Email from Jan 20, 2014

 This week has been super crazy.

Last week went along normally. We went out and preached the gospel and blessed lives. Normal for a couple of missionaries dedicated to serve the Lord.

Tuesday morning (like the 14th), President Brough called me. He told me that I would be called as a trainer. That automatically made me super nervous. Usually, missionaries from the States don't train until they have about 10 or so months in the field. I'm starting training with less than 7 in the actually field not counting MTC. It's crazy. My new companion is Elder Diaz and he's from Ecuador. His accent is super hard to understand. He doesn't really believe in the importance of the letter 's'. Interesting. He's 18. He's going to be a great missionary. We're going to have success and we're going to have fun-that's what the mission is all about!

Yesterday, we had a conference. Guess who came to talk to us. QUENTIN L. COOK!!! It was fantastic. He came, the Area Presidency came. One of the Presidents of the 70 came. It was super cool. It was the first time I've ever had a apostle come and talk directly to me about what I'm doing right now. He also shook my hand! I'm certain that he is a profet, seer, and revelator. He is truly inspired of God. He made his wife, Hermana Cook, participate too. She made us all stand and sing Put Your Shoulder To The Wheel, or in Spanish, Pon Tu Hombro a la Lid. So, we sang the first verse everybody together. When we sang the 2nd verse, one third of the group would just say 'con fervor' to the beat while the rest sang. It was super cool. In the third verse, a different one third would say 'trabajar duro'. That was also super cool. On the fourth verse, we had one third saying 'con fervor' another 'trabajar duro' and the other singing the words. It was a super cool experience. The Spirit was super strong and Hermana Cook was super happy. Elder Cook talked to us about four kinds of love. We must love the people we serve, our companion, the mission president and his wife, and the Lord. I learned a lot. He also gave a blessing on our mission and stuff.

Well, God hears and answers prayers. There is no way I can doubt it. For too many instances I have called upon the Lord and he has smiled upon me. My testimony builds of this principle every day. The most recent. So, there's a familiy. Family Melgar (hopefully that name is familiar). We baptized the daughter on the 30th of December. The Mom, Maria, has gone to church like 5 straight times and she's super ready to get baptized. But, she doesn't want to get baptized without her husband. Her husband, Jorge/George, has attended church just once. We had a change in the schedule that we'll be going to church. Now, we'll be going at 2. This change made it impossible for Jorge to go due to work. After a lot of praying, the Lord is working. Jorge's work is about to start changing things so that he'll be able to attend at 2 in the afternoon. Their baptismal date is for the 8th of February. Everything is going perfectly with them.

Also, we're helping a man come over his addiction to smoking, drinking, and coffee. He went from drinking every day to not drinking in the past 5 days. He feels happier. He's making a lot of progress. I know 5 days isn't a big number, but it is for him! He smokes only two cigarrettes every day. One when he wakes up and one to go to bed. Just need to take out these two. Almost. With coffee, we'll give him a substitute. It's awesome.

The Church is true. The Book of Mormon is the word of God.

Love y'all!!

-Elder Hunt

"3 Generations" photo

So trainers are called Dads and trainees are called Sons. Now that Elder Santiago is a trainer, his trainer is a Grandpa. Here is there 3 generations picture to celebrate the event!

Pictures from the Service Project

 Beautiful Sunrise

 Bug he found

 Same bug

 Before the machete 

 After

 Some of Elder Santiago's quotes

Elder Santiago and his mini-missionary

Email from Jan 13

 First off, this mission is different from any other mission. We don't just take days off to heal. We work arduously from 6:30 am until 10:30 at night. I haven't actually eaten dinner in a couple weeks. There's just too much to do. As Senior Companion, I'm the one responsable for this whole area and the salvation of these souls. When we get home at about 9:15, we do planning for the next day. Then, from like 9:40-10:25 I fill out the paperwork that I need to do and squeeze in a little time to write in my journal. At 10:25, I finally change out of my proselyting clothes and get to my bed to pray at about 10:28. I haven't had dinner in 2 weeks! President doesn't allow people to stay home. Why? Because that's when Satan will be able to enter into our thoughts and we'll start thinking about home and what not. If I'm sick, it's just too bad. There's not enough time in the day to rest, just a lot of Orange Juice!

On Facebook, a Carlos Gonzalez requested to be my friend. You should accept him. Thanks :)

If it would be possible, I would appreciate a copy of my patriarchal blessing shrunken down and laminated. I have no idea how to do it but maybe yall could send it to me?

I live close to a live volcano. Now and again, while out working or teaching, we'll hear rolling thunder and fell the houses start to shake. It's fantastic. At night, the volcano spits out lava! One day, I'll be in a good spot when the volcano is making lava and get a couple good pictures.

Sunday morning, i decided to cook a special little breakfast. On the two burner electrical stove, I made a good breakfast. I made pancakes, eggs with cheese and ham, and toast. It was quite yummy. It made me happy. I might start to do it more often. I need to learn how to cook more vegetables and also need more simple recipes. All we have is a microwave and a little stove top thing. It's hard but it makes me creative.

Here in the area, we've got investigators that are starting to progress towards baptism and conversion. It's truly beautiful. There are many good people here that want to know the truth. Right now, we're teaching a family of 5. They're super hard. They attend their church, but receive us and listen. The father can't understand that the church that Christ established fell and disappeared after Christ and His apostles. The family is awesome. I love them and they love me. We never contend, just use a lot of scriptures. I have learned so much doctrine these 8 months. I feel like it's super crazy how I can just remember where scriptures are and be able to quote them. It impresses the people also.

This past week, we had a sweet service project. Imagine the part of grandma's house behind the hoop without being mowed in months. How overgrown and crazy it would be. Well, we were asked to clear something like that. But we weren't given a lawn mower. They gave us a machete. Just one. It was fantastic. I got super dirty and we worked hard. I'll attach pictures. I found a couple of sweet bugs!

It's hot. The hottest part of Guate is the Coast. Where I am. The hottest months are February through Abril. I'll be here for them. I might die. I sweat so much it's literally ridiculous. But, the people see me and feel bad. They offer us a lot of juice or water. I love it! I feel like I'm really bonding with these people!

Guys! I found a scripture that has changed me! Read Alma 13.24. The Lord is sending His angels to prepare the people for our message. There are people prepared, we just have to find them! It encourages me to work harder and talk to more people

Also, read Moses 6:59-60. It talks about the need to truly be born again--water, spirit, and blood. I feel like just these two verses share a lot of gospel in them. We are baptized by water to fulfill the commandment, by Spirit to be justified, and blood to be santified! Love it. Talks about Baptism, Confirmation, and the Atonement and Repentance.

I love y'all! Read the Book of Mormon! It's like the best book there is. Learn the scriptures. Don't just read to read. Read to apply and change your life. Treasure up the words of eternal life. These words of eternal life will be found in the scriptures. It's a commandment to read, so if yall don't, you're breaking this commandment.

Help the missionaries! Introduce your friends to them!

Be Safe.

--Elder Hunt

Photos!

 This is his district

His companion, Elder Nolasco (I think)

 From the Christmas Eve Program

The baptism of Ligia

Email from Dec 29

First off, I need dad's recipe to making pizza. A member wants to make it one day. So, if you could send it to me, that'd be nice. Don't worry about translating it into Spanish, I'll take care of that. 

We had a baptism yesterday! Her name is Ligia. She's super awesome. I feel like one day she'll be a future missionary. We kind of did things a little strangely to have this last baptism for Elder Nolasco. This was his first baptism in the area, last baptism of his mission, and brought his total to a nice, even 50 for the two years. We broke qutie a few rules to bring this baptism about, but we had permission the whole time. Rule 1, it says in the Red Handbook that the church must be closed on Monday nights to encourage the families to have their activities. We called President Brough and he gave us permission, so did the Bishop. Rule 2, a baptismal candidate must live the Word of Wisdom for 10 days before their baptism. Ligia drank coffee last Sunday. We called President again for this and he gave us permission to baptize her within the 10 days. All in all, it was a great experience. The hope and prayer is that her parents will get baptized in January. They're super awesome and positive. It's just that the dad needs to attend church to be baptized. They know that the church is true, they've received answers. The dad will attend church this Sunday, so hopefully we can baptize the mom and dad on the 19th of January. If you'd like, you could mention the Melgar Family in your prayers. Thank you :)

Let me remind yall about what's going to happen tomorrow. Tomorrow, Wednesday, I'll complete 3 weeks in my new area. Also, tomorrow is the day that my current companion will complete his mission and go home. Tomorrow, I will receive a new companion, but he won't be a real missionary. He'll be in the state of waiting for his mission call or waiting to enter the MTC. So, after three weeks of being in a new area, I'll have to just about work solo for a little bit. Usually, people have 6 weeks to learn an area and then teach it to someone else, but not me--I had 3.

For Christmas Eve, the people here gave us a ton of food. We received about 14 tamales, a bag of apples, a bag of grapes, a loaf of bread, and half a chicken. One week later, we still have some tamales in the fridge. These bad boys do some damage to your bowels. They taste super good while you're eating them. But, after a couple minutes, you've got to run to the bathroom and ....handle business. It's a vicious cycle. People here sell tamales for 5 Qetzales or like 60 cents. I'm going to learn how to make tamales, return to America, and sell them for 5 dollars a piece. They're super good and they're good sized. It's definitely a sure plan.

On Christmas Day, we didn't do much of anything. We got to talk to our families, rest a little bit, then leave to preach the gospel again at 5pm. 

Guys, no need to worry. We once again have running water in the house! yea! So now, to fill up the buckets to bathe ourselves, we just have to carry them full of water about 20 feet. It makes it a lot more convenient to bathe and what not. It's strange to see the things that I would take for granted in the States. Air conditioning, running water, windows that close all the way, cool air, etc. I just love Guate. It's the best. 

I started reading the Book of Mormon from the beginning on the 19th of December. Right now, on the 31st of December, I'm at like 2 Nefi 25. I love it. I have the goal to read it two more times before the 15th of May. I read it in literally whatever moment I'm provided. I invite y'all to do the same. 

There's so much to learn in 2 Nefi 9. It explains the Plan of Salvation super well, so it's fun. Many people say that us Mormons don't believe in Hell. But we do! As it says in this chapter, there is a death and a hell. Death is the separation of the Spirit and the Body--happens to everyone at one point or another. Hell is the eternal separation from the presence of Heavenly Father. We can't prevent Death, but we can prevent Hell. How? Living the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ! Faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, and His atoning sacrifice, Repentance, Baptism by someone who holds the restored authority of God, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the Laying on of Hands, and Enduring to the End (Progressing to the End). 

Thanks so much for all the prayers. I need everyone that y'all send up to Heaven. The work is progressing. Help the work in your ward! Give the missionaries references. 1 out of every 3 references received is a baptism--said a General Authority. 

I love y'all a lot. I can't believe it's already been 7.5 months. Where has the time gone?

--Elder Hunt

Email from Dec 22

 Well, it's been super fun and quite interesting here in Hunapu, Escuintla!

First off, I got the package from Grandma! and I got you're package! Grandma, it took a while to get to me, because of the Mission Office. They saw that you wrote things related to Christmas, so they put a stamp saying ''Keep''. So, i didn't receive it until the week before Christmas. Who knows how long it was waiting there. I'm super excited for the new USB of music. But, all the songs are on as m4a and my little speakers only read mp3 or mp4. I'm going to ask a member to change them for me without any hassle. Thanks for the candy! Still waiting to open the gifts.

The week that past, we had 2 P-Days!!! One, on Monday, like always. The second, was on Wednesday. We had a Mission Christmas Activity. We woke up nice and early at 1:30 IN THE MORNING. We had to travel all the way to the capital to be in the temple session at 6 am. The new video is in Guatemala in Spanish! It was fun. Then, after the temple, we went to a nearby stake center and played sports. I, of course, played a little bit of fut (soccer). President was watching us play, enjoying the time. He even cheered me on!! Then, we had lunch that was fine. After, we had a devotional. President Brough's Mission President, President Perez, came and spoke! So, in this meeting, the daughter of President Brough spoke, Hermana Brough spoke, President Perez spoke, and President Brough spoke. It was super fantastic. We worked that day from 6:30-9 pm. While President Brough was talking, he made us do something. In Lucas, we learn that Christ hung on the cross for 6 hours, 3-9 pm. 6 hours of suffering! He talked about how awful and painful and full of anguish. He made all of the missionaries stand up. Stretch our arms out, like Christ on the cross, and hold it for 6 minutes. While doing this, he put on a video of hymns and pictures of Christ. Longest 6 minutes of my life. In this moment, I grew closer to the Lord on a more personal level. Try this.

Saturday night, was the Ward Christmas Activity!! The Primary kids did a little Nativity Scene that was better than one I've ever seen in the States. I love these Primary kids and they love me.

In one lesson, the best thing happened. My comp and I were sitting there, teaching lesson one like normal. This time, it was my Comp's turn to talk about Joseph Smith. He was going along just fine, until it happened. He was like, ''James 1:5 says, 'I saw a pillar of light...(until the point of 'two personages').'' Then he froze. Despair filled his countenance. Had he really just done that? He then looked at me. It took all my effort to not bust out into a wonderful laugh. I, being the stalwart missionary that I am, didn't even let a little smirk form on this face. I then explained Joseph Smith again and ended the lesson. It was FANTASTIC.

Another lesson pretty memorable. We taught the restoration like normal. At the end, we asked her to say the prayer, and she accepted. Ah, bueno. She started out fine 'Heavenly Father, I'm thankful for this day.' Then it got interesting. 'Please watch over my f-f-fam-family.' Then a dramatic pause filled with sniffs and a few tears. Then she threw out the word, 'Amen.' A dramatic pause lingered in the air. She then said, 'Christ is in my house.' I then testified that she had, in this moment, received an answer. It was FANTASTIC.

So much has happened to me here in Guate. I'm always so happy and so content. I always try to work harder than yesterday and be a better example tomorrow than today.

I have a goal to read the Book of Mormon 2 more times before May 15th. I love this book. It's the word of God!

Remember. Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. He lives.

--Elder Hunt

Email from Dec 15

 So, I went to Changes Meeting, not expecting much of anything. Then the meeting came and passed without much fuss. I left my area and went to my new area of Hunapu, Escuintla. (I'll talk more about the area a little later). My companion is Elder Nolasco, from El Salvador. At Changes, they give like a little bulletin of what's happening in the mission. The missionaries that are leaving, the new missionaries that are coming, and who are going to be the trainers of the new missionaries. I didn't think anything of it. But that night, I looked at it more closesly. This is where the craziness started! As I looked at the list of trainers, my name was there. After further investigation and calling the Secretaries of the mission, I found out interesting information. I was supposed to be a trainer this change! I hope I can explain this so yall can understand how crazy this is. First off, I have 7 months, I'm still so young. Second, I'm going to a new area without knowing anything. Thirdly, Elder Nolasco is about to end his mission on the 2nd of January so I would have to be in a trio, training for a little while. But, all in all, the missionary didn't come on the mission. How sad. But it saved me from all this craziness. So, right now, I'm not sure what's going to happen. Normally, missionaries have about 6 weeks to get to a new area, learn it, and then the companion leaves. But me, no. I have 3 weeks to get to the area, learn it, and be ready to receive somebody knew and teach them the area. On the 2nd of January, I'll receive a mini missionary. A mini missionary is like 17 or 18 that is preparing to go on the mission but hasn't yet completed his papers, received his call, or entered the MTC. Then when the experience with the mini missionary is up, I'll probably train a new missionary this next change. Craziness! I hope yall can understand what's happening.

But yea, that's the craziness in my life right now.

The house I'm living in now is awful. Why awful? Well, here in Hunapu, I'm in the costal part of the mission, so it is HOT. SO hot. Also, I live by two active volcanoes, and they give off a lot of ash. In the house, we leave the windows upon 24/7. So this allows a whole bunch of ash to enter and whatever type of critter that so desires to do so. The house is filthy and it's like impossible to clean. On top of that, there's not running water. In the house, there's one faucet. We must make use of this faucet to wash dishes, bathe, and flush the toilet. How do we bathe? We fill up buckets with water. We take these buckets into the 'shower'. You've gotta get yourself wet, lather up, then rinse off. This is not hot water, it's cold from the tap. It's wonderful. I don't feel at all like I'm living in a super civilized country-because I'm not. Today, in the morning, Elder Nolasco filled up his buckets and showered. I waited for my turn. When it came, I tried to fill up my buckets. But there was no water! WHAT?! To my luck, Elder Nolasco left about 1 gallon of water in a bucket. I used this gallon of water to bathe myself. It was quite the experience. I absolutely love Guatemala.

So, from today on, I have 2 weeks to know the area and be able to lead. I need your prayers with that. The time limit of a normal missionary has been cut in half. My mission has not been easy. Well, training was easy. But then Emergency Changes. And now, this great chaos. I'm a little overwhelmed with what's about to happen. I love how the Lord is truly making me grow and progress. I almost can't believe that the Lord sees me fit to train, but I feel like I can.

I'm working write now on writing another letter. This one is about Humility. It's turning out to be a little longer than my letter on Patience.

Leaving with members is awesome. Leaving with leadership of the ward or stake is fantastic! Just give them like 2 hours. Also, make sure they have somewhere to eat on Sunday! In my last area, we ate with the Stake President every Sunday for lunch, before Church. Here, we have nothing set up. But this Sunday, we bought Tamales on Saturday and ate them Sunday. I freaking love these tamales here, I have eaten so many.

I hope that everyone is reading the Book of Mormon and growing closer to the Lord. HELP THE MISSIONARIES! If anything, invite them over to share a quick 20 minute lesson with y'all.

Next week, I'll send fotos. Right now, my camara didn't connect with the computer. Who know why, it just didn't.

I'm loving life. I love the mission. I can't believe it's almost Christmas. I can't believe I completed 7 months on Sunday. The Church is true. Hunapu is HOT. Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. I never stop sweating.

I love y'all a ton and hope all is well!

--Elder Hunt