Ben's Missionary Letters

  This week we were really able to get into the work with out the distractions of paperwork. Missionary work here is a bit different than in the States as it's a lot more fast-paced. Nearly every person we talk to wants to set up a lessons, the struggle is really just keeping track of everyone.  As well this week I was able to baptize someone for the first time. A companionship of sisters needed an Elder to baptized a 10 year old girl they were teaching. Her name was Vanessa, and she reminded me a lot of my own younger sister Emilia. My companion is the distract leader so normally he does the baptisms for the sisters in our distract, however when we fist meet her foe the interview she said she wanted me to do it, I was surprised and honored! Saturday night while I was working on memorizing the prayer in Spanish, the bishop called and told me I was speaking in church the next day. That was a fun surprise. But the topic ended up being an very familiar subject for me, at least at...

  This week started out with Carnival celebrations. It a holiday celebrated by Brazil and Bolivia that goes all week and it utrera chaos. Mostly it's just kid with water ballon and water guns in the street but at night it gets more dangerous with drunk people with water ballons filled with oíl, paint and urine. So for that reason president mandated that we all stay inside Monday night and Tuesday. It kinda sucked and now I have a much better appreciation for the missionarys that suffered through quarantine.  After Tuesday though we launched right back into the work and took off this week. It's fun to see my companion set into his teaching style. He's grow a lot as a missionary and he's got to the point where it's less of just following the trainer but leading at time with his own ideas. It's really fun to see him discover something in the scripture during study in the morning and the implement in teaching later that same day. It's probably my favorite part o...

 Training is very exhausting for botg the trainer and the trainee but we're both having a good time doing it. We just get home wiped out after a full day and usually fall asleep right away.  That's being said we're have so many blessing these last week. We set two of our investigators on date, almost unexpectedly and I know Lord put them in our hands. As well the couple we've been helping progress towards baptism, Mithzi and Reynaldo, have fixed a date for marriage. It was actually quite a blessing and the bishop helped out immensely. This Saturday we had a lesson with them and it was clear Hermana Mithzi was exited about the gospel, but Reynaldo was a bit hesitant. It costs a lot to be married in Bolivia and his contracting job ended so he's out of work. But the next Sunday we set up a small interview with the bishop so they could work that out. They both came out of the meeting beaming and telling us they want to get married in the next week!! I was shocked. All t...

  This transfer we have big goals and I feel I've really been pushing myself and my companion. But both me and my companion love to work hard and it's a blessing to see some of the results. In reality almost everything we've accomplished would have been impossible without the hand of the Lord and im truly grateful for all the blessings I've seen.  Church on Sunday was culmination of everything that we have going on. Those two hours were packed with everything and it seemed everyone wanted something from the missionaries. It was great though because all our investigators who are interested in baptism were able to attend, but it's also a tad stressful to make sure all the investigators are having a good experience. On top of the the bishop asked me to give a talk 5 mins before the meeting, I said "absolutely, just don't forget the confirmation of hermano Marco" (who was baptized the day before). Of course the confirmation was promptly forgotten, so durin...

  Biggest news of the week is that I'm now training! I had to say goodbye Elder Callata this last week but got to meet my new companion Elder Nuñez. He's from La Paz just like my own trainer was and they actually knew each other so that was funny. He's a great missionary and ready to work hard so what we've been doing.  The trip down to Santa Cruz for transfers was quite an adventure. The trip normally takes about 40 minutes. It turned into an all day event. There was a blockade on the freeway about half way to the city. A blockade happens every once in awhile, where some group or another piles stuff— could be tires or sand or semi trucks or concrete pilings— in the middle of the freeway to shut down traffic in order to get attention for their cause. We had no choice and had to turn around and go back to Montero to wait for the police to disperse the event. Then when we finally got moving hours later we got a flat tire so that was a whole thing too. Not to mention there...

  We had interviews this last Saturday and President told me that if I could keep the numbers up and continue to demonstrate obedience I would be able to train a new missionary next transfer. That was exciting news but on the conditions we could prep the area. So we buckled down this last week to help prepare the area for next transfer. We put 4 of our investigators on date for baptism and as well find 12 new people with potential to teach. It was a good weeks work and I was thankful for my companion who was willing to help me with that goal. As well my president gave me interesting advice in the interview to help my companion. All of this transfer its been my goal to help my companion gain a stronger testimony, something he's been seeking for almost his whole mission. It been difficult at times but I do have lots of help from leaders including my mission president. In my interview he told me the best way to gain a testimony is to share it with others. I share this advice with my c...

 I totally forgot to write and email last week which was sad cuz new years was an absolute blast. We had 4 dinners in one night and a sketchy Bolivian firework show. I ate so much pork that night and didn't regret it even when I was sick all the next day, but I gotta break and the stomach eventually I guess. Overall we got the full Bolivian Año Nuevo experience. Another highlight was exchanges with Elder Davis. He's one of my buddies who came into the mission with me. Right now he's training an American with close to no Spanish so he's kinda on his own for teaching, and I working right now to help my companion find love for missionary work and some days get out the door, so it was awesome (and a bt relieving) to team up with Elder Davis for a day where we both could teach together and worked the entire day. I truly forgot how much could get done in a day. I thought for a moment, why doesnt the Lord just team us up as a companionship? We could get so much done. But in re...

Christmas is the mission is really something interesting. All of the day I really missed my family and home but could see many blessings from the Lord. It's interesting because up to this point in my life Christmas has been a somewhat self center experience. It was interesting to look outward and serve other on this day. The best part of Christmas was dropping of different treats and candy to kids in different families we were teaching. Some of which probably didn't get much more gifts that day and so they were super grateful which was blessing to be a part of. It also rained all day, and believe me that's a Christmas miracle for missionaries here in Bolivia. Another way I've felt blessed is to see some change for the better in my companion. President stopped by for a surprise interview with my companion but before the interview start we had a mini companionship study between the three of us. We all shared a scripture and the scripture President shared was out of John 5...

  This week we had our multi zone Christmas party which was an absolute blast. I got to see a lot of my friends from my last zone and as well as meet the herd of Americans that came in this transfer. I haven't seen so many white people in a while but it was good to hear a little English. We got to enjoy the talent show, each zone put together their own comedy sketch involving relatable jokes about the struggles of Bolivian Visa paperwork and getting dear John letters. As well we got to see some awesome south american music and dance as a part of the talent show. Later we had a giant white elephant gift swap, which me and my comp had been preparing for. We plan put an elaborate gift where the person unwraps sever layers of wrapping building anticipation until they reach the gift, two potatoes. Everyone got a kick out of that and even president was laughing at our prank. Of course we had a real gift but for some reason the Elder who picked it kept the potatoes and later they were sto...

  A lot happened these last two week but the the that stood out was when I basically burned my hands off. Not really but it's an interesting story. On Thursday we went to an investigators house to make pique machu. It's easily the best dish here in Bolivia and my comp knows how to make it so sometime we go over to a member or investigators house, make some pique machu and have an awesome lesson. However Thursday it poorly, at least for me. As I was chopping vegetables I notice some peppers in the the bag. I decided to cut them as well and as I was doing so my comp looks over and there's just a shocked look on his face. He asked me, "do you know what that is??" He explained to me it was a pepper call Locoto and it's one of the most volatile peppers in south América. Immediately I felt a tingle in my fingers... I rushed over the the sink to wash my hands and with out check I dumped a bottle of what I thought was soap on my hands. Then I noticed it wasn't soa...

 These last two weeks have been pretty standard as far as life goes in south América. It odd how things that blew my mind the first few weeks have become routine. Riding a mototaxi has gone from a thrilling experience to just simply jow we get the distract council. (Still is super fun tho and much better than the micros). As well my Spanish has adjusted pretty well too. I can understand almost anyone and talked about anything gospel related, and it's pretty fun to see how surprised people are when the gringo is able to converse. This has given me confidence because President hinted that I might be training next transfer which is not at all unlikely with 17 more gringos coming in on top of the 17 that just arrived. That being said everything I do feels like it's in preparation for next transfer. Every task we comple I think, could "I do this on my own if I had to??" The answer is usually " yes, buts it would be rough" and I guess that's sufficient. Had a ...

  This week there was a nationwide "paro", which is a protest on law where nobody works and they block the streets to make sure nobody else works. It's actually impressive how Bolivians come together in unity in this way, but the government is having none of it so its resulted in a lot of violence and contentions. What that means for us as missionaries is that for the first part of the week we've been laying low and transfers had been pushed back a few days. But its actually worked out great because I got the chance to say goodbye to all my friends in Monterrey-Campa Rosa. It was tough to say goodbye to them and especially to my companion, but I was excited to see another part of Bolivia, so transfers were certainly mixed feelings.  I ended up arriving in my new area on Thursday. I met my new companion Elder Callata. I had heard a lot about him before I met him from other missionaries and even President, and what I heard made me hesitant to connect at first. We got al...

  On Saturday we were able to baptize Araceli and Franco! As well after the confirmation in church the next day, Araceli's new baby was blessed and given a name, Micheal Putare Arana. The baptism was a amazing experience, but the true reward is the change that we've seen in their lives that comes from the gospel. Their whole family has committed themselves to the Lord and His gospel and it's truly a blessing to see how this commitment has changed their lives for the better. Their parents want to get baptize right after their get married, all their younger siblings are enjoying primary and making new friends, and their oldest brother, who was considering running away from home, now participates in family home evening. From this experience I've learned the true blessings that comes from baptism is the change and inward conversation, the actual baptism is just a outward manifestation of this inward covenant.  If I've learned anything this transfer it's how to work ...

  This week we were helping two of our investigators, Araceli and Franco, prepare for their baptism which was scheduled for this Saturday. Franco is 14 years old and reminds me a lot of my own brother in many ways, Araceli is 18 years old and very shy and quiet but is close with her family and the missionaries. They wer both excited for their baptism and prepared dutifully for their interview on Friday. Saturday morning as we were getting ready for the baptism, we got a call from their mother telling us they couldn't make the baptism. She told us the night before Araceli had given birth to her baby!! We knew she was pregnant but didn't know how soon the baby was due, so it was quite a surprise!! So instead we stopped by the hospital to visit the family and the new baby.  Also we had a service project on Saturday, helping an older lady move. As we started to clean out the house, we notice a few cockroaches. A few turned into many very quick as we went on. Soon thousands of cock...

  This week started with a lot of waiting in line. In order to leave the main city, you need a Bolivian national ID card, and to get one of those is the most confusing, boring DMV-like process. Luckily, us gringos have Elder Lopez the mission secretary helping us through it. Basically he just points at where we need to sign an tells us what to say and we do it. We always say just be a dead fish, don't fight the flow not matter how confusing it is. The worst part is we have to go back and forth from our area to central which is about and hour of travel, but it is fun to see the other gringos and converse in English for a while. Outside of standing in lines for hours, we have been able to get some good work done in our area. We taught 8 more people to teach this week, which apparently is a slow week here, but to me that was amazing. Also the two families we're working with who are closest to baptism came to church which was great. During church, Obispo called me up to introduced ...

 Finally here in Santa Cruz, but what a trip its been to get here. In Miami I met up with the other gringos headed to Bolivia. Only four of us, me, elder Barker, elder cuff and hermana Buck,  were on the fight but there was supposed to be 2 more with us but they missed the flight. Other than that it was a pretty smooth trip with only a little confusion at the gate. After a 7 hour flight, we met up with president and the assistants in the airport at 5 am. We took a cab to the assistants a apartment and crashed for a while. There were tons of missionaries coming in and out, all speaking Spanish way to fast for any of us to understand but they did offer us tarere, a Bolivian drink that definitely taste better than it looks. Later that morning, we went to president's house for lunch and the he briefed us in the whole situation. He said there is only 8 gringos in the mission including us so we may feel a bit out of place, but everyone was excited to have Americans back in the missi...

 It's been a good last week here in Quincy. It's really began to dawn on me that I'm leaving the country in 3 days. Especially when I got my travel plans this last Wednesday. Turns out I will be traveling from 5:00 am on Sept. 30 to 5:00 am October 1st. It will be an exhausting 24 hours straight of travel, but that's alright because I'll have 10 days of quarantine after I arrive in Bolivia to recover. This week has been full of excitement for the next part of my mission but also a lot of nervousess, anxiety and to be honest fear. It's not something I wanted to admit to anyone including myself, but I had some fears about what is to come. Fears about not knowing the language, culture, messing up my travel plans and mostly dealing with the uncertainty of everything. I hide the feelings inside and didn't want to confront them but that never works out well. Finally I reached a breaking point, I realized going the Bolivia is not something I could do on my own. So ...

  On Thursday we got a call from President and he told me that my Visa got approved and I'm leaving on the 29th for Bolivia (as long as my Covid test is negative). Right after I got the news, I got a flood of emotion first excited and then super nervous and then just a bit sad. Excited because I've been anticipating this news for a while, and nervous because it's hard to know exactly what to expect and sad because I'm going to miss Quincy a lot. I've grown attached to the area and especially all the amazing people I've met. In talking with Elder Feist he said that a good way to end with an area, if you want to leave its normally not a good sign but if you know you going to miss it it mean that you've done good work. Everyone were teaching has been progressing so well and it's hard to leave, but I trust the next missionaries will help them get where they need to be.  However these feeling are mostly out weighed by the excitement. I've been trying to e...

  This week we were back to back with lessons which was great! We set up last week so that every day we would have 3-4 lessons a day. Unlike usual, most of them did not fall through.  Micheal has decided to be baptized on the 25th, which was awesome. It's a big goal for him but we have faith that he can be ready by then. It was a huge turn around because at the beginning of the week he was questioning being baptized at all, but after a very long but spiritual lesson we help him reaffirm his faith. We worked to resolve concerns and strengthen faith with the help of our diligent ward mission leader, Carlos. It was great having him at the lesson because most of the concerns and barriers Micheal is facing, Carlos had worked to overcome in his journey to be baptized. It was a very spiritual lesson and I'm praying the Micheal will stay firm in his descion to be baptized.  The other Elders in our zone had the most wild experience up in Susanville. On Sunday they stopped by a nei...

  This week started off with exchanges with the other Elders in our zone. They actually came down rather than us going up this time. It was good though because Elder Bake and I were able to go over to Portola while my companion and Elder Talbot could work here in Quincy. In one of our lessons we taught Katie about the faith repentance and baptism. The lesson was going well and the spirit was very strong as we testified of the blessings of baptism and me and Elder Bake both felt prompted to invite her to be baptized in the first week of October. She seem excited about that and accepted the invitation! After the lesson Elder Bake and I were so excited we called the other Elders to tell them the good news and when we called d them they told us they invited Annabelle, Michael's daughter, to be baptized as well! So it was and exchange full of miricles.  That same night we drove down for zone conference and interviews. Those were both fun as always. But after, me and Elder Feis...