But its all good, it makes it easier to go for the healthier choice when being offered something to drink. Blessings!
In the meeting for changes, we found out that, in the month of December, as a mission, we had 62 baptisms. SO COOL! We are number three in Chile for the most baptisms, I love being here, I love being a part of the Santiago Mision Oeste! One of those moments where I just thought to myself "yeah, I am a MISSIONARY!" Those are the best moments.
New Years Eve was pday, and then we had to be in the house at 8:00 because our president loves us and wants us to be safe, so it wasn't too eventful.
The next day...yeah, Inventory of who was in the street on New Years:
-6 LDS missionaries
-2 Jehovah's Witnesses - yup, we counted
-23 gangsters
But again, its all good, adventura cada dia, right?!
This week was pretty hectic, with the busiest day being Friday- we had the delightful opportunity to work on getting my visa papers. All day, it was one long line after another in the hot sun with no shade and warm water. It made me think of my mom's story of waiting in the never-ending line for the viewing of President Hinckley. But instead of having Consider The Lilies playing in the line (which I would have rather enjoyed) I got to continue standing. And then standing some more. And in the end, all I got was a bunch of papers and a new sticker in my passport. But hey! I'm Chilean until next February, so we are all good!
Also this week, I had the experience of seeing how transfers can be really awesome. We got two new elders in the ward this change, and it really makes all the difference when all 6 of the missionaries in one ward are united in wanting to involve the ward, in planning activities, in reactivating members, in WORKING TOGETHER. It is magical! And they are hilarious and excited to be here! I absolutely love when all of our excitement is equal. It is already so different from before, I love it.
Three great experiences from this week that I want to share :) The first was with Benjamin. He is wonderful, and he really wants to know if the church is true, but almost always he doesn't do his part with the reading. We went out on a limb and assigned him to read 3rd Nephi 11-21, the whole part about Jesus coming to the Americas. I had hope, but we honestly didn't think that he would read it. But when we got to his house and asked if he had read the section, he told us YES, and that he had read to chapter 24, and that he had questions about it. Not only did he READ it, but he studied it! Enough to have questions for us! I know it seems like a small thing, but it was a huge triumph for us. To Hermana Velazquez and I, he is like a little brother, and it is a delight to watch him grow in the gospel.
Also this week, I learned more about Christ-like love. We have an investigator named Pedro, and we have been working with him for a long time to work on his faith- when we first started teaching him, he was completely convinced that he had no faith. You can't really teach the lessons effectively unless the person you're teaching has just a little hope, a little faith in something better for this life, something beautiful after this life. This week, we were finally FINALLY able to teach him Lesson One, The Restoration, effectively. It was beautiful! He was answering our questions and asking us his own and I KNOW that he was feeling the spirit, and Hermana Velazquez and I both felt that it was right to invite him to be baptized in the beginning of February.
He declined.
BUT, it was so interesting to me, because I wasn't broken-hearted. I wasn't frustrated or short tempered with him. Because I truly feel a portion of the Lord's love for him, and I want to help PEDRO, not my-investigator-who-I-want-to-baptize. Pedro Rios, a child of God who needs help. And some require a little more time than others. It was different- as we walked away from his house, we were joyful! He declined the baptismal date but we were so giddy that we are finally progressing and finally able to help him! That's when you know that you are doing something right as a missionary- when your focus is on the people and not on the numbers.
And, I saved the best for last...remember the story of Gloria? The woman with a very hard heart? I prayed in the bathroom to be able to love her? Yeah, I honestly did not have hope for her for a little bit, but I kept persevering, kept smiling and kept bearing my testimony, knowing that at least I am trying to help her. Well, this last week on Monday, she accepted the invitation to pray. Which is HUGE! In the beginning, that was not even an option. Then, on Wednesday, we finally FINALLY felt like we could teach her lesson one. Which is HUGE! And then we invited her to be baptized (no specific date) and she accepted.
WHICH IS A MIRACLE!
You guys! I have a testimony of PATIENCE. Even when it seems like it is impossible to help someone, that they are so hard-hearted and closed off and obnoxious and I am thinking of my foster sister at the moment and how I truly thought she was impossible, and every time I would visit Gloria, I saw so much of Vanessa in this poor woman, and I know that it was a second chance that God gave me to be patient, and to love when they don't love you back, to hold out just a little bit longer, and that is when the blessings come. That is when you witness miracles.
Well, that's that for the week. Know that I love being here, I miss y'all, but I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY AND I AM SMITTEN WITH THE BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY OF CHILE! Be Bold, Stay Rad, do what you do, tienen adventuras cada dia, po!
Con mucho cariño,
Hermana Harkins
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