The "Gas Man"

Hey everyone!

This week had lots of ups and downs. Like normal here this week was a lot of contacting. Which is good but also a little tiring. I've learned some different techniques from how my new companion contacts which I really like. They are a lot more direct which helps people know why we are here.

One night we went to teach one of our investigators who is 10 years old and his sister is the only member in her family. That night we ended up talking with the parents. The mom told us how they almost got married and baptized but her husband wasn't able to quit his drinking habits. Then soon after the missionary who taught them got injured and was emergency transferred. They had grown a deep love with that missionary so when the new ones arrived it wasn't the same and they soon quit going to church. But the mom just wants a unified family and she still wants to get married and baptized but her husband doesn't have the desires anymore. Later when we were about to end the appointment her husband happened to walk in and was super drunk. We asked him to accompany us in the prayer and he got mad and said he hates prayer because he always prays for that one missionary to come back to Carhuamayo, but that missionary served 3 years ago and now lives in Ecuador. But we kept talking with him and he started crying and said the only thing he asks of us is that we show him love like that one Elder did. Anyways this guy is a chef and we were talking about how one day he would need to teach me how to make some Peruvian dishes that I really like. Anyways being drunk he made some super funny inappropriate comments in front of his wife and daughter, which got them a little embarrassed, but in the end we were able to say a prayer with him.

Also this week I had my first encounter with the "gas man" who is a dude that sells gas for the town to cook with. Well this guy goes to a different church and his assignment in the church is to follow us around and destroy the work we do. Basically he goes to all of the members and recent converts or investigators and tells them all this bad stuff about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith, and how we are missionaries of the devil trying to trick or cheat them into joining our church. So yeah, he talks with everyone he sees and bashes us. Which makes contacting harder because I already stand out from everyone and now half the town thinks I'm the devil haha. But it's okay because seeing him at judgement day will be a different story. p.s. if any of you know a good scripture in the bible that call this man to repentance let me know ;)

To end with a more spiritual thought, this week had a lot of downs. But for some reason i feel really happy. Just yesterday our shower broke so we are back to cold showers, my stomach has had a bunch of problems, it's rainy and cold, the dry air has been killing my skin, if we have two appointments in a day it's a good day, and the list of negatives can go on and on. But after an appointment Sunday night I felt so happy. I was just so grateful for that appointment and that family who is always so nice to us. In church we sang the hymn count your many blessings and it really hit me. We can count the negatives and always result in thinking and feeling bad. But if we count our blessings we will realize how much we are actually blessed and there won't be any more room to feel bad.

"When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings; name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord has done. Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings; ev’ry doubt will fly, And you will be singing as the days go by. So amid the conflict, whether great or small, Do not be discouraged; God is over all. Count your many blessings; angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end."

Photos

1 and 4: I miss sunsets

2: Yes it is necessary to paint on multiple walls that it is prohibited to pee. So yes i did have to pose with the wall.

3: Good 'ol Carhuamayo