LIMA!

Hola a todos!

Esta semana fui a Lima! Wow, que chevere es esto?!? Sí es, pero no para la clima, solo nubes. Sin embargo, chevere.

So, this week I went to Lima! That was cool! Cloudy, but it was refreshing nonetheless.

Monday we went to Machupitumarca, that was fun, it wasn't the Mountain of 7 Colors like we'd planned, but everyone made it, which is a concern with the other. And it's still giving me material for District Meeting, so we're good. It's cool at Machupitumarca, ruins, a chance to wear my chuyo, which is actually very comfortable. Good pictures and great missionary bonding.

Tuesday I got ready to head to Lima. We also had a lesson before I left, good one too. Wednesday we flew out at 5:40ish in the morning, arrived at 7. Went to immigration, had breakfast then entered and did our stuff, left to the airport. We ate pizza in the airport, roughly 19 bucks each of the 5 pizzas. So, pretty normal for Papa Johns. (yes, there's a Papa Johns in the airport) And then everyone went with someone to look for dessert. Elder Boelter and I (that's right, I saw my MTC companion again!!! And all the rest of our group! just not a great picture with everyone) We were looking at Dunkin' Donuts (that one too) there was a guy at the counter eating his donut and coffee. He also had a spiffy hat, glasses, polka dot bow tie and a blue suit. Yup, a blue suit. Eye catcher, right? So Elder Boelter mentioned that he looked interesting, we kept looking at the prices and waiting to order.

Then this guy started talking to us, told us to come over and chat a second, he had a couple Latino buddies with him, one born in Brazil and I don't know the other guy where he's from. Elder Boelter asked what he was doing in Peru after we established that we're missionaries for two years. He said the last time he was in Peru he was on the mission, but converting people to Catholicism. And then he started telling his friends that the Mormon Program is something amazing, that young men, go around the whole world, sharing their beliefs with everyone. Then he joked that we're not actually elders, I joked that yup, that's right, we're joven ancianos. Or young ancients. He then asked what we were going to get, Elder Boelter said Muchkins (donut holes) he asked how many we needed, 10, then he told one of his friends to buy us how many we needed, his friend then started saying, "okay, how many munchkins do we need, let's go get them."  "He's my papi, he's got all the money"  said the blue suit guy.

Then the sisters came up and he told them, "Guess what, these elders just found four sinners!" (there was an airport guy too) They were confused, but we talked a little bit more, they realized that they were buying us donuts and by the time the purchase was done almost all the 13 missionaries that went to Lima were there with us. They gave us the donuts and we said thanks, I said it was our turn as I handed them contact cards, he started translating the first part then bid us farewell and that if we ever need anything agricultural to get in touch with Alltech. I wouldn't be surprised if they own this company that I've never heard of before. That was a very cool and probably once in a lifetime opportunities. (he gave me ideas for when I grow up too :)  )

Then we went to fly out, ate the donuts, played English Jeopardy a little and went to Cusco again. Then came back to Sicuani Thursday morning. Elder Yangali's shoulder bag had come. He was happy.

 We set a baptismal date with Osias for the 24th, we need to move it for timing because of interview that he lacks and stuff like that. But then Yesterday we set with his brother Obed for the 8th. Conference is the 1st and 2nd, so it's not possible to confirm him on Sunday.

Friday we planned for next week, good English class too, hangman. Saturday we did service for the EQ president, helping make ice cream, I ate 10 roughly, because if they break they don't sell, and yes, we did our best to keep them good, it was disappointing to a person like me with a little OCD to break them. It was so good though! Elder Yangali and Elder Augat at the end had a contest to see who could have their hand in the water that's -20C the longest, Elder Yangali won, something like 15 seconds. Crazies.

Sunday was good, like I said, we visited Obed and had a good lesson with the Condori family.

Now, like I appreciated a friend on their mission doing, now that I've been out for 5 months today, I'll list 5 things I'm glad I did before the mission.

1. Lived the Gospel
2. Graduated seminary, went to institute
3. Went to the Mission prep class
4. Read the scriptures and prayed everyday
5. Studied the language

And 3 things I wish I'd done:

1. Learned to pray more sincerely
2. Learned more about my mission
3. Developed more the key Christ-like attributes

Read the Book of Mormon, be good, live the Gospel.

Hasta la próxima!

--

Hurrah for Israel!

~Elder Fincher