Hey family,
This week has been really something. It was such a blessing and an emotional rollercoaster. I am learning always that I am here not to think about myself, but others. To help others come unto Christ by giving them the restored gospel. And I really have noticed that I am the happiest and feel amazing when we are teaching an investigator, or that feeling when someone accepts invitation to be baptized, we really are here on the Lord's errand. and to love the people just as He does.
In reality this calling only lasts so long, in fact its quite short in the scheme of things and I need to make the time that I have here in Peru count. In the mtc there was a talk that said, We as missionaries have front row seats of the greatest miracle in the world, and its so true.
Well, now on to my area!
It is everything you would hope a South American ghetto would be. Well, to a North American it would seem extremely ghetto, but here I guess its not so shabby. I really love it, and the branch is awesome, I might not be able to speak the language but the church is true all over the world, but the church is just a little more....lets say....special, in different parts of the world. The members are great and I'm really glad I have the opportunity to be here for 12 weeks. They actually don't have pianos in their church buildings, oddly enough. well, dodged that bullet! But its pretty funny because Peruvians aren't quite known for their singing, so it was pretty entertaining trying to sing with the congregation on Sunday, without a piano there were like 3 key changes and it was their own version of the hymns haha, its great.
My companions name is Elder Insaurralde. (Yeah, say that ten times fast.) from Paraguay. He is super stellar. Humble, obedient, and patient with me and the language, everything I could hope a trainer to be. And yes, as sad as it is, mother, ALL of our meals and laundry are taken care of. I know, I was a little sad too, not being able to use my usefully-honed home making skills here in the mission, but alas, I will survive. We basically just go over to a member family house (our pension) just a few blocks down, and the sister there makes us really great food. and another sister takes care of our laundry, and even folds it, now that is something that hasn't happened to my clothes in a looong time haha.
There aren't too many white people here in Chiclayo, actually, I haven't even seen one that's not a missionary, lol. So kids like to call me gringo, and one of my favorites has been Gringito, by this really old lady, but I have also come to terms with the fact that my name is no longer Elder Lonsdale, but Elder Lons-dah-lay. I would send pictures but my comp says that taking pictures is a bad idea in our area because of how dangerous it is, so we need to be careful.
Well I love you all tons, thanks for being an awesome family!
Your missionary,
Elder Derek Lonsdale
