Moving

Hello familiy.

We have to move. This past transfer one companionship in our ward was taken out and now we are just 1 companionship. We used to live as 4 but now we are just 2. Our apartment has 4 bedrooms 2 bathrooms a living room kitchen and washing room. A storage room for our materials and air conditioning in our bedroom. We were spoiled to say the least but now its time to leave it all behind.

 

Its so hot here, we were sad to leave our A/C. Every where we looked  the  rooms with AC were waaaay too expensive for just one companionship. 

 

This week a brother in our ward called us to offer us 2 rooms in the back part of the lot of his house. We said it would be great! We went to check them out and its perfect. 2 rooms and a bathroom. Just big enough for 2 missionaries and a few extra supplies for the zone. We took pictures, got it approved by the office staff and then set a moving date (this Tuesday)

 

When we got to church on sunday we talked with  the brother and he came up to us telling that the rooms were ready now. Turns out he had put AC  in!!!  YA!! We are the most blessing missionaries in the whole mission. I know I shouldn't worry about if it has air or not but it sure helps the morale of the  companionship. Apart from the air situation we are also very blessed to now be living with  members and closer to our area where we teach everyday. 

Other than the exciting news about the move coming up, the work is going forth in our ward. We are starting to have family home evenings as small groups of families in the ward. 3 families in one house, 3 in another, and then every monday we switch place to help out the recent converts and recently rescued families. We are planning a movie night every thursday where we are going to show the restauracion and other church movies to help find new people to teach. Our ward mission leader is a hard worker and loves to serve the Lord. We are grateful for him and his service. This week we talked with 2 new families in the streets, well we talked with hundreds but 2 were extra special. They are married!!! That never happens here! We are now teaching them regularly and I know they will soon be baptized. In both the families, the mothers name is Esperanza. The translation to English is Hope. They have given us a lot of esperanza that the work will continue to go forward in our areas haha.

Hows the spring break going?? I heard it is really cold and rainy. You have no idea how much we would love a day that is cold and rainy! Its usually just hot and sunny here. And humid. If it rains, it just makes it hotter. And then after days of rain come days of sun... and heat. I sweat a lot and my shirts usually take a wash by hand and then by machine to get  all the way... we somewhat white again.

My compañion is from La Paz and every day has a long sleeve shirt on. I'm not sure why. I think its so he doesn't get  sun burnt.  I was forced one day this week to wear a long sleeve shirt because the others were still drying on our line from the hand wash I gave them. Mom, dad, I don't think I have been so close to death before. It was so unbearably hot. So much sweat and so so much heat. Its okay though. I drank lots of cold water and  survived. The Lord blesses  the missionaries. 

There is a man in our ward who accompanies us every single day. He is one of the funniest, most willing, and humble people I know. He is  60  years old or so and loves to eat. We have found that he looooves something called churiqui. (i think thats how you spell it.) ITs a food usually found in the streets. Its part of the stomach of the chicken and its cooked on a wooden stick. Its so good. You have no idea. it costs  2.5 bs which is about 25 cents. Its served with a little potato on the tip and  with a spicy peanut salsa. There is a  plaza in our area where a little old lady sells this stuff every day. He always accompanies us and then we buy him  churiqui. We have become such good friends with him. IN the beginning he talked a lot and it was hard to teach with him but with his help everyday, he has gotten so much better. He teaches really really well now. He bears his testimony and he helps the people resolve their doubts. We are blessed to have the help of amazing members here in Antofagasta.  

Also this week another missionary got home to our ward. That makes like 8 or 9 returned missionaries in our ward., We are growing a lot and as missionaries we are excited to see the work pushing forward.

This week I was reading about the pre-earth life, our purpose here and where we are going. I studied a little about the 1st state, and  the 2nd state. I studied about the reward for those who keep the first and 2nd states. I learned a lot and  invite you all to do the same.

Abraham 4

Alma 42

Alma 12

Moses 3

These chapters will help!

The Lord lives. He is the Firstborn of the Father in spirit and the Only Begotten in the flesh. I testify of His eternal divinity and personal love for each one of us. He is my Father and my Brother. My King and my Savior.

Hurrah for Israel! 

Love,

Elder Gehring

Cambios otra vez

Dear familia,

Tuvimos cambios otra vez este miércoles pasado. Elder Oliart (mi compañero anterior)  ya terminó la misión. Elder Mamani es mi compañero nuevo. Es de La Paz, El Alto y habla muy bien el español así que me va a enseñar aún mas. Era parte del Barrio Antofagasta con otro Elder pero ahora se quitaron 2 elderes. Ahora él se quedó conmigo. La cosa es que él también solo va a estar conmigo por un cambio. Este es su último cambio. No sé por qué pero a Presidente le gusta ponerme con personas que se van a casa. Pero estoy contento. Estamos trabajando duro. Enseñamos 40 lecciones esta semana!! Para nosotros, es bastante! En la zona hubieron algunos cambios. Dos elderes llegaron,  3 se fueron, 1 hermana llegó y 1 se fue. Estamos animados. Tenemos la mejor Zona en todo el mundo. 

We had changes this last Wednesday.  Elder Oliart (my previous companion) finished his mission.  Elder Mamani is my new companion.  He is from La Paz, El Alto and speaks Spanish very well so he is going to teach me even more.  He was part of the Antofagasta Ward with another Elder but now they have taken out 2 elders.  So he stayed with me.  The only thing is that he is only going to be with me for one change also.  This is his last change.  I don't know why it seems the President likes to put me with persons that are soon going home.  But I am content.  We are working a lot.  We taught 40 lessons this past week.  For us, that is a lot.  In the zone there were several changes.  Two elders arrived, 3 left, 1 sister missionary arrived and 1 left.  We are excited.  We have the best Zone in the world. 

Algunas cositas de esta semana:

Some of the things from this week:

1. Conocí un mono que se llama Cesar. No habla pero es muy amable.  Lo agarré y saqué una foto. It was a really monkey!!! So cute. 

I met a monkey named Cesar.  He doesn't speak but he is very friendly.  I held him and took a photo.  It was a real monkey.  So cute.

2. Rescatamos a un hermano que se llama Limber. Era inactiva pero lo enseñamos, los miembros lo hermanaron y tuvo su entrevista con el Obispo este domingo. 

We rescued a brother whose name is Limber.  He was inactive but we taught him, the members fellowshipped him and he had an interview with the Bishop this week. 

 

3. Fuimos a la Foianini (la clinica principal) porque Elder Oliart quiso  examinar su rodilla. Hace poco le dolía mucho. Its okay, I ate some of the little candies on the doctors desk while we waited. 

We went to the Foianini (the main clinic) because Older Oliart wanted his knee examined.  A short while ago it pained him a lot.  It's okay.  I ate some of the littlie candies on the doctor's desk while we waited.

Encontramos muchas muchas muchas familias nuevas para visitar, la orientación familiar en nuestro barrio por fin está mejorando, y la obra de salvación se está apresurando. 

We found many new families to visit, the family orientation in our ward is getting better and the work of salvation is going forward at a greater pace.

Esta semana les invito a leer 3 Nefi 18-20. Aprendí mucho de la Santa Cena esta semana. 

This week I invite you to read 3 Nephi 18-20.  I learned much about the Sacrament this week.

We met a man named Daniel this week. He is a member now for 9 years but has been inactive for 2. He is writing a missionary in Peru and recently moved to our area. This missionary in Peru, he told us, has been praying that he would go back to church. We showed up looking for a different referral and ran into him. He came to church sunday, has the goal of going to the temple, and partook of the sacrament for the first time in a long time. I saw the joy on his face as his humbly and worthily partook of this sacred ordinance. I know he is happier than he has been in a long time. The Bishop now knows him, we have visited him with the YM president and a member of the Elders Quorum. He has the Melquesidec Priesthood and the Bishop Bruno is already thinking about what calling he can hold in a few weeks.

The work is real. Happiness comes only through the Lord Jesus Christ. I testify of Him and of His eternal sacrifice. El bautismo es una ordenanza necesaria. La Santa Cena hace posible que renovemos nuestro convenio bautismal. Sé que el poder de la trinidad se manifiesta por medio de las ordenanzas efectuadas por el Sacerdocio. La Restauración nos dio esta autoridad otra vez. 

Baptism is a necessary ordinance.  The Sacrament makes it possible for us to renew our baptismal covenant.  I know that the power of the Trinity is manifest through the ordinances effected through the Sacrament.  The Restoration give us this authority again. 

 

Amo mi Salvador. Amo esta obra. 

I love my Savior.  I love this work.

 

Hurrah por Israel!

Elder Gehring

Lots to write, little time

Hi there,

I have so little time right now but I want to write what I can. We have leadership counsel tonight, we have Elder Uceda coming in one week and transfers are in 2 days. Nevertheless, we are drowning in the work load. The monthly finance report from the zone was due yesterday and my companion started yesterday and so I am having to help him with that. Its okay, I don't blame him for not. He goes home in less than a week. We are also updating the recent converts and rescued lists to make sure everything is in line for when Elder Uceda (de los 70) comes. 

Here are a few things that have happened this week and the last.

1. Carnavales. Not much to write about these days. We found interesting new ways to study the scriptures because we were so bored and we set a lot a new goals. We also cleaned a lot. I'm sorry mom for all the times you asked me to clean and I ``cleaned``. One of the things I have learned on my mission is how to keep a house clean. 

2. Lots of rain. Its starting to rain here. We are entering the rainy season. We Bolivians here get cold and need a jacket if it gets below 80 degrees.

3. Our first Fireside in my ward that I'm in right now. It went really really well! We watched videos and we had everyone participate! About 40 people came! We were very happy. The church is true.

4. Zone Conference. We talked about the doctrine of Christ. How it is different from the Gospel, how does the doctrine of the Priesthood relate to it all. Study it! You'll learn a lot. 2 Nefi 31, DyC 121, 3 Nefi 11-26, Alma, pretty much all of the Book of Mormon.

5. Hard days and good days. Sometimes I have days that end in me by my bed praying that the next will be better. Some days end with me praying and thanking for my day I had. But what I have learned is that if we end each day with fervent prayer, we are comforted. I know He hears me and listens to my prayers. 

I love my God. He is my Father. His Son is my King and my Savior. I testify of Him.

Hurrah for Israel!

Love,

Elder Gehring

Carnavales

I have good news and bad news.

Good news: I take lots of pictures!

Bad news: I can't figure out how to get them on the computer here! Its not letting me. 

I have more good news and bad news. Well, just bad news.

Bad news: The next monday is 'Carnavales' here in Bolivia. 

 

 

Let me explain. Every year for 3 days Bolivia has Carnavales during which every single person goes insane. No one works, everyone eats tons of chanco, and usually many people drink a little. We as missionaries have strict orders to stay in our house and to not leave for any reason. We have a program of studies and 'homework' that we have to finish during these 3 days in our house. This year these 3 days fall on Sunday,Monday, and Tuesday. The monday that is coming we will not be writing our families due to the fact that we are in our house. 

A lot happened this week so I'll tell a few stories.

1. Politics: Here in Santa Cruz right now there are 2 people running for President of Santa Cruz. Each person has their own way of pushing their campagin forward but they both involve painting ALL the houses in sight the color green. One guy paints with a lime green and the other a dark green. They pay people to be able to paint their houses. We are visiting a family who painted their house dark green. My companion was not paying attention and supported himself on the wall. His sleeve and arm were then coverd in dark green paint due to the fact the it was not yet dry. He tried rubbing it out, made it worse, and then frantically ran to a members house were he bleached the shirt and washed it out by hand. The problem was that it didnt come out. His sleeved is now stained. He and I got a pretty good laugh out of that. 

2. Companionship goal: My companion goes home in 29 days. He is not fat but he would admit that he has gained a few kilos here in the mission. He set the goal of losing weight his last month and I support him 100 percent. We (well sometimes just me) do exersize every morning and night. We run and lift weights in the morning and then at night we jump rope for a long time. We dont drink soda when the members offer us, we are cutting down on the snacks while we are in the house, and we drink a ton of water. We'll see if it works. We had NO energy the first few days of doing it but now we feel great all the time!

3. The Book of Mormon: We are teaching a man named Samuel. He is one of the most humble people I know and really really wants to do what is right. The only thing is sometimes he has a little trouble understanding the Book of Mormon when he reads it. He tries so hard to understand the story AND what it teaches that sometimes he doesnt get either one. Last night we went to go read to him. We read outloud verse by verse explaining after every 4 or so what happened and asking questions about what we can learn. We were in 1 Nefi 3 when Nefi goes back to Jeruselen for the plates of bronce. Samuel got so excited about it all, understood the concept of commandments from God, and learned a lot. The chapter ends with the Angel that appears to Nefi's brothers and without reading chapter 4 you dont find out what happend with the plates (If they end up getting them from Laban). When we finished chapter 3 Samuel asked ''And?? So did they get the plates or not?? What happened with Laban??'' etc. It was so amazing to see the joy he found from reading the scriptures. He commited to reading chapter 4 with his family and is progressing spiritually. 

This week I was also studying in Moroni 8. This chapter mainly talks about the baptism of children is an abomination before the Lord but in the end of the chapter I love what it says. In verse 25 and 26 we learn that repentance is such a necessary step in our lives. But once we repent, and recieve the remision of our sins we are given humilty, then we are given the presence of the Holy Spirit and then with that love that the spirit has, we have no need to fear. In verse 16 that ''el amor puro desecha todo temor''. 

I love you all. I have fear sometimes and for that reason I repent to be humble, I am humble to recieve the Spirit, I recieve the Spirit to be filled with love, and I use that love to conquer all fear. 

 Fear not. ''I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.'' Jesucristo

Hurrah for Israel!

Elder Gehring

Letter

I decided to write everyone individually this week. I'll write you all the next week. and I'll send fotos too! 

Love you,

Elder gehring

Intercambios

Family,

I'm not sure whats going on with my memory card but I cant get any fotos to send. Im going to send it with a member in our ward that can hopefully help. 

This week was a long one. Not too much happened but I did get to have an intercambio with one of the District leaders in the zone. He is from Texas too and I went to his area to work. I learned a lot about the way to study. He studies way better than I do and I feel like he learns a lot more than I do. I learned that every morning I need to recieve personal revelation. I learned about the importance of the spirit and only through the spirit can one recieve the confirmation of spiritual things. 

We taught some great lessons, we tried teaching as Christ taught and we finished the day inviting others to come to Christ. He taught me a lot in the short time we had together and I am greatful for the intercambios we have in the mission. 

This week we also had service. I put (with the help of 3 others) about 1000 lbs or more of sand in bags. then we stacked all the bags in storage. I was smart and didnt hurt my back but I sweat a lot and I think I lost a couple pounds doing it. 

Funny story.

This past thursday was a holiday here. I'm not sure why but sometimes Bolivians have holidays for no reason. We went to a home and a man was drunk sitting on his porch. His dog was on his chair next to him. He was very very concerned and started to yell at his dog. Then he calmed down and  began to ask his dog why it was on the chair. 

I love Bolivia. I love when drunk guys talk to their dogs. Its makes me laugh. The Church is true. I know it by the power of the Holy Ghost. I have felt it and I can not deny it. 

Hurrah for Israel!

Love,

Elder Gehring

La vida Boliviana (The Bolivia Life)

Hello.

I am going to write in English so Mom, you can understand :)

My area is called Antofagasta. My limits are the 5to and 4to anillo between the avendia Vallegrande and Doble Via la Guardia. It is small and full of dirt. It is very very hot and I sweat a lot. The chapel is small and simple. The benches are made of a dark red wood that smells like furniture polish. There are 12 industrial fans that line the ceiling and provide an ever so slight breeze in the immense heat of Santa Cruz. There are 15 classrooms, one office for the bishop, one room for the secretaries, and 2 bathrooms. The kitchen, relief society room, and the pila bautismal are all put together. The kitchen is one sink and 2 electric stoves. The baptismal font is filled with cold water and sometimes smells like dead lizards (because sometimes they get in and cant get out).

Houses here are different from my first area and different from the center. There are 2 enclosed neighborhoods in my area that are identical to the US. All the houses have yards, mailboxes, driveways, etc. Ive never gone inside becuase you can only enter upon being invited by someone who lives there but we have passed by many times and seen inside. The rest of the houses are anywhere from 4 wooden walls to a nice brick house with a front door and 2 floors. Its very different here. A lot of houses have several rooms and a different family rents out each room. Each house always has a lavandería to wash clothes by hand.  

Every tuesday and saturday there is a fair in the middle of my area. Blue tarps are tied on the top of 4 poles stuck into the ground. The shade is hardly a refuge from the heat of mid day here. Fruit is the only thing I buy. It is cheap, delicious, and fresh. It all goes bad fast but its okay. I eat it fast. You can get pots and pans, used shoes from the US, clothes of any kind, movies illegally copied, and nick nacks of all sorts (usually little plastic kids toys), and just about anything in the fairs here. I usually stay away from the food stands with fried chicken, fried pig, fried papas, fried everything. 

My area is also in the middle of a lot of tallers. I dont know what 'taller' is in english. Basically its a car repair shop. But here in my area they are repair shops for large trucks. There is an open field in front of these tallers of pure dirt. The width of a football field and as long as 4 or so. The trucks come and come all day. Welding, tire changes, engine repairs. You name it they do it. 

I get a lot of comments still. 2 were pretty funny from this week. They usually come frequently. Ill translate to help you out. 

1. ''Do you walk all day in the sun?'' ''Yes! But its not too bad.'' ''How are you still so white??''

2. ''Heylo mister pancho!!! One, two, three!!'' (this is a pretty standard comment that many people use)

Not too much other crazy stuff happens. I learn a lot here. This week I learned how to mix cement, and lay a cement floor. We went and help a less active member and he taught us. I laugh a lot here. Little things people do make my laugh. For example. We contacted a family and the kids were the first to leave the house. 2 little girls (twins) came running out and gave us hugs. We talked to them, couldn't understand what they said and then asked if they wanted a present. They of course said yes. I then gave them a picture of Jesus (a pass along card) and they lost it because they were so excited. Hugging it, jumping up and down, screaming, and then ran and showed their mom. The whole family is now listening to us.

Miracles happen here. Our baptism was wonderful. His whole family came and supported him and the ward mission leader baptized him. He was so happy and couldn't wait to bear his testimony of the way he felt. 11 years old and already has a firm testimony. 

This week I learned a lot about the work of salvation. I read and studied DyC 50. I asked the zone ''What will happen in our lessons if the Holy Ghost is present?'' we studied and came to the conclusion that many things will happen. They will feel the desire to be baptized. They will have a change of heart etc. But really the only thing that will happen is that they will fulfill the conditions set in DyC 20:37.

I love the Lord. He is my Savior. I have a personal relation with Him and I become more close to Him everyday. 

Hurrah for Israel!

Lots of love,

Elder Gehring