Well, here we are again on P-day. It's been an interesting week, that's
for sure. Elder Vaca Guzman's back has been killing him; he's had trouble with
his sciatic nerve. We had to stay in the Apt. for most of the weekend because of
it. We went down to a chiropractor today to get it fixed; we'll see how well it
fixes him up. Our two investigators didn't get baptized either; we went on
splits with the traveling trainers, and the one I was with kinda intimidated one
of them. She'd also not told her husband yet, so it's back a few steps with
them. Elder V and I dropped by rather recently though, and they're still on great
terms with us, and they still want to be baptized, they just got scared. We'll
work with them. ;) Our other investigator is still pretty solid; though we're pushing his
baptism date to the end of the year because he's going down to Mexico to see his
son married and won't be back till sometime in December.
A ton of really cool things happened over the past week. One of my
personal highlights is that while tracting we met a HIGHLY drunk man. The poor man was having a total breakdown because he'd recently lost
his young son, and we were able to talk to him and help him feel a bit better.
Later, we dropped by his apartment and tried to visit him. His roomate
just about had a fit when he saw us at the door (he's new in the US) but
thankfully, Elder V's Bolivian. :) As we talked to him, we found out just
how tough his life's been. He's had a ranch down in Mexico, but a man came and
shot him seven times, (nasty scars all across his stomach and shoulders) and his
family stole everything he had. So he comes here, and finds the SAME man, here
in Taft! When he'd been drinking, he'd been seriously wanting to kill the man
or kill himself, but we talked him down and calmed him. That night, we
committed him to stop drinking, and as far as we're aware he's kept it. He's
looking a heap better. At our last lesson we taught him the plan of salvation,
but he didn't understand much. He was very tired, but the worst part is he
actually doesn't speak much Spanish. So tonight, me and Elder V will be
learning "Mizteco" from Hermana Garcia, so we can actually teach him. O.o; Wish
us luck! (Or the gift of tounges, either or!)
So, to answer the questions: (These questions were asked by the Stake youth leaders for Standards Night.)
1. Things you wish you would have done differently to prepare spiritually
for your mission?
A: The biggest thing really is that I wish I'd not waited till I was 18 to
start preparing. Don't wait! I also wish I'd done more work with the
missionaries themselves.
2. What is the most common questions you have been asked?
A: Are you Jehova's Witnesses? (no joke) Other than that it's hard to say;
each investigator and contact is SO different that they've each got different
needs and concerns. Rather, I'd suggest learning the doctrine thouroughly but
simply; that way you can answer any question anyone has.
3. What do you wish you would have learned how to do from your mother so
you were better at it now in the mission field?
A: Drive. I've had to drive a lot lately because my companion's been out
of it, and it's been hard getting back behind the wheel after two months in the
MTC.
4. What do you eat the most?
A: It's hard to say on
this one. We actually eat a huge variety of stuff because we teach Americans,
Guatemalans, Mexicans, Colombians, Puerto Ricans, etc. And, my companion's
Bolivian. ;)
