Coquimbo Letter #5

Date: December 13, 2010
Area: Coquimbo, Chile
Companion: Elder Haney
 

Coquimbo #5
December 13, 2010

¡Hola!

We had a good week this week!

On Tuesday morning we went to a Daycare to finish painting the fences for the service that we had done for the past two weeks. But when we got there, it was locked and no one was there! Turns out that the workers there went on strike because they were getting paid enough. False hope!

We are still searching for a new pension, but its super hard to find one to rent yearly because its the beginning of summer here, so all the apartments are doing by day so they can get more money. Looks like I’ll finish out the change in the same pension with 6 Elders total. It is fun at times!

On Wednesday, at lunch, the kids were playing Wii Resort. Friends and Family, you remember playing that all the time? It reminded me of that and made me Trunkie! We also met a less-active, who was in the Chilean Air Force! So we talked about planes and the Air force, it was nice to find someone with the same interests. He also made us Completos, hot dogs with avocado, mayo, tomato, mustard. Yum!

On Thursday, I went on interchanges with on of the Zone leaders, Elder Sebreros, who is in his last change. It was an awesome experience, in which I learned a lot. I learned that you have to listen with real intent to both your companion and to the investigator in order to be able to listen to the Spirit and follow it´s guidance in what to say. We taught Jasmina and Ricardo. Jasmina talks a lot and reminds me of like a nana figure in movies or something. We taught a great lesson about Keeping the Sabbath day holy and she promised that she would go to church! Teaching them is always enjoyable.
On Friday, we taught a really nice lady and her two daughters about the Sabbath Day. We cleared up some doubts and went over what they read. Carola (the mom) doesn’t see the need to change, but has a want to. But it was a very spiritual lesson and we set a baptismal date for January. If I stay in the area for next change, it´ll be great for bringing them closer to the Gospel and making their first covenant with the Lord!

Saturday was a great day. We gave a tour of the Church to Jasmina and Ricardo, and they loved it. Jasmina expressed how she felt more at peace there than she had ever really felt. The genealogy person was there and taught them about it, in which they are very interested. Jasmina said "I want to baptize my dad!". She was really happy with the doctrine of doing ordinances for the dead. Then we had a talent show, in which they came. The missionaries act was horrible! We can´t sing! We all sung parts of songs, then were like, oh wait, you don´t all speak English! Then sung the mission song. They laughed, so I guess it was all good.

Sunday was great! Jasmina came to church, and stayed for the whole three hours. She said she loved every bit of it! Even though the kids next to her were loud the whole sacrament meeting, she said that she could feel the Spirit super strong, and even started to tear up a little! It was an awesome experience.

Well, that was my week! Oh, I ate a whole plain avocado at lunch yesterday. Still don´t like them plain and by themselves, but I am starting to get used to them. The things you have to get used to on the mission!

I hope everyone’s week went well and that you all were able to enjoy the moments. Make every week better than the one before!

¡Con Mucho, Mucho Amor!
-Elder Whittle