Well to start off, yeah we have a baptism date for the 10th of November. We confirmed that this week. They are getting married on the 29th of this month and we are very excited. Their names are Marilu, Magnu (the parents) and Lucy. Lucy is about 13, I think, and then Ariceli, who is my age, but Ariceli is a member. Also were trying for Ivan and Clarita. Also Carlos and his daughter, but we need them to come to church and Ivan is still looking for his answer. Ivan and Clarita are working toward their marriage. We taught them this last week and Ivan keeps saying he wants to find his answer before baptism so it's been kind of hard with him. I know he felt something different in the lesson though because I could see it in his eyes! After we left, I got the thought that we should fast for him. We just finished today and I know he can get his answer if he just completely leans on the Lord! But he hasn't been coming to church, so that's kind of hard for him.
Juan is doing good. He is always busy and so he's been hard to teach lately and hasn't come to church yet, but he is definitely doing good and a lot better. I can see he has just been happy and he's always so happy to see us when we pass by on the streets! I love that guy!
Also we got a reference from a recent convert. Her name is Nancy. She loved our lesson and seems really excited about the gospel! She really needs it right now because her son moved out and lives with her ex-husband and they are sueing her for some reason. It's really sad but she loved our message!
This week we found a great new family. Familia Quevo (the Quevo family) and they all have such great faith and want the gospel in their lives and are all so nice and friendly. They don't go to a church but the mom, Migalee, used to go when she was a kid all the time. I'm really excited for them! We teach them again tonight. Also she told us that she had seen us before and we were always so friendly and saying hi and stuff.. See, being friendly always pays off!
We had an intercambio (exchange) on Friday. I went with Elder Ramos, the Zone Leader, and his other companion, Elder Rodrigues, while Elder Pacheco, the other Zone Leader, came here (they're in a trio.) Elder Pacheco has his last week this week so we'll be getting new Zone Leaders. The intercambio was good though! I felt super confident in my Spanish and we taught some good lessons.
A woman we taught was in love with me.. haha, it was weird but super funny! I don't know if it was because I was white or what but when we asked who should give the first prayer, without thought, she said, "usted!" and pointed to me. Then during the lesson she was listening, naturally, but then when I would talk she would whip her head around and then completely focus on me with this giant smile and with her hands on her cheeks! Haha it was hard to teach because I was trying to stay serious and not laugh. Then when they asked who should give the last prayer she tried to make me do it again! They tried to get her to do it and she wouldn't, so I kindly asked, and boom, like magic she just suddenly wanted to give it! Haha it was so funny!!
It's funny how much the people love the Gringos here. All the little kids love saying ¨hello¨ to us and always ask how to say dog in English. Also a ton of people just yell "Gringo" as they drive by, it's hillarious!
Me and my companion really figured things out this week. We were having a little bit of hard times.. he didn't really know, I don't think, but I did bring it all up on Sunday. I just said "WE" need to do things and I think he understood well. We've been doing really good and a lot better, He's been helping me and we really had a great week this week!
On Tuesday however, I did get a little frustrated with him. Monday night he fell asleep at 9:30, right after planning and didn't set the alarm for 6:15 a.m. to go on our morning run. When I woke up on Tuesday, I went to go pray.. and somehow during my prayer, I passed out and fell back asleep for an hour.. I felt so horrible! He never got up and so I was really frustrated. But we worked things out and I prayed for repentance a hundred times. Then in the shower, I had a little "pump up" speech. I told myself that there is only one time to do this. There will be other weddings, other babies.. (Amber and Riley that doesn't mean you can have a baby while I'm gone), other houses blah blah.. but only one mission! I need to put all that I have into this mission and work my heart out, not get sad about home or anything like that. The Lord has me where I need to be! Also it was a great shower because right before I showered, I decided to fix the shower.. haha it was broken for about 4 days and we had to shower in freezing cold water each day.. yeah you guys should try that! Turn the faucet all the way on cold and take a shower.. it's great!! It definitely wakes you up! But yeah, after that things got a lot bettter! We have been a lot more unified this week and we both are just on the same great spiritual level and we are noticing a difference!
Yesterday we held a training in ward council but they didn't listen and then during the break, like everyone we have been having problems with, all left. It was really frustrating and I'm kind of upset with their immaturity. This Saturday we are all going to go house to house to them and try to get them to participate more in the work. Some of the members don't really help us that much with our investigators etc.. it's frustrating but hopefully talking to them this Saturday helps.
I'm reading right now in Alma 14-ish in the Book of Mormon, with Amulek and Alma. The Book of Mormon missionaries are the best, aren't they? I sure love the missionaries in the Book of Mormon. They sure had a lot of faith and I just read about them in the prison today. I really love them, they're the best! Also I definitely notice that those miracles are performed through their faith. When we have faith and totally put our full trust in the Lord, He will always strengthen us. I love that so much and I always pray for more faith.
Questions from family:
Liver? - Haha yeah liver.. not my favorite! It's so nasty! Maybe I'll try drowning it out with Aji. That's a hot sauce here that's really good.. but I told Flor I didn't like the liver so hopefully she won't make it again.
What is papia? - Papia is this nasty fruit that Peruvians love for some reason. Flor always makes papia smoothings and they're horrible, but it's just okay enough to bear, even though they're awful.
What do people do for work and entertainment? - So for entertainment.. honestly I don't really know. The kids have these little things called "trumpos", it's like these tops almost, I don't know how to explain. Other than that, they just work or talk or eat. I'm honestly not that positive. Most of the people here work at Campo Sol, which means "the sun field", which is just picking fruit and what not.. that's about what 90 percent of the people do here for work, either that or moto taxis. Also different forms of taxis because people down here in Chao, and most of Peru, don't have cars. They rely on the taxi or bus or moto system.
How big is your apartment? Do most people live in houses or apartments? - Our apartment size is a little big for most houses here, especially in Chao. Most people here have like a little dirt court yard type deal, then there's about 4 rooms with different families in each room, all dirt floors for the most part.
Is there much crime there? Is that why you have such big bars on your front door - Crimes, yes. Lots of robberies etc. but not too much that it's a giant deal. It's just not as safe as the U.S. obviously. but yeah the bars on our apartment are pretty heavy duty!
I love the changes the mission is bringing to me and all the happiness. You really could never know the happiness and the hard times without going on a mission. I sure do love it here. I'm working hard every day to be obedient and faithful in the work. I work as hard as I can every day and just try every day to make sure I don't have bad days! Just keeping myself animated and loving it every day!
Well I have to go, I don't remember what time we started! I love you guys and I'm so glad all is well back in Zion! Take care!! - Elder Rokorokorokovitz
This is where our Branch goes to church. We're looking for a different building, but this is it for now.
This is a hobo that roams the streets of Chao on Sundays during the market. He wears this bear outfit and pounds on his bucket for money. He's one of my favorite people in the world.
