Rats and Transfers

Hey Everyone!

I hope you are all healthy and well.  

Last Sunday I was woken by a huge rat in our apartment which explains what had been getting in our food and made everyone in the apartment SUPER sick for 5 days.  I didn't feel good enough to write last week, but I'm feeling better now. It's good to be back out in the sun and air and working.  Nothing better than the work of saving souls.  

On Thursday, I got to work with Elder Romero from Bolivia.  I love working with him.  He is really dedicated and humble and is having an amazing mission so far.  Even though he only has 6 months I learn from him.  I also got to work with Elder Salles from Brasil.  I have lived with him since his first day and in the last 4 months I have seen him grow so much.  He has confidence and initiative.  

On Saturday, I got to be a firefighter (part 2).  In the afternoon we were contacting close to this park we always go to and a little ways off a line of smoke caught my eye.  There had been a fire there the day before in the trees so when I saw smoke we went over and found that the fire had started again.  So we went into a store and used some buckets of water to put out the fire with like 4 other guys that were nearby.  

But the best part of the day was the YSA activity.  We played ping-pong and ordered Sushi and it was a big hit.  Salomon, Rodney and Gabriel were all there and are almost ready to be baptized.  

I found out Sunday night that I'm getting transferred back to the first area I was in when I arrived in Chile: Los Volcanes, Chillan.  Same house and everything.    

This last transfer in Cruz del Sur, Talcahuano, has been a crazy one - we helped 3 people enter the waters of baptism, Matias and Tony received the priesthood and Rosio went to the temple.  We also went to the temple, almost died from a rat virus, had an amazing Christmas and fought another fire.  And everyday my testimony has been strengthened and I have grown closer to the Savior.  What a blessing it is to serve a mission.  

Thanks for all your love and support and letters.  

Con Amor,

Elder Vincent

Chile is incredible!

Hey Everyone, 

I hope you're enjoying your New Year and sticking to your resolutions!  I read a little from my journal from this time last year and it's crazy how much I've changed.  2018 has been a huge blessing for me.  One whole year to have focused solely on serving the Lord and becoming closer to Him.  I couldn't be more grateful for this year.  

We are teaching a guy named Solomon who is awesome.  He has a girlfriend that just returned from a mission.  We're also teaching Lily and Rodney who both have baptism dates  this month.  

About 5 times on my mission I have been in a situation where I have suggested something to  someone who then does the exact opposite, or just does not listen to my advice at all.  In my disappointment and frustration, I can't help but think that Heavenly Father not infrequently feels the exact same way about me.  

Not the best job on pictures this week, but how incredible is Chile?…my home. 

I love you all,

Elder Vincent

Feliz Año Nuevo!

Amigos y Familia,

Matias

Things have never been better!  Here’s a little recap of December…  Rosio got baptized on the 15, got her temple recommend on the 23rd, and went to the temple on the 28th.  Carlos got baptized on the 22nd and reactivated his entire family. The whole family has come to church the past 2 Sundays and invited us to lunch this coming Martes.  And finally, Matias got baptized this past Saturday the 29th. So, it has been a very white Christmas ;)

I had an incredible 2nd Christmas here in Chile spent with amazing people that I consider my family.  Christmas in the mission is unlike any other. I have grown to appreciate more why we celebrate and the incomparable gift we have been given - the Savior and Redeemer of the World.  

As we close 2018, I want to invite all of you to reflect on how He has blessed you this past year and what you can do to become closer to Him in the year to come.

Thank you all for the letters, packages, emails, prayers, and constant support; I love you all!  

Feliz Año Nuevo!

Elder Vincent

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Dinner at the Lagos house 

Spiritual week

Feliz Navidad everyone!

Sorry I haven't written in a couple of weeks.  We've had a lot going on.  

Rosio got baptized on Dec 15.  She was so happy!! The next day Rosio and Matias (who is getting baptized next week) both shared their experiences and testimonies with some of our investigators in Sunday School class.  That moment filled my heart with such happiness.  I had the biggest smile haha.  

Working with Tony

I've also had the chance recently to go out and work with some of the people I previously introduced to the church.  In the morning we worked with Noberto (who I baptized back in October).  Really cool experience for me.  He is incredible.  Later that day, Tony (a Haitian who I baptized back in September) came out to work with us again which made me so happy.  We met another Haitian in the street and Tony bore his testimony and it was incredible.  Two amazing experiences with my converts in one day.  No better feeling. 

Hospital

On Dec 18th we got to go to the temple.  The last time I was inside the temple was a year and a half ago when I was in the language training center in Mexico City.  I didn't understand Spanish very well back then.  So, being able to understand everything in Spanish now, and actually standing in the Celestial Room where the Prophet stood a month ago, was easily the most spiritual experience of my entire life.  

Dec 22 we went to the hospital and sang Christmas hymns and gave out candy to all the sick kids.  Lots of tears from everyone who was there.  It was a very powerful experience.  Then we went downtown to the plaza and gave everyone we talked to a Christmas Liahona.  After that, we went to the church to baptize Carlos.  He came out of the water smiling and gave me a fat hug.  He was SO happy!  

Carlos

After Carlos's baptism we had a big ward Christmas party that we had been helping to plan for the last 2 months.  We had a choir, good food, decorations, etc.  It turned out really nice.  It's cool that Rosio is already part of the choir and was able to join them in singing that night.  She is dope.  

On Sunday we went to the temple and sang to all the people walking by which was cool.  Overall, it was a crazy spiritual and special week of my mission that I will always remember.  

Tonight we are having a Christmas Eve dinner at the Barriga's home.  Sister Barriga is like my Chilean mother.  Being with them is always amazing.  I'll take some pictures.  

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.  I hope you are all enjoying time with your families as you celebrate the birth of Christ.  Thank you so much for thinking of me and writing me while I serve here in Chile.  I love reading your letters and think about my family and friends back at home all the time and how blessed I am.  

Feliz Navidad!

Con mucho amor,

Elder Vincent 

Rosio

Christmas Conference

Rosio