Hi everyone!
So this week was pretty eventful, unfortunately I forgot my planner and therefore don’t have my notes. But we’ll see what I can remember. So this week in itself wasn’t out of the ordinary in terms of things that happened. Lessons, contacts, you know, the average missionary stuff. So on Friday we had interviews with the president of the mission. These are always good, because they really get your spirits up to work hard. So I think that’s really all that happened in terms of events. But some pretty cool things happened this week. So Gonzalo, Alejandros brother, is the man. So he has been getting stronger and stronger, more sure of his choice to be baptized. So one day he decided to come out with us and go to a lesson. So we went out with him and he would do contacts for us and everything! He would yell "alo" at the house (don’t know if I ever told you guys, but pretty much every house here has a gate, and you stand at the gate and yell ¡Alo! To make them come out), and then ask if we could come in. And then we taught the lesson and he would just jump in and bear his testimony without us asking. All of this and he's not even baptized yet! So in other good news, Luis, our golden investigator, is as strong as ever too. In fact we went to teach him the restoration, and he ended teaching us the law of chastity too! And another young kid named Juan Carlos is ready to be baptized. So all of this accumulates to Sunday, which was a spectacular day. I shall elaborate…
So on Sunday things were pretty normal, we had 3 baptism interviews planned for Luis, Gonzalo, and Juan Carlos. Oh yeah, on Sunday, Felipe also received the Holy Ghost, and I got to do the confirmation. That’s always a great experience, even though I'm always super nervous to do it. Anyways, in gospel principles class the teacher asked Felipe and also Maria (our new convert) to share their feelings about Christ. And they really shared some pretty powerful testimonies, it was so cool. Then after Elders Quorum, Luis stands up and says, can I just say a couple things? So, then he bore his testimony about how the church was true, and I heard it was very spiritual. But the thing is that I wasn’t there! I had to go out with Elder Viana to go to the hospital to give a blessing. But I heard it was really something else. So basically, Gonzalo and Luis rule. I don’t know if I told you Luis’ story, but I'll share it really shortly.
So Luis randomly came to church one week with his sister, who is less active, and I've never seen in church. So we got an appointment with him to go by that Tuesday. So we get there, and he tells us this massive story about how he has studied in many religions (catholic, evangelist, jehovahs witnesses, etc) and he has always found them to not be truly correct. Like they don’t have all the doctrine. So in church that we he said he found so many answers he had been looking for, and basically told us he knew the church was true from that moment on. And from then its history. So going back to Sunday…
So then we had the 3 interviews, for Luis, Gonzalo, and Juan Carlos. The good news…is that all of them passed! So that’s very exciting. And added to that is the fact that the other missionaries we live with are gonna have at least 2, probably 4 baptism that same day. So that'll be exciting to see that many people in white. But there is one problem, the fact that Juan Carlos still doesn’t have the permission from his mom. When we went by she said she would have to talk to him alone and think about it. I'm hoping and praying that she will give him the permission.
So that’s basically what happened this week. This Sunday will be very exciting. So just one side note; almost everyone here in Chile (and I think in south America for that matter) has had some type of religious/spiritual dream or experience. And I really do mean almost everyone. So that’s just interesting. Oh yeah one more thing, I heard it reached 40 degrees Celsius one day last week, that’s 104 degrees farenheit!
Well that’s all I got for you guys this week. This is the Lords work, the church is true. Love you all, and talk to you next week!
¡Cuidense harto!
Elder Ryan Mayberry
Monday, January 25, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Hello Everyone!
So this week was a pretty good week for us. So the week was a pretty normal week up until thursday. So last Sunday a man named Luis came to church with his sister, he isn't a member. And so we set up an appointment for Tuesday, but then he couldn't and we set it for Thursday. So we went to his house and he started talking to us abut his religious backgrounds. So he's studied into being a Jehovahs witness, an Evangelist?(I think that's what it is in english, evangelico is what it is in spanish), and a couple others. But he's always found faults in their doctrine. So then he told us about how from going to the one meeting last Sunday, he can already see that this church is true! How crazy, he seriously is a Golden investigator as they say. So the lesson went very well, he accepted to be baptized the 31st.
Oh yeah, let me go back a bit. So on Thursday in the morning we went to Felipes house to go help them build a room in the back of their house for their soon to be baby. (fun fact, in normal spanish baby is bebé, but here its called a guagua, pronounced wahwah). Anyways, so we did that, it was fun, and his parents are giving support to their son for his decision to be baptized. So we were finishing up and the mom says, “You'll be staying for lunch right?” And the lunch was already made, so we couldn't say no, even though we already had a lunch scheduled. So we finished up there and went to the other lunch. Thank goodness their very nice, and the people who were supposed to give us lunch understood. But nonetheless, I didn't want them to feel bad so I said I'd eat a little bit. And when your here in Chile as a missionary, Chilenas don't understand when you say you only want a little bit. So she came out and gave me a full plate of food. Needless to say I was dying of being full.
So that was Thursday. Friday was pretty uneventful, exept for some grown man threw rocks at us! He was like 20 feet away in broad daylight, throwing rocks at us. Luckily for us he was bad at aiming, although one did touch my arm. But no harm done. Then on Saturday we went back to Felipes house to work some more on the house (this time we told them in advance that we wouldnt be able to eat with them).
Then Sunday came, the day of Felipe's baptism. So church was only for 1 hour, becuase the 2nd voting for president was taking place. Sacrament was cool because we got to see a newer convert pass the Sacrament for the first time. And the speakers were also really good. Oh yeah, and Luis told us that we are angels guiding him toward the truth when he came into the church! So we had the baptism service at 6 in the afternoon. It turned out really well, the spirit was really strong. So the bishop gave the welcome to the Ward, and while he talked he even told Felipes parents that they had to get baptized! We’ll see how it goes, and the Bishop even invited Felipes family to a family home evening for Monday!
So that's basically what went on in the week. So about some of our other investigators…
Carolina has left to a different city for an undisclosed amount of time. That was a downer, she has really changed for the better and I know she can be baptized. But we’ll be keeping in touch with her until she gets back. The little girl Natalia who lives really far away didn't end up coming to church. And we we talked to Amalia about her getting baptized, but she said she has a lot to work out before she can. She has such a strong testimony, she even tells people she's mormon, but she just has a couple things holding her back. And Gonzalo, Alejandros brother, went out of town too. Alejandro is doing pretty good in the church, he’ll be receiving the Aaronic Priesthood next Sunday, and he even comes out with us to lessons.
So thats about all I can think of about the investigators and such. Oh yeah, and just in case you were wondering, the new President of Chile’s name is Piñera.
So that's basically what happened during the week. Today we just went over to one of the other sectors Churches and played volleyball and ate giant hot dogs. Pictures will be attached. So I've decided to talk a little about Chilean stuff this week…
So one thing, is that Chilenas really can't spell well. Because of how similar the ‘b’ and the ‘v’ sound in spanish, and also the ‘s’ the ‘c’ and the ‘x’ chilenas have a rough time spelling correctly. They always mess them up in school, and I don't even think they get marked down for it, haha. Another weird thing I've seen is that kids who play the guitar grow out their mails on their thumb and index finger to strum the guitar. It looks pretty gross. And one last thing, is that whenever Chilenas point, they do so with their lips. For example, if they say something is over there, they point in that direction with their lips. Its kind of hard to explain, but I'll have to show you when I get back, haha.
Well thats about all I got. I'm gonna attach some Pictures from the baptism and from today. I love you all, the church is so true. And the Atonement really is so powerful, if I've learned anything here on the mission its the power the atonement has in our lives. Love you all and talk to you next week!
Elder Ryan Mayberry
The Photos:
-The family of Felipe and us (And Luis i son the far left, he just kind of snuck in there even though he has no relation to the family)
-Me and my completo gigante as they say here in chile (it has 3 hot dogs on the inside)
So this week was a pretty good week for us. So the week was a pretty normal week up until thursday. So last Sunday a man named Luis came to church with his sister, he isn't a member. And so we set up an appointment for Tuesday, but then he couldn't and we set it for Thursday. So we went to his house and he started talking to us abut his religious backgrounds. So he's studied into being a Jehovahs witness, an Evangelist?(I think that's what it is in english, evangelico is what it is in spanish), and a couple others. But he's always found faults in their doctrine. So then he told us about how from going to the one meeting last Sunday, he can already see that this church is true! How crazy, he seriously is a Golden investigator as they say. So the lesson went very well, he accepted to be baptized the 31st.
Oh yeah, let me go back a bit. So on Thursday in the morning we went to Felipes house to go help them build a room in the back of their house for their soon to be baby. (fun fact, in normal spanish baby is bebé, but here its called a guagua, pronounced wahwah). Anyways, so we did that, it was fun, and his parents are giving support to their son for his decision to be baptized. So we were finishing up and the mom says, “You'll be staying for lunch right?” And the lunch was already made, so we couldn't say no, even though we already had a lunch scheduled. So we finished up there and went to the other lunch. Thank goodness their very nice, and the people who were supposed to give us lunch understood. But nonetheless, I didn't want them to feel bad so I said I'd eat a little bit. And when your here in Chile as a missionary, Chilenas don't understand when you say you only want a little bit. So she came out and gave me a full plate of food. Needless to say I was dying of being full.
So that was Thursday. Friday was pretty uneventful, exept for some grown man threw rocks at us! He was like 20 feet away in broad daylight, throwing rocks at us. Luckily for us he was bad at aiming, although one did touch my arm. But no harm done. Then on Saturday we went back to Felipes house to work some more on the house (this time we told them in advance that we wouldnt be able to eat with them).
Then Sunday came, the day of Felipe's baptism. So church was only for 1 hour, becuase the 2nd voting for president was taking place. Sacrament was cool because we got to see a newer convert pass the Sacrament for the first time. And the speakers were also really good. Oh yeah, and Luis told us that we are angels guiding him toward the truth when he came into the church! So we had the baptism service at 6 in the afternoon. It turned out really well, the spirit was really strong. So the bishop gave the welcome to the Ward, and while he talked he even told Felipes parents that they had to get baptized! We’ll see how it goes, and the Bishop even invited Felipes family to a family home evening for Monday!
So that's basically what went on in the week. So about some of our other investigators…
Carolina has left to a different city for an undisclosed amount of time. That was a downer, she has really changed for the better and I know she can be baptized. But we’ll be keeping in touch with her until she gets back. The little girl Natalia who lives really far away didn't end up coming to church. And we we talked to Amalia about her getting baptized, but she said she has a lot to work out before she can. She has such a strong testimony, she even tells people she's mormon, but she just has a couple things holding her back. And Gonzalo, Alejandros brother, went out of town too. Alejandro is doing pretty good in the church, he’ll be receiving the Aaronic Priesthood next Sunday, and he even comes out with us to lessons.
So thats about all I can think of about the investigators and such. Oh yeah, and just in case you were wondering, the new President of Chile’s name is Piñera.
So that's basically what happened during the week. Today we just went over to one of the other sectors Churches and played volleyball and ate giant hot dogs. Pictures will be attached. So I've decided to talk a little about Chilean stuff this week…
So one thing, is that Chilenas really can't spell well. Because of how similar the ‘b’ and the ‘v’ sound in spanish, and also the ‘s’ the ‘c’ and the ‘x’ chilenas have a rough time spelling correctly. They always mess them up in school, and I don't even think they get marked down for it, haha. Another weird thing I've seen is that kids who play the guitar grow out their mails on their thumb and index finger to strum the guitar. It looks pretty gross. And one last thing, is that whenever Chilenas point, they do so with their lips. For example, if they say something is over there, they point in that direction with their lips. Its kind of hard to explain, but I'll have to show you when I get back, haha.
Well thats about all I got. I'm gonna attach some Pictures from the baptism and from today. I love you all, the church is so true. And the Atonement really is so powerful, if I've learned anything here on the mission its the power the atonement has in our lives. Love you all and talk to you next week!
Elder Ryan Mayberry
The Photos:
-The family of Felipe and us (And Luis i son the far left, he just kind of snuck in there even though he has no relation to the family)
-Us and Felipe
-After the baptismo
-Us making our giant hotdogs
Monday, January 11, 2010
I learned how we recieve blessings and see miracles!
Hello Everybody!
So this week has been a pretty good one. Pretty successful too. And eventful. So on Tuesday some guys came to our house in the morning to cut off the electricity! I guess there was a problem with paying the bill or something. So we just took everything from the fridge to the neighbors house, haha. So that made things interesting for a couple nights. But luckily on Thursday they came and turned the lights back on.
So Wednesday was the conference where half the mission meets and the President and assistants talk to us. That was a really good conference, I learned a whole lot and it really helps to boost the spirits of the missionaries. Something cool I learned is how we recieve blessings and see miracles. It first starts with a desire, then believing that you can do the thing you desire. Then you need to have faith, which requires action. Then comes the trial of your faith, and if you continue working hard and not doubting or losing faith, then the blessings come. This really took effect for us, we've had a couple hard weeks the past 2 weeks, but this week we are seeing lots of blessings. So anyways, back to the goings on from the week. We restarted the English class again. We just need to get more people to come, only about 5 people showed up.
So on Thursday we had some good lessons. This week we realized that we do in fact have a lot of people that we are teaching, or can teach that have been to church. So this week was really hectic and busy. So anyways, on Thursday we taught Felipe, and he wants to be baptized (more on him later). Also on thursday we taught Gonzalo. He is the older brother of Alejandro and cousin of Geremias who were baptized in November. We've been teaching him off and on for awhile, initially he was pretty skeptic. But he has been changing, and when we taught him Thursday, he said he's been praying a lot about baptism, and he feels and knows and desires one! So that was really cool, when I heard that, I felt the spirit really strong.
So Friday we were basically running around all day, super busy. We also went out to Maule (20 mins away on bus) during the night to do a family home evening, but it turns out it never happened, oh well. We were going to go teach a family and a less active family, but that's been rescheduled for this coming week.
Saturday, another day running around like crazy. In the monring we went over to a little town called Figueroa, its like 30 mins away by bus, to teach some less actives and their little girl who hasn't been baptized yet. The family recently moved, and it's hard for them to come to church because of transportation dificulty. But the little girl does want to be baptized! So that was a blessing of the Lord.
Then on Sunday we had a great day. Alejando and Geremias came to church for the first time in a while, they've been helping their mom with work on Sundays. But they came, and their brother Gonzalo came too! We had a total of 8 investigators in church, which is really good. Carolina also came. (I'll talk more about her in a bit). And a less active lady brought her nonmember brother to church, and he really seemed to enjoy it, we have an appointment with him later in the week. And finally Felipe came, and passed his baptismal interview! So the only problems are, that elections are next week, and we may have to postpone the baptism til the 24th. But we shall see. So thats basically what happened during the week.
So a little more about our investigators I haven't talked about. So Carolina is progressing. She has grown a whole lot. She has the attendance necessary to be baptized, she just needs an interview. But we´ll see what happens with her, she may be going out of town for a while, ugh! We also recently started teaching a family, the mans name is Job, and his wife (an inactive member), and their daughter. Weve only taught them a couple times, but Job already feels like he needs to be baptized! And Erika is still there, but we are visiting her less often. She hasn't come to church for 3 weeks, and isn't progressing. We´ll see what happens with her.
So I believe that's about it, things are really looking up from here. Chiles also doing good, it's still hot as ever though. So yeah, I love you all, keep up the good work back at home. Church is true. I'll talk to you all next week !
Elder Ryan Mayberry
So this week has been a pretty good one. Pretty successful too. And eventful. So on Tuesday some guys came to our house in the morning to cut off the electricity! I guess there was a problem with paying the bill or something. So we just took everything from the fridge to the neighbors house, haha. So that made things interesting for a couple nights. But luckily on Thursday they came and turned the lights back on.
So Wednesday was the conference where half the mission meets and the President and assistants talk to us. That was a really good conference, I learned a whole lot and it really helps to boost the spirits of the missionaries. Something cool I learned is how we recieve blessings and see miracles. It first starts with a desire, then believing that you can do the thing you desire. Then you need to have faith, which requires action. Then comes the trial of your faith, and if you continue working hard and not doubting or losing faith, then the blessings come. This really took effect for us, we've had a couple hard weeks the past 2 weeks, but this week we are seeing lots of blessings. So anyways, back to the goings on from the week. We restarted the English class again. We just need to get more people to come, only about 5 people showed up.
So on Thursday we had some good lessons. This week we realized that we do in fact have a lot of people that we are teaching, or can teach that have been to church. So this week was really hectic and busy. So anyways, on Thursday we taught Felipe, and he wants to be baptized (more on him later). Also on thursday we taught Gonzalo. He is the older brother of Alejandro and cousin of Geremias who were baptized in November. We've been teaching him off and on for awhile, initially he was pretty skeptic. But he has been changing, and when we taught him Thursday, he said he's been praying a lot about baptism, and he feels and knows and desires one! So that was really cool, when I heard that, I felt the spirit really strong.
So Friday we were basically running around all day, super busy. We also went out to Maule (20 mins away on bus) during the night to do a family home evening, but it turns out it never happened, oh well. We were going to go teach a family and a less active family, but that's been rescheduled for this coming week.
Saturday, another day running around like crazy. In the monring we went over to a little town called Figueroa, its like 30 mins away by bus, to teach some less actives and their little girl who hasn't been baptized yet. The family recently moved, and it's hard for them to come to church because of transportation dificulty. But the little girl does want to be baptized! So that was a blessing of the Lord.
Then on Sunday we had a great day. Alejando and Geremias came to church for the first time in a while, they've been helping their mom with work on Sundays. But they came, and their brother Gonzalo came too! We had a total of 8 investigators in church, which is really good. Carolina also came. (I'll talk more about her in a bit). And a less active lady brought her nonmember brother to church, and he really seemed to enjoy it, we have an appointment with him later in the week. And finally Felipe came, and passed his baptismal interview! So the only problems are, that elections are next week, and we may have to postpone the baptism til the 24th. But we shall see. So thats basically what happened during the week.
So a little more about our investigators I haven't talked about. So Carolina is progressing. She has grown a whole lot. She has the attendance necessary to be baptized, she just needs an interview. But we´ll see what happens with her, she may be going out of town for a while, ugh! We also recently started teaching a family, the mans name is Job, and his wife (an inactive member), and their daughter. Weve only taught them a couple times, but Job already feels like he needs to be baptized! And Erika is still there, but we are visiting her less often. She hasn't come to church for 3 weeks, and isn't progressing. We´ll see what happens with her.
So I believe that's about it, things are really looking up from here. Chiles also doing good, it's still hot as ever though. So yeah, I love you all, keep up the good work back at home. Church is true. I'll talk to you all next week !
Elder Ryan Mayberry
Monday, January 4, 2010
Time really does fly here on the mission.
Hello Everyone! So basically I've been in Chile for 3 months now! How exciting, time really does fly here on the mission. So really nothing too big happened this week.
So on Tuesday we had a district class, and got to meet with all the new elders that came to the zone. One is fresh out of the MTC, and the others seem pretty cool as well. So seriously, I didn’t write down any notes on what happened this week. Well basically the biggest thing that happened is that we had new years. A family invited us over to have dinner with them, so that was cool. An interesting fact, the tradition here at 12 on new years is to hug everyone. And the rest of the week nothing too exciting happened. But a lot of people were out of town for the holidays, so it made the work a little bit more difficult.
Speaking about that, a lot of our investigators went out of town too. For example we haven’t been able to meet with Carolina for a bit. Oh yeah, and Felipe too. So we taught him this week the Word of Wisdom, and he accepted it. And then after that we asked him about how he felt about being baptized, and he told us how that one time when he prayed with us and cried, that that was when he received his answer and feels he should be baptized! So very exciting, but unfortunately he left out of town this weekend, so his date will be for the 17th. And Erika, weve taught her everything, she knows that the next step is baptism, but she just feels that she can't, because of the opposition she has from her family. So that’s basically what's going on with our investigators.
So today we decided to have a barbeque! Elder Jorgensen had some marinade stuff, so we had chicken and French fries, and it turned out pretty good. And I just read Aarons email from last week, and everything he said is true, haha.
So the email this week is pathetically small. I'll take better notes next week. But I love you all, hope you all had a fun new years, and have a great week! I'll give you some photos to make up for it.
Elder Mayberry
The Photos:
Maria and a couple members from her baptism
on Christmas at the members house
Nichol and her family at her baptism
And for kicks, the money in Chile, haha
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