Elder Reschke Serving in Peru.: We Made Mission History.

Hola Familia Y Amigos!

This was a very solid week for us here in the Zona Carabayllo.

Hope you were all able to have a good week. I know that ours was fantastic:)

Last Monday was our Zone’s turn to go to center of Lima. Slightly stressful, because we were in charge of taking a whole Zone of sixteen people across a city of 8.5 million people, making sure they had a good time, making sure that nobody got lost or did something stupid, and getting them all back safe and sound, but it was a success and, we had a great day and made mission history.

We are the first Zone of the mission to have taken a private tour of El Estadio Nacional, which is the big national soccer stadium where the Peruvian national team plays.

It was awesome, and we went inside to see the field and everything. My companion and I got to to the offices to leave our legacy signature in their little book at the stadium.

After that we went to a market called Polvos Azules, which is one of the biggest markets in Lima and has EVERYTHING you can imagine. Then we went over to the historic Plaza De Armas to take pictures and buy souvenirs. It was a solid day.

As far as the missionary work is concerned, we are very happy with the work we are doing, and we have seen amazing progress in our Investigators. Christian and Fatima are getting ready to be married this Friday, and my companion and I are going to be the witnesses. That same night is their baptism and after their baptism is their wedding reception. We have seen amazing progress in them and I know they are truly receiving a conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is so amazing to compare how the Investigators were when you found them, compared to how they are after having accepted the gospel in their lives. It is an amazing difference.

I am so happy that the work is progressing here in Perú at such a rapid pace. There are thousands of people that the Lord is preparing to receive the blessings of the restored gospel in their lives. What a blessing it is for us as missionaries to be able to be lead by the spirit to these people and share the gospel with them.

I had a good experience interviewing one sister for baptism. I was able to testify to her of the amazing blessings of the Atonement of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. She is preparing to be baptized this weekend. On a work visit, I was able to meet a lot of great people and help them prepare to be baptized for the month of February.

Yesterday I was reflecting a little about the things that I have learned thus far on my mission. It’s really interesting because after being in the service of the Lord for nearly 18 months, one realizes the things that are really important in life. I realized that I don’t even remember who the student body president was, when I was in high school. Really the only things that are important in life are the things that aren’t of the world. Like service to others, obedience to the principles and teachings of the gospel, establishing a relationship with our Heavenly Father through the small and simple things, and trying to be a better person every day. That is one lesson that I will be applying from here on out, and I know that it will shape my life and the person I am capable of becoming. I recognize I still have a long way to go, but I know that the Lord is shaping me in every way.

Thanks for the support that you all have given me, and I hope you all have a fantastic week.

Much Love,

Elder Jacob Reschke.

P.S. For P. Day today, instead of going to Chilis like all the Zones do, we are going to what apparently is one of the tastiest restaurants in Lima. Should be a good time.

I am deciding between Fried Guinea Pig or the Barbecued Octopus.

The decision of a lifetime….

Questions Elder Reschke answered this week:

Did you receive your birthday package from us?

Yes I got your birthday package! Thanks for remembering my birthday. The snacks were super tasty, and I love the tie pins. The hummus is super tasty, and please tell Dan thanks for the soccer Jersey!

I like it a lot.

(Jake’s brother Dan sent his old high school soccer jersey to Jake.)

I know you planned the soccer stadium tour for this past week, how did you arrange that?

We just called the stadium and talked to them to set up the tour. Everyone loved it. You have no idea how big soccer is down here.

Lima City Center, January 2016: