Jake's First Christmas in Peru

We had a great Skype call with Jake for an hour on Christmas Day. Best gift we could ever get! Here's his letter from Monday, December 28th. 

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Hola Familia! Happy New Year this week! It was great to see all of your faces! I love you all and I hope Christmas was great! This week flew! It was great to be in Huancayo with the zone and the missionaries! P-day we were in Huancavelica and we went and picked-up our hand knitted ties, that a Peruvian lady made, because all the Elders love my knit ties! The ties are awesome...I will get a picture from Elder Pincay. Tuesday we traveled, which I'm getting tired of, because it's so hard to sleep! But we arrived and worked and wow the difference of the people in Huancayo to HVCA! The members are so great! Tuesday we had the multi-zone conference and for our present we received a flu shot....haha. Then President taught a few things, we ate turkey (which is ehh) and then we performed skits. He gave us a cool little ornament with a nativity......I turned it into something to use for my keys, chapstick and other things.  Later we had an activity with the ward in Huancayo and it kind of felt like home....being in a real church with lots of members! 

On Christmas Eve we had a district meeting with the other elders and sisters and then we visited members, sang hymns and then they gave us paneton (fruit cake), which I'm sick of. It was fun to walk around, see the people giving out little panetons, hot chocolate and then to go around and sing and talk about Christ. That's what Christmas is about! Then that night we went and sung hymns and Christmas songs in the main plaza with all the zones in Huancayo, took pictures and talked.  That was awesome to have a crowd of people and the assistants were out contacting! Then we went to eat turkey, rice....., potatoes with the zone at the elders pension which was great and fun to be with everyone! We watched fireworks that night and WOW Peru goes crazy! It was the coolest thing! And there's no laws on fireworks (dad would love that), but seriously the whole sky it lit up.....so cool! On Christmas day we woke up, played soccer, ate pancakes with the zone traveled back to HVCA. Christmas is sad in Peru.....not much to it.  But we talked with our families....that was so much fun! That hour flew.....I miss you all! It made my day to be able to see all of you. I love you all!

The next day we had an activity with the branch that started 3 hours late. Everyone runs on "Peruvian time" which means you show up 30 mins - 2 -3 hours late. We had a talent show which was fun. Sunday we had about 16 people take the sacrament....but 53 showed up in total after we opened the doors....Yay! We are trying to discipline by starting at 10 and people running on Peruvian time miss out on renewing their covenants. Hopefully they'll learn. 

Reflection of the week:  The gift of tongues works with diligence and the Lord. We didn't have speakers show up for sacrament because they are late so I got to speak for the first time.....I was stoked!  I spoke for 12 mins. on the edification of the church, talked about being examples, showing up on time and missionary work! It all came out of my mouth like English! I can speak and understand Spanish. Elder Jimenez tells me my fluency improves everyday! I don't sound like a gringo. He says I sound better than most of the gringo missionaries.....and speak correctly. I love you guys and thank you for everything! The Lord's hand is always there! We just have to seek.

Love,
Elder Moss

Dog (name unknown), Elder Mendoza, Elder Moss, Elder Jimenez, Elder Pincay - Huancayo - Christmas 2015

Huancayo Zone - Christmas Celebration 2015

Elder Jimenez, Elder Pincay, Elder Moss, Elder Mendoza - Christmas 2015

Christmas Eve Dinner - 2015

Elder Moss & Elder Mendoza - Huancavelica 2015

Christmas Celebration in Pampas

Hey Fam! How are you all? Early Merry Christmas or Feliz Navidad! I love you all and can't wait to talk with you all in 4 days! Things are eh mas o menos here in HVCA!  This last week the attendance dropped at the Branch. There were only 43 one week and 40 the following....only 16 people took the sacrament. Elder Jiminez and I taught the youth Sunday School class again and we also had to take the lead in Elder's quorum! I just sit in church and try to think of ways to help this place. During ward council, Elder Mendoza and I, suggested lots and we have been asking for the members to help make this branch work. The church is so organized but the branch isn't or hasn't gotten to that point yet.  We are working hard and trying and I'm trying to do my best with being a leader and helping organize things here.  It's a learning process and it's long and frustrating at times.  But I love it here and working with Elder Jimenez....he's awesome and has taught me a lot.  My Spanish has improved because of him and also my teaching. It's challenging at times trying to lead out and help when you are limited on Spanish, but it's a trial and I'm learning and I know the time will come when it's not challenging. 

This week was good....I'm happy! We did travel to Huancayo on Monday for a zone conference and stayed until Tuesday. Elder Walker is great and Elder Bullock, who is an ex-marine. While traveling to Huancayo, Elder Mendoza threw up all over himself in the car! Our driver, Michael, wasn't happy and it smelled horrible. Tuesday we came back, Wednesday we went running and Friday we got to play basketball with Frank. Frank gets the priesthood on Jan. 3rd! He's awesome and is always helping us with lessons. Saturday we went to Pampas with the other zone in Huancayo to do an activity for the Elders and their "family group".  The Pampas branch has 13 people attending and President refuses to close it.  So we went there to perform a skit in the plaza and gave out paneton (good fruit cake that is amazing) and had lunch. It was fun to be with everyone and give Christmas to Pampas. Saturday night we had a lesson with the Cunya family. Great family who understand and love the church but aren't very motivated.  We've tried to help them realize that they can go to the temple one day.  We put a goal for the next year for them to go and be sealed. They are awesome and came to church on Sunday...yay! Please pray for them.

Reflection of the week:  Is about my family. In the mission you have a lot of time to think. I just think and reflect on my memories. This week I realized how important my family is to me and how I regret all the times I wasn't with them. They are EVERYTHING to me and I love them so much. My parents have brought me to the greatest knowledge you can have, the gospel.  My parents have done lots and I love them so much. I had a change of heart realizing how important families are and what my family and future family meant to me. Enjoy Christmas everyone and realize how important families and our Savior are to us. Feliz Navidad! Elder Jimenez and I bought a tree with lights and decorations. It feels like Christmas in HVCA!

Elder Moss

Elder Moss (middle) with the Pampas Missionaries

Elder Moss & Huancayo Zone

Christmas Celebration in Pampas

Challenging & Testifying Missionaries

Hola familia? Que ha pasado esta semana? I miss you all like crazy! The tree is looking great in the room and I love it!  Thank you so much everyone! It's definitely something I won't forget! How are you all? Things are good in the mission as always. Elder Jimenez and I are working hard. We've been talking to everyone, trying to find new people.....and it has worked!  We found 2 new people that want to learn more but are really faithful to their church... haha. So we've had to Bible bash lots with them. They're parents of 2 members......so pray for their hearts to be softened.  

This week was great in the Andes Mountains.....not much rain......hiked up to a church on the top of this mountain for P-day. Coolest view and the church is pretty cool too! Apparently they have meetings up there.  People also hike up there, cry, light candles, bring flowers for their dead ones.  Actually we walked in on that and the people weren't too happy.  Tuesday we found a really awesome family that has 2 less actives and we have begun to teach them, we are excited about them! The missionaries hadn't visited them in 6 months! So we are starting, the Matamores family is their name and they have 4 kids and live in Santa Ana, a not so nice area.  But they are awesome! Wednesday we taught Ketty and Nadya, who are preparing for baptism and then later we taught a couple more lessons....one with Oviedo, an investigator who we are praying will come to church.  Thursday consisted of no lessons.....but lots of contacting. We did give a quick first discussion in the street to an older guy. The old guys are always stopping us. Here in the Sierra the people call young people "jovens"and "papi". So when people call us that we call them "mami" or "papi" and just laugh it off. 

It's so much fun with Elder Jimenez, he's a goof and we have fun teaching and contacting. He's really direct and I love being that way and he has no fear! He has taught me to just go for it....and I have! We have 2 more dates this week and the numbers are growing. But most of all we are out here doing the Lord's work and enjoying it!  Friday we had a lesson w/Frank and then he helped us the rest of the day.  Saturday we taught Nadya and Ketty, Mariela, the 2 new investigators (that are tough) and Rocio! Things are good....I haven't spoken English in days... My teaching and Spanish are improving because of it. Elder Jimenez has been a blessing and I love the kid! Time is a blur...in 2 weeks I'll have been out 5 months. So last week I received an email from Rich Morris and he told me how he and his comp set a goal for 10 first discussions in the week and then it grew from there.  I told Jimenez and he said he loved the idea. So we started that, whether it be in the street or in the Taxi, when we contact someone we try. Because if we are pushing ourselves more, the Lord will step in and have someone prepared.  As long as we can get 1 out of the 60 people we contacted this week, we'll have someone that is prepared...I know it. 

Reflection of the week:  Our goal is "ensenar al toque no mas".....we teach quick on the spot to capture interest. Elder Jimenez and I have pushed aside the fear and just taught and opened our mouths.  Someone is out there waiting! We did that on Friday and since Friday we have taught 5 lesson and have appointments.  It's been so fun out here with Jimenez. I don't think I've worked this hard...I love it! And I love the Jehovah's witness Bible that an investigator gave me....Haha! Love you all! The gospel is true!

Elder Moss

Huancavelica

Elder Moss and Elder Pincay December 2015

Elder Moss and Elder Jimenez December 2015

6 Days, No English...

Jake had a great week but he is sad to be parting ways with his first companion, Elder Rasmussen. He will miss Elder Daza too. He's excited to be with Elder Jimenez from Chile. He says being the only American in the apartment has resulted in 6 straight days of no english! He's doing great, we are happy for him and appreciate all of your prayers for him!

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Hola familia! Como estan? Everything is good here in Huancavelica! Elder Rasmussen went to Chupaca in Huancayo. I traveled with him on Wednesday morning to Huancayo in the terminal and he went with his new companion. I said goodbye to my good old "Dad". Sad to say goodbye because I truly love that kid to death! At first it was different with him but after 3 months we became the best of friends! He taught me a lot and I think the one cool thing about Rasmussen is how caring of a guy he is. It's cool to have to be forced into knowing a person in the mission.  From a perspective at home, I would have not gotten to know him.  I truly loved being his companion.  In Huancayo I hung out with Elder Walker and Elder Mason. We went and bought Mac n cheese and Ice cream at Metro's and cooked it at Walker's place. That was fun to chill with them! And then we waited for my companion...Elder Jimenez.....he's from Chile.  He's cool, funny and crazy...Haha! In the first couple days it was strange but he "falls" good with me as they say here! He loves to work hard....which is great. We talk to about every one in the streets and he's a great teacher and already has taught me a lot. He is 23 years old and has 9 months left. Elder Daza left for the jungle and Elder Mendoza is training Elder Pincay. You pronounce it "pink-eye" and I tease him that his last name is a disease...HAHA! So now there are 3 latinos and I....gringo....in HVCA and I haven't spoken English in 6 days. But I love it and I'm doing great! We challenged 2 new people this week their names are Candy and Oviedo.....pray for them! Wow my teaching has improved and my Spanish because I am latino trapped!  We are also maintaining the attendance at 70......the Branch is progressing!  But in other news....I finally got to baptize! I baptized Rocio on Saturday and it was so amazing! She has a really strong testimony from things that have happened to her.

Reflection of the week:  This last Sunday we were visiting Hermana Lillianna and Michelle her daughter. Lillianna began to bear her testimony on how I have helped her realize that the scriptures are the iron rod and we need to hold on tight to them.  She is awesome and a great mother. We rescued her a month ago and she has progressed a lot.  And it was awesome to know that I have touched someone in a certain way.  My heart felt so happy to know that I'm here for a reason for 2 years. Sometimes it's discouraging but I forget myself and get to work as President Hinckley did. At times you worry but I have realized there is no where else I would rather be. There are people ready to hear my voice and some have heard it, such as Lillianna.  I love that I have touched someone with the spirit and that's why I am here. I have a testimony that this is the BEST 2 years of "up & downs,"..... full of joy and happiness.  I have never been closer to my Heavenly Father and have never realized how important a family is. I love my family! The gospel is true and it changes lives! It has changed mine and I can't wait to introduce it one day to my own family and the others who are waiting here. I love you all lots! #doitforjesus

P.S. LOVED THE PACKAGE & TREE! OTHER ELDERS LOVED IT!

Elder Moss

Rocio's Baptism

The Velasquez family

Transfers - Elder Rasmussen & Elder Moss - December 2015

Jake Will Miss Elder Daza

 Homemade Xmas Tree and Ornaments made it safely to Peru!

Foothills of Huancavelica

First Transfer is Upon Us...

Jake is doing great. This week he expects there will be transfers happening. He thinks he'll stay in Huancavelica but there are no guarantees. We asked him how many lessons they teach on average per week and he said about 15 lessons. His language and teaching skills are getting a good workout. And he said the weather is strange - it will pour rain for 30 minutes and then be sunny and then rain again over and over. Thanks for your prayers.

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HOY como estan? how are you all and I miss you! Yeah we baptized Frank..... it was awesome!  It was so cool to see him baptized.  He is so active and it is so great to see this kid make little changes in his life! We have a lot of baptisms coming up but we just can't seem to find investigators.. it's a bummer but we are working hard. I am hoping for a latino companion this week or maybe to become a trainer..... we will see.  I really want the chance to train because I'm feeling confident about my teaching and speaking now. I love it out here! Time is going too fast. 

Peru is just great and I love the police here.. they have thousands of them. It's like an army.  The other day a police lady told me I couldn't talk to a drunk guy as I was helping him because he belongs in the street. Not much went down this week except that we watched a guy make a cement post for the week..... haha. Oh gosh they make everything out of cement here! We are struggling to find new people that are interested in the church.. ..we need prayers please! We need to find people!  We also had a baptism for the other elders in Saccsamarca.... in the river!! It was cool and we had tons of people there and this girl, Imelda, has a true testimony of the church and it was so cool to see it. I love working here but it could come to an end! We have changes on Wednesday and who knows where I'll go or maybe I will stay here :) But I want a latino companion.. haha!  I'm done with training...so great! We have about 5 baptisms coming up this month..... Ketty, Nadya and Rocio are the next ones. The attendance at church is maintaining itself even though our less actives and investigators and recent converts don't come a lot.. but we are working hard! I love helping these people and seeing the branch grow! 

Reflection of the week  is on divisions. We had divisions this week and I went with Elder Mendoza. At first I didn't feel like we had a good connection.  But the whole day I learned to like him. He is just always happy and willing to do the right thing. During the day I learned that I am a good teacher and I can speak. Elder Mendoza would sit back and make me direct the lessons and lead them out. I know my stuff, I can still improve but wow I was amazed at the spirit being there! It was amazing!! And I look back and realize I can do this!  Also most importantly that I shouldn't judge at first. Because Mendoza really is great and I love him and the missionaries I am with right now and I will miss them lots. I love it here and working, I am reading a book on Joseph Smith in Spanish and it just keeps building my testimony about him. He was a true prophet and I know that with my heart. I love this work! and all of you! :) miss you all! :)

Huancavelica @ 12,000 Feet

Elder Moss and Elder Daza - Huancavelica November 2015

Frank's Baptism - Huancavelica - November 2015

Foothills Above Huancavelica

Pray For Lircay

Jake is doing great. He and his companion had a baptism for Mariela. They've been working with her since Jake arrived in Huancavelica. He and his companion have been making the weekly ride from Huancavelica to Lircay - about a 3-4 hour drive. They are teaching a man there and trying to strengthen the little branch. Transfers are next week so we will see what happens.  

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Hola Familia? Todo esta bien? Les extrano mucho! Things are good in Huancavelica! We have changes next week and most likely Elder Rasmussen will leave....Love that Kid! Work has kind of slowed down....we just can't seem to fine anyone and a lot of people fail us, but we keep working! Last p-day we played soccer til' it rained...It has rained lots again! Usually in the morning and then it clears up. Thursday we made a trip to Lircay. Instead of a 3 hour ride it took 4.  The road was closed so we had to take a back way through a city called Santa Barbara, which is abandoned.  It was founded by the Spanish and it has a huge Cathedral....it's so cool! Peru is really the coolest place.  History about Lircay......A year ago there were missionaries there who were the branch presidency. They had 30 people attending and now it's a Family Group of about 8-14 people.  The president and his wife don't attend anymore and Licray is falling apart. Meetings are an hour and one guy, whose so faithful, does the sacrament and messages. It's so sad, no one has faith for the ward and no one cares there! I felt so bad and I want to go there and help, but no one can go to Lircay and serve.  

I had a cool experience in Lircay.  We visited an older member. He's in a lot of debt and is worried about money and his store.  We talked to him and he was so down and I felt so bad for him.  Elder Mendoza tried to teach him, he got frustrated with us and told us to leave. Just shows how important it is to "listen" to people when they are struggling.  As we were talking and getting ready to leave, I felt that I needed to do something. I bore my testimony and felt I needed to give him 20 soles (about $5). As I handed this , he rejected me, but I told him to trust that god will carry him through this.  His face lit up and we left. I had the best feeling.  I don't know why the Spirit told me to give him money...who knows? But I have never felt the Spirit so strong.  Lircay is sad, and I want to do all I can but we can only do so much. Pray for the place!

So this last Saturday we baptized Mariela! She's so great and has a great testimony! We did the baptism at Tres Boas, which is a natural hot spring in the hills. I got to confirm her a member and give her the Holy ghost. I was so scared....I didn't know what to say. But I got up there and said her long name and gave her a blessing as the Spirit told me.  I felt like it wasn't me giving her the blessing. It was so cool to confirm someone!

Reflection of the week:  I am a tool in the hands of the Lord. It's so cool to be out here to serve the Lord and have the spirit to guide me.  I have such a strong testimony of the Spirit and that He teaches through me to the people. Yes I'm the teacher, but they learn by themselves through the real teacher...  The Holy Ghost.  I love being a tool in the Lord's hand and learning more about the gospel, myself and these people everyday. I love you all and your prayers!  We have a baptism for Frank this Wednesday....so pray for him! Love you all...the Church is true!

Love,
Elder Moss

Thanks to Google Earth we found the street where Jake lives!

Santa Barbara - An Old Abandoned Mercury Mining Town

Abandoned Cathedral in Santa Barbara

Michael (The Driver), Elder Daza and Elder Moss - Lircay November 2015

Elder Rasmussen & Elder Moss - Lircay November 2015

Not sure what to say here...Elder Moss, Lircay November 2015

Mariela's Baptism - Tres Boas, Huncavelica November 2015

Mariela's Baptism

Mariela's Baptism

Standing Room Only At Church

Jake's update for the week is below. He's doing great. He expects that in a couple of weeks at the next transfer interval he'll remain in Huancavelica but will get a new companion. He loves Elder Rasmussen and says they are seeing some great momentum with member attendance and increasing their investigator pool.

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Hola Familia! Como estan? How are you all? This last week has been good! After all the trainings we worked hard this last week and we found some new people to teach and we are hoping it grows from there. Last p-day we slept haha....it's seriously so tiring being a missionary.....and plus it was raining all day. It's basically rains everyday!  It's unreal, one day it'll be sunny when I wake up at 6:15 and the skies are blue, than we leave our apartment at 12:00 and it's raining.  I have to carry an umbrella with me everyday.  As much as I don't like the rain.....I love Peru and the things I'm learning here. I'm enjoying my mission so much that I have forgotten about time.

This last week was really good with missionary work. We contacted a lot of people, found new people and we have a baptism this Saturday for Mariela. She has the desire, she reads, prays and she came to church on her own.  We had 70 member in attendance this last Sunday!!! It was such a happy moment! We had been working our tails off to get this many people at church. The other Elders have almost re-activated the ex-branch president and we had a lot of old investigators come.  The spirit was so strong, we barely had enough room and it was just so cool to see the branch thrive. Wow...to see everyone smiling was awesome. It has given us more motivation to work. Also loved teaching the youth class. We have 5 baptisms Mariela (Saturday), Frank (Nov 25), Rocio (Nov 24), Ketty and Nadya (Nov 27). We are stoked, keep praying for the them and the branch because it's growing and I promise we're working really hard. I'm still getting up early to study my Spanish because I want to be able to speak it well. I want to be the best teacher with the spirit and the best leader.  All 4 of us are working hard and we are excited! This week we are working with Luis, a less active who is 22. We are trying to help him get on a mission. I promised him that if he asks God with all his heart and mind, God will show him a way. I love him and the people in Peru.

Reflection of the week is Matthew 22: 36-39. Jesus is teaching what is the greatest commandment...To love God. But the first and grandest is to love they neighbor. Pres Ordonez, the branch pres, taught this Sunday in Priesthood. We should love everyone as we love ourselves. Because we are all children of God! As I sat and "reflected", I realized I'm quick to judge some of these people. Some don't know better and some are just different. I do have a love for these people because I want to bring them closer to Christ. I want them to live with their families forever because mine means so much to me.  As a missionary I should love everyone because it's the first and most important of all commandments. I love this gospel...I love all of you! Pray for the Branch. Nos vemos proximo viernes!
Love,
Elder Moss

Huancayo Zone Conference Nov 2015

Huancavelica Scenery

Lots of Utah Fans in Peru Making Wallets for The Most Faithful Elders!

Bowling Ball Hail!

Here's Jake's latest email. He's doing good. It rains daily in Huancavelica and apparently hails bowling balls! He's very encouraged by the progress he's making with the language. 

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FAMILIA! how are you all? I miss you all!  Not much happened this week except for a zone conference on Friday that we traveled to. We stayed in Chilca with other elders and got back Saturday. On Thursday we had a huge p-day at a sport complex and all the gringos played football and then we played capture the flag with the Elders. Holy Cow 10,000 feet in Huancayo does you good guys.... DEAD!  The zone conference was great, everyone enjoyed it and President is just the coolest guy. The assistants gave trainings and then we did practices and I received compliments on my teaching! Apparently it is really good for the length of time I've been here......so yes! My Spanish just like jumped this week and I am almost understanding everything, it is crazy!! It has just been raining lots here ..... I hate the rain haha.

We taught 2 lessons yesterday. The first lesson was while standing in the rain and the other lesson in a metal house while it hailed bowling balls!!  It was so much fun! These two new investigators are awesome and we taught them about the plan of salvation because they have lost loved ones. I will keep you updated on them next week. This week was just great and traveling was good. I'm so happy about my Spanish and teaching. I really have the desire to just teach and talk to everyone. It's amazing because that desire is growing more everyday.  Yesterday me and Elder Rasmussen taught Sunday school.  It was so much fun because everyone talks and I UNDERSTOOD them!  I was able to add my own thoughts.  I was teaching and asking questions and pulling scriptures out of nowhere. My conocimiento (knowledge) of the gospel has grown! Sorry don't know the word in English translate mom! :) Mariela is going to fall through for this week with her baptism.  She just can't seem to get herself to church and close her store on Sundays. I am not up for baptizing a less active and someone that doesn't have the desire to renew covenants every week and learn more.... so that was sad. We're going to have a harder lesson and push her a little bit.

Reflection of the week:  I had a really cool experience a week ago at a family home evening with some members. Her name is Zaida, she is single mother and has 2 boys 20 and 14.  They are great and we shared a video on missionary work and talked about it. I was teaching and the words were just coming out and I bore my testimony on missionary work and how much happiness it has brought me. I love helping the children of god and learning more about this gospel. It's truly something heart warming and unreal.... I love it so much. I just felt the spirit and I was crying and they were and it was so cool.  I hope I influenced these kids to go on a mission. It truly has changed my life.  I love it even though I work in the rain or the beating, hot sun (if we are lucky ugh).  I truly love Peru.  My purpose is to save souls and bring them back to their Heavenly Father. I love you all and miss you all lots! CIAO CIAO:)))

Multi-Zone Conference Chilca - Elder Moss & Elder Rasmussen

Huancayo Countryside

View From Huancalevica Apartment

View From Huancalevica Apartment

Day of The Dead...Not The Zombie Apocalypse...

Here's Jake's latest update for the week. This coming week all of the missionaries will be traveling to a multi-zone conference. Conference is on Friday and then they are having a big mission soccer tournament on Saturday night. 

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Hey family! How are you all? How was halloween?  This week flew by and we enjoyed it lots! We had a lot of failed appts but that doesn't stop us from working hard. Every morning I'm up studying an hour early of Spanish and the scriptures. I want to be the best teacher and be able to communicate well with these people. love the Bible haha....it is so great!  Halloween is not that big here....it's honestly just an excuse for the people here to drink. Lots of people drink here and then they visit the cemeteries and drop favorite foods off and flowers for their loved ones. We have to teach people to be careful with worshipping idols and stuff here. They have a hard time understanding that commandment. They celebrate "The Day of the dead and living" and have a huge festival. There's a huge carnival for kids and tons of freaking amazing food. I wanted to try roasted pig, cuy (guinea pig) and lots of different stuff that is smoked over fires right in the street haha.... and then they all get drunk.  

Elder Rasmussen and I had an experience this week with a drunk guy yesterday. There was a drunk, paralyzed guy in this sketchy alley yelling for help to get him up the stairs with his wheelchair. I like to help people here, they may not say thank you and they may have alcohol seeping from their pores, but I want to help them. So I stopped Rasmussen and we helped this guy up the stairs to his house. It's just sad to see all these people lost in the world. So many people walked past this guy and didn't care to help him. It was a good samaritan experience! :) It felt good to help him and my heart ached for him. 

Reflection of the week: I was reading in 2 Cor 3:5-6 and it talks about missionary work and how Paul is simply teaching of christ and not of himself. The light in this dark world is Christ and his gospel. As missionaries we are bringing light into this dark world. It makes me want to work harder and be able to relate to these people more and more. I've always cared for people and care for them even more when I get to know them.  It's HARD when you can't speak the language very well, but I'm trying because I want to help them as much as possible! So one day when I can speak better I know I will really help someone out and I will be on top of the world! I had a great experience with a less active girl who hasn't been attending church. She wants to go on a mission. I started to explain how it makes you happy and your life will be so happy after and the spirit hit her and she started to cry. I felt the spirit and my Spanish may have not been the best but she understood it. Her name is Tatiana. I shared how when I started to read the BOM, take church seriously and pray sincerely,  I felt happiness in my life. 

Right now we have 5 people with dates for baptism.... Frank, Mariela, Ketty, Nadya, and Rocio. The next one is Mariela. We are working with her and her sister who is a less active from Lima East missionaries. She wasn't taught how to pray.. it is sad.. but we are working with them hard. We are encouraging her to close her store on Sundays! Mariela did! She is great! I love being here and I'm happy and time is flying. I'm learning patience with this country and people. I truly enjoy serving them here in Peru. I love you all! and miss you all! :)

Birthday Celebration

Hauncavelica Branch

This is where the studying takes place

Impressed that the beds are nice and tidy!

Power Outage

Here's the latest from Jake. We had to break the bad news to him that we had some real First World problems here on Saturday night with the Utes losing a football game to the Trojans. Amazingly, he was able to one-up us with a story about a power failure right before Stake Conference was supposed to begin. He seems to be happy and healthy...and still a Ute fan!

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Hey fam whats up? How are you all? I'm missing you all but things are great here even though it has rained almost everyday and we are get soaking wet. We just keep working and trekking on through! This week we got a new elder, he is the DL, his name is Mendoza, awesome kid from Tumbas Peru. He is great and we love him and he works hard. We have been working hard all week.  Contacting has not been a success here though... so I decided, out of revelation:), to search the area book and try and find old investigators and less actives. The problem with this area is that it was apart of Lima east and it wasn't the best run mission in the world.  Their motto was "A baptism and a confirmation a week".  We have 400 records but yeah 50 attending.. so we are trying to find these people. We had a baptism on Saturday.....her name is JESSICA!  Her husband, William, baptized her and it was awesome! It was so cool to see that ordinance but we had to redo it 3 times but thats okay :).  Our searching for old investigators didn't result in much. But that night, 3 people showed up to the activity and we talked to them and turns out they want to investigate the church! They are a family of 3 and they had lots of fun at the karaoke activity! Peruvians go all out you guys haha it is so great! 

This Sunday we received a call telling us the power was going to go out all DAY! So I took my shower and got ready. We show up to church,  President isn't there.. no one from the council is there and we had brought investigators and less actives and I felt horrible. We were supposed to have a conference streamed in and we had no POWER! So president shows up with a generator and we got it to work finally by 1:00.  So we watched half of it. At 2:00 we only had like 16 people.. in the morning we had 62! That was a record for the last month! I felt great but at the same time I'm worried they won't come back. It was frustrating and hard not to freak out at our president because he didn't even tell us he wasn't going to be at church in the morning. Well that is the adventure of HVCA....the power randomly shuts off haha.. 

Reflection of the week:: I was reading in D&C 18: 13-15. These scriptures are talking about missionary work. And they talk about how great the joy is when we bring someone to repentance. It is the greatest joy! I shared this with Jessica because I was teaching her lesson 5 to prepare her for baptism on Saturday. She was able to understand my Spanish while the spirit worked through me. I testified to her that bringing people to repentance does bring happiness and joy. I have a joy and happiness out here in Peru doing the Lords work. Missionary work is the best work! And even though I can't speak what I want, I try to with my heart and through the spirit.  Bringing even one soul to repentance brings our Heavenly Father joy and us also. I love working out here and this gospel is so true you guys! I love it! I love you and miss you all so much! CIAO, CIAO:)

Jessica's Baptism - Baptized by her husband, William

Outside of the Huancavelica Branch Building

Inside Huancavelica Branch Building