Elder Grammer and I started out like a racehorse in the Kentucky Derby or a Chileno driver in heavy traffic: Full speed ahead. We worked incredibly hard, and as such, we became fast friends and had fantastic success at the same time. It was incredible to behold the power that two empowered missionaries can have on an area, and we were finding new investigators and teaching solid lessons with incredible frequency. Then, part way through Tuesday, we received a terrifying phone call. As the letter header states, I was being transferred the next day to another Zone, and no one really knew why.
I have been in the city of Chiguyante, in the Chiguyante Ward, since Wednesday morning. This city is a big step from Chillàn. Essentially everything is bigger here. The houses, the Stake Center (It is huge. Bigger than any church building save the Institutes back in the States.), etc. They even have parks, actual green and grassy. I kept thinking about how rich and different everything was my first couple of days, but I quickly realized that things are a lot more similar than I first thought.
My new companion's name is Elder Montaña, from Santiago, Chile. He is a spiritual giant, a quiet and incredibly loving man with only a few more months in his mission. He has learned incredibly good english over the course of his mission, and we have a lot of interests alike. Though he is normally very quiet, get him talking or laughing and he becomes this incredible chatterbox. Though I don't understand everything that him and Elder Villarroel (Our other Latino Elder in the house. His companion is Elder Hancock, from Arizona! Second Factory, represent!) say, what I do catch is hilarious. These guys are clowns, and I love getting to know them and work with them.
My Spanish has certainly been very present in my thoughts and concerns this week. By necessity, I've been working incredibly hard to master this language, and my super patient companion has been amazingly helpful this whole time. I've felt very much like a fish out of water, but I've already seen much improvement, and people are continuously surprised that I've only been in Chile for six weeks. I'll go more into this a little bit farther in.
Spiritual Experiences seem to come hand in hand with challenges and perseverance, as I've discovered yet again this week. That has essentially been a theme that has come up again and again for me, as this area certainly has difficulties by the shovel full. Here's a few that I've been able to have in the last week.
Sunday was very, very interesting for me. Meetings were quite good, and I was able to meet many of the many able members here. But with all the continuous Spanish rapidly exchanged and the little necessary interaction on my part, it was a bit too easy to sit back and relax and let my mind wander. All of the sudden, we saw a Jeffrey R Holland talk segment ("Do You Love Him?") and it blew me away. I remembered why I am here in Chile, and the divine origin of my calling.
I was reinspired to recommit my all, and the remainder of the day was fantastic. We met with a crippled menos activo, Luciano, and had a great time. His passions with video games and music are very similar to mine, and we had surprising amounts of common ground that I could reach him with. We shared a powerful lesson with him, and I think we certainly improved his day. He definitely improved ours.
That evening, we had the terrifying aspect of Divisions. Without any sure knowledge of the area, I was supposed to lead a Joven around and teach investigators in my spanish? I realized that I had complacently been following Elder Montaña around, and letting him take the lead in discussions. It was a humbling experience, and I eventually ended up working with the Ward Mission Leader, an intense returned missionary. We had several tough experiences, and I was reminded of how little I know the area. But we followed the Spirit, and were eventually led to a beautiful family well off the beaten path and away from my plans. Pure luck, or miraculous intervention had led us to this family from Haiti, of all places, and we taught a powerful lesson and committed them to readings and future visits.
Another great experience was with a nuevo converso here. He has been actively going to church for twenty years now, but has never felt sure of himself and his own faults to join the church proper. His daughters have served honorable missions, and still he has never joined. But finally, in the last few months, something truly touched his heart and he was baptized. After a morning of service with him (Clearing and dragging trees away for lumber. We have done incredible amounts of stuff straight out of a movie about a farm in the 1800's in the last week. It is so much fun!) we sat down and talked. He told about his many personal problems, (See Nephi's Psalm) and told how the Gospel has been able to help with every single one of them. It was inspiring to behold. We left on good terms, with him joking about being called as the next Bishop and who he would call as his counsellors.
Like I said, this has been a week of challenges. Doors are shut in our faces with frequent regularity, and we have been told more lies to get rid of us than the police. But we persevere. We keep going. We hold true to what we believe, and we see miracles. It would be incredibly easy to give up and head back to the house and relax and nurse our aching bodies (My mission has taught me that if I ever get the opportunity, I am personally cutting off my feet and attaching cybernetic versions. Seriously, its on my list of goals.). But we don't, and we won't. Because despite the many closed doors, there are people and families ready for us! Ready for the Gospel!
Responses!
Elder Elggren: Have I mentioned that I love your letters? They are absolutely fantastic examples of missionary work. They are inspiring to read. And I am right there with you, I have never been more tired in my life. I go to bed and barely get out the amen and I am out until the alarm rings in the morning.
It is so amazing that you've been able to see the hand of the Lord at work in your life. Missionaries have such a special access to divine aid, it is truly inspiring. I am becoming quite used to always having this special gift in my life, haha. It will be very hard to say goodbye to it after my mission!
Don't get frustrated, amigo! This truly is a difficult labor, and Satan is throwing every single roadblock he can think of our way. But we're soldiers for the winning side. There is nothing we can't do, from moving mountains to learning languages! You've already experienced incredible blessings of healing that can come through the priesthood we hold. That takes a lot of faith. Don't ever lose that!
Elder Layton: I love that story. Chilenos have the craziest excuses all of the time! It is truly incredible what they will say in the attempt to get rid of us. You would think that we're there to rob them, not share a message of Jesus Christ, from how they try to disuade us from their houses. I have determined that Chile is the awkward kid in the classroom of South America. It is hilariously true. I'm glad your story had a happier ending then many of mine!
The Spirit works incredible wonders with these people. A little softening up can open the way for tremendous change in the lives of every single person we meet. I just can't stop thinking of how cool that is! Nice pics!
Zach Kircher: Your letter was fantastic, and of the perfect length, my friend. In response to your response to my response, I must say that you are one of my greatest friends as well. You certainly have done incredible things in my life, and have been a great inspiration to me. I truly appreciate the opportunities I have had to get to know you and be your pal. It is excellent hearing of your schoolwork (Star Wars was an inspired choice), your spiritual experiences (The Temple is so great. We drove by the Concepcion temple site today. Can't wait to come back one day to a shining Mountain of the Lord there), your lady friend (Way to go. Is she going to serve a mission as well? Her letters can be a great source of inspiration, but watch out for fake Dear Johns from your companions! Haha) .
Its an interesting thing, isn't it? How can we be expected to go out into the world and relate with completely different people in completely different cultures with completely different problems? Charity is definitely the answer. As with all questions, the answers can be found in the scriptures and the Gospel. Because of what He did for us, Christ can perfectly understand every single thing we have in our lives. He knows, because He went through the exact same pains, sicknesses, guilts, and shames. And He is willing to put out His hand to us, despite our mistakes. Following His example, how can we doing anything but reach our hands to our fellows.
I love hearing about your life. Your stories are excellent, and I can't wait to share more of them with you after the Missions! And way to go with the missionary work. I can't wait to hear about the miraculous things you do in your service!
Mom: I can't wait to get the package. I'm very very excited for it. I can't write answer all of your comments and questions today, but I promise I'll get to them next week. Sorry! Time slipped away from me!
I love you all so much! Thank you for your letters and words of support. You're the best!
Sincerely,
Elder Richardson
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