Monday, June 29, 2015

2 baptisms and Parque De Las Aguas!

Hola Familia Y Amigos, 

It’s been a jam packed but fantastic week. First off, let me tell the story that I didn’t have time for last week. So we were in the chapel, getting ready for the Father’s Day Activity, and this random guy came wandering in. He had his Jehovah’s Witness bible and pamphlets, and said “Um excuse me, this is my first time here.”   He had been contacted by the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and confused our chapel with the Kingdom of the Jehovah’s Witness chapel down the street. WE, didn’t say a word! Thinking quickly, we were like, “oh Hermano, welcome to the chapel, let us take you for a tour.” He kept asking if he was in the right place, but we kept changing the subject, we were like, "oh look, here's the library!", Finally, we pulled him into a classroom to share a message with him. After chatting for ten minutes, we kindly explained that we aren’t the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and who we are, we went on to share the most powerful message of the Restoration that I have taught in my mission. He was super interested, and when we asked him how he felt he said “well I know that I walked into the wrong chapel for a reason, and that it was God guiding me to his true house. From what you have told me, I KNOW that this is the true church, and I am ready to follow this Gospel with all of my blood and soul”. He told us that just being in our chapel, he can feel something, a peaceful tranquil feeling. He then accepted the invitation to be baptized for the month of July.  This is one of the most fun, yet most Spiritual experiences I have had on my mission. 

     Moreover, this was a solid week. On Monday for P. Day, we went to the soccer field with a couple other Zone’s to play. It was a true Latin American moment, chilling by a soccer field in the middle of PerĂ¹ drinking Coca Cola from glass bottles.

After that, the whole Zone went to the fancy KFC to eat lunch. Afterwards, everyone went home to go take a nap, but Elder Hilario and I wanted to do something exciting, so we found this cool archeological site in the middle of our Zone called the Huaca De Sinchi Roca. We walked all around it and explored for a bit, it was pretty neat.

We helped our convert Isabel prepare these giant leaves from the jungle to make Juanes, these tasty tamales from the jungle. On Wednesday, we did a crazy service project, carrying these giant 60 pound bags of sand straight up an endless stairway up high in the hills. It was brutal! But it was nice to have some fresh squeezed ice cold passion fruit juice. 

     Friday was the big wedding day of the couple we helped to get married so they can get baptized. It was in Parque de Las Aguas, which is this huge awesome park in the center of Lima with all these fountains that do way cool things. Normally the missionaries can't go, but this was an exception. And it was Dang Awesome. We had no idea how to get there, but like the old saying says, “asking around, you can make your way to Rome”. We got there, and on the way, took pics with the famous Estadio Nacional, this huge big soccer stadium. The park had all these cool fountains, including a tunnel of water that you could stand under without getting wet. The wedding was sponsored by the government, and I felt like I was at one of those high-end “Great Gatsby” style millionaire parties.  Everyone was dressed super fancy, with military police guards standing at attention, with fancy spot lights and decorations, etc. The fountains at night were all lit up with different bright colors. 

     Saturday was the baptism of Junior and Joselyn. This was definitely the Spiritual highlight of the week. These two converts are awesome, and they are super excited to be members of the church. I had the privilege of baptizing Junior and Elder Hilario baptized Joselyn. Their testimonies afterwards were incredible. They are so firm in the faith, there is nothing that will bring them down. I know that one day they are going to be great leaders in the church, and they are really going to magnify whatever calling they have. They were confirmed the following day, and they are so happy.

Sunday I had to give a talk in church, and I gave a solid talk on how we can develop Christlike attributes. I think it was a good talk. 

Well that’s about all that’s new here. I know this is the work of the Lord, and I am so honored to be one of His missionaries.

Sending love to the shire, 
Elder Reschke.

P.S. We were buying chaufa (Chinese fried rice) in the street and this lady CONTACTED US: We asked her what called her attention, and she said it just looks like we live tranquil lives. I guess she just saw the light of Christ in that moment. Neat huh?  

Questions Elder Reschke answered this week:

How did Junior's baptism and confirmation go?
I looked down at his face after the confirmation, and he was crying.  He has had the most amazing change in his life!

What is the miracle of the week?
The miracle is that we were able to baptize Junior and Ingrid, and their conversion has been so great.  

What is your scripture of the week?
2 Nephi 31:16: 
“And now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved.”
(We shared this scripture a lot the past week.)

How are you doing money wise, how does the money situation work there?
I am doing great money wise.  We get a certain amount on a credit card each month. I always have a little bit of money left over, it seems like.  I am pretty frugal.  

                                                    Manuel's baptism last week.
                                               Elder Hilario, Manuel, Elder Reschke:
                                                            At Manuel's baptism:
                                                              Elder Reschke and Manuel:
                                               Manuel, Elder Hilario, Elder Reschke:
                                                    Elder Hilario and Elder Reschke:
                                                                        Rabbit skins:
                                           Exploring the archaeological site on P. Day:
                                                                  Archaological site:
                                                                   Soccer Stadium:
                          Helping an investigator make tamales with giant leaves from the jungle:
                                                   Rice and beans.  Amazing food:
                                                           Service project in the hills:
                                                     The wedding of our investigators:
                                                                   At the wedding:
                                                         Fountains at the wedding:
                                                        More fountains at the wedding:
                                                                    Fountains again:
                                                   At the wedding of the investigators:
                     The Parque Ed Las Aguas Train.  We maybe or maybe didn't take it for a ride:
                                         A beautiful day for the wedding of our investigators:
                                                       Elder Hilario and Elder Reschke:
                                               At the wedding of the investigators:
                                                            More fountains:

                                                           Baptism of Junior and Ingrid:
                                    Elder Hilario, Junior, Elder Reschke at Junior's baptism:

                                  Elder Hilario, Ingrid, Elder Reschke at the baptism of Ingrid:

                                                         Elder Reschke and Junior:
                                                   Elder Reschke and Elder Hilario:

Monday, June 22, 2015

Baptism of Manuel, Ancient INCAN artifacts, and Dedication of Temple.

Hola Familia Y Amigos! 


How goes it? This week was absolutely incredible. Excuse my typing errors, because this keyboard doesn’t work. We had P. Day Wednesday, because we went to the Centre of Lima. It was awesome!

We went to the Holy Inquisition Museum where we saw all the catacombs under the building where they tortured all the people that rebelled against the Catholic church. We saw the punishment cells, the torture devices, and all the chains and handcuffs. Let me just say I’m glad I live in this century, because that was a scary time period. But, it was cool to climb around in the catacombs under the building and get some neat photos!

Afterwards, we walked through Chinatown which was cool, and then the rest of the Zone went to eat like pizza or whatever, but Elder Hilario and I wanted to do something cooler than just eat at the mall. So, we got permission to escape from the group, and we went to the museum where they have tons of ancient artifacts from all the native Peruvian cultures, including the Inca. There was a room full of ceremonial golden objects, and it was awesome! We saw tons of original artifacts, knitted objects, and tons of cool ancient figurines, cups, coins, jewelry, etc. It was WAY better than going to the mall to eat.  Afterwards Elder Hilario and I swung by the famous Cathedral of Lima, and went inside. It is way neat looking inside. So, then we all went home and that was the close to a fantastic P. Day. 

     We were a tad bit worried for Manuel, because he was really sad earlier in the week and said there was no way he is ever getting baptized. We taught him a powerful lesson, and gave him a blessing.  Two days later we returned with the Stake President who interviewed him.  I have no idea what the Stake  President said in that interview, but it was golden.  We went in after and he said, “Hermanos, God NEVER abandoned me, and I am going to follow him for the rest of my life, and I will be baptized this Saturday!” That was a true miracle, and so we started to plan the baptism again!

     Thursday was interviews with President, and he is VERY pleased with the work Elder Hilario and I are doing and for the success we are seeing. He told us that he put two, more experienced missionaries together as an experiment, and it worked very well. He also said that he is leaving us together for another transfer after this one because we are working so well. He also told us that it is our job to help the Zone Leaders, who are having kind of a rough time.
     We have been preparing Ingrid, the sister of Joselyn, to get baptized on the 27th of this month with Junior. They are both doing great.

Saturday was the baptism of Manuel, which was such a special experience. Elder Hilario and I were both in the font to help with the baptism, since Manuel only has one leg. I am so happy for the progress we have seen with Manuel and for the Spirit that we have felt as we taught him. His baptism was an awesome experience, and I am so happy for  him. His testimony after was solid, and the Stake President also talked to us.

Sunday we didn’t have church because it was the dedication of the Trujillo Temple. The dedication was awesome! President Uchtdorf and Elder Bednar came down for the dedication, so it was neat to have some apostles in the country. The talks were great, President Uchtdorf was super funny during the sealing of the cornerstone, and the Hosanna Shout was neat, with our specially sewed handkerchiefs that have a picture of the temple and say "Mision Peru Lima Norte, Dedicacion del Templo Trujillo, Junio 2015." Pres. Uchtdorf gave us a special blessing, and then Commanded us to record that day in our journals.

And, I have a really funny amazing experience to tell you guys about, but due to the lack of time, ya`ll will have to wait till next week! muahahahahahah.

This week has been fantastic, full of spiritual experiences and miracles. Thanks for everything you guys do! The church is true, never forget it. Take Care! 

Con Amor,
 Elder Reschke. 

P.S.  We watched a man butcher his rabbits, and he gave us the skins, and now the skins are drying on our roof. We are going to make handmade rabbit fur scripture cases! I have never prepared a rabbit skin before, but how hard can it be? This Mountain Man guy came to our elementary school one time and showed us how! haha 

Questions Elder Reschke answered this week:

Spiritual experience of the week?
The miracle was definitely Manuel changing his mind.

Do you get a chance to run at all?
Running almost every day and it’s awesome.

                                                         Baptism of Mauuel:


Baptism of Manuel:

Elder Hilario and Elder Reschke in the city:

                                        Elder Hilario and Elder Reschke on P. Day in the city:
                                                                            City selfie:
                                                         Elder Aoki and Elder Reschke:
                                       In the city with Elder Hilario and Elder Reschke:
 Museo del Congreso y de la Inquisicion ( Museum of  Congress and The Inquisition.):
                                                                    In the museum:
                                                                             Museum:

                                                                            Display:
                                                                     Museum display:
                                                                            Pottery:
                                                                               Museum:
                                                                       Museum:
                                                                             Museum:
                                                                            Musuem:
                                                                      In the museum:
                                                                          Museum:
                                                                          Museum:
                                                               On the streets of the city:
                                                                      Museum display:
                                                                     Museum artifacts:
                                                                      Museum:
                                                    A  weaving in the museum:
                                       Bone and wood tools carved with llamas and alpacas:
                                                                       Gold artifacts:
                                                                 Gold artifact:
                                                  Elder Reschke LOVES Museums:
                                                                  Cathedral of Lima:
                                                                              Guards:
                                                                 Cathedral of Lima:
                                                                       Policia in Lima:

                                               The Zone at the Lima City Centre:

                                                       The Zone at the city center:
                                                 Happy missionaries in the city:
                                                                             The Zone: