Hey all, Ok this week was crazy again (I say that everyweek) but I swear nothing cool or really different comes to mind. One interesting thing we did was a cool service project! We had been talking to the manager of the only old folks home in Puren and we whipped together an awesome service project with the whole zone last Friday! There was a ton of work like moving wood, redoing a couple of garden things, and taking down this old shed but the main think was that there was this really ugly concrete wall that goes around the home that we painted so it looks a lot less like a prison now. It was super cool to see the whole 19 missionaries there but it was a little frustrating to see people kind of lose steam before the job was done. Another bad part is that it started to rain really hard with like the first real winter rain and we couldn't quite finish everything up, so me and Elder G are going to have to go and finish the painting and a few other things this week a few days in the morning. It was still really cool and a super awesome change of pace. One funny part is that the manager who gave us the jobs bought all the stuff but only bought like 6 little paint bruses for a whole 30 yard wall so I had to run with another Elder and buy a few paint rollers hahaha they were cheap so it's ok. The people were really nice who worked there and were really appreciative. It was really nice because it started to rain and the workers there made us stop working and come inside where they gave us a snack. Apparently like 5 bakeries in Puren give them free bread so there is always like way to much so they probably fed us like 20 pounds of bread. It was cute too because they somehow got the idea that we don't drink coffe so they had some herbal chamamile tea packets for us hahaha. One of the workers there was a less active member too! Everyone here is Mormon but just doesnt say it hahaha. We will see what more we can do there. Another thing we have been doing is going more to that other city Contulmo to work. It's so pretty there! One sad thing is that one member there who was just coming back to church's dad died, so we visited him. We talked and he was actually doing really well, but he lives alone and is separated from his daughter now, and mentioned how he was feeling more than anything jsut kind of lonely. I was thinking about that when we were done sharing a little scripture and I think in the past I might have felt stressed out about time and finding new people and getting good numbers but I've been trying to have an attitude more of "ministering" rather than being a robot missionary. The point is that I was studying the words of Christ to HIs apostles when He ordained them, and He said to not worry about money, clothes, food or anything else material, and to just focus on serving and trust that He would provide the rest. I took that and have been interpreting it into not being overly focused on goal setting and time management here in Puren, but focusing on what Christ would have me do, especially considering we are literaly the only priesthood holding spiritual help for two entire towns here, and trusting that God will fill in the rest for the goals we put each week. It's been working well and has helped me have a better focus on the people here and I like that. Also we completed most of our goals this week too! Oh ya I didn't finish -- so we stayed with that guy another hour longer than we usualy would, but I could tell he really apreciated it. Another example about ministering is that our branch president called us and told us about this less active abuelita who lives waaaaaaay out in the countryside whose husband was about to die and asked us to visit them. The robot missionary thing to do would be to try and weasel out of it or do it really quick or in a few days during some really dead hours, but we felt impressed to go right away and visit the hermana. I'm really glad we did because I felt like we really brought the Spirit and feelings of peace into a pretty bad situation over there. The husband had had cancer and alzheimers for a long time and was just about ready to go when we talked with the hermana. He was pretty unable to communicate at this point. It was sad but I felt like we did our part in acting on behalf of the Savior, even though we lost time that could be used for finding new investigators etc. The thing is about Puren is that if we or the branch president dont do something, it just doesn't get done. I think I've felt the spirit stronger this week as a blessing for acting as ministers. Side note -- the whole small town vibe thing and our job as missionaries totally reminds me of that show Poldark(?) with the British priest in that small town, just with less murder mysteries and love interests. Not sure if that's relevant anymore. hmm what else. We are still eating a ton -- It's crazy. Ok scrpture for this week is Mormon 8:39. Also has to do with focusing on what's important out here in the mission. I love what it says about adorning ourselves with things that do not have life. I want to avoid that and focus on things in the mission that bless us and the people we serve with the spirit and other blessings. I love my companion a ton -- He's totally great. I've been able to help him this week and I feel happy about that. It's crazy how fast this transfer has gone. Also Mothers day! It's getting close! I'll get back to you with scheduling because I'm not sure how it will be, also it's complicated in the sense that skype worthy computers are pretty scarce here in Puren, but I think pres spichiger has a camera etc and will let us use all that but i'll get on that. D is good but didn't come to church and we have no idea why! He's hard to get ahold of but is still totally awesome. Sorry this letter is totally just ok. The time caught up with me. I love you all and I'm loving my time here! It's getting way colder and way rainyer fast but we're keeping the attitude up. Trying to take advantage of every day I have out here! Love you all so much! Trevor We got lost.
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Elder Trevor SmithElder Trevor Smith is a Mormon missionary in the Chile Concepcion Sur mission, the same mission where his dad served. Although this is Trevor's own mission, he grew up hearing about the beautiful land of Chile and the loving people that inhabit it. These are the letters from his experience there. Archives
July 2017
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