Hey Ya´ll
I appreciate all the support I see from you guys in your emails. it has been really helpful. Life is good here. It took a day or two adjust but now that I understand how things are going on here, it is a bit easier. I have been really blessed to understand more than I though was possible and definelty during our lessons. There have been a few times this week where I got lost in the lesson and literally had no idea what to say, but I opened my mouth and the Holy Ghost filled my mouth. these have been really powerful moments for me. We have met a lot of people these past few days which has been incredible. I love the people here already.
Something I learned this week is the importance of the Spirit in lessons. We read this talk and something that really stuck out to me was that we can give lessons and evidence all day, but it won´t do anything without the Spirit because our message is spiritual, it requires faith to believe and to act. The only way a person can understand and know the truth is if they pray about it in faith and receive that confirmation for themselves. My role as a missionary is only to invite and make people aware of things such as the Plan of Salvation so that they can pray about it for themselves. I am exceptionally grateful for the oportunity to be here, to serve, and to teach.
I have a few pictures here. One is in front of a tank. There are a lto of Chilean military bases here in Arica. Another is me and my comp walking to the internet cafe here with our friend Abraham. And the other is holding a member's pet rat last night.
Saludos,
Elder Porter
Already answered the mamita. Those are just the apartments of random people that are next to the mission office. I have not sent any pictures of the apartment because it would scare you. :) I will put some more pictures in that Google Drive folder that you looked at in the last email.
How long has your companion been out? What part of Peru is he from?
My comp has been out for 8 meses right now. he is from South Lima. He was baptized at 12.
What are those ruins or buildings that you took pictures of on your first day there?
That is a fortress that was built in like 1903 which is pretty recent considering they are ruins. Those are in Antofagasta. You can proabably ready more about that online.
Are you on a walking mission or do you guys use bikes? How big is the area that you cover?
So do you only get mail/packages with transfers? I'm just wondering because of mailing everything to the mission office/home.
Yes. There is a conference with all the zone leaders once a month, maybe we go there too, but anyways someone goes to the mission office and gets the mail, but we only get it 1 time a month so if its food, make sure it can do that.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
So is the picture that you sent of the outside apartments the outside or your apartments? I'm taking it that you don't have a mammita or mamacita. Do they still have those for some companionships?
(He has one. He eats lunch there 4x a week and she does their laundry. She is the stake president's wife)
(He has one. He eats lunch there 4x a week and she does their laundry. She is the stake president's wife)
Already answered the mamita. Those are just the apartments of random people that are next to the mission office. I have not sent any pictures of the apartment because it would scare you. :) I will put some more pictures in that Google Drive folder that you looked at in the last email.
How long has your companion been out? What part of Peru is he from?
My comp has been out for 8 meses right now. he is from South Lima. He was baptized at 12.
What are those ruins or buildings that you took pictures of on your first day there?
That is a fortress that was built in like 1903 which is pretty recent considering they are ruins. Those are in Antofagasta. You can proabably ready more about that online.
Are you on a walking mission or do you guys use bikes? How big is the area that you cover?
We walk everyday. Our sector covers about 6 square miles (3 miles by 2) in Arica in an area known as Los Industriales. We are not close to the beach but it is more inland. We can see the water from some parts. We have to take a bus or collectivo (taxi) everyday to get to our area, or it is like a 30 minute walk. Lots of Chilean Military too. I have a picture of myself in front of a tank outside one of the base gates.
So do you only get mail/packages with transfers? I'm just wondering because of mailing everything to the mission office/home.
Yes. There is a conference with all the zone leaders once a month, maybe we go there too, but anyways someone goes to the mission office and gets the mail, but we only get it 1 time a month so if its food, make sure it can do that.