Catching Up with Pictures

Today, I thought I'd upload a lot of the pictures I've been meaning to send for the last few months, but never got around to. Here's me in the CCM, with the district that's two weeks "younger" than me.  I led them out of the walls for their first P-Day. We became good friends, and it turned out they all liked the show Community back home, which was one of my favorites. You can see in Elder Hoffman's hand that "nectar of Peru", Inca Cola. Man, I'm going to miss it when I return.

I had a wonderful relationship with the Latinos for my last two weeks of the CCM. Every time they saw me, they'd raise up on their toes and mimick my goofy walk, calling delightedly, "Pinguino!!!", meaning penguin. This was only one of their many nicknames for me- they also called me Happy Feet and Siempre Feliz, turning their mouths into an overblown smile. This one used to come in to our dorm and sit on the foot of my bed and sing English rock and pop songs with me- he'd memorized all the words, not knowing the meaning of any of it, haha. He gave me as a gift at the end the video of the Restoration, which has proved super useful.

Ah, reminiscing. Fast forward to last week. Here I am in the first baptism I got to perform! Her name's Melody, and she's actually the daughter of a sister in the ward. Usually, missionaries don't perform these, but her dad's not a member and is usually drunk, so she asked me. She's an absolute nut, and usually after visiting her, she's latched to our feet. A little while later, we realize we've been pick-pocketed and our pen or agenda is missing. Though in this picture, she's a little tame, haha. She was a little nervous for the service, and afterward at the party she was quiet.

Here's last P-Day. This is why I didn't have a blog post last week. We went to the Corona del Inca, or the Crown of the Inca. It was straight up Weathertop from Lord of the Rings. We hiked up to the top, preaching to some sheep along the way. At the top, one of the elders bellowed out the scripture we all had to memorize for our last multi-zone conference down to the village below. We all followed it up with a thunderous, AMEN!!!!!

 That's all for this week, but I'll have more stories to come! We have some awesome investigators I want to talk about in the following email!

A Successful Week

This week was successful: we challenged five people to be baptized, and three accepted! One of whom was particularly important.  Because of her lack of progression and hectic schedule, we'd dropped her for about two weeks. When we returned, her aged sick mother began howling in the back room, "Why did you leave us?!  Why, why?  We've been so alone! Why were we forsaken!?"  Of course we felt terrible, and assured her we'd stopped by a few times but they weren't there.  While this was true, we certainly could have tried harder.  I've felt a particular duty to this woman for perhaps a bit of a silly reason. A month ago, we baptized a woman who had "Andrew" scrawled on her front door.  This woman has a scribble of "Burt" on hers, though you have to be creative to see the "t". We were working with them at the same time, but only one progressed. I'd feel my time in Paucarbamba was sealed if we could baptize this woman as well. 

We also had a dream come true yesterday- yes, a woman really did walk up to us in the street and, after we offered some service and talked a bit, said that she's been hoping to be baptized in the church. She received a testimony earlier and when she saw us thought to herself, "Í'm not alone!"  I can testify of the relationship between events like these and earnest, continual, even desperate prayer. When we give powerful prayer and then go to work, miracles happen. That's the formula. It was a strong week.

Also, this world is tiny. Not only does one elder in my district know a friend of mine- Riley Norton- from school, but I also talked to an elder during our multi-zone conference yesterday that knows someone from Kirkland. He explained he was from Argentina and that a missionary named Rachel Thompson had served and had been his best friend when all his friends had turned against him for his beliefs. He said it greatly influenced him to serve a mission. So, shout out to the Thompson family and Sister Thompson- it's crazy to see how far the effect of missionary work goes throughout the world! 

As missionaries, we see many powerful changes and miracles. You members of the church have the same privilege and duty. Please assist the missionaries in whatever way possible. Think of one reference you can give them, if possible. Go out working with them for one hour in the week. President Monson said, "There is no substitute for a member-oriented proselyting program. Tracting will not substitute for it. Golden questions will not substitute for it. A member-oriented program is the key to success, and it works wherever we try it."

As you continue to serve, blessings concerning all aspects of your life are promised. But work is necessary. Mormon and Moroni lived in perhaps one of the most wicked societies of history, yet they continued in the missionary work. Mormon said to his son, "We have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God." I would waste and wear out this tabernacle of clay for the far more powerful and eternal tabernacle, even in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness, as Doctrine and Covenants 123:13 so eloquently tells us. Even so, let's remember that we're not expected to be miserable in the work, awaiting the promised blessings. For a hundred years, we have a glorious story book contention against ignorance and evil. Enjoy it. Today may be the day, but this life is the life. 

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Life in Paucarbamba

Paucarbamba rolls on in a little corner of Huanuco in the Peruvian mountains with its own set of characters and stories...

There's the Ward Council, including the Relief Society President. We often run into her during the day, walking to or from a visit of some member of the church in need. She conducts all sorts of activities and has a quiet sense of order. Missionaries want every member to be like her-- if so, our work would be much easier and effective. 

There's the Bishop, a short man named John Bravo who rides a motorcycle. He conducts meetings neatly and strictly, keeping things as tidy as possible in a culture where starting times of meetings are relative. His son, Hyrum, attends the Council, too.  Streetwise and round-faced, the ten-year-old seems to know as much about the ward as his father, helping count the church attendance each week and offering suggestions of people who can help as we discuss activities in the council. While he seems to always be wearing a suit, his brother's generally in a baggy sweatshirt with a soccer ball. He always has a new secret handshake to show us. 

There's our Ward Mission Leader, Junior, a recently returned missionary who plays the advocate for us missionaries and often accompanies us during the week. Many others listen and offer suggestions on how to fortify the ward and individuals. 

Then there's the people we visit: V, a recent 14-year-old convert who, like everyone here, is an avid dancer, but he does it on a higher level. He speaks with a low voice except when he laughs, when it's a single high-pitched "Tee Hee!" It cracks me up. 

We visit J, another young recent convert, and his insane verbal whirlwind of grandparents. To be honest, his grandfather F used to irritate me immensely, talking straight through us in a voice like a crab, sideways and scuttling. For the life of me, I still can't understand him, though the language is no longer a big problem. Then one day as we were talking with J, he burst into the room in a bright vest and a radio in hand, beaming proudly as a soccer score was proclaimed. Looking like he'd won the game himself, talking to no one in particular, he jubilantly explained what happened. Then I thought about how he always lays on his bed playing the harmonica wildly when we visit, how he unfailingly but a little resignedly lets us in each time, and how he was the one to forgive his wife and brother-in-law when one lesson became an insane triangular accusatory game of digging up the past that no one could penetrate. I decided I was a fan of the comical "abuelito". 

Sometimes we come across interesting characters in contacts. We met a pitiless pastor the other day who coldly, condescendingly talked through us from scripture to scripture in a voice like a knife. I wondered whether he'd erased the gospel from his mind to make room for scriptures.  This leader of the vastly popular and raucous MMM Paucarbamba church cut a stark contrast to the person in our next meeting- a man named Roberto. 

Roberto lost one child to murder, another very recently to an illness without doctoral diagnosis, and two in infancy. The faithful man turned to God in each tragedy, wanting to know what mistakes he had made and how he could change them. He humbly listened as we taught God's Plan of Salvation, explaining that trials didn't always come from our sins and that he could see his children again. He defended us when his son noted cynically that we were very young. Both accepted to read part of the Book of Mormon and pray about it. In his concluding prayer, he blessed us adamantly. The Pastor's piety won't compare to this father's faith in the end. 

Let's examine our religious tendencies and determine whether we use them to build ourselves up and note our righteousness, or to turn to Christ in complete recognition of how crippled we are. Christ said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the kingdom of God." These are truths that I have come to know better here in Paucarbamba, amidst a good people. 

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Lu Cruz Hike / Reflections

This last week began with a hike to La Cruz last P-Day. On a towering hill in our area is a cross large enough to be visible from the city. We scrambled up a steep incline following more of a sheep's trail than an actual path. I'll include pictures. 

This week we also had transfers, when each missionary has the possibility of leaving for another area. My companionship did not change, but my companion's now district leader! I continue my training period for 12 weeks, so he`s taking double duty as trainer and District Leader.  What a stud! Also, Elder Desposorio, my good friend from the CCM, is now in my zone! I was so, so stoked when he came. He's an awesome guy. 

On another note, I found enjoyment this week in finding words I liked in the dictionary and using them casually in conversation. "Wow, the lamps finally alumbra (illuminate) the streets." "Gee, anhelo (I crave) dinner right now." I`m still trying to use arbitrista, or "wild-eyed dreamer". 

More entertainment came on Saturday, when a recent young convert had to dress up for a fiesta. His whole family, including his older cousins, gleefully helped make a convincing Elvis Presley outfit out of gunny sacks, bottle caps, plastic bags, bike chains, and shoe shine for side burns. 14-year-old Vladimir grumbled into the outfit and I helped him pronounce the name. With a styrofoam guitar, we completed his image. Later that day, I also found entertainment in one of the common street dances. The usual happy pipes whistling from a stereo were instead replaced with a horror requiem soundtrack. The choreographed zombie attack was more convincing in the dusty streets of a little town. That night I also taught the ward Capture the Flag, which ended up being a ton of fun in the cement soccer field near the church in the dark. I`d also like to give a spiritual thought for this week.

There are two words for "to know" in Spanish: "saber" and "conocer". The first means to know something factually, and the second is to have a personal understanding of something. For instance, we use conocer with places and people. I believe we come to know God in a saber way through the scriptures and a conocer way through prayer and revelation. Through this second method, I found another way to come to know God. I wanted very much to know more of the character of our Father, and in the following day after a heartfelt prayer, I was reading on the doctrine of him being our Creator. Upon realizing more fully that he formed our personalities, I realized that as we look for the good in other people, we see the resemblance of God in their strengths. So as we grow to love those around us, we find how strong, supportive, sincere, joyful, good humored, and patient God is. Inversely, the more we focus on the negative aspects of our friends and acquaintances, we are only becoming more familiar with the Devil`s characteristics and mannerisms, along with the natural man. I found a new appreciation for Victor Hugo`s words in Les Miserables, "To love another person is to see the face of God." Like the commandment to love thy neighbor as thyself, this principle has two sides. As we come to recognize our own strengths and abilities, we gain a new appreciation for our Father in Heaven. Let's strive, then, to focus on the good in people for our sakes as well as theirs. As we view people with optimism, we recognize the heaven that`s already on Earth. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Time Flies

This week passed by extremely rapidly (as missionaries always say).  Here are the highlights:

• We had a girl say she received an answer about the Book of Mormon. 
• We had an investigator come to church. 
• We had several less actives progress. 
• And we also had divisions (missionary splits)...

Now, I'm sure my companion has gotten tired of me saying, "my brother says," or "but my brother said this was important..." over the last several weeks, but I took to heart my brother's advice that miracles happen on divisions. So I planned methodically for our investigators, working hard to recognize what we should teach them when the District Leader came over to my area for a day. Our lessons went as planned, a less active ended up coming to church after avoiding it for a long time, and we also found a completely golden investigator family. It was wonderful. They blessed our names, had us dedicate their house to the Lord, accepted our challenges, and told us to please come back whenever possible. My brother was right!

I can't write much more, but know that God loves us and the church is true. AMEN!!!

Our First Baptism

Days slip by fast. This week was of particular note because I participated in my first baptism on the mission. I've looked forward to an experience such as this for a long time, thinking on the dramatic implications of someone choosing to come unto Christ, and therefore receive -- upon enduring to the end -- the greatest blessings God has to offer. Then being able to assist in such a cause is an indescribable privilege. 

For Elder Chujo and I, participation meant hard work all day to prepare for the service. We filled the font after a good deal of Peruvian problems and inconveniences. We went on a several-hour-long quest for baptismal clothing, including a great number of phone calls and call-backs and let-downs. Luckily, Peruvian Standard Time means if a Baptismal Service starts at 5:00, people will cheerfully amble in around 5:30 and the Bishop will arrive around 6. While the baptismal clothing was a little late, it was still received an hour before the service. 

An old man we recently found investigating the church attended, much to our joy. He's an adamant advocate of the United States, and reads each night of the grand men of the U.S. in the little English he can understand. He proudly told us the day before that he would be punctual like those in the States, but ashamedly arrived around 5:10, explaining he had to shave. He was still the first guest to arrive by a long shot. As we waited for the service to begin, I spoke to him about baptism and what it entailed. At times, we spoke in English slowly- a magnificent opportunity to bear my testimony without worrying about the grammatical structure. 

Eventually, of course, the service began, and in dear Peruvian form, I was casually shown that I needed to give the first talk in a couple minutes. I shared scriptures about the duty and blessings of Baptism. The program came to the ordinance, and Hermana Luz Polido was baptized. Friends and family bore powerful testimonies, and afterward we had treats, the old investigator talking animatedly with members.  Luz Polido was beaming, and I felt that this sort of community joy was the meaning of the gospel. 

We provided our investigator with a Bible, and I'd describe the reaction very similar to when Harry Potter gave Dobby a sock. He embraced me, kissed me on the cheek, and promised he wanted very much to know the word of Christ and would read it every night. 

The baptismal service, of course, was the highlight of my week and affirmed my testimony of the gospel of Christ. 

Until next week, don't be a stranger; write if you need anything; and keep in mind that Today's the Day!

General Conference

Another week in the mission has passed, this one including a change in houses. Yes, we moved on Thursday into a brand new room in the same general building as our pension.  Now we don't have to walk to every meal! I wish I could explain houses here, they're so different. Suffice to say, I'm happy with our new home- it seems brighter and more cheerful. It's also slightly more comfortable as Elder Chujo and I arranged the furniture. It feels more my own. 

As interesting as moving is, General Conference took center stage this week. The fraternal feelings of bonding with the North American missionaries to make the scratchy connection with cable in a back room of the Stake Center were strong. When we finally made the connection just in time for the first speaker, we couldn't help but shout loudly and clap each other on the back. The Latinos in the chapel listening to the translation were doubtlessly disturbed. For those unaware of Conference, it's a semi-annual meeting of the Church's authorities at which they give talks to the 15 million members of the church in the world. Twelve apostles, the prophet, and other leaders address us, and this time was particularly special in that three new apostles were called, by revelation of the prophet, to fill the gap of three recently deceased apostles. Elder Rasband seems straightforward and reliable, Elder Stevenson sincere and humble. 

Elder Renlund's talk particularly stood out to me, in that we need to view others as a parent would see them. More specifically, their Father in Heaven. Upon searching the annals of our church magazines, I found two relatively recent talks- one in 2009, and one in the last conference. Latter Day Saints Keep on Trying was, I remember, a notable talk last conference and I'm sure he'll give more powerful sermons in the following years. 

I found a poignant theme in seeking the Holy Ghost in our lives throughout the conference. I liked Elder Lawrence's advice to turn to the Spirit for specific counsel. I would also encourage everyone to take to heart the challenge of Elder Durrant to "ponderize" a scripture each week. If you do, shoot me an email simply with the scripture. I can't respond extensively, but I'll give my pondered, memorized scripture for the week as well. Finally, I give my testimony of these men, that they´re called of God. As Elder Bednar said concerning the apostles:  Sure they're all old, that just means they have a lifetime of experience and service to God. 

The only downside is that when it comes time, we face with them the affects of mortality.  As were many of you, I was heartbroken to see President Monson struggle at the conclusion of his talk, only having prayers to sustain him and keep him upright. Having viewed him as an example all my life, enjoyed his biography, and studied his extensive history of sermons the last fifty years, I know the pillar of strength, enthusiasm, and service he is. He'll continue to demonstrate this, being the person he is, but keep him in your prayers. In the last short while, he's lost his wife and three close friends while in the meantime lifting the church, relying assuredly only on the Lord to lift his own burdens. 

That's all for this week, my friends. Until next time!