In Justin's email today he wrote, "Hey Everyone, Well not too much happened this week. It flew by. I don't have much time left I was writing my president letter. He told us this week that he wants us to write more because at the end of our missions he makes it into a book as a gift for us, so I put a little more detail into it this week. Well let's see. One of the highlights of this week is that I got to eat french toast on Friday morning.(See. Good food is a highlight in his life right now. The boy needs to find people to teach and find new and better highlights!) We had to pass by the offices and so we went to Dumbos (one of grandpa's favorites in Coch) and I had some french toast. I think I might get the same today. And it only costs a dollar! Great deal. I think I may either go play volleyball with Elder Powell or go paint balling. We are going to decide after. I've never gone paint balling before. My companion is teaching me the guitar as well, so I am going to go buy one today, only 30 or 40 dollars or so, just one to learn on.
Yesterday was one of those harder Sundays. No one came again! We had a bunch of people that promised us they would come to church and members set up to go and get them and everything. But we put together a plan to try and make our area better, help the members and everything. Next Sunday we are going to bring a couple of members to the house and split up and go to every single one of our investigators house to remind them or bring them to church. Our area is hugeee so it's going to be hard to do but we are going to do it because we are sick of them not coming. Because if they don't come, nothing happens. Hopefully it should work. We are also planning an activity for the 15th of August. My companion somehow got his hands on that Joseph Smith movie that they only show in the Joseph Smith building and that you can't buy so we are going to show it for our activity. We are trying to get everyone to come, we made posters, invitations, all that junk. We really don't care much about the investigators coming this time. We just need to get more support from the members. We know that if they come to this one they will like it and they'll come to other ones in the future and the investigators will get to know them more, they'll have friends, and they'll also bring us more investigators. It's tough though, the bishop tells us we need to coordinate more with the ward, so we have changed our plans for the past two weeks to go to ward council, but no one ever shows up, not even the the bishop. But I think we are going to be able to help the ward out.
We also put another person with a baptismal date this week, a 10 year old girl Maria Del Carmen Velasquez. Her uncle was the bishop and everything but her mom Elizabeth has been inactive for 10 years. She wants her daughter to get baptized though and says she is going to be an example for her and go to church and all that stuff, but for two weeks now she hasn't come. We will meet with them tomorrow , so we'll help them out. We are also teaching another girl Anabel, the cousin of members. She is the one that told us we weren't going to be able to convince her but we taught her and she was shut up and told us we were right. Anyways, we had another lesson with her yesterday and she got an answer but doesn't want to accept it. She's scared. Her family is way way Catholic and I think she is scared of that. She kept trying to make up excuses and do dumb questions. I told her that we have the answers to every one of their questions but that we didn't care much to answer them that night until she could make up in her mind if this message is true or not. Yes or no. And once she could tell us that we would keep going.
We had a little more success finding people this week knocking doors. Hopefully they can end up progressing. We had zone conference this week. President gave us a presentation that he wants us to give to the members about their responsibility that they have have to participate in the mission work. Hopefully it works. I think 4 more gringos got here this week, and it sounds like most if the others here in a couple of weeks. The weeks are flying! This year is going to go by fast.
Last Monday I went bowling. What a hoot. (A Justin-ism) Love you all. Bye.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Snow In Cochabamba
In AN email dated July 27, 2009, Justin wrote, " Hi! It's raining. It's the first time that it has really rained on me in my mission. Feels like home during the wintertime. We woke up this morning and all the hills in Cochabamba are covereddd in snow. It looks like Utah right now or something. Weird. All of our appointments yesterday weren't there. That was a bummer. We got a little wet because of it. No I lied, we taught 2 people. They are the cousins of some members. They talked with the missionaries about 5 years ago but told us that they weren't able to convince them and that we wouldn't be able to either. We told them that we weren't even going to try to convince them, only explain to them and invite them to pray and find out for themselves. It is such a difference when you teach by the spirit, it all comes out sensible and clearly. By the end they were both kind of quiet and knew that it was all true. So we'll see what happens. We had 1 person church yesterday! It's an improvement from last week. Jorge Foronda. He's 19 and really wants to get baptized but the problem is that he's studying in college every night, works during the day, and Saturdays and Sundays had to go to a high school thing because he never graduated and is working to finish. But he says he will be done by the end of the year. He wasn't supposed to be able to come yesterday but by some miracle he came. Made me happy to see him. (Yea! He is being blessed for his hard work, diligence and obedience!)
Things are still going well with my companion and I. We dropped a ton of our investigators in the past couple of days, sick of trying so hard to get people to listen to us. If they don't want to listen, we won't visit and we'll find people that do. I liked what mom sent me in that letter that quote from Sister Thomas from Elder Ballard. Makes sense. (Here is what Elder Ballard said to a group of missionaries he spoke to in England: The Lord is truly prepared people to hear the gospel and directs the missionaries to them. It is as Elder Ballard stated while he was here, there is no time now to teach those who are just not interested. He told the missionaries not to waste their time trying to persuade people to come to the gospel, but to deliver their message and if it wasn't accepted to find those the Lord had prepared to hear it. Elder Ballard made the statement that we no longer have the luxury of time and can only teach those who really want to hear.) And so now comes the hard part, finding new people. I don't understand why it's been hard for us lately. If all of our appointments that we take out were there, we'd have a lot more but the problem is they never are. We have to figure something out to fix that.
We planned a mission night activity thing. We were going to have a video, message, games and stuff. Our ward never has activities so we figured we'd do one to give them and stuff. Nobody came. Our bishop came up with a new plan he wants to do. Basically he wants a member to be with us at all times. If not two. It could work. Each member has to give up a half day to go with us and do everything, knock on doors, teach, the works. The young men also want to do a day in the life of a missionary type thing, so every Friday to Saturday they are going to send two with us and they are going to sleep at the house and everything for 24 hours. Should be cool. My companion and I will be able to split up as well and get twice as much done. We finished the month with only 1 baptism (July). It's not bad, but it's not that great either. Hopefully August goes better.
On Friday, we had to go to the offices for something and ended up being there all morning. My companion ended up having to go with the finance secretary to the bank and I was left here doing a few things. Well lunch time came and the church travel lady was there so they all went to lunch at this Brazilian buffet where they come to cut the meat off the stick things at the table and they had to take me because my companion wasn't there. So I got to eat at this way nice restaurant buffet called Buffalos. Soooo good. Steak things, pastas, everything. It cost about 60 a person, or less than 10 dollars but for here that's expensive. But the best part is I didn't have to pay because my companion is cousins with the finance secretary and he took care of it for us. We had good luck that day." Good food is a big highlight in Justin's life right now. He will be in hog heaven when he gets home!
Things are still going well with my companion and I. We dropped a ton of our investigators in the past couple of days, sick of trying so hard to get people to listen to us. If they don't want to listen, we won't visit and we'll find people that do. I liked what mom sent me in that letter that quote from Sister Thomas from Elder Ballard. Makes sense. (Here is what Elder Ballard said to a group of missionaries he spoke to in England: The Lord is truly prepared people to hear the gospel and directs the missionaries to them. It is as Elder Ballard stated while he was here, there is no time now to teach those who are just not interested. He told the missionaries not to waste their time trying to persuade people to come to the gospel, but to deliver their message and if it wasn't accepted to find those the Lord had prepared to hear it. Elder Ballard made the statement that we no longer have the luxury of time and can only teach those who really want to hear.) And so now comes the hard part, finding new people. I don't understand why it's been hard for us lately. If all of our appointments that we take out were there, we'd have a lot more but the problem is they never are. We have to figure something out to fix that.
We planned a mission night activity thing. We were going to have a video, message, games and stuff. Our ward never has activities so we figured we'd do one to give them and stuff. Nobody came. Our bishop came up with a new plan he wants to do. Basically he wants a member to be with us at all times. If not two. It could work. Each member has to give up a half day to go with us and do everything, knock on doors, teach, the works. The young men also want to do a day in the life of a missionary type thing, so every Friday to Saturday they are going to send two with us and they are going to sleep at the house and everything for 24 hours. Should be cool. My companion and I will be able to split up as well and get twice as much done. We finished the month with only 1 baptism (July). It's not bad, but it's not that great either. Hopefully August goes better.
On Friday, we had to go to the offices for something and ended up being there all morning. My companion ended up having to go with the finance secretary to the bank and I was left here doing a few things. Well lunch time came and the church travel lady was there so they all went to lunch at this Brazilian buffet where they come to cut the meat off the stick things at the table and they had to take me because my companion wasn't there. So I got to eat at this way nice restaurant buffet called Buffalos. Soooo good. Steak things, pastas, everything. It cost about 60 a person, or less than 10 dollars but for here that's expensive. But the best part is I didn't have to pay because my companion is cousins with the finance secretary and he took care of it for us. We had good luck that day." Good food is a big highlight in Justin's life right now. He will be in hog heaven when he gets home!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Working Hard and Praying For Success
In an email dated July 20, 2009, Justin wrote, "Things are going pretty well. This was a tiring week. ( My boy is working hard tracting all over the hills!) The people seem to be more humble and receptive there. You have to talk slower to them so that they understand. He is district leader now in Lima and is training. We just have to keep working and we'll have success if we do. We'll see how things go in August!Susan Jurado hasn't come to church in 3 weeks, but we have a plan with the ward missionaries to help her out. And Jose Rojas is way active. He is always at church and is there almost every night with his calling. He is sports president or something.
I am growing my hair out again. (YEA!!) I don't think President Tenorio liked it buzzed too much. Right before changes I did a number one and when I went up to get my change he asked me in front of everyone if I had lost a bet or something. Jokester. Haha but it's longer now. The other night I tried trimming it up but I think I did a little too much. Haha it had holes all over the place. Everyone got a laugh out of it. I took a picture but my camera is dead so I'll send it this week. Luckily one of the elders that lives with me fixed it up and it looks fine now. I don't ever want to go to these hack job haircutter places. They basically shave the sides and leave the rest long, doesn't matter what you tell them. Worse than the ladies that mom always says we shouldn't go to at Super Cuts or whatever.
My companion and I are getting along really well.He understands English and used to be able to speak it better. We read in English every morning for half an hour. I should speak more to him in English but I am lazy and it's easier to do it in Spanish. (Interesting that it is now easier for Justin in Spanish than English now.) Last night someone told me my Spanish sucks. That always makes you feel good after 13 months of trying to learn in. But then on Monday someone else told me it's great. Guess you just always need those humbling experiences. I don't worry about it, I'll try my best and if the Lord wants me to speak it, I will and if not, not my problem. The older sister of my companion is in Provo studying and is actually getting married there to an American. His whole family is going up to the wedding and sealing. He has already gotten accepted to BYU for after as well and is planning on going.
I bought some sweet grandpa button up sweaters to wear at night when it's cold. And the shower is still working (he means the heated shower head). Love scalding hot water.
Oh, I think we are switching pensions again as well. The old lady has to go to some medical witch doctor to get cured or something and so she told us that she wasn't going to be able to do it anymore, which my companion was happy about because he didn't like her either (her food that is) and was looking for an excuse to change. But the assistant's old pension lives in our ward now and has been giving us dinner Thursdays so we are going to her. She used to live in a mansion in front of the temple and now lives in a small two bedroom apartment in this part of town. We don't know what happened, but we are happy she is here. Her daughter knows English. She served her mission in Temple Square and worked as a movie producer in California with a ton of movie stars. Interesting family.
Apparently my vocabulary in Spanish is rather vulgar now. A bunch of missionaries taught me a bunch of bad, bad words but convinced me that here in Bolivia they aren't bad but normal. So I started using them and the general public didn't react well. I am trying to clean it up haha. Have a great week. Love you all. Write me. Here is my address:
Elder Justin Evans
Mision Bolivia Cochabamba
Av. Villarroel 1132 Edificio Confort 7c
Casilla de Correo 1375
Cochabamba, Bolivia
I am growing my hair out again. (YEA!!) I don't think President Tenorio liked it buzzed too much. Right before changes I did a number one and when I went up to get my change he asked me in front of everyone if I had lost a bet or something. Jokester. Haha but it's longer now. The other night I tried trimming it up but I think I did a little too much. Haha it had holes all over the place. Everyone got a laugh out of it. I took a picture but my camera is dead so I'll send it this week. Luckily one of the elders that lives with me fixed it up and it looks fine now. I don't ever want to go to these hack job haircutter places. They basically shave the sides and leave the rest long, doesn't matter what you tell them. Worse than the ladies that mom always says we shouldn't go to at Super Cuts or whatever.
My companion and I are getting along really well.He understands English and used to be able to speak it better. We read in English every morning for half an hour. I should speak more to him in English but I am lazy and it's easier to do it in Spanish. (Interesting that it is now easier for Justin in Spanish than English now.) Last night someone told me my Spanish sucks. That always makes you feel good after 13 months of trying to learn in. But then on Monday someone else told me it's great. Guess you just always need those humbling experiences. I don't worry about it, I'll try my best and if the Lord wants me to speak it, I will and if not, not my problem. The older sister of my companion is in Provo studying and is actually getting married there to an American. His whole family is going up to the wedding and sealing. He has already gotten accepted to BYU for after as well and is planning on going.
I bought some sweet grandpa button up sweaters to wear at night when it's cold. And the shower is still working (he means the heated shower head). Love scalding hot water.
Oh, I think we are switching pensions again as well. The old lady has to go to some medical witch doctor to get cured or something and so she told us that she wasn't going to be able to do it anymore, which my companion was happy about because he didn't like her either (her food that is) and was looking for an excuse to change. But the assistant's old pension lives in our ward now and has been giving us dinner Thursdays so we are going to her. She used to live in a mansion in front of the temple and now lives in a small two bedroom apartment in this part of town. We don't know what happened, but we are happy she is here. Her daughter knows English. She served her mission in Temple Square and worked as a movie producer in California with a ton of movie stars. Interesting family.
Apparently my vocabulary in Spanish is rather vulgar now. A bunch of missionaries taught me a bunch of bad, bad words but convinced me that here in Bolivia they aren't bad but normal. So I started using them and the general public didn't react well. I am trying to clean it up haha. Have a great week. Love you all. Write me. Here is my address:
Elder Justin Evans
Mision Bolivia Cochabamba
Av. Villarroel 1132 Edificio Confort 7c
Casilla de Correo 1375
Cochabamba, Bolivia
Thursday, July 16, 2009
A Trying Time
In a letter to our family dated July 16, 2009, Justin writes, "I'm tired. We worked a lot today. We went up to the big hill on our area and went looking for new investigators. By our house in the more urbanized part of our ward the people haven't really been listening much to us when we go knock on their doors, but further out the people seem to be a bit more humbler. We found a guy today that finally let us come into his house, Gumarcindo or something like that. It seems like he'll be able to progress. We also had an appointment with the Jurado family. Tomasa, the wife, has finally made the decision to get baptized although it seems like her husband Jose has since got a little less excited. He hasn't been there for the last appointments, but we are hoping to get a hold of him soon. The goal is that they get baptized this next week on the 25th. We have to work a lot to get them there."
July 17, 2009
"Sunday night. Just finished another week. It was a tiring one. We walked and worked a lot. Sunday is always kind of the make or breaker, to see if all of your work pays off, to see if the investigators go to church. We had 0. It's only been 2 or 3 times in my mission that I've only had 0 in the chapel. It can get frustrating. But I've learned that getting upset about it doesn't help much. We just have to do all of our part and we can't control the results. We can't control the decisions of others, although it makes you feel a lot better when they complete with the commitments. We also finally got a hold of Jose, the husband of Tomasa. Unfortunately he told us that he no longer wants to get baptized and of course Tomasa doesn't either. But we talked about it with my companion and we figure it's all just a test that the Lord has given us and we have to pass it. So we'll just keep on going and hopefully things go well." Way to go Justin!Persevere and keep the faith.
Justin wrote that their zone leader moved in with them and he is apparently not the most likeable person. Justin wrote, "I'll try to be more Christlike." Good move son.
"We're finally coming out of winter. It's not quite as cold at night or in the mornings. I didn't mind the cold much though. I think I've forgotten how much hotter it is in Peru. I used to always get home soaked in sweat, never here which is nice. Not complaining about that."
Wade Buxton. You. Are. The. Man. Justin wrote that apart from mom and dad, you are the only one who writes him. The rest of you repent and write him!
July 17, 2009
"Sunday night. Just finished another week. It was a tiring one. We walked and worked a lot. Sunday is always kind of the make or breaker, to see if all of your work pays off, to see if the investigators go to church. We had 0. It's only been 2 or 3 times in my mission that I've only had 0 in the chapel. It can get frustrating. But I've learned that getting upset about it doesn't help much. We just have to do all of our part and we can't control the results. We can't control the decisions of others, although it makes you feel a lot better when they complete with the commitments. We also finally got a hold of Jose, the husband of Tomasa. Unfortunately he told us that he no longer wants to get baptized and of course Tomasa doesn't either. But we talked about it with my companion and we figure it's all just a test that the Lord has given us and we have to pass it. So we'll just keep on going and hopefully things go well." Way to go Justin!Persevere and keep the faith.
Justin wrote that their zone leader moved in with them and he is apparently not the most likeable person. Justin wrote, "I'll try to be more Christlike." Good move son.
"We're finally coming out of winter. It's not quite as cold at night or in the mornings. I didn't mind the cold much though. I think I've forgotten how much hotter it is in Peru. I used to always get home soaked in sweat, never here which is nice. Not complaining about that."
Wade Buxton. You. Are. The. Man. Justin wrote that apart from mom and dad, you are the only one who writes him. The rest of you repent and write him!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
The Coca Cola Debate
I (mom) sent Justin an article from an Ensign about drinking caffeinated drinks like Coke a while ago after he mentioned how he has taken a liking to the nasty stuff since being on his mission. Apparently they sell it in the vending machines in the temple there. If anyone knows me well, you know I am against the stuff or any caffeinated beverages. I have never had the stuff in our home. Ever. After sending it to Justin, I was waiting for a response in Justin fashion. My boy loves to debate. It finally came. In a letter dated June 30, 2009, Justin wrote, "Hi Family! I got your letters and package today! Thanks for those. I really like the photos. I forgot to respond to mom's article she sent me. I totally agree with her, although I find that mom and the article are talking about 2 different points. Really it has strengthened my testimony that drinking Coke is okay. (can't you all just hear him now?) A few points I'd like to share:
1. "The Energy Drink Epidemic" - the article is about the "recent explosion...... of highly caffeinated drinks" and not cokes. (It does talk about caffeinated drinks without mentioning names. Isn't that what Coke is???Yes!)
2. Yes, it talks about a "Mrs. Jones" (name has been changed) with many saddening health problems due to a "cola consumption" (paragraph 2). But might I point out the word that precedes.... "excessive." My friend Brother Thomas Boud goes on to explain,
3. "One must keep in mind,of course (Justin highlights those two words)....there are certain appropriate uses for caffeine.... used in moderation, caffeine may not pose significant health risks." The problem at hand is "high (or excessive) caffeine intake. From what I understand Brother Boud defines high caffeine caffeine intake as "6-7 colas a day" or as the main subject of discourse clearly states, the energy drinks. I completely agree with the man. Energy drinks or 6-7 colas a day isn't good for you. Luckily for all of us I probably only drink 1 0r 2 here. Still not bordering the description of the problems caused by this excessive" intake.
4. Let's go to the part "caffeine abuse and the Word of Wisdom" where we really get to the message of the article. The last sentence in paragraph 1 calls my attention. "Had my patient Mrs. Jones avoided caffeine or at least used in moderation (highlighted again), she would of fared much better." "Of course (highlighted), not everyone who drinks caffeine will have a negative health consequence."
After reading this article, and carefully reviewing section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants I've come to the conclusion that the Lord gives us principles. And he goes on and on and on. He ends his debate by saying "I have been able to decide that the moderate (highlighted) consumption of cola products is in harmony with the restored gospel. I will forever be grateful for parents who were able to teach me such great principles and how to live according to them." Did I raise a perfect future attorney or what?? He clearly needs and wants his coke and so can only see what he wants to see and believe what he wants to believe. Well my friends and his, this debate is not over. Ball is now in my court.
1. "The Energy Drink Epidemic" - the article is about the "recent explosion...... of highly caffeinated drinks" and not cokes. (It does talk about caffeinated drinks without mentioning names. Isn't that what Coke is???Yes!)
2. Yes, it talks about a "Mrs. Jones" (name has been changed) with many saddening health problems due to a "cola consumption" (paragraph 2). But might I point out the word that precedes.... "excessive." My friend Brother Thomas Boud goes on to explain,
3. "One must keep in mind,of course (Justin highlights those two words)....there are certain appropriate uses for caffeine.... used in moderation, caffeine may not pose significant health risks." The problem at hand is "high (or excessive) caffeine intake. From what I understand Brother Boud defines high caffeine caffeine intake as "6-7 colas a day" or as the main subject of discourse clearly states, the energy drinks. I completely agree with the man. Energy drinks or 6-7 colas a day isn't good for you. Luckily for all of us I probably only drink 1 0r 2 here. Still not bordering the description of the problems caused by this excessive" intake.
4. Let's go to the part "caffeine abuse and the Word of Wisdom" where we really get to the message of the article. The last sentence in paragraph 1 calls my attention. "Had my patient Mrs. Jones avoided caffeine or at least used in moderation (highlighted again), she would of fared much better." "Of course (highlighted), not everyone who drinks caffeine will have a negative health consequence."
After reading this article, and carefully reviewing section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants I've come to the conclusion that the Lord gives us principles. And he goes on and on and on. He ends his debate by saying "I have been able to decide that the moderate (highlighted) consumption of cola products is in harmony with the restored gospel. I will forever be grateful for parents who were able to teach me such great principles and how to live according to them." Did I raise a perfect future attorney or what?? He clearly needs and wants his coke and so can only see what he wants to see and believe what he wants to believe. Well my friends and his, this debate is not over. Ball is now in my court.
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