Seventeen Months

 I've been here for a long time. We had a very busy week with changes and a lot of meetings. We had to wake up at 4:30 to pick up missionaries coming from The Mountains. We had a big meeting with President on Friday, Sunday, and tomorrow. That seems like a lot right. But that's okay. We've been learning a lot and working hard. I got a picture on a moto. It is a real moto, but very little. 

  It's been different here. Everyone is busy or asleep because of the heat and it's been hard to teach them. We did teach a someone called Mauro. He is 18 and progressing. We taught him

about the sacrament. He asked me what are the promises we make by partaking. After explaining he said that makes a lot more sense and makes baptism have more meaning. It was great. Pray for him.

  Hope everyone is doing good up there. Don't forget to write or just send a picture. It's always nice to hear what is going on up there!

Changes

 I didn't have changes. I'm staying here in Trujillo again with my companion Elder Callejas. We had a crazy last week of Changes. We did a couple interchanges and I got to go to my old area where I was for six months. I went with the new guy that didn't know too much. It was a great time to go and see some old investigators. We visited a family that was doing great, then her son started going crazy. When I was there, he acted like a robot. Then after about five months, I went back! The mom was so excited to see us again and started to tell us all her deep secrets and about the spirits in her house. She was so trusting. I miss that area, the people were great! 

  We went to the center of Trujillo and looked at statues, and an exhibit. I found a crab for you dad. And a cat. 

  There is a member here that is going to serve five hours south in the mission where his family lives... he is the only member, and a little chino. 

  We have another six weeks here and a lot of people to get to the water! Please pray for Mauro Diaz and Ronal Yamuneque!

Beautiful Peru

 We have been visiting a certain area that is a little poorer and looking for new people. It's on a hill and basically at the bottom is the church! So it all works out. The people are very humble there. We found a family that live very high up on the roof of a house with just bamboo walls. These people have almost nothing but are willing to give you anything. it's very humbling. 

  There is a family that has two members and the other 5 aren't. We taught some sisters and one served a mission in Brazil for another church (La Iglesia de La Unificaction) and the other has her boyfriend. But we now taught the mom. She was born in the mountains, and when she was 14, she was an orphan. No brothers or sisters. And it was in the time of terrorism in Ayacucho. She now has 5 kids and can't read and is studying in a special school. But is very willing to read and learn more. I'm learning so much here.

 Love you all, make good choices and help a brother out!

Elder Willard

If you don't understand the wall it says Don't Pee.  

Sixteen Months

 Today I complete 16 months in the mission. I can't even believe it. It is going by so fast just like everyone said. I recently found out my companion is a mechanic, he specialized in Volkswagen, so we have a lot to talk about. Today we went and washed a dog with a family here. It was unpleasant.

  We taught a lesson with an 18 year old guy. He went to church and liked it and we did a family home evening with a few people and he seemed to understand. We then taught just him later in the week. He said he did understand but doesn't know if there is a God. It was a great experience to share the first vision with him. We asked how he felt and he said, I want to know if this is true. I am going to pray. 

  I'm having a great time here and learning a ton, Have a great week!

Mid Summer

 Well it is getting hotter. I was in the mission office for about fifteen minutes in air conditioning. When I walked outside I felt like I was drowning in water. When we got to the corner I was already dripping sweat. A women said that air conditioning hurts your lungs and closes your pores. The same women said that soda is bad for your bones.

  We had a big transmission with all the world and there were some big changes. We basically are in the street more and more flexibility. 

Miss you all, I'm a little rushed to do a lot of things and I feel like the day is closing in on me. I need more time always.

Elder Willard

This is a bill from the country of Arequipa.

Divorce

 My whole mission I have thought, Why won't these people get married? But the one time they are married, they still can't get baptized. There is this investigator that has been married, but they separated and he is living with another women. The funny thing is that his two relationships have been with members of the church and he is just now learning about the church. After a lot of work and money he will be divorced on the 28th. But the less active woman does not want to get married. I don't know what is wrong with these people. But lots of prayer and we'll see if that'll change.

  I love my new companion, he is really funny and we are working hard here, and having a lot of success. There is going to be a huge transmission for all missionaries this Wednesday, we are going to see a lot of changes.

  

  There was an elder that just finished and came to the church on Tuesday to invite us to eat chicken. Here is a pic. He said his parents can't believe how cheap everything is. 

  Everything great down here. Working hard and lots of sweat.

Interchange

 So this week we did fun normal things. But the highlight was going with another Elder to his area. He is pretty new with about two months, and he has the worst Spanish of anyone I have met. His companion does not love him or correct his mistakes, poor guy. So I got to be with him. He is from Davenport, Florida. His mom works at Disney World so he has been on a lot of vacations. He made a snowman of cups in his room. And he gave me Chocoton. It's like sweet bread with chocolate. It was a fun day.

  We've been teaching like crazy. It's been a slow week of finding new people and things to do. These people are still a little lost from the last week of drinking. But that's what I'm here for. We have changes next week. We'll see what happens. The time is just flying by. I don't know what to do... Miss you all. Have a great week!