Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Email from June 30

(Hey everyone, this email from Elder Santiago is pretty long. Just wanted to give ya'll a heads-up!)

I'll start my email from two weeks ago. I have two things to say about the last week of the CCM. Me and Elder Caton gave an Hermana a blessing of healing because she was sick. I anointed, and he gave the blessing, but i had my hands on. He said to be healed now. Within the hour, not only was she feeling better, but she was happy and had energy! Honestly a miracle. There is real power in the Priesthood, I love it.

2nd- my Birthday!! Hermana Blackmer really took care of me. They bough me gifts, like candy, another nerf gun, etc. We played some scripture game. At lunch, the chefs brought me out a pastry with a candle. It was awesome! It really was as good as a birthday could be in the CCM. I really wish it could have been with yall though!


We left the CCM on the 25th of June. We shipped out at like 9 in the morning. Went to the president's house, which is so nice! We had workshops then lunch, then dessert (ice cream, cookie, cake, and whipped cream). Then we hit the field. I went with a guy Elder Diaz. He has about 6 months left in his mission. We went tracting in the slums. These were dirt, broken rock roads with houses with tin walls and tin roughs. Literally the slums. We knocked doors and taught some pretty good lessons. It was so long and hard! At like 9 pm, we returned to the bunk house (a house with about 15 beds for missionaries). We were sitting out in the street eating pizza. Whenever another missionary would return, we'd start cheering and they'd start running. It kind of felt like the Amazing Race. But this was only Day 1!


On the 26th, was change day. I got your package the morning of changes! It was just in time.  I was able to show my CCM district pictures of my family. It was awesome. Thank you guys so much!!


I received my companion and my area. My companion is ELDER ARAGON! We are in Boca del Monte. Boca del Monte is right by the city, kind of like Orem to Provo. So, you know how i tracted in the slums with Elder Diaz, that is my area. All these people have tin walls, tin roofs, only one room for bed, table, kitchen and everything. It's really humbling. The people are really humble. I really do love these people. Also, these hills. You know Skyline and G-ma's hill? Those are normal! We tract hardcore up those hills and more steep hills. And the number one rule here is urgency in the work. So as my comp walks, it's easier for me to just run beside him. He's been out for 6 months and I like him a lot. 


Our apartment is quite nice. It's super spacious. 3 bathrooms and a beautiful view! That's one thing these hills give me, a super nice view of the city and surrounding area. Oh, and nice calves...those too.


The culture here is awesome. There are so many little stores on the side of the road. They're behind bars and sell anything from candy bars, chips, toothpaste, deoderant, etc. Super fun. They sell bulsas de agua for half a Qetzal! That's like 6 cents in America, for a good amount of water! And there's chocobananas. Frozen Bananas dipped in melted chocolate. For only one Qetzal! And there's so many little bread shops. So good! and places where they make tortillas. So here on the streets, there is a constant clapping because people are making tortillas by hand. 


In the CCM, Presidente said to never get on the red buses. So i'm like ok, not a problem. But then in the field, we contact red buses. President Brough tells us to. So we get on the bus, stand in front and yell at everyone. WE ARE MISSIONARIES OF THE CHURCH...yadayadayada. So not only ride the red buses, but draw all the attention you can to your self. 


Haven't been robbed yet! Thank you so much for getting me this little pouch i just slip inslide my pants and hook to my belt. It lets me carry money with out worrying about my money being stolen. Genius!


They have served me tamales twice so far. Gross. They have bones in them! So i feel like a noob when i have to spit the bones out. Also gross, MorCafe. For those trying to quite coffee but are members. Disgusting!! 


Rode in a Tuk-Tuk. Like they have in India. I thought either we were going to die, or we were going to kill someone. But nobody got hurt! The guy was like all over the place. on the sidewalks, on the road, and everywhere in between. 


I have been welcomed to Guatemala by the rain! When it rains, it pours. The streets flood and we just keep walking in it. But my umbrella is amazing! literally amazing. It's just about a tent on a pole. Keeps me so dry! Once, we were standing teaching someone during the rain. A car drove by and just drowned me with nasty road/trash water! Ew!


I'm now dreaming in Spanish. I sleep talk. For like 3 straight nights, i would sit up in bed and bear my testimony about things in Spanish. Gospel things like BoM, Joseph Smith. CRAZY!! 


We have a chef that cooks us lunch every day. She also does our laundry. Her name is Rita. She is awesome and the food is so good! 


We have an Hermana getting baptized this Sunday. Her name is Jaqueline. She seems really involved and like a really good investigator. ¡Pilas! (Awesome!)


I have a crazy story about how we met a family. We were in a apartment complex we're not aloud to tract in, but we had an appointment so we were there. My comp decided to make up a random family name and knock on a door. Family Perez. They were like no, you have the wrong door. So we said ok, then shared a quick message with them and a pamphlet!


Then we went up a level and did the exact same thing. This time, the name was Family Ramirez. We knocked and said that we were looking for Family Ramirez. Their name was Family  Ramirez!!! Crazy!! So we gave them a brief message and made an appointment later. I really believe it wasn't coincidence. It was the Spirit. If these guys get baptized, it will be such a crazy story!!


Read Ether Chapter 12 Verse 4. Beautiful!! 


Everybody! Pray on your knees.


Anyway, just a quick spiritual thought. Jesus Christ is our Savior. When he was alive, he loved us more than he loved life! That's why he was willing to lay down His life-for each one of us (John 10:18). And so only he can be our Advocate with the Father. To plea with Him on our behalf. Moroni 7:27-28 and DyC 45:3-5.


I love you guys so much. Please keep praying for me. My protection, my safety, my health, and success!!


I love you guys! I pray for you always!! The Church is true. The mission is awesome!!


-Elder Hunt

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