El Centro

Good morning a todos! Awesome first week in the new house in downtown Paita. Everything's closer and we don't have to travel nearly as much. We were able to stuff most everything in the super tiny apartment but dang my back's hurtin after loading things around. We don't have a fridge or stove and our mattresses are inches apart but it's all the the experience and I'm making the best of it. 

Exchanges with the Assistants to the President were great as we hosted English class for the whole mission and discussed some great plans for the zone. Best of all, we set a baptismal date with Cynthia! She's shy but willing to converse with the Lord and follow His will. Thus we see that setting goals works and straight up sending it with faith and boldness can bring about miracles. Other whom we've been teaching that I'll point out are Miguel who was an online referral looking to turn things around. 

Another guy Edgar we found through technology as well has been learning about the power of prayer and how to show faith to God. We pray with him daily to get him into the routine and he's been feeling greater throughout the week. 

About Thursday we saved some kittens that were stuck in a deep slot between houses. They were done for, just needed some help by someone who cared to save them. Christ cares a whole lot and wants you out of that hole.

I had the opportunity to speak in church yesterday about the mercies of the Lord and relation with the Holy Spirit. "That ye contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you." (Alma 34:38) I hope everyone has a great week and remembers God. To quote my compañero, "La vida no es fácil, es simple."

Chao

Back in Paita

 Hey y'all, update from the Peruvian. Dicho of the week has definitely got to be "Que rico Paita!" This coming from all the speed bumps we've been facing as a zone. The week started off with interviews with President Salinas and since we were all already stuck in Piura, it wasn't much of a trip. I'm thankful for that interview though because I was able to receive some guidance and realignment regarding the current situation. He related my mission to a game of basketball which he somehow knew I loved. We're in the final seconds and I've got to to the last shot up no matter what, give it my all, to win. I have power and authority to do things that I won't be able to do in a couple months and I can't just waste that. 

Anyways, once we finally returned to Paita we encountered issues with the same family that has been following the missionaries. So for safety President has had us all in casual clothes until tomorrow to keep everything on the down low. Well I'm still a big white guy but I'm sure they didn't suspect a thing.

So they rest of the week was filled with virtual lessons and grinding on the Facebook pages. But we always find a way out on the streets and that was awesome as usual. We finally have a new apartment in the downtown area and it's crazy tiny, so a perfect fit. Over the weekend we hosted a face to face event for the zone page which was a huge hit. We threw some commonly asked questions about marriage and family to a couple in the stake and it went great. My comp and I are posting more and more music and such on our little area page as well, keeping things thriving. Families can be together forever, the work is pressing on as it should, and I can't remember much else for now. 

Stay safe, be happy. Chao

santos humos!

 Buen día! Holy smokes this past week was thrown through a tumbler, and I've learned even more. My favorite thing to do as a missionary is walk and talk with people. We find the most interesting stories and connect the gospel in miraculous ways. We've been house hunting and contacting like crazy, happy to report success on both fronts. We'll be moving in soon and befriending the new neighbors in no time.

Things were going great until we received a call from the assistants notifying us that over half the zone will leave and live in Piura for the remainder of the week. To sum up the story as to why, someone here in Paita knows our addresses, phone numbers, and schedules, so the mission president's taking precautions. So we've been here in Piura for the past several days and made the best of it. Technology is still powerful as ever and we've kept the work alive as best we can being an hour away from our areas. 

Teaching about the Restoration to our friend Cinthia was special as we felt the same testifying Spirit through the phone and she prayed on the spot to know if it's true. The guys we've been rooming with are pretty cool here too so it's been a blast. Church is true no matter what, have an awesome week!¡! Chao

Can't be a Disciple without Discipline

 Wow so the weeks are flying by like usual and I can't recall much. I know it was an awesome week overall though as we found tons of new people to teach and progressed well with our current investigators. The week started with a fire multizone conference. President Salinas taught us how gaining the trust of the Lord is much more vital than gaining His love because He already loves us infinitely. He broke down definitions of righteousness, discipleship, and meditation upon the scriptures. And I'll just tell you that my mission president loves the work and leads with power and desire. I now better understand that I can't be a disciple without discipline, there's a reason those words are similar. Everyone left the conference with the groundwork on becoming a 'Misionero de Fuego'. This focus really led the week in finding and teaching true principles with power and authority. 

Our friend Cinthia came to church and loved it, we found this elderly gentleman Tomas near the fishing docks, and blessed Hermana Graciela to overcome her illness. What more is there to do, there's lots and we're going to keep going. I'll leave the rest of the stories to tell in person. 

Thanks for the support and efforts, take care and remember your worth. Chao

🐕‍🦺 Life in Peru - Missionary Superseded

 Buen día cholitos qué tal? Crazy week here as a dog almost bit my nose off, Perú celebrated 200 years of independence, and I experienced my first earthquake. It was the first week of the new transfer which is hard to believe because my comp and I are bros and we're grinding the work out all ready. The ward showed off their talent in a fun Zoom activity for the "Fiestas Patrias" independence day celebration. Some inactive folks were able to join and feel the closeness of this gospel represented by the Puerto Paita Ward. It was this same day recording videos for the activity when a member's dog lunged at my face and gave me a cut on the bridge of my nose, don't dance with Peruvian dogs. 

A new investigator named Cinthia is very promising as she was introduced to us by a member and seemed very humble and ready to learn. A few more great lessons occurred and people where given commitments to come to church up until they literally got shook by an earthquake. I would expect something like this to push people to take action but it really freaked a lot of people out. A 6.1 earthquake centered near the city of Sullana shook us and other surrounding towns for several seconds on Friday and shockwaves coming and going through the weekend. 

I am grateful for the immediate peace that Christ gives me and I only hope to share this with others during these trying times. In missionary leadership council we discussed how we can increase expectations and at the same time increase our love for our missionaries. My comp and I plan on leading by example and praying for our zone to feel their own spiritual impressions. What is your worth? We all know we're children of God and that makes us priceless but what does it truly mean to be a child of God? Try finding that out this coming week and reflect on the feelings and thoughts that come to you, because that's the Spirit talking. Chao 

Staying in Paita

 Buenos morning all, what have you learned this past week. Things are going great as we finished up the transfer and changes are happening once again. Not too much for me personally because I'm staying for another 6 weeks! I am so excited and thankful for more time I have here in beautiful Paita. I searching eagerly for what more God would have me do here. This past week was a blast as we broadcasted some great activities and strengthened missionary work in the stake. The musical show was a hit as tons of people connected and were able to feel the spirit through music. 

Ben and Audri are progressing well and learning all about the commandments God has given us because He loves us. We have received some awesome referrals from some members, one being  Cynthia who has desired to learn and understand God's plan for her. She is humble and seeing this makes me happy as I have learned how necessary humility is regarding the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pioneer Day was a smashing success as many members and investigators were able to connect via Zoom. 

It was great to work with my sister as she shared  presentation and we shared the importance of pioneers in our lives today. Many people are their own pioneers having been baptized recently and they have the great responsibility of treading the path for their prosperity. Yesterday was amazing baking American cookies for anyone and everyone. I may have ate a little too much raw dough and after walking all afternoon until the chilly evening, the cold didn't help much. Recovering at the moment but it was worth it and they seem to enjoy them. Work comes in all shapes and sizes, just adjust and keep pushing. Bishop asked me to give a talk last minute yesterday which was awesome because I had to depend upon the Spirit a ton. I shared the story of Christ walking upon the water in Mark and how it's a commandment to be of good cheer. Like all commandments it might be difficult to keep at times but you have to try. 

I hope we feel a great responsibility as members of the true church to always be full of joy and the light of Christ so that others and see me feel for themselves. Faith moves mountains, I know that to be true. Chao