I had a good week this last week. We had a great ward activity and one of our investigators, Fabian, said that he wants to get baptised and everything. He now just has to work on his schedule to be able to come to Church. He says he should be able to from this week and on. There is a great story going along with that too. I asked him on Friday if he believed in the Book of Mormon, and why. He gave his conversion story and testimony. He said that a few years ago he had learned that a friend of his that lives in Spain was diagnosed with an advanced brain tumor. He prayed that she would heal and be okay. Nothing had happened for a while, and the possibility that she wouldn´t survive treatment and everything was around 75%. These last weeks he has been reading and praying to know whether the Book of Mormon is true. He just learned that from one day to the next his friend´s tumor had completely disappeared. He said that it was an answer to all of his prayers. It´s an amazing story and I´m grateful to have been here to hear it.
The Lord loves each and every one of us and knows what´s best for us in the long run. As for the weather it´s just hot. It´s gone back to normal really. Down south though it will be starting to rain soon. The Church News website talks about that, trying to get temporary homes ready before the rainy season hits. It won´t be a problem here as there is very little real damage. Only a few buildings took serious damage. They were all newer ones too.
Anyway, I am excited for Conference this coming week and hope that everyone enjoys it. I love all of you and pray that you continue to be protected, blessed and have fun.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
eMail of March 22, 2010
We did have a great week in the end, although my companion has been sick. With the little extra time I had the opportunity to study a lot. I´ve read the last couple of weeks Isaiah and Dueteronomy through 1st Samuel. I learned a lot, especially about the consequences of sin and disobeying the Lord. The Lord really does require exact obedience to all His commandments.
I am glad to hear that the play went so well. Marc will be okay as well.
As for everything else we have about six people we really feel can and want to be baptised right now. We are working on getting them ready now. We also just had changes, or transfers. I stayed with my companion for the first time, nearly a year and a half in. We are doing great and I am learning a lot.
As for some great experiences, we´ve gotten to teach several great lessons and such. Probably the most rewarding experience this week was at Church. None of our investigators came that we had been working with, but suddenly an old investigator that should have been baptised before I got here came to Church for the first time since the beginning of December. Seeing her there I felt great and really happy, and she seems really exited about everything again. While there she asked for a priesthood blessing and we got to help her with it with another brother in the ward. Everyone said hi and she felt really welcome. The earthquake she said scared her a little and now she wants to get baptised.
The Lord truly does work in amazing ways. I can honestly say that baptisms in a mission are not dependant so much on the missionary. The Lord will bring who he will to the Church regardless. There are other forms of success that are really more important and dependant on the missionary. I am grateful to be here and looking forward to what is to come this next month and a half. I am excited for General Conference as well in a couple of weeks.
Well, I love you all and hope that you continue to be protect and lifted up by the Lord. I pray that you are happy.
I am glad to hear that the play went so well. Marc will be okay as well.
As for everything else we have about six people we really feel can and want to be baptised right now. We are working on getting them ready now. We also just had changes, or transfers. I stayed with my companion for the first time, nearly a year and a half in. We are doing great and I am learning a lot.
As for some great experiences, we´ve gotten to teach several great lessons and such. Probably the most rewarding experience this week was at Church. None of our investigators came that we had been working with, but suddenly an old investigator that should have been baptised before I got here came to Church for the first time since the beginning of December. Seeing her there I felt great and really happy, and she seems really exited about everything again. While there she asked for a priesthood blessing and we got to help her with it with another brother in the ward. Everyone said hi and she felt really welcome. The earthquake she said scared her a little and now she wants to get baptised.
The Lord truly does work in amazing ways. I can honestly say that baptisms in a mission are not dependant so much on the missionary. The Lord will bring who he will to the Church regardless. There are other forms of success that are really more important and dependant on the missionary. I am grateful to be here and looking forward to what is to come this next month and a half. I am excited for General Conference as well in a couple of weeks.
Well, I love you all and hope that you continue to be protect and lifted up by the Lord. I pray that you are happy.
Monday, March 15, 2010
eMail of March 15, 2010
Every week seems to be busy, but moving faster and faster. It´s hard to believe I´ve been with my current companion for 5 weeks already. Time just keeps moving blindingly fast.
As for the aftershocks everyone is okay. We actually happened to be in our weekly zone class at the Chapel at that moment. Probably the safest place to be in an earthquake. We are doing well in every aspect. Last night the power went out just as we were ending the day and as I was talking with a devout Catholic, apparently in most of the country. The power came back really quick but still it was interesting. We could see the Milky Way for a time which was great, the first time in months. In fact, the power came on just as we got into our apartment after climbing the 14 flights of stairs.
As for the investigators and everything we are working on getting them to progress. We have several that want to get baptised and others that are continuous. There are a lot of kids popping up right now as well. We should be getting a few baptisms really quick here.
I had a funny experience this last week. We were walking down the street and a drunk stopped us and yelling at us told us to go home to our country. He made us stop and started swearing like crazy and trying to tell us we were stupid and didn´t know what we were doing. He got up in my face and stuff but I could tell he really didn´t know what he was doing. In the end he asked us for money and then left in a rage because we didn´t have any. Anyway, I found it funny as it was just a classic drunk that just wanted to get angry at someone.
As for some good experiences I have seen the gospel in action in several peoples lives and we are being led to people that really need our help and want the gospel. Today while grocery shopping a lady stopped us, asked us for our number and said that she was going to need help with some things within the next few days. It´s really amazing the gospel and this work. Probably the best thing this week has been reading in Isaiah. I learned a lot about Christ and everything. There is another name for Christ in Isaiah and a lot of symbolism with it, as well as the symbolism of Zion and Jerusalem.
Well, I love you all and am grateful for you. I pray that you all are happy and safe. Love you!
As for the aftershocks everyone is okay. We actually happened to be in our weekly zone class at the Chapel at that moment. Probably the safest place to be in an earthquake. We are doing well in every aspect. Last night the power went out just as we were ending the day and as I was talking with a devout Catholic, apparently in most of the country. The power came back really quick but still it was interesting. We could see the Milky Way for a time which was great, the first time in months. In fact, the power came on just as we got into our apartment after climbing the 14 flights of stairs.
As for the investigators and everything we are working on getting them to progress. We have several that want to get baptised and others that are continuous. There are a lot of kids popping up right now as well. We should be getting a few baptisms really quick here.
I had a funny experience this last week. We were walking down the street and a drunk stopped us and yelling at us told us to go home to our country. He made us stop and started swearing like crazy and trying to tell us we were stupid and didn´t know what we were doing. He got up in my face and stuff but I could tell he really didn´t know what he was doing. In the end he asked us for money and then left in a rage because we didn´t have any. Anyway, I found it funny as it was just a classic drunk that just wanted to get angry at someone.
As for some good experiences I have seen the gospel in action in several peoples lives and we are being led to people that really need our help and want the gospel. Today while grocery shopping a lady stopped us, asked us for our number and said that she was going to need help with some things within the next few days. It´s really amazing the gospel and this work. Probably the best thing this week has been reading in Isaiah. I learned a lot about Christ and everything. There is another name for Christ in Isaiah and a lot of symbolism with it, as well as the symbolism of Zion and Jerusalem.
Well, I love you all and am grateful for you. I pray that you all are happy and safe. Love you!
Monday, March 8, 2010
eMail of March 8, 2010
This last week was a very interesting week. We weren´t able to get too much done actually but I am excited to get working. There are some old investigators that want to start coming back again and everything. It could very well be true that this month will be a high baptising month [referring to sentiments of his mission president].
As for the aftermath we are feeling tremors all the time and we are returning to our apartment today. In our sector our building had the most damage with the ceilings and everything. There are no problems with the water, food or anything.
As for some good experiences I must say it was fun living in my first house for a week with my second comp Elder Maruri as well. I went by a couple of converts one day and got to teach a lesson with another which was great. Probably the best day of the week was yesterday. There was a sattelite transmission for an area conference of Chile. Elder Bednar and President Monson spoke. Elder Bednar talked about receiving the stregnth of the Lord through the Atonement and how it will give us strength beyond our own. President Monson also had a great talk. They gave a message of calm and hope to the people and I hope they receive it. He also talked about bringing back all the less-actives that are not coming to Church. The thing is Chile has an inactivity of more than 80%, nearly 90%. There is only so much us missionaries can do, and our main job is to baptise new people into the Church.
As for myself I am learning a great deal about interacting with other people and stuff. I did have an interesting experience the other day though, yesterday in fact. We went with a large group of missionaries on last notice to a family that was moving out of their apartment. As we were just finishing up moving everything into the truck the Landlady came and started saying that the family was robbing her and hadn´t payed two months of rent. She was going into the house and the two kids told her to go away but she pushed them. She kept going and the mom came and pulled her hair, and a man impersonating a cop for the Landlady grabbed her hand. Meanwhile there are two real cops out on the street trying to figure out what was going on. The Landlady got desperate and pulled one of the Elders in the house with her and locked the door. I didn´t leave at that point to stay near him. The kids and the mom left to talk to the cops and the lady finally let the other Elder out but kept asking us to be witnesses to the whole thing. Turns out she didn´t even have a contract for the apartment, had brought a fake cop and lawyer with her and was just trying to get the best of the family. We left and helped them finish. Needless to say, it was interesting. Nothing bad happened and nothing is going to happen with us but still, people are willing to get anyone and everyone involved in things that don´t have to deal with them. I was calm during the whole thing though.
This last week I have seen an incredible strength and patience that I don´t remember having. Anyway, I love you all and hope that everything goes well with the play this week. I am happy to know that you are all doing well and pray that you are happy. Love you!
--
Elder David Skiles
As for the aftermath we are feeling tremors all the time and we are returning to our apartment today. In our sector our building had the most damage with the ceilings and everything. There are no problems with the water, food or anything.
As for some good experiences I must say it was fun living in my first house for a week with my second comp Elder Maruri as well. I went by a couple of converts one day and got to teach a lesson with another which was great. Probably the best day of the week was yesterday. There was a sattelite transmission for an area conference of Chile. Elder Bednar and President Monson spoke. Elder Bednar talked about receiving the stregnth of the Lord through the Atonement and how it will give us strength beyond our own. President Monson also had a great talk. They gave a message of calm and hope to the people and I hope they receive it. He also talked about bringing back all the less-actives that are not coming to Church. The thing is Chile has an inactivity of more than 80%, nearly 90%. There is only so much us missionaries can do, and our main job is to baptise new people into the Church.
As for myself I am learning a great deal about interacting with other people and stuff. I did have an interesting experience the other day though, yesterday in fact. We went with a large group of missionaries on last notice to a family that was moving out of their apartment. As we were just finishing up moving everything into the truck the Landlady came and started saying that the family was robbing her and hadn´t payed two months of rent. She was going into the house and the two kids told her to go away but she pushed them. She kept going and the mom came and pulled her hair, and a man impersonating a cop for the Landlady grabbed her hand. Meanwhile there are two real cops out on the street trying to figure out what was going on. The Landlady got desperate and pulled one of the Elders in the house with her and locked the door. I didn´t leave at that point to stay near him. The kids and the mom left to talk to the cops and the lady finally let the other Elder out but kept asking us to be witnesses to the whole thing. Turns out she didn´t even have a contract for the apartment, had brought a fake cop and lawyer with her and was just trying to get the best of the family. We left and helped them finish. Needless to say, it was interesting. Nothing bad happened and nothing is going to happen with us but still, people are willing to get anyone and everyone involved in things that don´t have to deal with them. I was calm during the whole thing though.
This last week I have seen an incredible strength and patience that I don´t remember having. Anyway, I love you all and hope that everything goes well with the play this week. I am happy to know that you are all doing well and pray that you are happy. Love you!
--
Elder David Skiles
Monday, March 1, 2010
Earthquake Update (eMail of March 1, 2010)
I´m doing well just so you all know. Attached are a couple pictures of the damage. There is more but this is what I have. The earthquake hit about 3:15 in the morning here. I had just woken up for nothing and was laying there when it started. My first thoughts were "here it is". About two weeks before the mission received info on earthquakes and what we should do just in case. We joked around saying that the Church was predicting a quake. But it really happened. The building started moving like crazy to the point that I wasn´t able to stand up. I just stayed where I was being a little bit away from everything. It lasted for a minute and a half and everything was moving like crazy. The building was moving several feet, probably up to 6 or 8 feet. As it was slowing down we heard a few crashes and the plaster ceiling outside our door fell down, with some other stuff. The building was still moving for several minutes afterward and several feet. During the whole thing we saw a bunch of transformers blow up as well.
In the end there wasn´t any serious damage but we were still told to leave at least until the aftershocks are all over. The plate moved a lot. We still feel some tremors every now and then.
As for investigators and converts everyone is okay. There wasn´t too much damage in other parts. In fact yesterday went great. Sebastian and Hortenzia came with the three children which hasn´t happened before. Another two investigatores came and half the people at the baptism weren´t members. Camila Díaz of nine years was baptized. From the baptism several people were left with more desires to listen and we have some good futures now. I am really hoping that everything continues to go well. Right now we have all we need.
There are possibilities that the wate[r may be contaminated.] I am grateful to be here and even more so to have the protection of the Lord with me. I know He loves us. Today we have a mission Family Home Evening so I think we´re going to learn some more today about everything. I just want you all to know that I am safe, that we are doing well and having success. Thank you for your prayers and support and don´t worry. The Lord is God.
--
Elder David Skiles
In the end there wasn´t any serious damage but we were still told to leave at least until the aftershocks are all over. The plate moved a lot. We still feel some tremors every now and then.
As for investigators and converts everyone is okay. There wasn´t too much damage in other parts. In fact yesterday went great. Sebastian and Hortenzia came with the three children which hasn´t happened before. Another two investigatores came and half the people at the baptism weren´t members. Camila Díaz of nine years was baptized. From the baptism several people were left with more desires to listen and we have some good futures now. I am really hoping that everything continues to go well. Right now we have all we need.
There are possibilities that the wate[r may be contaminated.] I am grateful to be here and even more so to have the protection of the Lord with me. I know He loves us. Today we have a mission Family Home Evening so I think we´re going to learn some more today about everything. I just want you all to know that I am safe, that we are doing well and having success. Thank you for your prayers and support and don´t worry. The Lord is God.
--
Elder David Skiles
Earthquake Update - March 1, 2010 AM
The following is an email sent to family from David's mother.
I just got an email from David with permission to call him, after several tries I was able to reach him. He is fine. They have moved out of their apartment for now--it is on the 14th floor and the ceiling in the hall is partly down. It was hard to hear everything--his voice cut out every few seconds so some of this is a guess--he will email with more details later. The inside of their apartment is fine but they are living with other elders for at least the next week until damage in the building is assesed, cleaned up ect. One set of Elders on the first floor have cracks in their floor and have moved out completely, I don't know if it is the same building or not. Those two were a little scratched up in getting out of the building. David said he was afraid at first but quickly felt calm. If I heard him correctly he said he realized if the building was coming down being on the 14th floor he wouldn't be able to get out. They could see the buildings around them swaying 3 to 4 feet side to side after it was over. He said he would not have been able to walk around during the quake it was moving too much. After the quake they left the building to look around and see if help was needed anywhere around them but people seemed to be fine--not a lot of damage where he is. They had a baptism yesterday in cold water since there was no electricity. For now they are just on a normal schedule. Some metro routes are not running but most are. It sounds like Concepcion is really the area that has been hit hard. David did say the stores are packed with people buying up supplies. It was such a relief to hear his voice and know what is going on. Three weeks ago the mission sent out instructions to all the Missonaries on the protocols for what to do in case of an earthquake specifically or an emergency in general so they all knew what to do. He had not heard that the Angel Moroni on the Temple lost his trumpet--that was in a Salt Lake City newspaper. Now I can rest easy but I will still be praying for those who have sons in Concepcion where there is a lot of damage and looting going on. Thanks for your prayers.
I just got an email from David with permission to call him, after several tries I was able to reach him. He is fine. They have moved out of their apartment for now--it is on the 14th floor and the ceiling in the hall is partly down. It was hard to hear everything--his voice cut out every few seconds so some of this is a guess--he will email with more details later. The inside of their apartment is fine but they are living with other elders for at least the next week until damage in the building is assesed, cleaned up ect. One set of Elders on the first floor have cracks in their floor and have moved out completely, I don't know if it is the same building or not. Those two were a little scratched up in getting out of the building. David said he was afraid at first but quickly felt calm. If I heard him correctly he said he realized if the building was coming down being on the 14th floor he wouldn't be able to get out. They could see the buildings around them swaying 3 to 4 feet side to side after it was over. He said he would not have been able to walk around during the quake it was moving too much. After the quake they left the building to look around and see if help was needed anywhere around them but people seemed to be fine--not a lot of damage where he is. They had a baptism yesterday in cold water since there was no electricity. For now they are just on a normal schedule. Some metro routes are not running but most are. It sounds like Concepcion is really the area that has been hit hard. David did say the stores are packed with people buying up supplies. It was such a relief to hear his voice and know what is going on. Three weeks ago the mission sent out instructions to all the Missonaries on the protocols for what to do in case of an earthquake specifically or an emergency in general so they all knew what to do. He had not heard that the Angel Moroni on the Temple lost his trumpet--that was in a Salt Lake City newspaper. Now I can rest easy but I will still be praying for those who have sons in Concepcion where there is a lot of damage and looting going on. Thanks for your prayers.
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