SHE SAID THAT WHEN SHE CAME TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH SHE WOULD BE BAPTIZED

I had a bad case of the flu the whole week and am finally just now starting to get over it. Despite being sick all week we still found some new investigators that might have potential. We found one investigator who is really awesome but unfortunately she does not live here. We found her when we traveled to one of the far fringes of the pueblo, that I had never been to before, really close to the river. There we did some contacts and then followed this road that ended leading up this hill to a really old historical spanish fort that was built in the 1600´s. We walked around a little to check it out, but not being familiar with the area, we decided to head back down and figure out where we were so we could head back into town. On the way down this girl stopped us and in English asked us if she could practice her English with us. We said of course so she started walking and just talking in English with us. As we were getting near the end of the walk, after we had gotten to know her a little bit, we started talking with her about the church and her religious background. She told us that she goes to an Evangelical (protestant) church but that she doesn't buy into it much because a lot of what they do isn't in agreement with the Bible. So we told her that we could answer all of her doubts and questions about religion and we set a time to meet her again the next day at the fort to teach her.

So the next day we met her at the fort, picked a quiet spot on the stone wall, and then started teaching her the message of the first lesson. She understands almost everything in English and speaks very well so she asked us to teach her in English. It was really weird for me at first to teach in English so we switched back and forth between spanish and english but it was a really cool experience. Then at the end I bore my testimony in English for the first time in Chile and so did my companion and it was a really cool experience were the spirit was felt. Before we split she promised that she would read the Book of Mormon and pray to see if it was true. The next day, Sunday, was the last day before she went back to Talcahuano from her stay in Santa Juana and even though we invited her she didn't show to church. But afterwards we met her and taught her again at the fort. She said that she had read and prayed and that she liked it but that she still didn't have her answer yet. But she had lots of questions for us about the church and we talked to her about baptism and she said that when she came to the knowledge of the truth she would be baptized. Before we parted ways she told us that she came to Santa Juana to visit family and to do some reflecting and thinking about life and about the direction her life was going in. She felt that it wasn't a coincidence that during this time in her life she ran into us. We agreed with her and reassured her that it wasn´t a coincidence. She then gave us her number and told us that she would go to church on Sunday in Talcahuano and keep reading and praying about the Book of Mormon. I hope that she will feel the spirit and keep progressing and get baptized in Talcahuano. I´ll let you know how it goes.

As far as how are other investigators are progressing, things are kind of just eh. Yeseña is still missing in action and didn't come to church again this week. That’s been really hard for me because she was way good but this week is probably going to be do or die for her. We are going to find out what has really been going on with her and then try to revive her. Laura and Juan are good and came to church but were too busy during the week, once again, for us to come and teach them. But they said that they would have time this week so we are going to teach them a good lesson and with the guidance of the spirit help them set a sooner wedding date so they can get baptized. Oh, we also found out that Juan is a heavy smoker and not a drunk but a man who likes his alcohol. With him its not going to be easy but if we do our part and if it’s the will of the Lord then he will come around. The old lady, Euphemia, is also missing in action. Juan and Laura were the only ones in church this week. Also the president’s family and some other branch members are way sick with the same thing I have so there were only about fifteen members in church on Sunday.

Ok now I’ll tell you about my new comp, Élder Steele. He is a good guy who wants to work and he´s way friendly too. We are already pretty good friends and he loves to joke around. Actually almost everything is a joke to him, he is a little immature but that’s ok because now that I’m finally starting to get over this flu, we are going to hit the streets hard this next week, which is good because we really need to start finding some new people. Well last week was pretty crummy so I don't have too much more to say but I think that things are looking up for this next week. Well things have been down for a while now so whatever happens we are going to make sure that things take a turn for the better this next week, it’s all in the attitude.

Oh and before I go I´ll tell you about two funny little experiences. Tuesday after we got back to the house with my new comp I realized I left the keys inside so we had to pry the window open and get in that way, that was an experience haha. And then later in the day while we were taking our laundry over to the hermana who washes the clothes, this drunk guy unsuccessfully tried to steal my bag of dirty laundry. Ok well that’s it for now. I’m thankful for all of your prayers, love, and support and I know that we are going to start seeing some good changes here in Santa Juana soon. Until next week CHAO!!!!

abrazos, Élder Harper =)