. But, I have to tell you all about the crazy stories that I heard or experienced this week. It's been a fly-by week. There's been lot's of accion and running around.


So, I'll start with our investigator Daniel. He's been starting to progress a bit more. Anyway, we were discussing his experience with religion in his life. He has investigated many churches. But the most interesting experience he had was when he went to a bandista church or something like that. So, he said that they made them use big yellow cloaks kind of like the KKK but yellow. They also had to wear these masks. But they only used those in secret meeting. Anyway, he knew the church was wrong from the start, but intrigued at how odd they practiced, so he kept going for two months. After that much time of assisting the church, the leaders or priests took him and a few others like him on a trip into the mountains. There, they began to strip themselves and do animal sacrifices of chickens and rabbits. They would smear the blood on their bodies and hair. They invited Daniel to do likewise. He reprehended them in the name of Christ and on the Holy Bible. He said that those animals hadn't ever done anything to him and he wouldn't participate more. Then, the leader said that if he wasn't willing to make the animal sacrifice, then he would have to pay the ultimate sacrifice. . . large brutish men grabbed him and a few others and took them back to the large house and into the basement. There, they were thrown into a concrete-type prison were a few others already were. Sitting in the dark, he could hear women and children screaming. Having recently finished a year of basic training in the army and being young, 19 yrs-old, he found another young man just like him with military experience also. They collected the belts of the people who had cloths on and crafted a ball and chain weapon with metal spikes from the bed frame that was in the room with them. They knocked on the door till the big

brutish man came and leaned in. Then, Daniel swung and hit the man in the head with all his force. The man fell down like a limp noodle! So, he helped get more people out of their prisons and they escaped to the nearest train station. Unfortunately, there were about eight people that he couldn't save that had broken legs. Later, the police, based on his report, inspected and took over the house and arrested many. They then found out that they were breaking the legs and arms of the people so they couldn't resist or run away. So, Daniel is skeptic of any organization now. He still wonders what happened to those he never could help run out that night, but he still has contact with many of the people he saved. Crazy story, huh?! Anyway, Daniel is going to try to get baptized before I leave this area (if I leave).

Next, with Virginia we had some crazy experiences too. On Saturday, Virginia texted me and said that she was in her house and that she wanted us to come over. We left as soon as we could and then found her in the house of one of the neighbors near her old house. Then we went and talked to the people in Virginia's house. They were unbelievably rude and wouldn't leave it. They said that if they leave, Virginia has to pay for her own house! So, then Virginia called her brother to come over with a few buddies and with guns to force them out of the house. The people got scared and said they would be out in a week or have the money to honestly buy it. But, the ladies lied. They went and told the crazy neighbor that wants to kill Virginia and told her where she's been living for the past two to three months. So, last night, as we brought Virginia and the kids back from a ward family night, Mari greeted us frantic and scarred and made us all go back into the back house. There, she explained to us that Ale, the crazy lady, had been walking around in front of the house looking for Virginia with three grown men just an hour before we got back. She was completely drugged and drunk clapping her hands and screaming like a mad lady. So, now Virginia is stuck in a house with her kids and can't leave, but she also can't stay there and put Mari's kids in danger either. So, we're in another pickle. Elder Porter and I are going to fast and pray that the Lord can bring to pass a miracle so that these problems will finally stop in her life. She honestly has had the hardest life of anyone I know since her her birth. I don't know how she keeps going forward.

Well, some non scary, good news this week is that Ramona went to church and we should be baptizing her this coming Saturday. Also, Virginia and her three youngest kids went to the ward family night that was amazing! Everyone went! It was great and Virginia got to meet lots of the members. Hna. Luna and Hna. Campero really stepped it up and want to be her friend. I was really glad! But meanwhile, I battled with the many kids in the ward who love us and then Sheila came and talked to me for a while. She's becoming snakish . . . she was telling me how I'll be such a good father based on how I am with all the kids and she was telling me how she's sad if I'm leaving. The bishop is sad too! He asked the stake president to talk to the mission president to help me get one more transfer here. I love the bishop! He's awesome! Oh yeah, I almost forgot! Can you send a package of just M&M's and Reese's for him? He hasn't had those since his mission about seven years ago! All the members are planning parties and presents for me before I go. I really want to make a big difference in each ward or branch I go to. I don't want to be forgotten. I want to help each of them grow more united and have more desires to share the gospel with their family and friends.

Also, we found three new investigators this week. One of them doesn't understand Castillano very well so I need to learn Guarani ASAP! We found these people through our investigator Jony. He's really a great guy! I want to build a closer friendship with him and get him baptized with his family!

Thank you for all your prayers and support. I really feel the Spirit guiding me because of that. I'm so glad to be a missionary here and changing people's lives. Pray for Virginia's and Mari's families. They need a lot of help from our Heavenly Father right now. We need a miracle to happen! Anyway, I better get off. I just went over my time. I love you all! Can't believe that seven months ago I started my mission. It's so dang fast. . .

Love,

Elder Blake W. Cowan

P.S. I was going to send some pictures today, but the computer won't let me for some reason. Hopefully next week! Chow!!!

Not Much Luck in Finding New People

Dear Family,

Well, I'm emailing a few people back and forth right now as I'm writing this email! I love hearing a little bit of news from people back home like this sometimes. Well, my biggest shock of the week was when I woke up Tuesday morning to my comp saying, Feliz San Valentín! . . . I then realized that I had completely forgotten Trevor's birthday the day before! SOO SORRRRRY! Ja ja! So, there's the shout out of the day. Happy birthday Trev! Good luck in that engineering program!

Anyway, this week flew by again. I can't believe I've been out here for almost 7 months! Elder Porter has been in Argentina for two months now! It's ridiculous how fast this goes by. So, I am having a hard time remembering everything this week.

First, Ramona couldn't go to church yesterday so we have to put off the baptism for another week. The darn rain here prevents EVERYTHING! The mud gets so bad that it's almost impossible to do the work sometimes. I think I might try to buy some big mud boots to put on top of my shoes so I can walk. Well, Ramona is making some really good progress! She was really bummed that she couldn't go to church and keeps wanting to learn more. She's not getting as mad anymore and she's been helping out around the house a lot more. She really wants to get baptized too!

Virginia has been gone the past few days. She's house hopping right now between her brother and her ex. She's now living at the ex's house till Tuesday I think. She's been having a tough time lately. Anyway, without parents, Alan is feeling pretty rebellious too. The whole family is just going crazy! I want them to just get back into the normal life again! Rici is annoying and is trying to make jokes out of everything lately. He always wants to pray and in his prayers he prays for Daddy Yankee, Shakira, and the Watchiturros, music artists. It was really funny the first time, but now he's taken it too far. So the lessons over there are kind of frustrating.

So Mari can't be baptized. Apparently, some lady is doing something to her that is impeding her from being baptized. She can't tell us what or who is doing what, but she reads the Book of Mormon to try and find an answer to her problem alone. It's frustrating because I could so easily show her where to read if she'd just tell us!

Anyway, we dumped Guillermo, Ricardo, Elsa, and Daria this week. They aren't progressing anymore. . . For example, Guillermo just wants everyone to pray for him so he doesn't lose his other leg. But he doesn't want to go to church or do anything to help himself. Ricardo and Elsa were honest with us and told us that they aren't ever going to go to church and never going to get baptized neither. Daria is too old to get to church and still doesn't understand our messages. So, they're all dumped. Along with some others a while back ago.

So time for some funny stories! Bishop always has dreams about the elders before transfer time. The end of this transfer is the 12th of March. He told me that he had a dream about me. He hesitated to tell me what the dream was, but he finally did. He dreamt that I'm not going to marry Carly! Ja ja! I have to ask him what the dream was. That's all he told me! Anyway, we'll see someday, I guess! So another story was at lunch yesterday! We were eating with the members across the street from us. The daughter is 13 and is WAY tall. But, her name is Dulce. She didn't want to eat and her mom kept telling her to. SO, I finally picked up her fork with a bit of rice on it and said, Here comes the train!!! ja ja! So, she laughed and I pushed the fork in her mouth! Then I did it with a horse and a plane too! It was great! She laughed and so did everyone else. Elder Porter was crying from laughing so hard. Then Dulce Facebook stalked me and Carly. Then she showed us her collection of more than 450 Justin Bieber pictures! She went and changed to put on her JB shirt too. . . Holy cow. . . it's such an obsession. She just about killed me when I tried to erase them all!

Well, unfortunately, we didn't find a bunch of people that we wanted to. We found one kid who lives next door to Rici because we went and played soccer with him on Saturday. We'll see if he wants to learn more now! His name is Andres. He's a stud!

Now, I'm out of things to say. I hope this week will be a lot more exciting and that we can find some new people! I love you all and am really grateful for each one of you. Thanks for all your support and love!

Love,
Elder Blake William Cowan

Testimony Strengthened of Priesthood

Dear Family,

This week was unbelievably fast! I was blown away at how it went by! Anyway, I can officially say that I am caught up in my journal again. I had to write for the past three weeks cause I didn't have a journal but now I'm just using a notebook because I can't find any form of journal. But I recorded all the important things!

First off, Stevie is still in his jar on my desk. He might be dead now from lack of food, and water, or lack of social life. . . But every so often he gives a random kick of the leg to show us how he's still there! So . . . Yes I kept him. And I LOVE him! Yeah Stevie!!!! Ja ja! Sorry Sister Passey if you keep having dreams about him. You should see some of the other things I see here. . .

Here's a shout out to Carly again. Mi viejo estará en housten esta semana que viene. Pregentále a mi mama si vos podes ir a visitarle o si mi madre le acompañará o no. Have fun using Google translate . . .

Anyway, Mother, you are insane. Why didn't you just find another jacket to make the vest? I just read that and thought that if I had been there, I would have gone out, bought and made my own vest in a fourth of the time it took you to make that one! Ja ja! Your extreme desire to save money probably cost you more time than worth it. . . And time is money!! Ja ja!

So yes, I received the package. You need to stop stuffing then too much because they're always falling apart by the time they get to me. And I don't really care for the candy. I'd rather take pictures in place of that! But thank you so much anyway! The candy is fun to give to the kids around here. So send the camera whenever you want!

Well, now, to finish the story of Virginia that I started last week. Virginia was really sick and we gave her a blessing right? Well, get this. . . We came back the next day and she was sitting outside like usual. I shook her hand and asked her how she felt. Amazingly, the incredible fever was gone. Her response was . . . well, she got up and started to dance!!! Ja ja! She then told us how half an hour after the blessing, she was almost perfectly back to normal. Later, I read my patriarchal blessing again. It says that I will heal people. It was such a testimony strengthener to me! I can't believe how she has been healed twice now due to priesthood blessings! Well, actually I can believe! Ja ja! It was an amazing story. I can't believe these miracles are happening all around me every day!

Virginia said she's going to learn English in a year and a half so she can tell my mother about all the bad things I've done on my mission. Ja ja! Also, to tell Carly how I've been flirting it up with all these Argentine girls. What a woot she is! She is so much fun now! We are always making jokes and faces at each other! I can't wait till you all get the chance to meet her!

So, Mari told us that she will get baptized before I leave and Ramona her daughter went to church last week! We might be able to baptize them together in two weeks, I think. Mari only wants to learn a little more and wants to talk to us separately from the others about some questions she has.

Well, unfortunately, Virginia is up and down at times. She got a death threat from her crazy neighbor through a chain of people. It's getting ridiculous. Elder Porter and I are going to visit that crazy lady tonight I think. Pray to help her soften her heart so that Virginia and her family can have a home again.

Well, here's another robbery story for you all! Thankfully, this one is better. So, I was talking to a member on the phone as we were walking through a generally safe neighborhood. Then, this motor scooter with two teenagers came by. They slammed the breaks and one came up to me put his hand under his shirt to look like a gun and then asked for the phone. The dumb kid did such a terrible job at trying to rob me that I stopped for a second, looked at him up and down, then said, "No" then I kept on walking. Ja ja! The kid, dumbfounded, returned to the motor and left. Ja ja! What a joke it was! I told the member all about it without having to hang up at all.

Well, that's basically all I have to report on this week. It went way to fast for me to believe! Next week should be a better letter now that I'm using a journal again! Yay! Pray to help us find people to teach. We have zero people with a baptism date right now. That's never happened to me in the mission yet.

Shout out to Abby. Take care of the broken arm/wrist! I'm sorry!

Chow everyone! Love you all.

Con Amor.
Elder Blake W. Cowan

Virginia's Baptism!!!!!

Virginia's Baptism

Dear Family,

Elder Porter & Elder Cowan with Virginia's Family

Seriously, the only thing I can say each week is, WOW! I looooovee being a missionary!!! Can't believe it sometimes because there was a time in my life when I was trying to think of excuses not to go serve. What a mistake that would have been! I have learned so much in so short of a time and the lessons are worth much more than any of the things I could ever learn in school or from other people. I am so thankful every single day for the time I've been given to serve the Lord. I just strive to work with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. I have a responsibility to bring families together forever while I leave mine for just a short time that passes too quickly.

I have to jump right into the story of the week! Honestly, one of the happiest moments in my life! Those moments when you can think about it and it brings tears to your eyes. What they say in the scriptures is true. To bring someone unto the restored gospel brings a sweeter joy than any other thing in this world. That's what happened with Virginia this week. I had the privilege to baptize this wonderful woman!

To back up a bit, first, you need to understand that Virginia has always appeared strangely familiar from the moment I met her. I honestly believe that one reason I was sent to this mission was to baptize her, to bring her the truth and fullness of the gospel. She and I have had a bond since that first lesson back in October. I can't believe the story that has happened between us all! I came here to help my friend, from before, come back to Christ and Heavenly Father again.

Thursday night, Virginia got to meet President Stapley as he did her interview. He described her as one of the most prepared people spiritually for their baptism that he has ever met. It's amazing that out of the hundred plus this mission baptizes every month, that we can have the blessing of knowing Virginia.

Saturday, February 4th, 2012, Virginia's most anticipated day in her whole life! She described her baptism date as being more exciting than any wedding or event! The only thing that compared is having her children born. Anyway, we arrived at the chapel, began to prepare all the things that needed to be done like turn off the font, set up the chairs, prepare the refreshments, and talk to the bishop and Virginia. We changed and went outside to take pictures for a bit. After chasing a few kids around, we finally got the pictures taken and, as Virginia promised, she smiled for me in her picture! After all that was done, we when back in to start the service.

The service started with a hymn, prayer, you know the usual. After a few quick announcements and greetings, it was time for the first talk about baptism by Hna. Ester Gimenez. Just as she began to speak about the covenant of baptism, I looked at Virginia and saw her face begin to twist as tears began to stream down her face. I don't remember a single thing from that talk. All I can remember is the amazing spirit that I felt and that Virginia was experiencing so strongly. It was a special moment that I'll always treasure!

As we went back for the baptism, Virginia and I waited as the branch had the little girl's baptism first. Then, it was time. I stepped into the water and brought Virginia down with me. With a simple smile and quick eye contact, I turned and began the ordinance. Virginia was baptized without problems! But as she left the water, as she has described, a fire began to burn in her feet. Slowly, throughout the rest of the service, the fire inside grew until she was burning with a fever that you could feel in her hands too. After the service ended, she left and went home.

The next morning, at eight thirty, Elder Porter and I sat next to Virginia's bed and talked with her. We planned to come back and give her a blessing after church with the bishop. Then we took Alan and RIci to church. I was worried all day and finally we went back at night without the bishop and gave her a blessing. It was one of the most spiritual places I have ever been. She has unbelievable faith and knows that this trail is because Satan doesn't want her to be happy. Her sister in law, Mari, believes that the waters of baptism are healing her body and now she is sweating out all the remains of her cancer that she has had.

This morning, we got a text message from Mari saying that Virginia's fever has gone away, and she is feeling better already. It's amazing to see a priesthood blessing react immediately like that one did. I'm so grateful for the Restoration and that the power and authority of God was restored again on the earth. I know that with this power, it is possible to bring to pass the ordinances necessary for the eternal life and salvation of man. And I am grateful to bring this truth to this family. Now that Virginia's immediate family are all members now, it's amazing to see the blessings of our Father in Heaven and how He will work mighty miracles to help bring His beloved children home.

Wow. Again. I am left speechless at times. I never could have imagined the miracles that take place here before the mission. Anyway, that's basically the story I have for the week. We found some new people to teach this week and we visited lots of members to help their understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many non actives have desires to follow Christ again in their lives. We are finding a lot of less actives to help and to strengthen this ward. I'm sad to know that there may only be one more month for me here. I don't want to leave here. I love the members and the people that I have met.

Well, to take care of some of mom's questions, yes, it is a scary place here. The mission president advises us to not go into the slums, or villas, after dark or at all if possible. We are always out in the villas though! Ja ja! Nothing happens though. We are protected servants of the Lord. We walk with confidence and with our testimonies shining in our faces. Whenever someone asks what we're doing, I respond by saying the the God of Israel sent us to bring a message of truth and happiness to his lost sheep. Many times they look back in silence like I'm nuts or have lost my mind, but it's definitely fun to bear testimony in everything that I say and do!

No, I have not received the package yet because mail week has not come yet. The office holds everything until every third of fourth week. I think it might be this Wednesday when we get mail again. I'm never sure. I don't measure time. But I am sure it is here, though, just at the offices.

Well, it is time to go. I love each and every one of my friends. I love my family. I love my Father in Heaven who is always mindful of His imperfect son. I love the gospel. It truly brings more peace and happiness than anything. I can't wait to go work or to get up every day. I am more excited and happy than ever before in my life! I wish I could strap a camera to my shoulder and show everyone what I get to experience every single day here. I love Argentina! I love the people. Missions are just so full of love. I know that I am changing a lot. It's because I am handing my heart over to the Lord to form me into the man and servant that He wants me to be. Thanks for all the support I receive from back home. Love you all!

Love,

Elder Blake W. Cowan