Coquimbo Letter #3

Date: November 29, 2010
Area: Coquimbo, Chile
Companion: Elder Haney
 

Hola!

This week has definitely had its ups and downs. Sounds like the missionaries of the family all got sick! After Monday, I was able to work, but there were days that I would have a sharp pain throughout the day and not be able to concentrate fully. Also, my companion had stomach pains off and on throughout the week. I think I´m just getting used to the missionary life in Chile.

This week I went on interchanges with the Zone Leader, Elder Heap, in his area. We didn´t knock one door because he had appointments for the whole day, because they had a good ¨pool¨ of progressing investigators. We also brought a member to every lesson. I learned the importance of bringing members to lessons. I think some investigators think that the missionaries are the only members of the church, but bringing them to lessons breaks the ice for them when they come to church and they are able to realize that the members are normal people. The members are also able to give a strong testimony and help the investigator understand it from a non-missionary point of view. So those of you who are members, help out with the missionary work in your ward

We are still building the ¨pool¨ of progressing investigators. It´s hard with opening up a new area, we spend a lot of time finding, then teaching, then trying to figure out how to get them to progress. We didn´t have any attend church this week, but we found 11 new investigators. Opening up a new area as my first area is tough! We found a family while knocking the house next door. A 19 year old, gangster looking guy was walking over and Elder Haney says Do you live here? He replied that he does, so my companion asks Want to hear a message about Jesus Christ?, not really expecting that he did. But he said Yeah, come on in! So we taught him the first lesson, and about halfway through, his mom and brother walk in a join in. The mom said at the end that she wanted her family to be able to be together and have more unity here on earth. I know that through this Gospel it is possible to have an eternal and unified family. It´s awesome sharing that with others!

Not too many awesome stories this week, but I have a feeling that next week there will be! Thank you all for the support that I feel every day. I push through the hard and rough days because I know that the next day will be a new day. The mission is the hardest thing I have ever done, but I´m slowly and at the same time quickly learning that it is also the best thing I have ever done.

I miss every single one of you and love you too! I hope all is well and life is good!

Con Amor!
-Elder Whittle

P.S. Don´t foget to email!