September 16, 2013

Our days of using a bike have ended (when I say ´days´ I mean 3 days. I only used a bike for 3 days. The other elders used them for the rest of the time, and then broke them), those poor bikes fell apart. Quite literally actually. The handle bars and the pedals fell off, all the tires flat, and the chain on one is so rusty it clicks every so often. Ah well, I don’t mind walking. More opportunities to talk to people!

 Speaking of talking to people we had the most pleasant conversation with a couple of drunken people the other night. We were walking home (it was pretty late) and we saw this man on the ground on the other side of the street. He was face down, and was struggling, trying to stand up, but only succeeded in looking like an inch worm. Now I’m a Good Samaritan so of course we went to help him up. He had no teeth and throughout our whole conversation his tongue was sticking out of his mouth.

He lived like a 30 min walk away so we were going to call a taxi for him to get him home. But then another drunk came staggering toward us. This guy was soo hilarious. He kept calling us mormonitas and talking about nothing in particular, but he stopped instantly and said, you guys aren’t from Chile are you?!

Haha we said, how did you know?

I have a gift... i know many things

What else do you know? Tell us what else?

You guys...are from Argentina!

We decided to keep playing along and said how did you know! Your amazing, what else?

I have a gift! Give me your hand.

He took my companions hard and squeezed it and then there was silence for about 10 seconds. Then he said

You have a daughter! And a niece!

After that he told us that he couldn’t reveal more to us, but another time he would tell us more.

We parted, leaving both those men with pass along cards that said mas o menos ´stop drinking God doesn’t like it, but you are invited to church to find out why! ´

The 11 de September was pretty interesting, that was the day (back in 1973 I think) that the military in Chile took over the government and killed a lot of people. I don’t know exactly what happened but a lot of the Chilean people mainly the gangs and what not) are out and commit all sorts of crimes, on that day all the missionaries

had to be home at 8 because it was dangerous to be outside. It was a pretty spooky day but everyone was alright.

This past Sunday at church members from the stake came and pretty much gave the ward a pep talk about becoming a ward. then after church, all the members split up with all the people from the stake and we all went out to visit menos activos for a couple of hours. It was way awesome to incorporate the whole branch and even the stake leaders into the missionary efforts in Quillon. I could tell that the branch enjoyed it and felt the spirit as they visited all those sheep that are lost. There is a special spirit in missionary work, and now the members are more eager to help us.

This week was pretty hard to find new people to teach. But we have 2 progressing investigators right now who are awesome. I look forward to their baptisms and for the opportunity to see the blessings that are coming into their lives because of this gospel.

Now I just have to find a way to help other people understand those blessing that come from this gospel.

Love you!  Happy 16 de spetiembre!