Chimbote

Hello everyone!

I passed my first week here in Chimbote, my new and most likely last area, and it is definitely interesting. First thing is that the area is ginormous. In Central, our area was a rather small sector of the city, meaning that it was very easy to organize things and proselyte quickly. With such a large area here, it's a bit more difficult! My companion, Elder Hill, has only been here for 4 weeks due to the short change we just had, so we are both flying blind here. It will all be alright though. The Lord always provides. It is really cold here though, since we are right next to the ocean, so that's not too much fun.

 

We had to say goodbye to President and Sister Turk yesterday. It was quite sad to be honest. They gave a hug to each and every one of us, which was really special. They are great people who have changed my life and the lives of many others. They will be leaving Friday night, and President and Sister Marler will be getting here at about the same time. It is definitely a mix of emotions.

 

So sorry that all the emails kinda stink this week. I won't be able to send pictures yet again this week because I forgot my camera cord. I suck, I know. I will be much better at time management next week. I Love you all!

 

Trace

I Hate Goodbyes!

Hello all

Yes, the sad news came last night, I will be heading out of Central after just 6 months in this blessed (and I don't say that sarcastically) area. I feel like I have been here for such a short time, but I suppose that's a trick that my mind is playing on me due to my overly long stay in Alto Moche. I am pretty pumped about my new area though. I will going to a city called Chimbote, which is about two hours by bus south of Trujillo. Ironically, the room I will be sleeping in was the first room I ever slept in on the way to Huarmey, my very first area. Full circle, right? I am also excited to be with Elder Hill, my new companion. He is from Utah, and is just a ball of energy. Should be fun. Can you believe that it will be my very last area though?? How the time flies...

We at least got to end the stay here in a great way, with a baptism of an awesome man named Carlos Arbildo. He is from the jungle of Peru, and is staying in Trujillo to study. His sister was murdered just 2 weeks ago, and then a week after that his favorite aunt died as well. Through it all, he has been strong with his commitment to be baptized. Elder Massey did the ordinance on Saturday, and I confirmed him on Sunday. I will surely miss him. There are a few other people that I will be leaving behind that will be baptized this month, so the change is certainly bittersweet.

I had a bunch of pictures to send, but we went to a really ghetto internet cafe today, so I can't really do it. I will send them all next week though.

Happy travels
Trace

We're Packed In

Hello all! (side note: if any on the sending list don't want to receive my weekly email, feel free to tell me. I won't be offended. Frankly, I would be quite annoyed if some missionary sent me their letter every week and I didn't even want to read it in the first place)

Anyway, it has been a great week here, especially with all the blessings from the Lord that we are seeing. We had 15, that's right, FIFTEEN investigators go to church with us yesterday, and 5 of those are committed to be baptized this month. I'm not sure if the Lord is just really pleased with us, or if we're just finally starting to figure out how to be good missionaries, but everything is going right. I just hope against hope that I don't get changed out this coming Sunday. This change was short due to President and Hermana Turk leaving, so I might get the outs 2 weeks early. I'm hoping for a miracle though. Who knows, I might stay after all! I am still definitely taking advantage of all the fast food here though, just in case.

Explanation of the pictures:

1. Me with the KFC bucket...actually I guess that is pretty self-explanatory.

2. My shoelace just snapped in half the other day. I guess I really am getting old.

CONGRATS TO TAYLOR AND CHRISTY!!!!!! I LOVE YOU GUYS!

Love you all!
T

Two Down, A Lot More To Go...

Hey family and friends

My inbox was flooded from mail from you guys. So good to be able to hear from all of you, and sorry if I couldn't respond to each personally! We have just a limited amount of time unfortunately.

First off, we of course had the two miracle baptisms this week. You guys already know the stories of Rosa and Fernando, so I'll spare you the pains of telling it all over again, but I did enclose the pictures of their baptism day. It went well, and we actually had a lot of people show up, more than at any other baptism I've had here. Unfortunately, the bishop didn't kneel this time in front of everyone in the group picture (that's for you, Elder Richards).

Other than that, it was a rather typical week. I did get pulled in last minute yesterday to go to Casa Grande (rural area about an hour north of Trujillo) to play piano at their stake conference, which President and Hermana Turk were attending. I accompanied the congregation and the choir, which went alright until the director handed me some random piece at the end that was really hard. I butchered the piano part, the choir was completely off, and the missionaries came in to sing as well and started going a totally different speed. Hands down the most interesting stake conference I've ever been to.

Anyway, hope you all had a great week! I miss you and love you.
Trace

PS I'll send the other pics next week. Comp was going super slow

Miraculous

Hello all!

Can't believe another week has flown by. Time sure goes faster as you get older in the mission. We were really happy with the work we did this week though! We officially have two people that will be getting baptized this coming Saturday: Rosa and Fernando. They are both great people who were truly prepared by the hand of the Lord to receive the gospel. Rosa is a single mother who was actually referred to the Church by her friend who lives in the USA. She even watched all of general conference at a time that she didn't even know the missionaries! She came to church two weeks in a row and requested baptism. Fernando is a really humble man who lives with his aunt, something that's very common here in Peru, even when they're adults. He is very simple, but has a strong testimony about the Book of Mormon. Open your mouth and share the gospel guys! You never know where it will take the people that you share it with.

Otherwise, everything is great. We are trying to lay off the American food lately and eat more Peruvian food (much cheaper). I like it, but am a bit tired of eating the same thing every day. It's been really cold this week too! I even broke out the sweater for the first time in an entire year!
My favorite dish that I have been eating a lot lately is called aji de gallina. It is basically boiled chicken and potatoes covered in a yellow gravy that is made of crushed up saltine crackers, oil, and chooped up aji, or spicy peppers. It is really spicy and totally delicious. It sounds easy to make, so I plan on learning how so I can make it for Xmas eve dinner this year! Beware! The most common job here is to either work construction, or to make a little store of food and drinks in your house. THe supermarkets are for rich people only, but that's where I can find almost all the American stuff that I buy. About 80% of Peruvians are self-employed.

Hope you enjoy the picture of the house we live in!

Love ya
Trace

Changes...And Still No Changes

Hello all!

I apologize beforehand that I have no pictures to send. Some weeks just go by without too much happening! We did have a great week though, with lots of investigators coming to church, and a bunch of new people coming out of the woodwork. We are so happy to be seeing the fruits of our labors lately. It has been hard to go so long without baptisms and whatnot, but I know that it is all in the Lord's plans. We will see what He has in store for us this change.

But changes did come, and there was no change for me! Elder Massey and I will be staying together for 4 more weeks here in Central, and then I will probably get the boot. The changes are normally 6 weeks, but this one is shorter since President Turk is leaving! We are so sad to see them leave, but we are also excited for President and Sister Marler to come. Things are changing around here.

Not too much else to say, but I will try and send pics next week. Love you guys!

Trace

A Fine Week

Hello family and friends!

First, it was so good to see some of you yesterday via Skype. I sure am glad that technology has caught up big time and that I was able to see you guys all 4 times during my mission. Can't believe it was the last call, to be honest...where has all the time gone? I guess we can't focus on the past though...gotta keep pressing forward to the future.

Anyway, we had a great week this week with TWO baptisms, ending a ridiculously long drought that we were having. I don't know if I already told you guys the story, but Elder Massey and I were simply walking down the street a few weeks ago on a slow SUnday afternoon, when we heard two little kids from a window calling out to us. That happens rather frequently here in Trujillo with two white guys walking together, but luckily my companion was sensitive to the spirit and stopped to talk to them. Their names are Josue and Karla, and turns out that their mom is a less active member from Lima, and neither of the kids had been baptized yet. Missionary miracle! The baptismal service went great, especially since the leaders of the Primary organization helped us out big time. The ward is definitely looking up.

WE also found another miracle this week...and not in terms of investigators. While looking for an investigator that Elder Richards and I used to teach, we stumbled into a little burger place that was in some Peruvian's garage, and found...wait for it...some white guy from San Antonio. Who didn't speak Spanish. Who was making delicious, cheap burgers. With American ingredients. And he had UT decorations on his wall. Can you believe it? Obviously, we bought an INCREDIBLE burger from him, and chatted for awhile about Texas. Couldn't believe that I would meet another Texan (who wasn't a missionary) all the way over here in Trujillo.

Anyways, I miss you guys! Hope everything is going well.
Trace