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 Perù 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.”
“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:
Those are some huge leaves and some neat fountains!
ReplyDeleteStockton loves the train.
ReplyDeleteJake is always talking about the jungle, how far away is it?
Do people go visit it like we go to the mountains or something?