Week 29: That Darn Dog
¡Hola! I guess you could call this a sick week because some things were cancelled and for a little bit I felt like I was back in Distrito Covid from week 2 of my mission and in the CCM.
But since there were some of us sick my entire zone was removed from the PFJ, which is the Perú verision of EFY and BYS, and we were barred from going to other events. All the missionaries in Trujillo were going to teach a group of 25 youth for 2 hours about the basics of talking to people as a missionary. Elder Vilca and I had prepared a little bit before we were told we couldn't come. The hermanas in our ward were super dissapointed because they had prepared a lot. But then of course 10 minutes before the event started we got a call from the APs asking us if we felt sick because they didn't have enough companionships. So we quickly got a taxi down to Huanchaco and improvised the whole thing. Ther hermanas got to come too, so they were happy abou that. We were assigned to group 16 but one of the secretaries came up and switched us to group 24. I realized it was because he was a gallina, because group 24 had to combine with group 25 because there weren't enough teachers and he didn't want to teach 50 people. I guess when I have a position of authority I can exploit my power over others. But it was fine, we got it done and I got to talk to Elder Sorensen for a little bit as well as some of the other Americans. It seems like we're getting more Americans who were on reassignments by the day. I used to be able to name them all but I can't now. That's a good thing!
This Thursday and Friday was the día de patrias for Perú, or their independence day. We got to go to an activity for the ward where we got a little bit of food. Elder Vilca and I had to walk back to our apartment and then all the way back again because of our pensionistas schedule. We pretty much have to do that everytime there's a ward activity so I'm starting to get used to being late to them. We were given some food, but it wasn't enough for someone who's hungry pretty much all the time now, so I grabbed a whole papa reina from a bowl and ate it out of my hand (they are just so good!) after everyone else had eaten. Some of the ward members looked at me doing at and laughed. I think it was out of approval We kinda just had to sit there for 2 hours though because as missionaries we're not allowed to dance and that's what most of the party was. Of course we had to go home before they brought out the cake because for some reason they don't bring out the cake until 11. So that was a little dissapointing, but not even the first time it's happened. We weren't allowed to go to the stake activity the next day because of "cOViD," but actually that might have been a blessing because it was supposed to start at 7 and we heard it didn't end up starting until 9:30
On Thursday we were invited to have dome picarones again which I gladly accepted, since it's just a bunch of scones in the shape of a donut you dip in a honey sauce. Out here I've really developed a sweet tooth, so you know I enjoyed that. The next day I had mini empanadas and a bit more rice pudding at another members house. This stuff is great and I love mixing cinnamon in with it. On Saturday with Fernando and Claudia we had bread with avocado, as well as the option for butter and jam, and, wait for it, a smoothie! Of course I wasn't able to dip toast in it, but I have been missing breakfast smoothies. It was nice to have a reminder of home, although the ones my mom and I made at home were still better (And cold). We were also planning on going to our favorite bakery on friday, but it was closed because of día de patrias. We found another guy selling stuff close to our house and we both had a slice of a "King Kong," which is cake with layers of different jams or spreads in the middle. It tasted really good, although it had been sitting out all day so it was a little stale. I'll have to try it again and make sure to take a picture of me eating King Kong. The next day we were able to go to the bakery again, so I got an oreja, which is the pastry sugar thing I had last week, (it literally means "ear"), and a ball of chocolate cake that was kinda like a cheesecake too, and was absolutely delicious.
Last week we thought that one of our investigators, Moises, had turned on us or became uninterested because he had been progressing but then just stopped answering our calls. Then we got a call from him on Thursda telling us that his phone had been stolen so he couldn't reply. We sighed with relief and have started teaching him again. We struggled finding new people this week. In our area we also receive all references that just put their location as "Trujillo," so many of our references we have to send to others. It's a little discouraging. We then called every single yellow point that we knew lived in our area, so about 40 people, and only about 8 picked up and only 1 was interested to hear something right then. The mission experience. And I love it.
You know how last week I said I'd never felt more inclined to kick a dog? Well this week I pretty much did. Same dog, too. Paullo's dog Pongo was always annoying and threatening. Whenever Paullo had to pull him away from trying to eat my companion you could just see the hate and savage wolf in his eyes as his jaws snapped all aroind trying to rip Paullo's arm off. This week for some reason he took an interest in me when he never really had before and kept trying to jump and bite at my thighs. Of course when I'd push him away he'd get even angrier and bark, which is something he only does if he's really angry. I kept him at bay with my feet and he was just gnawing on my shoes, (don't worry mom, there's no major bite marks) He did get a little knick on my ankle a couple times, so maybe I can say I was bitten by a dog? I don't know if it would count though. Of course at this point he actually was trying to hurt me so I gave him some medium sized kicks. It was ok since Paullo did it too and was trying to get him to stop bugging me. That thing was a savage animal and I was protecting my body. I don't have any regrets because as some of you and as the missionaries in my area know, I don't really like dogs all that much. Atleast the dogs down here. I think they can be cute--from a distance. Any healing factor they have on me is lost when they do something gross or get close to me because the last thing I want is a dog crawling all over me. Sorry if you love dogs and don't like me now. Cats are worse though. I guess I just don't like dogs all that much. Sorry 7 year old Sam who wanted to be a veterinarian when he grew up.
On Sunday I offered two blessings of health and comfort. Some latinos names are really hatd to remember for some reason. I felt the spirit strongly and although my Spanish wasn't the best I think the Lord made up for the rest.
That was my week! A little on the slower side but we think August will be great if we can keep it up with Paullo and Moises! Transfers are coming up soon and I'm really hoping Elder Vilca and I stay, because I think things are starting to click for me. I'm talking a lot more in Spanish and things are starting to align there. I still have a long ways to go, though. I hope you have an absolutely fantastic week!
Elder Jensen
1. Israel. Man I literally take the same photo every time.
2. Pday in front of some weird carnival things
3. Another photo from the Noche Blanca I forgot to send
4. Hermana Florida
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