Hola Hola 🌶

So I've been in Chile for 2 weeks now and it's crazy it's literally felt like maybe 3 days. I don't even know where to start.

My area is pretty small but has a giant population. It's in a town called San Felipe and it's the most North area in my mission, right at the base of the Andes and a ski resort which means it's freaking COLD. but está bien we are still thriving. My area consists of a bunch of little neighborhoods and then an area that is called Las Tomas. It's basically just a bunch of shacks that have no running water, heat, or light. This is where we spend a lot of our time because there are a lot of people prepared to accept the gospel in this part of town.

Actually, it feels like everyone in this town wants to accept the gospel!! Right now, we have SEVENTY AMIGOS that we are working with right now. San Felipe is popping off to say the least. However, a lot of people want to listen but few want to commit. So in reality we onlyhave about 20 amigos with real potencial. But they are all super super bueno. 

Another fun lil twist is that about 80% of the people we teach are Haitian and about 50% of them dont know spanish:/ So guess who learning French Creole?! That would be me. It's un poco frustrating but I think it's going to be fun. Right now I know how to say hello and Jesús christ so you could say it's going pretty good.

There is so So So much work to be done here and I am So excited. Right now our ward and member retention rate is super small because the Pandemic really messed up a lot of people here and we lost most of our members. So along with our many friends, we are also working with a lot of inactive members right now. It's a lot to say the least but I love staying busy and constantly being able to do the Lords work. 

Okay my compañera is just the best! Her name is Hermana Alcaraz and shes from Argentina. Shes super sweet and kind and does not speak a word of english but está bien. God knew that I needed to be forced to learn Spanish haha. She been super awesome and patient with me lols and lets me get a lot of practice in. It's definitely been difficult, but trying to comunícate only in español has made for some super funny times.

Okay here's an update on some of my favorite people I'm teaching here:

Gertha: super cute with 2 little Girls that are even cuter. We found them just last week but they are super eager to learn and super excited about this gospel

Wasner and Kethlene: both of them know without a doubt this gospel is true and want to get baptized but they are living together and aren't married So they can't. They say their waiting for an answer from God So we will see what happens.

Mari: same thing as wasner and kethlene, shes living with a guy who isnt the greatest guy in the world but she cant support here on her own. So were trying to figure out a solución for that

Alirio: he's only 16 but has such a strong testimony! He wants yo get baptized but his parents are very devout catholics and a little wary about our church

Kemson: he's on date for baptism but has kinda ghosted us this past week which is super out of character So pray for him please!

Okay these are just a few of them but I hope all of you can see how amazing the people here in San Felipe are. GOD IS SO GOOD. He has prepared the heart of these people and I'm so blessed to be able to see this gospel change these people lives. 

Okay here's a funny lil somethin for you guys. The spanish is coming along. Slowly but surely haha. However, I literally have to use all of my brain  power to focus on understanding and speaking spanish. My memory was already awful before the mission but now that I'm only using my brain for spanish, it's much much much worse. So I am constantly asking my companion questions that's shes already answered about a million times. Anyways, i didn't realize this was a problem until one day my sweet compañera told me "hermana, I don't think your brain can handle much at a time. Maybe just focus on your spanish." She basically called me stupid in a very kind way it was really funny. Jokes on her because later that day she ran into a door and split her pants in the grocery store. Point is, we might not be the smartest companionship but i promise you were having the BEST time

Spiritual thought: 

Lately it's been superrrr frustrating with spanish. It's hard to reminded myself why I came on a mission when I feel like I can't even do anything because I can't speak with or understand anyone! But after a lot of studying and praying, I realized that every single thing you do matters to God. It doesn't have to be big or perfect, any tiny little effort you put forth will be appreciated and recieved by God. Mosiah 24:14-15 were really helpful for me this week. With patience and faith we are able to endure any trial we have been given, and in the Lords timing, you will see miracles and blessing in your life. Ive been trying to see everything in this perspective and it's been super great. Gods hand is in all of your lives, you just have to look for it!! Trust in God with a lot of patience and faith and it will all work out. God loves each and every one of you so much and will never leave your side, especially when youneed him the most during trials and hard times. 

I also love a quote from a talk by elder holland. I think it's called waiting on the Lord? No sé lo siento. Anyways he said "Christianity brings comfort. It should not br comfortable." I absolutely love this. You cant grow in your comfort zone!!! I invite you all this week to spread the light of christ by getting out of your comfort zone DAILY.

I am so sorry this is the longest email in the history of time and I promise to keep it chiquito next time.

Also thank you thank you thank you for all the emails and messages I get from you guys! It's MUCH appreciated. Love you all and hope you have the best week!!

Also also shoutout to uncle Tyler happy Birthday like forever ago!! 

<3 h. christensen

 

Things I learned:

1. I'm never getting a husband because I don't know how to cook. I've only been told this 7 times in the past 2 weeks

2. Pollution makes for unbeatable sunrises and sunsets

3. Matte is gross, Ecco is growing on me

4. Don't stand under telephone poles, the birds will do you dirty. Every. Time.

5. Don't invite crazy men that chase you down in the streets to church. Theyll come looking for you during sacrament

6. Navidad is celebrate in july apparently 

7. When you hear the gunshots, just tell yourself it's fireworks!

8. I get to wake up at 7 am in my mission and it's STILL the hardest part of my day

9. You can be on your deathbed and still be a Bishop

10. Turns out I'm I'm kid person?

11. Whoever told me to stay away from the street perros was wrong, I love the perros and we are bffs

12. If your going to live in South América, just dye your hair any color but blond. Save yourself the hassle.

Pictures:

- my first completo (gross but learning to love)

- picture with my doggo friend

- Pics with h. Alcaraz

- las tomas