2-11-13

¡Hola!

The new sister missionaries arrived this week, our sector split, and now we miss having the whole sector to work with haha. We're doing alright, but now we aren't running from appointment to appointment and we are often left with just contacting people in the streets, which so far hasn't produced many results. Nearly all the people we talk to are "set in their ways" when it comes to religion. If I could point out a scripture in the Bible that says the Mormons are the true church, they still wouldn't accept it... A lot of people express that it is ridiculous that there are so many churches, but when we try to explain why that is and how the original church of Christ is on the earth today, they don't understand and still think of the Latter-day Saints as any other of the many churches. It honestly is like Joseph Smith's Palmyra here, and unfortunately, most people aren't interested in finding out what is the truth. We keep trying though!

The city of Santiago cut a lot of people's water this weekend, which caused many to not come to church, including "Y"... We made the bad call of not going to pick them up because we thought that they would be okay (I've learned my lesson now to never assume that). She and her whole family apparently slept in. We went by that afternoon to see them. We're going to make sure she goes this next Sunday. We actually set baptismal dates with the mom and a sister for the 3rd of March, which Elder Smith and I were very excited for. Yesterday, the mom said she doesn't want to continue with the lessons. She really surprised me with that. She didn't bring up a valid reason why she wanted to stop, but she did say that she would like to tell us about it privately. So, I don't know what's up, but we're going to figure it out. Her sister is so on track for baptism. She's really cool and good about everything. I'm grateful for that.

We had another woman tell us that we are "cold" people (which was her way of saying no to listening to us), even though she said that we are "really good people" and "definitely sent by God." I don't know why they say that haha. It's their choice to think that though; it's too bad that false observations like that are going to keep them from the restored gospel. It makes me really sad when people are held from the truth because of silly excuses, but that's just how it is.

We had some good lessons this week, but we want a lot more. It's hard when you can't find anyone to teach, but I'm trying my best. We have some new plans we're going to try out.

  

Wow, a lot has been going on at home this week. That's great about Corinne's mission call! A girl in my ward also opened hers this week and was called to Brazil. I don't remember the name of her mission either haha.

  

I am healthy and my apartment is clean. ;) No worries!

I have to go now. I love you all so much!!!

Con amor,

Elder Hill

2-4-13

"Y's" Baptism!

Sector Slam

Superstars of the Santiago East Mission

Just so you know.....I'm still in Los Plátanos! This change is only three weeks though so it will go by fast. We have two new sister missionaries in the ward, although we haven't met them yet. Elder Smith knows about one of them (she's from southern Chile and is supposedly amazing) and her companion is fresh out of the Santiago MTC. I'm excited to work with them. Other big news, "B" got confirmed and "Y" got baptized yesterday! She gave me the honors of baptizing her. She was a little bit of a miracle because our appointments fell everyday of last week until Thursday. We told her that if she wants to get baptized that Sunday, she has to meet with us on Friday and Saturday also, and she did! She said she was very happy to be baptized, and her mom also says she has a lot of interest in the Church and really enjoys listening to us. She said she felt uncomfortable in the Gospel Principles class, but other than that it went well. I was originally going to confirm "B,"but Elder Smith and I barely missed the beginning of Sacrament meeting because we helped "Y's"family get to church and the bishopric already confirmed "B" but he said it was all good so I'm happy that it was a good experience for him.

We also had a huge sector slam with the missionaries from the Santiago MTC in my sector. I felt a little bit like one of the bosses haha. I met a man who works in the MTC who served with Sam Woodruff! His name was Oscar Cedros (or something close to that). You have to love the small Mormon world. :) The new sister missionary was in the sector slam, so I'll figure out which one it was this week haha.

That's great that Garrisonville got two more missionaries! Congratulate Elder De Haan for me please; I'm really happy for him.

I've been thinking a lot about all my friends who are serving missions. I have had the hardest time finding time to write letters but I feel really bad that I haven't been able to really write anyone.

I got a letter from Aunt Amy and Amy Sumner this week! It was great to hear from the Amys in my life haha. Thank you so much! I enjoyed hearing how things are. I always keep you guys in my prayers!

I'm so happy to hear what's happening at home. I send my love to all of you guys. Oh Moes Mondays....how I miss them.  I really liked the photos and videos this week. Brilliant job recording Kurt and Cameron in seminary Maddie haha.

To answer your question, Dad, I can pull my own weight on the Spanish now. I obviously don't know a ton of words and I don't sound like a native (yet haha), but I can understand Chileans and survive perfectly fine. I guess I haven't mentioned Spanish because it isn't something that is bothering me anymore. I want to speak way better and way faster still, but I can talk to people and teach them fine, and I'm sure it'll continue to get better with time and having Latin companions. Hopefully I'm average or above average with gringo missionaries! I've successfully integrated myself into Chile haha.

Mom, thank you for your email. I miss you! There was a woman who made us a really nice meal this week and she was talking about how she is always amazed with the moms who let their children leave for missions. She took care of us that night like a mom would and I felt very loved, almost like you were taking care of me. :)

A man from Utah named Nahimu came down for the weekend to participate in his convert's baby blessing. He took us out to lunch today before he left for his flight and we had a very good conversation. If you ever find and read my emails, Nahimu, thanks for the good time! I saw more of Santiago today than I have in a while and it was a really good day. You also shared some really good advice with Elder Smith and I that I will always remember.

I got your package for me this past week! The cookies worked out perfectly. They were soooo good haha. I still have five more so don't worry that I ate everything at once. ;) Thank you for everything you sent me! I loved getting more ties!

I love you all and miss you so much! Being with Nahimu helped me look at things a little more beyond the mission, and I want to be sure that I do things right, be smart, and trust the Lord. I pray that we all can do that. I can't to hear from you next week!

All my love,
Elder Hill

1-28-13

Elder Hill, "B," and Elder Smith

Futbol

P-day Fun

Hey everyone!

Guess what happened yesterday? "B" got baptized! It turned out to be a great baptismal service, and he stayed for all the classes for the first time yesterday (he always said that he would start staying for all the meetings once he was baptized). He is very happy. The bishop called him to be a ward missionary, which is a great calling for him and I'm excited to do things with him outside of the usual visits that we have. I am so happy right now. :) Even if I don't know all the reasons why the Lord sent me to Los Plátanos, I know for sure that one of the reasons was for "B."

We've found a couple new investigators, one probably having a lot of potential (she's the mom of "Y"). I invited her to listen to us teach "Y" so that she at least knows what "Y" is learning. She heard part of the Plan of Salvation, so she agreed to listen in our next visit. She participated in lesson three--the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and said that she liked it a lot. I invited her to come to church with everyone, and she accepted. She should hopefully come this-coming Sunday if she doesn't have anything schedule-wise to impede her.

Something random that happened this week was that we were outside a house on Saturday, planning on making the appointment that we had. Then, Elder Smith and I hear a man behind us speaking to us in English. I usually don't speak English to people in Chile because nearly nobody speaks English that well. Plus, having a formal conversation in English feels unnatural. For some reason, I answered in English, and then the guy began to explain that he's from Los Angeles. I realized that he actually knew Spanish because he had an LA accent (also because he started swearing like an American, which, by the way, made me happy--if you know what I mean--to hear someone swearing English words with a non-Spanish accent haha, I hear too many Chileans shouting swear words at us), and he said that he was studying here but that he got caught up in drugs and said he really needed help and figured that he should ask the Elders that he always sees. He doesn't live in my sector, so I got his number and sent it as a reference. I hope that he gets the help he needs; he seemed really humble. Just an experience that doesn't happen too often.

Today, we played futbol [soccer] as a zone and that was a lot of fun.

It sounds like life is crazy like usual for you guys. I'm happy to hear that Kurt is home from the hospital and that he is already trying to get back in the routine of things. Everyone else sounds like their doing fine too. Let me know if there is anything I can do for you guys all the way from Chile.

I'm grateful for the gospel. I'm constantly amazed at just how powerful it is and what it does for us. I know that Jesus Christ lives and that he paid the most incredible price for us, but that we are worth it to Him. I want to make sure I do all that I can to make myself worth it. God is there and He listens to us and is involved in our lives. I feel His reservoir of strength giving me the ability to always work harder and dare to do the difficult and even the seemingly impossible. Thank you for all your support too, guys. Your prayers are definitely working. The letters and messages that I receive from you are also so appreciated.  :)

This is the last week of this change, so we'll see if it's time for me to go somewhere else! The next change is only three weeks though due to the new missionaries from the age change.

Wish Blake and Kylie the best for me before they leave!

We are having all the missionaries in the MTC here in Santiago come to Elder Smith's and my sector to do some heavy duty contacting this Saturday, so I'll give you a report on how that goes by next Monday.

That's all for this week on my end of the world. Stay safe in the snow and ice! I love you so much!!!

Con amor,
Elder Hill