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The living conditions for missionaries in Argentina are very good. The church rents homes and apartments for the missionaries to live in. Very seldom do they live with members, although there is often a member that lives nearby. Most of the construction in Argentina have walls built with hollow red brick and concrete support beams. Some of the poorer neighborhoods are built with plywood and metal sheeting (chapa) for the roof, but missionaries seldom live in these homes. Most of the missionary apartments will have tile floors and the walls are usually made of bricks, with a concrete or smooth stucco overcoat. You won't find plaster and drywall. You probably will never see carpet, but if you do, you won't have a vacuum, so get used to sweeping the carpet clean. Most houses do not have central heating, so it does get a bit chilly in the wintertime. Some apartments are equipped with gas furnaces, but for safety the missionaries are instructed not to use these, as a precaution against improper ventilation. Small electric oil furnaces are furnished for the missionaries, and there are plenty of blankets. In the summer time you will have your windows open, and an oscilating fan. Some apartments and the churches have ceiling fans (Argentine air conditioning). Count yourself very lucky if you pass the summer with a ceiling fan. Warm showers and flush toilets are generally available.
Because of the moist air in Buenos Aires, missionaries wear flip-flops around their apartments, and in the shower. Never go barefoot. In most apartments there is a bidet. Very seldom did we purchase toilet paper, although it is available in the local supermarket and kiosko. The missionaries are responsible for doing their own cooking and cleaning. They usually eat the mid-day meal with members in the area. Most areas have a local laundromat for washing clothes on P-Day. Because missionaries are gone most of the day, and the apartment is closed, their apartments can get damp in the winter time. It is a good idea to watch the walls for mildew. If you see any signs of mildew or fungal growth on the walls, get a bucket and scrub brush and scrub the walls with bleach water.
Although the living conditions may vary with the people that you visit, you can rest assured that the missionaries are well taken care of.
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