Hey Everyone -

This week wasn't the best. We had good numbers and everything but the work didn't really progress very much.  We met a couple of good families this week so they will hopefully progress these next few weeks.  

Eating completos WITHOUT mayo

One awesome thing that happened this week is on Sunday we went around to ask all the members to set up stuff and we set up 5 Family Home Evening's and 14 members to go out and work with us throughout the week.  The ward is really excited to be involved in missionary work again.  

One crazy thing that happened this week is we saw this guy on a tractor fighting with some old farmer who had 2 horses with him.  We didn't hear what they said but the old guy started throwing massive rocks at the guy on the tractor so that guy started driving his tractor at the horses who went crazy and they were kicking at the tractor.  Gotta love Chile. 

Valle Hermoso

I hope you all had another great week.  Sorry this letter is so short - just a reflection on my week haha.  Next week will be better! 

Love you all,

Elder Vincent

RAIN with Elder Boveda

Our room after getting packages - like Christmas morning

Elders Dawson, Perrett, Boveda and me

Pablito taking a siesta

Hey everyone!

Constanza on confirmation day

Killer week!  We had our investigator Constanza (Conni) confirmed in church on Sunday.  She was so happy!  I got to do the blessing which was nice.  It’s amazing to see the difference in her compared to when we met her.

Last Monday we went to Pablito’s house and made empanadas for Pres and Sister Catala.  The zone leaders helped too.  It was a really cool experience.  This Thursday he is going to come and work with us so we’ll show him what’s good in Valle Hermoso.  

One highlight this week was taking one of our investigators, Sefayna, to the Temple in Concepcion.  We met up with President and Hermana Catala and he taught her about the Temple.  Sefanya doesn’t speak Spanish or English.  Her sister translates and we use hand motions haha!  She’s also reading the Book of Mormon in Spanish.  Even though she doesn’t understand it she still reads it because she likes the way she feels.  She’s not progressing as much from understanding/learning as much as she is from feeling the spirit.  It’s amazing.  

We celebrated Elder Perrett’s birthday this week.  There’s a tradition in Chile to smash an egg on someone’s head when it’s their birthday.  So, I smashed an egg on his head and he took a shower.  Once he got out and got dressed Pablito smashed another egg on his head so he had to shower again haha.  

Overall, it was a really good week.  Our goal is to have 8 more baptisms in the next 3 weeks.  Elder Perrett and I are still working really hard and having a ton of fun.   I hope you are all doing well back at home!

All my love,
Elder Vincent

Elder Boveda

In Coelemu on an intercambio

Dancing with the wild dogs

One of the kids at church that drew a picture of us

Hi guys!

This was an awesome week!  Elder Perrett and I have been working really, really hard and the hard work and obedience are paying off!  Our investigators Ramon, Ingrid, Daniel, and Adriana all have baptism dates!  Two on Oct. 21, and two on Nov. 4.  We are super excited for them.

Nothing too crazy or exciting happened this week - just a lot of hard, focused work.  We still had a fun week full of soccer games with little kids, service projects, and throwing rocks at dogs that try to bite us.  Our members this week were awesome.  We taught 26 lessons with members, 16 new investigators, 20 references contacted, and 4 people with baptism dates.  It was a really solid week.  

On Saturday we were walking home and decided to go find one more person.  So even though we were exhausted and didn’t want to keep working we turned around to keep working.  As we were walking down the street some guy came up to us and said he was a missionary but is now completely inactive at church.  But, his son just turned 8 and he wants us to baptize him.  It’s crazy the ways Heavenly Father blesses us for doing one more thing or working just a little harder.  

Life is awesome right now, I really can’t complain.  There are definitely long and tiring days but I’m really happy.  It’s amazing to see people’s willingness to change and improve their lives and the pure joy they get from it.  I’m grateful to be a part of it and to help them find this happiness.  There is no greater joy than living the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I have personally experienced it and have seen the same with the people here in Chile.  I love this Gospel and I love you all!

Have a great week!

Elder Vincent

The oven we helped Pablito build

Making empanadas at Pablitos house for Pres and Sister Catala

Elder Perrett!!!

Home sweet home

This week was awesome!  We got some rainy days and it was really cold but we still worked through it.

Two highlights this week were:

-One of our investigators, Belen, really wants to get baptized the 21st of October.  She’s really excited but she needs permission from her dad because she’s not 18.  Whoever is reading this PLEASE pray and fast for Belen and her dad!  We need a miracle right now.  

Watching Conference with Elders Miller, Bromley, and Perrett

-General Conference was awesome.  So nice to hear the voice of the apostles and to hear their messages.  Two big things I took away that I want to share are first a quote by President Deiter F. Uchtdorf: “Blessings do not come from our abilities but our choices.” 

 And second is advice from Bonnie Oscarson about service.  She said we should always be asking “who needs me today?”  The essence of living the Gospel of Jesus Christ is service!

I hope you all had a good week.  How is it already October?!  Time is flying by.  As always, thank you for the endless love and support.  It’s truly carrying me through the tougher days.  I’m thinking and praying for you guys constantly.  Keep making good choices and keep serving!  I love you!

Elder Vincent

Ping Pong between Conference sessions

Spray paint outside of the Church