Happy Mother's Day

 We had a great Mothers Day here in Peru. It was a great excuse not to go to church and for everyone to drink outside, even the women! We had an activity for the moms on Thursday. We chose two moms to answer a series of questions, the one that didn't answer in time had to throw a plate of shaving cream in our faces. They just so happened to be moms with missionaries in the field, so there was more emotion. They made me make this heart in the pic because I am tall. 

 We found a woman knocking on doors a few days ago; her name is Dolores, and in English that means Pains or Aches. So I can only imagine how her mom felt at the moment of her birth. I tell you about this women because she is a very positive mom. Her husband left her for another woman, and she doesn't care. She said, "My husband was just some guy, but my kids are my kids forever." Very inspiring! She doesn't complain, her old husband is rich and still gives her cash to cook and sometimes he comes by to eat. So we wanted to share the plan of salvation at a later date, but she said no because her husband hates religion and there is a chance he will be home. Not the best reason. We'll see if we find her tomorrow. 

  In the other pic we are eating hamburgers. The woman in the pic is from Venezuela and she made us arepas, which are like bread filled with what you want, in this case chicken. 

 

  Anyway, it was nice to see you all and hope you had a great Mothers Day to all the moms and future moms!

Mother's Day Soon

 The weeks are flying by. There is so much to do here. We are just talking to everyone we see because we don't know anyone. It's been a crazy week. But I'm back in Chimbote where the people are a little lazier. 

We managed to find a family that had a son recently pass away. I had an exp like the general authority that was talking about the kid that was going to die, and then she said we know the doctrine, but do we believe it. It was a great moment of reflection, and I came to the decision, that any of you can die and we'll see each other again. The woman said her son didn't repent and the knowledge that he is being preached to helped her a ton. 

  Don't die yet, that would be sad. Thanks for writing! Have a great week!

Back to Chimbote

 Well, in Chimbote there are three stakes, I'm right next door to my old stake. And I'm literally right next to my old area. The guy that gives us drinking water is from my old ward. President is just doing this to mess with me... It was a very sad farewell from my old ward. I was only there for five months, but it was great. I have a lot of hair on my head. Nobody was available to cut my hair, or maybe they were scared. So I am slowly growing my curls, thanks mom! 

  We found a ton of new people just knocking on doors. There was a bunch of people that said they would go to church too, then I remembered I was in Chimbote when nobody came. The people here are receptive, but slow to fulfill a commitment. But we found some solid people. The members here are great and willing to help. When I started the mission, I also opened an area, so it takes me back to the good old days with my Mexican companion. My new companion is from a very dangerous part of Lima called San Juan de Lurigancho, they sometimes say Luriwashington and I don't know why, maybe to make fun of me. It's been a ton of fun and I am very excited!

Work hard and be good people. 

Changes

 Well we had changes and I'm finally leaving. After a yar here in Trujillo, I'm going back to Chimbote... It's been fun, but sad to leave know that I know the city so well. We had a great week and a lot of future baptisms, but now I'm going to open area that is close to my first area, probably 5 blocks. I'll write more next week maybe. Lots of things to do and have to say goodbye to my people. It's going to be a sad day... Love you all, have a great week!

Elder Willard

The Temple

  We got to go to the temple for what I think might be the last time. When I finish the Mission it will be in maintenance. It was awesome though. We had a great time and learned a lot. 

  There has been something I have been neglecting to say. About three weeks ago, the Relief Society President called at about 9:25pm and said we need to go to our mission leader's house. It was late and said she should call someone else, and she said it was urgent. So we went over there thinking we needed to give a blessing or lend oil. When we got to the door we see like three people outside and the first counselor of the bishopric came up and said Carlos died. We went in and his wife was bawling her eyes out on a stool and he was dead in his bed. The whole ward was in shock and the bishop was in the mountains working. He was about 50 and fine, but had a heart attack. When the bishop came back like a week later we asked who he had planned to be our mission leader; he said he was thinking all week about it. Then last week the Stake President came and released the bishopric and called the first counselor to be the mission leader. He is very excited. This man knows how to magnify his calling, and everyone is working now. Just my story of the week. 

  We have been working hard and finding a lot of people. It's not as hot, so it's easier to leave and go to work. Love you all!!!!

Quickly

 So we had some things happen. The changes were not yesterday; they will be in two weeks. Peru is still fixing a crucial bridge here to be able to do changes. The new missionaries didn't even make it here yet. The ones that finished go home tonight. It's been weird. I have a friend here, we say we are twins. I also sent a pic of what I ate, it is beans with hot sauce, it was sooo good. We also had a B'day party and we made a little cake. 

  We have a huge family we are teaching and a lot of them went to church. Here, church is very different and more unorganized. I remember asking a member why her friend liked the church the first time we went. There were members fighting and the class was uncoordinated. She said that they have never seen anything like our church and the other churches and very distinct. You walk on the street here and hear many churches singing and screaming. It is true. The church is perfect, we aren't.

Love you all, have a great Easter. I'll eat a hard boiled egg and remember the times mom hid the dyed hard boiled eggs in the yard, and I was sad to find them. I love you Mom! 

Conference

 We had a great week. I loved conference. I'm having a hard time focusing because there is a little boy screaming next to me and I don't know what to do. But it was great! We watched it all in English and I loved it all. We had a bunch of people that were going to go but then everyone got sick and the other problems is that there isn't water here. Everyone has to take buckets around and fill them up in parks or big trucks that bring it around. So everyone is very dirty because there is no water to shower. It's great. If only you could all smell and hear what I am smelling and hearing next to these kids. I don't want to come back here ever again.

Anyway, loved hearing from you all, and all the good news. It's getting colder here and I don't have to sleep all night with a fan on me anymore. Love you all and have a great week! Next week I'll have pics.