First a bit of logistics: I only have a short amount of time
to read/write emails, but I love being able to read so keep writing even if I
don't have long responses. Do not send me packages while I am in the CCM
(MTC). The mail takes about 2-4 weeks to get here so in later weeks if
you want to send me something, send it to my Chiclayo mission address, and
finally today is my P-day (Thursday)!! Also can you double check to make sure
Heath and Bri are on the email list.
Sam was absolutely right, the days at the CCM are long, but
the weeks go by fast. I have never been more challenged mentally,
spiritually, and physically then here in Peru. It is incredible how much
Spanish I have learned so far, I still am a gringo, but I know that the gift of
tongues is real. I love the Latinos here. When I first arrived I
knew nothing, but I always like to hang out with my Peruvian brothers, so now I
know a bit more than nothing. They really help me with my
Spanglish. The food here is really good, but takes a moment to get used
to. I have rice about twice a day and every meal has a juice which is
always a surprise. Food here isn't overloaded with salt and sugar like in
the US, but there is a lot of flavor. Also there is a delicious fruit
here called a grenade (pronounced gru-na-da) which is bright orange and look,
well, kind of like a grenade. When you open it up there is this booger
looking substance inside (Really) and you eat that. It is probably the weirdest
food here, but it is surprisingly delicious.
I know that Heavenly Father put me with Elder Coons (mi
campañero) for a reason. He is wicked smart and already knew Spanish
pretty well before coming out. He also loves the Peruvians, so he helps
me with the language barrier. At first I thought he was a bit of a stiff,
but then we really got to know each other, and as Becca put is, we are
"bros" or "hermos". A couple days ago we decided to
share our testimonies with each other for companionship study, it was super
powerful. And I could tell that knowing each others testimonies really
helped us teach. Oh yeah! they already have us teaching
mock lessons, IN SPANISH. ¿Isn't that unbelievable? At first it
was super scary, but after our second lesson I could really feel the spirit and
I knew that we needed to be challenged in order to grow.
Every day for physical exercise we go to "grays
gym". Elder Grey is an Elder in my district who is huge, but has a
heart of gold. He gives us tough work outs to help us press our bodies as
well our minds and spirits. After our little workout we go and play soccer with
the Latinos. I finally appreciate the sport. I usually play goalie,
because I am one of the tallest Elders here. I love watching
how skilled the Latinos are at passing, and dribbling the ball. One
Peruvian, Elder Garcia, always rolls over and acts like his shin hurts when
someone steals the ball from him. In the middle of an intense game he did
this and a couple of his campañeros carried him off the field, it was super
funny.
I love the MTC in Peru, I am either laughing or feeling the
spirit all day. Last night I was feeling down about my Spanish so I
started to study the Spanish preach my gospel or "Predicar Mi
Evangelio". Elder Ortiz, the sweetest little Peruvian from Trujillo
read it with me and helped me with my pronunciation. He read a bit of
the English Preach my Gospel in broken Spanglish too. It was such a sweet
moment that we could assist each other in understanding foreign idioms.
I would write way more, because so much has happened this
week, but I only have so much time, and half of it is spent waiting for these
computers to load. The picture is of all the Elders in my room: Elder
Coons, Elder Ortiz, and Elder Guetierez. They are fantastic Elders and
they help me so much everyday. I love all of you back home, and even
though I miss all of you, I am so glad I am here. I need to be here, this
is what I need to be doing, consecrating my time to serve the Lord.
