Tacala

This week was great :)

Monday we played volleyball and who doesn’t love volleyball? We threw eggs on Elder Wilde’s head again because it’s an excuse to throw eggs on someone’s head and who does like doing that?

Wednesday we stopped by an old investigators house... Oscar Cunya. I think I told you about him a while back. It was amazing, almost like he had a different look.  To make a long story short he basically told us that he is ready to get baptized and ready to change his life.  We were really happy for him and we set a baptism date for the 12th of December. 

Thursday was crazy. My companions and I were just ready to leave the office about 5:00 when President called me in his office to talk for a minute.  I walked in and he put his arm around me and told me that there was going be an emergency transfer in the mission and that he needed me to help.  It caught me a little off guard but of course I told him yes. I was really sad that I was going to miss the baptism that we are going have this Saturday for Martiza and I told him about it so he gave me permission to go back to my area for the baptism. 

SOO Elder Wilde and I stayed up ALL NIGHT going over everything he needed to learn. I’m pretty sure his head about exploded but I think he’ll be alright.  :)   I made a manual for him of about 30 pages and it took me forever so he better like it. 

It was hard to say goodbye to my area Ignaciomerino, especially on such short notice.  I tried to stop by all the families that i could in the shortest time possible. I took pics and I’ll send them :)

Friday morning I packed up all my things really quick and Elder Villalba and I were off to my new area, Tacala. :) I love the area.. it’s great :) I guess I could say I’m back to camping........

On the bright side we almost always have water in our room :) But as far as electrify goes... well... not so much :) The first day we went to this little village called Culucanos - thick sand, hot, sweaty, salty, dirty, middle of the stinkin’ desert.  It amazes me to see people that live like this, mom. I have never seen stuff like this in my entire life.. I will forever be changed. Forever grateful.

Saturday we had a lesson with our pensionsita’s son. I tried to apply what I learned from Elder Paredes and be DIRECT.  I didn’t every know him and invited him to be baptized and he accepted. I’m trying to do all that I can for this area before I leave next week.  We also found a new investigator named Carlos. We entered his house and taught him the Restoration and at the end invited him to pray to see if it was true. His prayer that he offered was one of the most powerful, sincere prayers I’ve heard in my entire life.  A simple, humble question "God, is it true?".  The spirit instantly filled the room and I felt a peace come over my shoulders... another reminder that this is true. I’m really excited to see how he progresses.

As we were walking back to our apartment about 9:30 we saw a drunk man pinning 2 little girls up to a wall.  It freaked us out a little so we walked over to see what was going on. We presented ourselves as missionaries and asked if everything was okay.  The two little girls were crying so we assumed not. We offered to walk them home and while my companion was talking to the drunk guy, I was talking to the little girls trying to get them calmed down and a little more information out of them. As we arrived to their house, we found 3 more little girls sitting on the ground, the oldest maybe being 12.  It turns out the mom had left the family cause the dad was an alcoholic and they have 5 little girls. Just to see the look on their faces absolutely broke my heart. They were abandoned... a lack of love. They were dirty almost as if they hadn’t showered in a week.  I’ll never forget their faces.  As we continued to talk, the dad said that he was gonna drive the girls to his sisters house for the night and started walking out to his car. We hurried and tried to calm him down telling him that he wasn’t going drive 5 little girls while drunk. Things started getting a little heated but we weren’t going to let him drive the car. Some things happened and he ended up driving away with the girls. My companion and I said a really strong prayer asking God to protect them. I don’t really know how it ended but I really hope they’re okay.

Sunday was stake conference. It was nice because I got to have a formal goodbye to everyone from my old area. After church we had a lesson with the Torico family. They’re recent converts and when we knocked on their door, they were watching a church movie as a family! Haha! It was really cool. We taught them about enduring and then they invited us to stay for dinner because everyone is so ridiculously nice here. We had soup with cancha :) haha 

Anyways, I love Tacala. I honestly wouldn’t mind staying here :)

Love you guys!

I hope you have a great week.

-Elder Harris

Surprise!

Hey mom good morning :)

I know it’s early, but I just wanted to send you a quick email to let you know that I’m getting transferred. It was super crazy how fast it went, President pulled me into his office last night and told me he’s gonna need me to go work in an area for a week, then I’m gonna get transferred again.

Anyways, my new area (for a week) is called Tacalá.  It’s here in Piura so not too far.  My new companion is named Elder Villalba from Santo Domingo, Ecuador. I don’t know him super well but I’m sure he´ll be great :)

I’ve been working my butt off all night trying to get everything done here in the office. I’m pretty sure I only slept like 4 hours last night. This is gonna be a longggg day :)  But I’m excited to be a normal missionary again and get working. 

I’ll write you more on Monday. I just wanted to let you know :)

I love you, have a great day! Say hi to the family for me. 

-Elder Harris

PAITA

Family.

Hey so this week was pretty great. 

Last Monday we went to Paita :)  It’s a city about an hour from Piura... a port city aka BEACHES. :)  It was so fun, we went to this beach called "El Arco".  It was really pretty and we enjoyed climbing around the rocks and not getting in the water porque somos RULESSSS.  We balled it up and even played some American football because that shirts unheard of here. 

Tuesday was dope. We had an appointment with our new investigator Juan Carlos... we started the lesson real quick so he wouldn’t get on another rambling spree about oil.  We talked about baptism and the importance of this covenant.  As soon as we said that, his wife got super interested and started asking us all sorts of questions about "our baptism" cause they believe in "cautivo".  Oh my word... cautivo.  I don’t know if I am capable of explaining this through email so you’re gonna have to wait until I get home. Trust me... I won’t forget.  He’s huge :)  Basically, it’s black Jesus.  ANYWAYS, they are understanding more and more and hopefully this week we can put a baptismal date for them. :)

Wednesday my replacement Elder Wilde got here. I tried keeping it slow for the 1st day because I remember my first day - my brain was about to explode. :)  He’s really cool and really smart so I’m sure he´ll catch on just fine. :)  

Thursday I went on divisions with an Elder from Ica, Peru.  His name is Elder Ramos and he’s pretty cool.  He loves animation and cartoons so we had a good time talking about that :) 

Friday we had a multi zone meeting.  Our zone (Algarrobos) was mixed with Paita.  IT WAS SOOO LONG.  It started at 8:30 in the morning and didn’t get over until 4:30 PM.   On the bright side, I learned a lot about teaching skills and techniques. :)  It was probably super long because whenever missionaries go home, they give a final testimony and there was like 9 people that spoke. We got to hear from some of my good buddies and it made me really sad knowing that they’re going home soon and odds are that I won’t ever see them again.  Elder Soto..... Elder Nuñez, Ipanaque, Mendoza. ...... I can’t believe they’re going home....

Saturday was great.  So I’ll tell you what happened with sister Moran. Her husband is the bishop in a ward here called Angamos. The other secretaries in the office attend that ward and so that family invited us over for breakfast but we didn’t even know them.  They live here around the office so that means they have money :) They made us eggs, tamales, and bread :) We sang happy birthday to Bishop Silva and we had some chocolate cake...... for breakfast :)  They’re a great family though.. you can definitely feel the spirit when you enter their house thanks to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

When we got done for the day, I went on more divisions with Elder Edwards.  It was sick, we met a black guy from Washington DC that SPOKE ENGLISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Oh my word that is like the second time in my mission where I’ve found someone from the states here :)  I guess he married some girl from Piura and they come down here to visit every once in a while. :)  He made us an AMERICAN ham and cheese sandwich . . .  we were so happy. :) 

Sunday was the primary program. Those kids were so dang cute . . . I can’t wait until I have a little dumpling in that program. :)  In other great news, our investigator Maritza Troncos is attending regularly and so everything is on set for her baptism on the 31^st . :)   We are super happy for her so were just praying everything continues to go well :)  Anyways, our ward mission leader didn’t show up to teach the gospel principals class so as we walked in . . . everyone looked at me like "well Elder Harris, are you gonna teach it then?"  I ended up teaching the class and it turned out really well :) Everyone in the ward found out that I was leaving the area because they all saw my replacement Elder Wilde and it was actually pretty sad. I don’t want to leave Ignaciomerino!!

After church we ate lunch with the Cuadros family. :) They have a son that’s an RM and its really fun to talk to him :)  Like every stinkin meal here, we had rice and chicken :) haha please...... please, please please PLEASE don’t make rice for the next year when I get home. Please.

Sunday was also my companion’s birthday.  His old ward, Enace had already planned a party so we bounced over there for a while and ate dinner and cake :)  It was fun to get to know the members on the other side of Piura.  We smashed some eggs on his head and had a good time. As we were coming back, we saw someone die . . . but I guess that’s a story for another day. :)

Things are great here. Elder Paredes and Elder Wilde are seriously hilarious. We laugh and laugh and laugh . . . all day. :)

Anyways, love you guys. I miss you like crazy!

-Elder Harris

Conference

This week was... good. :) haha.  The first couple days I was pretty stressed with everything going on here and I just couldn’t shake out of it.  Usually when I’m stressed, we just go out and work hard and I snap out but this week I just couldn’t. We worked, and worked and I just couldn’t get a grip on things.  I felt like I had been in this area for so long and I haven’t had the success that I want to have.  

Anyways, on Thursday I was talking to a buddy of mine, Elder Guevara from Bolivia.  I was telling him about how I was feeling that he paused for a second... and asked me the simplest question.  Are you reading the Book of Mormon? I thought for a moment, stunned, realizing that I had been so focused on the Bible the last couple of days that I haven’t had time to read the Book of Mormon.  It’s amazing to me how much power comes from that book... my testimony of the Book of Mormon has been fortified and strengthened time and time again.  From countless experiences, I will be able to stand before the world and testify of the truthfulness of that book.  I know it’s true.

Conference was amazing.  I don’t know what you guys thought of it, but I loved it :) I felt a lot of the talks talked about "becoming".  Steady improvement, one step at a time.  I remember a quote that I absolutely loved. He  said to think about where you were, where you are now, and how much you will be.  Sometimes I feel like I get so discouraged because I want to have everyone’s strengths, but then I think back to 3 years ago, even 1 year ago, and think about how much I have "become".  Although I still have much more to go, I feel like I’m on the right path. 

A talk that was special to me was from Larry R Lawrence.  He invited everyone to go home, kneel down, and ask God "what is keeping me from prospering?"  I took that advice and I went home and asked God... I felt a small impression telling me that I needed to start by giving people more compliments.  To help people feel better about themselves and more comfortable.  I know its small, but every day I have been looking for opportunities to lift.  To include the missionaries that are maybe a little more shy :)

I remember last Sunday while my companion and I were doing our weekly planning, I thanked him for everything he has done for me.  He truly has brought a new energy and excitement to the area, and it has given me that extra strength that I needed.  He truly is a blessing to me.  I love his famous line, he says it at least 10 times a day "VAMOS A BAUTIZAR" (WERE GONNA BAPTIZE) AND "VAMOS A TENER ÉXITO" (WERE GONNA HAVE SUCCESS).

I also loved Jeffrey R Hollands talk about mothers.  I just wanted to say thank you.  :)  Sometimes I feel like I don’t thank you enough for all that you do and all that you’ve done for me. You truly are an angel to me, the best Mom I could have ever asked for. Thank you for everything.

Love you guys!! I miss you!

-Elder Harris

A Fish with Eyes

This week was super awesome.  On Monday we went to Chili’s and who doesn’t love Chili’s? Later that day we found a new investigator named Ana Cabrejo.  She’s super cool and super nice, even invited us to drink some of her soy milk so . . . booyah!

Tuesday we picked up the new missionaries from the airport . . . so many of them . . . 30!   They’re really great though. I’ve gotten the chance to get to know a few of them, and they’re super excited to be here although their Spanish could use a little work :) haha!  I asked one of the new kids in Spanish, "de donde es usted?" (where are you from?) He got super nervous and was like "uhhh... uhh..... estoy bien" (I’m good). :)  I felt bad for the kid but in time... haha... in time :) Anyways we gave some presentations and ate ahi de gallina so it was a good day.  :)

Wednesday we had some more presentations.  We took some pics, ate pizza, and enjoyed it. :) We got back to the office and were busy trying to get everything done, but a less active member called us asking for help so we dropped everything and went and helped her.  :)   And of course, we were happy to do it. :)

We had a great lesson with the Garcia Tipismana family. We were super direct with them . . . (they’re the family that just won’t get married).  Anyways, its kind of a mess but were still pushing forward.  We had a great lesson with them, my companion said it was one of the strongest lessons he’s ever had. 

Friday we worked hard but we didn’t have much success all day.  The night was closing out, but we decided to knock one more door and as we knocked it, sure enough, a sister named Maricarmen opened it and let us in.  We taught her and her son the Restoration and it was great.  As we were wrapping things up, I saw a cake on the table and asked if it was someone’s birthday (take note, first mistake).  She replied yes, that it was her daughters 20th birthday and invited us to stay for cake.  In this culture, you’re not allowed to say no to anything, so of course, we accepted.

And it all went downhill from there.....

Not kidding, right as we said yes we´ll stay, her 20 year old daughter comes out of the bathroom with just a towel on... and comes over to say hi to us.  She recognized that we were feeling quite uncomfortable so she went into her room to change.  While she was changing, we heard loud noises outside and a bang on the door. It was a huge group of her college friends and turns on some music.  They break out the wine, and as guests, asked us to open it! Haha!  I for one had not the slightest idea how to get a cork off a wine bottle but apparently my companion was an expert. He grabs the bottle and I punch him in the shoulder - like DUUDDEE we don’t drink! Haha!  Obviously by his facial expression this statement seemed foreign to him, wine goes everywhere and people are laughing.  They were singing happy birthday, making toasts, and taking pics with some girl we don’t even know.  It was terrible... we snarffed down the cake as fast as we could and we were out of there. 

Quite uncomfortable.

Saturday was great.  We started our fast because general conference is next week (ps – I’m so excited) anyways, I fasted that Elder Paredes and I can have success here this transfer.  

Later we had a lesson with the Carhuapoma Troncos family.  They’re amazing... prepared by the Lord.  In 2 weeks they’ve read 18 chapters in the Book of Mormon.  We invited them to be baptized on the 24th of October.  I wish you guys could’ve been there when we invited her, her face lit up like the 4th of July.  She was so happy.  She and her daughter Ingrid accepted.  We invited them to church and of course they were thrilled.

On Sunday when we picked them up for church they were completely ready to go at 8 30.. just like we planned :)  It was great and I don’t think they stopped smiling the whole 3 hours. :)  We talked a lot about the priesthood and usually when we are called on to us it, it’s unexpected.  Which is why I must always be worthy morally in my thoughts and actions. Perfectly obedient -  "nothing is difficult when it’s worth it".

We ate lunch with Eduardo Garcia and his family... it was great...... we ate fish with face. Not a fan.  I even ate the eye ball. 

Anyways, Elder Paredes and I are great. He’s already taught me a lot... that it all depends on the attitude.

Love you guys, hope you have a great week.

-Elder Harris

PS - yes, I saw the red moon last night :) Maybe we aren’t as far as I thought we were :)

Buenos Dias Chicos!

Family!

Yes, today was transfers. After 5 months and 3 transfers, my companion Elder Nosa left to another city called Paita.  It was hard to say goodbye but I feel like I’m ready for a change :) Now it’s just Elder Paredes and I... :) And to respond to your question if I’m ever going have an American companion, I wouldn’t count on it :)

My new companion is great.. for real. He is super funny. EVERY MORNING when we wake up he goes to the bathroom and comes out, gets into this power stance, claps his hands and says "buenos dias chicos" (good morning boys) it’s freaking hilarious. He laughs a lot and he has a sense of humor like me. :)  haha!  He’s super open as well. 

Monday a sister missionary from Mexico made us some traditional Mexican food and it was BOMB. Seriously why am I not living in Mexico? PS – I’m still sick of rice.

I also made a package for one of my buddies in my first area, Negritos.  I think I told you but his name is Harol and he got his mission call to Bogota, Colombia so I made him a package of shoes, a shirt, and a few ties because I know that he doesn’t have much.... I wrote him a letter and sent a picture with it so I hope he likes it :)

Tuesday and Wednesday I basically lived with Elder Yujra and Elder Edwards. We are opening 6 areas this transfer so my companions were super busy buying new things :)  Anyways, we enjoyed ourselves :)

Thursday was great.  I think I told you last week but every night about 10:15 we walk about a mile to a less active members house to help push her car into her house.  In the beginning it wasn’t that big of a problem, but we´ve done it every night for the past 2 weeks and I remember feeling a little annoyed by it... I remember thinking, I already have a busy enough schedule as it is, I’m exhausted, and at 10:15 every night I honestly just want to take a shower and go to bed.  But then I remembered a Mormon Message called "LIFT".  (If you haven’t seen it, GO WATCH IT)  I told you about it a couple weeks ago and it really touched me. I have been praying for the past couple weeks for opportunities to serve and now here it is.  It’s amazing to me how God gives us opportunities to grow and become like Him.  But he gives us our agency to choose to do or not, and do it with a smile or not.  I´ve really been putting for an effort the past couple days to be happy about doing it and it truly has made all the difference. :)

Saturday we got the official transfers... I have mixed feelings about staying here another 6 weeks in the office but if God wants me to stay, so be it.  :) There must be more I need to learn.  Later in the night we had a lesson with the family I told you about last week, Carhuapoma Troncos.  They read 9 chapters of the Book of Mormon in a couple days, WOWW.  We had an awesome lesson with them and they accepted our baptismal invitation.  We are super happy for them :) I’ll keep you updated.

Sunday was awesome.. Elder Nosa just said goodbye to all the members and they all made us food and it was a great big party :) Seriously these people are great :)

It wasn’t a crazy week but for sure a good one :)

I hope you guys are great back at home, have a great week. 

Love youuuu :) :) :) :) :) :)

-Elder Harris

1 Year Down, 1 Year to Go

Family!

This week was great.  Haha! Not kidding it was like a party all week long. :)

First off, I got a new companion! :)  His name is Elder Paredes and he’s from Asunción, Paraguay. So for right now we are in a trio.  Elder Nosa is gonna be with us for another couple days and then he’s leaving.  I can’t believe that were splitting paths after 3 transfers... 4 1/2 months.  To be honest, it’s going be weird to have a different companion.  But we love having Elder Paredes with us... he seriously is so funny.  :)

Tuesday, President and Hermana Rasmussen´s son and daughter-in-law flew down to Piura to see us... they were SUPERR cool and we had a good time chatting. :)

Wednesday was the big day.  1 year.  I can’t believe it.  1 year ago I left my family, my friends, college, work, my COUNTRY, and took a leap of faith.  I have served in Talara, Sullana, and Piura.  The past year has been the hardest, most exhausting, most devastating time of my life.  But I would start over again tomorrow if I could.  :) I have never been so happy :)  I have learned so much about the world, but more than anything, about myself and who I really want to be.  My testimony is being built upon the rock of Christ... He lives and I know it’s true.

For our 1 year party, Elder Edwards (also completed 1 year) and I bought a tres leches cake and shared it with everyone in the office. After, we got up on the roof of the office and did our burning ritual :)  I took the shirt that was already ripped and wrote 1 year on it and burned it :) 1 year down, 1 year to go.  WOW. 

Later in the night we had a lesson with Hermana Teresa.  She is Not doing well at all.  They have absolutely 0 money.  They didn’t eat lunch because there was no food in the house.  We tried to explain to her that she could talk to the bishop about the "fast" money. Anyways, we had a great lesson with her and as we were leaving, she gave us a piece of bread.  Although it was such a small offering, it was all she had, and it meant the world to us.  I feel like this is what happens with us and the Savior all the time... times in our lives, we may believe that we have almost nothing to offer... but the amount isn´t whats important.  It amazes me every day.  These are the types of people that I’m surrounded with every day.  They would give everything if they could. Truly, truly an amazing people. I love them so much.

Thursday we had interviews with President Rasmussen.  It wasn’t anything super special because I see him every day but we had a good time chatting it up :)

We had a lesson with Hermana Raquel as well... like I’ve explained, she and her family are passing through some problems and something she said I would like to share with you guys.. "Nothing brings me more comfort than the Book of Mormon" it was such a simple phrase but it is absolutely true.  Why is the Book of Mormon not our first fount of comfort?

Friday was Elder Nosa´s birthday :)  We played soccer in the morning and when we got done, of course we smashed like 6 or 7 eggs on his head. :) Later in the day we bought pizza and as we were taking a "group pic".  I actually put the camera on record ANDDD as we finished singing happy birthday we grabbed him, wrapped him to his chair with whatever we could find.. duct tape, saran wrap, ties, and smashed another like 15 eggs on his head. :) It was super fun! :)

Sunday was chill. It was stake conference :)  Nothing much happened but I made pancakes for my comps... I always try and do something for them every day. :)

Things here are great. :) Everyone is still freaking out about "EL NIÑO".  I guess it’s coming in November or December.  Everyone is getting prepared for it by stashing food, and everything else they can find.  The kids now even have school on Saturdays to end school faster.  Also, were going to have a meeting / presentation as a mission to have an escape plan ready and things like that.  I guess there’s a 95% chance that it’s going to hit.  Always ready,  LESSGOOOOO!

haha love you guys, miss you!!

-Elder Harris