March 19, 2018 – Week 77!

This week has been great!

First off, we'll talk about the highlight of the week. Elder Alonso came to visit our mission. He was sent a while ago by President Nelson (who now is prophet of the church). I am 100% sure that he was sent by revelation, because the things he shared helped us so specifically here in the mission. He cut down some of the traditions that have become common in the mission. Things that aren't bad, but that could be more effective, for example: Contacting (one missionary) while the other one prays in his mind for his companion, instead of both taking turns doing a ping-pong portion of the contact and sharing brief statements back and forth. Also, Contacting with more of a "surprise" approach, saying that you'll share more in the lesson rather tahn just sharing a small lesson there in the street without much of the spirit. Also, contacting but asking for references rather than being direct, and they then may give themselves as a reference to visit because they are interested in what we have to share with their friends and neighbors. Really cool ideas that many of us haven't thought of before! Thanks to that, I've been finally thinking of how to use my talents to contact, and I'm working on a Book of Mormon / Bible puzzle right now to share that the Bible isn't the only book that God has commanded His children and prophets to write. I'll update you all more on that when I finish it!   (I saw my companion Elder Morales there in the meeting too, and he's training right now too. So cool).

We also have been helping Brandon prepare for his baptism a lot. He has a baptismal date for THIS SATURDAY! It'll be a great experience! He came to church for the first time in his suit this sunday, so it really shows that his desire is growing! I'll share some pics of that. We have been helping him lots, and his sister who is a recent convert is helping him too! It's great working with families. It's a great support system and it helps converts stay strong in the gospel! 

Sadly this week we had to put some investigators in the list of former investigators because of lack of time and a little lack of interest. It's sad to see when an investigator doesn't preogress, but it's sometimes necessary to stop visitng people to focus in those who are willing to progress. This is why the gift of discernment is needed on a mission, because it is used with the guidance of the Spirit every day. BUT, I can testify that the spirit can guide us to those who really need the gospel too. It's cool finding a family who really desires to learn more about how the gospel can bless their lives!

This week we also learned a bit of why our area is called Caja de Agua. The little hill San Cristobal is actually a volcano, but one of water. There used to be rivers and little  groves of trees here, and fields and fields of potatoes and grape vines and carrots etc, but now it's all houses and cement and a company called Backus took control of the water source coming from the hill I guess. But still cool to hear about thestory of our area! Our pensionista explained it to us because she was a kid in that time. 6 year olds would go to the market alone then. Crazy! Cool though.

We also have been teaching Rosi and her husband Kaiber this week (Venezuelans)! They both accepted baptismal dates for the 7th of April, but sadly weren't able to go to church because of work. They still could be baptized that day though because they can attend the 2 sessions of General Conference. They're a great couple! Married and very spiritual! It's awesome working with them.

Speaking of General Conference, WOW. Already??? I can't wait for the last day of MArch and the 1st of April to watch again the Prophets and Apostles and leaders of the church talk to us! It's always so great. Watch it with a question in mind and usually it get's answered!

I also tasted some 3 leches cake this week. 3 soles for a palm sized one, and it was so good :P

Hope you all have a great week!!!!!!!!!

Elder Bruner

my comp and i

and the zone

eating in the church and watching mormon messages

shaking a dog's hand haha

haha. American smaller portion and bigger latino portion. In a lunch we received

a bread with chocolate thats great here

i got my package

my companion dying laughing from something i said. i forgot what i said.

eating outside in a little passageway in the hill

with the hna carmela (far left) and her family eating lunch

3 leches

with brandon and then with his sister antonella too

with hno cezar

piggy back ride freom elder jarvis to his companion elder corrales!

ping pong with a foam ball because we had no ping pong ball. I was champion for like 8-10 rounds in a row.

playing UNO

with the zone a bit. watching movies too. church ones

burrito and inka cola

selfie!