Hola, familia y amigos!
This week was so special. Hna. Avalos and I were sad to lose Hna. Yost to emergency transfers (normal transfers are 3 of November). We were used to being a trio and now we are a duo, but we have adjusted. We have heard a rumor that there are 9 (!) new sisters coming in and will need lots of trainers. Hna. Avalos and I are hoping to stay together and receive a new missionary to train together.
Wow. I have felt the Spirit so much this week. I am learning how a lot depends upon the spiritual preparation of the missionary, but also upon the spiritual preparation and intentions of the investigator. For example, we taught Elen about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Joseph Smith, and were explaining about how she can pray and receive her answer from God that it is true. We watched the Restoration DVD and felt the Spirit the entire time. She said, “I don’t feel like I need to pray about it, because I feel like I already received my witness.” The Spirit was so strong. She is so humble and God answered her prayer. She attended church for the second time on Sunday and was welcomed with open arms by the ward members. (The ward is finally warming up and waking up to the privilege and responsibility of missionary work.) She is so good. She is preparing to be baptized in a few weeks.
We are teaching Ana and Felix. The first time we taught them, we felt the Spirit as we testified of the Restoration of the Gospel. The second time we taught them, we didn’t feel anything. It seemed to us that they had changed. They were afraid to pray about what we taught them, because they didn’t want to give up their family gatherings and partying if they got their answer. Yet, Felix continued asking questions about heaven and hell and what is salvation. Hna. Avalos and I were sad after teaching them, because we didn’t feel the Spirit there at all. It seemed to me that he was only searching for an intellectual understanding of the gospel and wasn’t willing to change his behavior in order to live the gospel. He will never get a spiritual confirmation if he is not willing to change. I realized, too, after listening to the General Conference talks, that everything is designed to help motivate us to come to Christ and to change our desires and thoughts and then we will want to change our behavior.
The other day we were studying and we heard a knock at our door. Two older men (the age of Grandpa) from another faith were tracting and knocked at our door. Hna. Avalos and I looked at each other and froze. What do we do? Let’s hide! I told Hna. Avalos, “This is good to have this experience, because we won’t feel bad when other people do the same to us because we will understand how they feel. Plus, I feel grateful that they are trying to share with us their perspective on things. We can learn a lot from their example.” It’s true. We often have our own experiences in order to comprehend other people and their experiences better.
Rosa and Amador are doing okay. He finds out today if he has work in provincia, which means that he has to be gone 2 weeks working and back home for 1 week. We are hoping that other people from the ward will help him find work locally so his marriage and baptism aren’t delayed. We found out that there is a community wedding (matrimonio masivo) on October 30 which is joyous news! The average wedding normally costs 250-300 soles, but the community wedding is only 70 soles. We met with Rosa and Amador and with the Bishop and Relief Society president, who have an interest in helping this family. The surprise (which is now posted on the Internet for all to know) is that the ward will throw a reception for them.
Rosa and Amador have six kids, from age 11 to 8 months. They are Romina (11), Alison (10), Cesar (8), Ruth (6), Aldair (4) and Estrella (8 months). We had quite the time keeping them busy and quiet during General Conference last week, bringing coloring pages, Conference BINGO (the inspiriation of Hna. Yost) and snacks. I just love these kids and am amazed at how my parents managed to raise 8 kids! Incredible! They are going to participate in the Ward Primary program this Sunday. The ward primary president enlisted my help to play the piano for the program as well.
So much happens in one single day of the mission. Some days feel like weeks, with the variety of emotions and circumstances. Ay yay yay. It’s hard to believe that this week I officially have one year of being in Peru.
I have received and continue to receive so many blessings from my Heavenly Father. I am grateful that He continues to protect me and give me energy and His Spirit to continue doing His work. The mission is such a blessing!
Love,
Hna. Christensen
