(Cory's email came in late Sunday afternoon/early evening, right as we were getting dinner ready because he and a few others had to fly to Lima Monday for some paper work. None of us had sent our email to him since we usually do it after dinner on Sundays, so that is why he starts his email off saying his family must not love him since he had no emails to read. We were able to still catch him online and converse back and forth for a few minutes, which was nice.)
Later on that night we taught Ivan and Clarita with one of the Branch presidency members, Christian. His wife runs the jugaria (jugaria is a word for "play" but the picture looks like a little store) that Flor owns in the middle of Chao, but the lesson was awesome! We read Alma 34:32 with Ivan, and Christian shared an awesome testimony. Also we figured out why he wasn't getting his answer about being baptized. It's because he's been saying repititious prayers. So we explained to him that we have to pray and really express our heart and ask for the things we need and his answer etc. It was awesome and the spirit was super strong that night! He came to church this week and that just made us super ecstatic! I need to get a picture with him and Clarita so you guys can see them.
With Christian, a Branch presidency member, and his family.
The next day we went to do service in the morning in the Valle de Dios (that place where I took the picture over the valley and all the houses a few weeks ago.) Service here is just picking up trash on the street haha, so we did that... and I realized that I need to buy sunscreen haha. We. Got. Fried! It was bad.
We went to go see Geheydi in the night and she was on the street, just like super sad. She was sad because her family was fighting and stuff. She is married and owns a business and everything but her family lives in the valle and they aren't getting along and are having some problems. That night I just totally bore my testimony (in complete awesome Spanish) and I could tell it helped a ton. I just explained that the gospel could really help them at a time like this and that she needs to be saying her prayers and reading because she hasn't, because of all this. Her family aren't members and she wanted to use them for a reference, but she was sad because she doesn't think they want it right now. That's why it was so good to help explain that this is the perfect time for the gospel. And she really loved it! We saw her again two nights ago and she was just her happy self. She's the best! And it was so awesome, she just looked me in the eyes and really thanked me sincerely. It just melted my heart. It made me so happy to see her happy because that's why I'm here! I'm here to help people in their lives and help them be happy, and just seeing her happy made me the happiest person in the world! We were just on a spiritual high after that one!
The next day we spoke with "B" just about normal stuff in his life, just trying to gain his and his wife's trust and I think that it really helped a ton. Later on we also did a little service, helping move their business (just moving sticks and putting up wire.) It was just good to gain their trust. Later during consejo (council) they were good and happy and they didn't cause any contention. It was aweosme! I'm really glad things are going better with them as well. It really helps not only us, but the branch as well.
Later that day we taught our next door neighbor who sells us our candy. Her name is Rosa. She's a member, and we just vistited her to see how she was doing.. I was dying the whole lesson. For some reason I was just super tired and Elder Harper and her were conversing and I didn't understand much so I was fighting to stay awake! But after we left I woke back up from the hot sun.
Our next lesson we taught, we taught this lady and her husband who were evangelical. We walked up and she must have noticed us or something because she was reading her Bible and was like, "Look! I'm reading my Bible! Come in, I love the word of God!" haha she was super funny and nice. They were super open to our lesson, they just listened and liked it. They would share some things... we would share some things and everyone just listened and we felt the spirit! There was one point where she claimed that she saw God in her church one day. She told us that after we taught her about Joseph Smith. While Elder Haper was giving his testimony, he would just kind of listen.. and then keep giving his testimony from where he left off haha, it was pretty funny! But really, the lesson was awesome and we all felt the spirit. It was nice.
On Thursday Elder Ortiz completed one year so we all pitched in on a Peru soccer ball and wrote on it. Also we smashed eggs on his head because that's what people do here for birthdays and other celebrations haha, but yeah, that was fun because I had to hold Elder Ortiz and take blows while they smashed eggs on his head!
Celebrating Elder Ortiz's one year mark in the mission.
The next night we went to a little Halloween party put on by Benjamin and Gailee in the church. It went really well and we got to eat some candy and judge the costumes of the little kids. It was pretty fun.
Elder Stroud dressed up as Elder Rokovitz and I dressed up as Elder Stroud haha.
The Branch Halloween party
We didn't get to preach much that day because Elder Harper had to interview Chao 2´s baptism and then we had to clean the church and then only had like one hour to proselyte then had to come back to make sure all was ready for the party, then stayed for a bit, and by that time it was time for dinner, so we didn't get much done.
The next day (Saturday) we started off in the morning looking for a place to do the baptism that was close, maybe a river or something, but they were all too shallow... Soooo we got to go do it at the beach! We aren't allowed to baptize, as missionaries, in the ocean so Elder Ortiz was kind of bummed out at first, but they got permission to be the testigos (witnesses.) It was fun. We got to go see the baptism and it really made me excited to work harder for my own baptisms because that looked so awesome and to see the kid (Julio, who is 19) so happy, it made me just so stoked to get my first baptism.
So, Elder Stroud and Elder Ortiz were the testigos (witnesses) and went out to do their thing.. apparently the tide had gone out more and so they walked out further (in their suits) then right as Julio was getting baptized by Carlitos, the waves picked up.. haha soo yeah.. just look at the pictures! It was hilarious! But really, the baptism was awesome and I'm so excited to get one of my own and see how happy the people are.
Elder Stroud and Elder Ortiz witness the baptism of Julio.....
....... Then the tide came back in and the waves were a bit too high.
Oh, which reminds me, Marilu and Magnu set a date for their marriage on the 30th of this month and a baptism date for the 3rd of December.. but the great part is, they TOLD us that. They set those dates and they said, "oh yeah, that's when we want to do it!" They're so awesome! I love them!
We went and talked to Brando ( a less active of 17 years old, his dad is Cesar Castillo, our rescued soul.) We talked about him going on a mission and he is getting better. He came to church yesterday with his dad and his sister. Their whole family is just doing so well spiritually and we are so happy for them! They're doing awesome and stopped selling on Sunday and just doing great spiritually and we can really see the change in their life. I love it.
After having such a great week filled with the spirit and everything, we just went and had a bunch of good lessons. We were fasting, I was speaking good Spanish, the people are happy, all just went super well this week and especially this weekend!
I'm here in Trujillo right now about to go to Lima tomorrow for some legal stuff which is cool. So yeah, we eat good tomorrow and I'm not holding back on the McDonald's because I don't know when I'm going to see it again. Or the donuts.. yup. So I'll let you guys know how that goes! But just know that all is well here in Peru and I'm doing great! Loving the work and loving the people.
Also, before I go, I just want to share something with you guys. In my studies I was reading in Alma 36 and I just loved that chapter! It's Alma talking to his boys and telling them about his life and repentance experience. I just love it so much and it really goes to show how amazing the atonement is. I love how he expresses that the joy he felt after he repented was so much greater than the pain he had felt, and that's just the love of Jesus Christ, our Savior. It's just so awesome to have that and to be in this work. I also love in versiculos (verses) 24 and 25 when he is expressing the joy that is in his life when he brings joy through missionary work, That's just what I have felt this week, when I see these people happy, I just get so happy and there really is no greater thing in the world to see these people happy. I know that's why I'm here and I know that through the Savior, all things are possible. We can always turn to the Lord for help. The joy will be so amazing in heaven when I get to rejoice with the people whose lives I have helped bring to the gospel through the Savior. I want everyone to know that I know this church is true and I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. I also bear testimony of the strength and joy that missionary work brings and has brought to my life. I love you all and I hope all is well back in the states. I love you all, take care! Oh and I forgot to say happy Halloween.. so happy Halloween.. a week late.
Elder Rokovitz
Gian Franco trying to drive his mototaxi across the river to get to the baptism..... He eventually got across.
Mmmmmm, yummy little crab
Elder Stroud, me, Elder Harper and Elder Ortiz
At the beach on p-day with part of our Zone
P-day, beach day.
Wrestling grip
Kevin, our pet chicken, doesn't like to be buried in the sand.
Me and Kevin, our pet chicken.
Kevin doesn't like the big waves either.
Sweet little Kevin.
On the pier with Kevin.
Our Zone (including Kevin)
This is what the mototaxis look like that I've been telling you about. Most people drive these. They don't have cars.
My Halloween package from the My Missionary Packages Peru site. Thanks Mom and Dad.
