Wow, thank you for the wonderful email. I got teary-eyed reading it today. It is a little lonely here in Peru right now, but I am pushing through each day. So first about my area. The ward is pretty strong … maybe 90 members? Haha, they figured out very quickly I can't speak Spanish so it's funny because they will try to speak to me in English also; sometimes that is more confusing than their Spanish. I will be honest, the Spanish is super frustrating. I see myself improving, but it is very slow. I am learning the importance of patience and hard work. We walk everywhere. Everywhere. Up and down hills, to the chapel and back (which is like 10 minutes from our area) and house to house. Luckily I am not having problems with my knee so that's really good. However, my stomach has been really upset this past week. It is because I truly believe a good 70 percent of what I am eating is not sanitary. Hermana G loves the street food here, so sometimes I just nod my head and try not to think about where the food has been. This week I ate cow foot and also the stomach of the chicken. However, I know it is normal to be sick your first few weeks so I am trying to push through.
This week we had a training meeting with most the missionaries in the mission. Elder Godoy and his wife taught. It was super good, and I was actually suprised with how much I could understand. He talked about the importance of teaching people, not lessons. Family is very important to people here in Peru. Often families will live with their cousins and grandparents. Each area of houses is like a little family community. I think this is where the initiative to focus on families came from. Plus it is easier for someone to stay active when they have the family support. I also saw Elder Johnson my friend from high school! He promised me that if he could learn Spanish, I could learn it 2 times faster than him. I am not sure I believe him but it was really fun to see a familiar face.
So we taught a lesson this week to a man named A. He is a recent convert who has some problems with the word of wisdom. He was crying super hard and I couldnt quite understand everything, but from what I got he had broken the word of wisdom the night before. He wasn't really in a state where we could teach him, so Hermana G decided it was best for us just to sing to him. That's one thing I really like about Hermana G -- she loves music. So she and I sang probably 7 or 8 hymns to help him relax. I felt the spirit so strongly. Honestly, that is what is helping me push through these very hard first few weeks. I can't deny the Spirit that I feel. Even though I don't undertand what's going on, the Spirit is testifying to me of the truth. I know with time I will understand the language and I am very excited for that day. Haha very very excited!
So Hermana G is great! We are very different and sometimes I feel like she is my mom, but she also is very patient. She's not a touchy lovey person, but she teaches with love. The people in the ward really like her. I'm learning a lot from her and how much she loves the people.
Fun fact: There are dogs everywhere here. Literally everywhere. I havent had a problem yet with them chasing us, but they sure are ugly. Haha it makes me miss Starszy. Show him a picture of me so he doesn't forget who I am.
We also taught a lesson this week to a boy named E. He is Buddhist. He has many many questions. It makes me realize that maybe I have taken the gospel for granted a little in my life. I have this knowledge that other people don't have. It's really cool to be able to watch people learn and have their questions answered. Also he speaks English. So yeah, that's really really nice.
I'm sorry I never answer all your questions! I really appreciate each one of you taking the time to keep me updated on what's going on. I miss you guys a ton but I am also growing to love Peru. I am also learning how to be brave. The lord is always with us; even when we don't realize it, he is right there with us every step of the way.
Mom sorry about the pictures last week. long story short: my computer wasn't working last week and the only way they would send is if they were super small. So I am going to see if this week it works better.
Thank you for your prayers. I feel your support and love. I really am blessed with the best.
All my love,
Hermana Vernon
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| Service project. We carried bricks for 4 hours up a long long stairway to a women's home. |
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| Hermana Vernon and Hermana G. |
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| After the service project. |
