April 28, 2014

April 28, 2014

Hello everyone!

It has been a great cambio. There are just sometimes in the mission where you feel forgotten, where you feel even though you are working hard and doing your best, nothing happens, nothing results, no one sees your efforts, no one cares. I felt a little like that. After just working real hard for so long in Chiguayante with nothing, finally seeing MIRACLES and getting changed two days after, it was like, what the heck, this is a bummer. But then I get to Chillan. 

Let me tell you about Chillan. This sector is huge. It has about 180 members that assist weekly. Sometimes like 220. The bishop has been stake president, he loves missionary work, and just lets us do our thin. We have a ward mission leader that was in the stake presidency before, he is unreal, gets stuff done. The members love us. They give us delicious food without forcing it down our throats. We are in centro, it’s fall, there are beautiful trees everywhere changing colors, our zone is full of great missionaries that are working hard, two sister missionaries that are working hard as well, and things are just in place to go crazy and find families! 

That’s just talking about Chillan. Now let’s talk about my companion. Elder H, who is from Washington, is a stud. His family is Mexican, he is a convert, teaches really well, chill but super fun, kind of reminds me of Jason L. He has no problem talking with lots of people in the street, he is willing to run with me, and we have even been going to the gym. It’s been like 2 years since I’ve done that!!! So I’m really happy to be with him; his last two companions have both left this sector as assistants, and they are just super buena Honda, these guys. So we are looking to have some fun this cambio.

Also, Chillan is famous for this market it has---every single Chilean souvenir that I have ever wanted to buy (but never done it because I didn’t want to carry it around and stuff) is here. In abundance. Cool hats, jerseys, spurs, yugos, ponchos, posters of Felipe Camiroaga, etc. If you don’t know who Felipe Camiroaga is, you’re going to have to look it up. But he is the most interesting Chilean man in the world. 

We also had a baptism this week, of F; she is a good joven that her grandma brought into the church, and she has two sisters that are going to be baptized next week. I love the members here; we are getting to know them better, and want to help them do their missionary work that they want to do, too! Missionary work is just the key to success. Brings such a strong testimony. I love it so much. 

Well, keep praying for us, we are excited for another week in Dieciocho A, Chillan Ñuble--that’s our sector and our zone. Go us. 

Tomorrow we have to head down to Conce for a consejo, and next week, on Sunday, I hear its Mother’s day or something, so get that Skype account ready. Ay oh.

Have a great week!
Elder Brown

After 21 months, who knew how absolutely thrilled McDonald's could be?!

AWESOME Chillan Ward!

With his "son" and "nephew"--great to get the fam back together again, even if it's for flu shots.

Terrific Chillan Ward members

With his terrific new companion, Elder H