Week 30: Becoming Joseph Smith

 This was a pretty fun and eventful week! I hope it was the same for you!


Tuesday night we went back to Fernando and Claudia's house to paint their wall. We didn't end up starting until 9:30 because we had to mix the paint for a half hour. But I was more careful this time and only got a few spots on my clothes.

We had a multizone conference on Wednesday. They split it up so half the zones did it on Tuesday and the other half on Wednesday. I don't really know why they did that. Elder Sotomayor kept bugging me to talk at every available time when a question was asked because he says that's the key to becoming district leader. I told him maybe I'd like a leadership in the future, but maybe not right now. I think he's trying so hard to get me to talk just because he doesn't want to be district leader. For an activity along with 4 others we went out into the hall and were given balls to throw at an elder as he carried a cup of water. We were told not to hold back so we pegged him over and over.

For lunch I was able to try a cooked version of ceviche for the appetizer! We're not allowed to eat it normally because it's usually uncooked which can be dangerous. It's a bunch of bits of seafood, (squid and some fish I think) with some onions and a spicy sauce. And it was absolutely delicious. My last week in the field I'm definitely trying some when I'm no longer the mission's problem and it doesn't matter what happens to me. For a dessert we were given a brownie and ice cream! It was good and when they asked if I wanted seconds I didn't hesitate. Of course our pensionista doesn't feed us a lot so I don't feel bad when I eat some extra food. When elders complete their missions it's a tradition to capture them and throw them up in the air a few times. One of the elders started to turn in the air when he was thrown, so we might have to calm that down next time. I also asked about a package my mom had sent me and they brought out two boxes for me. Just another way to flex on the latinos about how rich I am.

On Thursday we had a missionary home evening in the chapel. The we and the hermanas prepared a lesson for the ward on the restoration with pictures we placed on the wall. The elders from California came too, and while we were setting up Elder Zubiaga got a call from Presidente Hiatt that he got his visa and can go to his original call in Quito, Ecuador. For the activity we explained the parts of the restoration, prophets, Jesus Christ's ministry, the apostasy, and Joseph Smith. During the section about Joseph Smith I got to act him out and reenact the first vision. I'm the only white guy in the ward so I automatically look the most like Joseph Smith, but I've been told by some latinos before that I specifically look like him--when I remove my glasses. I removed my glasses and tie and wore my vest. As Hermana Gamarra read the story I acted confused, read the Bible, and prayed. It was fun pretending to be seized upon by an unseen force. That actually deems kind of bad to say. The lights were turned off during that part and I somewhat writhed on the ground. These chapel floors are always so dirty so maybe that was a bad idea. A section in the wall was opened to represent the light and the Elders from California stood on chairs. I said that in the US we usually don't act out Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ like this and they seemed surprised. But it wasn't all that surprising to me that they would think this is normal when you consider their openess about patriarchal blessings. I said that we shouldn't really do it but they insisted. We finished the night with some games that the latinos had never played before, like putting the oreo on the forehead and trying to get it into your mouth and wrapping a person up in toilet paper. Paullo attended as well as two other invesigators we have named Vicente and his uncle Francisco.

On Friday we got a message from a member named Israel, whom we had only met once with, telling us that his aunt died. We were asked to go to a reception and offer a message. No one other than Israel was a member, so we did our best to give a message of hope, Jesus Christ, and resurrection. We kinda just sat there afterward for almost an hour because our next lessons got cancelled and we didn't know what was going on.

Whenever we walk, just Elder Vilca and I or with the hermanas, someone trips and stumblesbon the road. Every time. Some times multiple.

Saturday all of zona central and a few from primavera were told to go to the mission home by the APs where we would record the names of investigators who came to an activity to learn about different things, like carrera and BYU pathway. Of course the activity started 1 hour and a half late and really only members showed up. But at the BYU pathway station some American candy was laid out. There were Kit Kats, which I've actually seen down here before, but also Milk Duds, Reese's Pieces, and Heath. I wish I could have gotten more, but I was given a tiny box of Milk duds for my service. Of course I was fasting so I had to wait. After that we had a lesson with Vicente and Francisco. The lesson was kind of all over the place because of questions they asked, but we think they're interested and we can work with them.

On Sunday night we went over to our pensionistas house to have a surprise party for Hermana Bravo, who completes her mission this week. We had lots of different meats, such as steak, chicken, ríos, and sausage. It was all good, I just wish peruvians would remember thst food is better when it's warm. All big meals I've had like this have been cold because they seem to wait after it's done. We also had some great chocolate cake and we all had a great night. That is, until it basically became a transfer party because all of us are getting transfered except for Hermana Gamarra. My area Central 2 is being merged with Central 1 so no one will be replacing me. I'm going to Pueblo Libre in zona Esperanza. Elder Vilca is going to an area in Casa Grande, a todo about an area from Trujillo. Man I just can't keep a companion for more than a transfer or less can I. Of course I really like Elder Vilca so this transfer is going to be hard.

We had our last pday as a zone today, since I think there are only 4 of us staying in the zone out of 16. It was a little emotional since I've come to love these guys. Afterwards with the central and los cedros hermanas we went to McDonald's. Who knew that McDonald's had fried chicken? It was my first time in a while so it tasted great.

That was my week! Pretty fun but I'm sad to leave because I'd come to love the ward and the other missionaries. "But there never seems to be enough time to do the things you wanna do once you find them." But I hope things will be great in Esperanza! Ciao!

Elder Jensen

1. At the plaza de armas
2/7. Dinner with the pensionista
3. For a seminary activity
4. Final picture in area central
5. Playing games
6. Me with my best friend Kurd
8. I found the holy grail of masks this week
9. Barrio central
10/11. Janette and Julio wrapped up
12. The first vision. I know we shouldn't have done this














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