Week 22: Satan’s Not Voldemort!
Pensamientos Espirituales* (*Spiritual Thoughts):
“Behold, ye are little children and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me; and none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost.” Doctrina y Convenios 50:40-42* (*D&C 50:40-42)
Story behind the title: We have an investigator, Claudia, who told us that whenever you say Satan’s name, he laughs and can hear you and knows where you are. The only reaction I had : “Satan’s NOT Voldemort!” Era chistoso* (*It was funny). :)
Pday! Today, I learned basic salsa dancing skills from Hma Cushcagua before we all went to La Merced! After internet, we all piled into a combi to go to the native community, Marankiari, of the Shanika people. We got there and they immediately gave us native clothing and painted our faces. Luego* (*Then), we sat in a mini presentation of the people, their language, and the colony before the Zone Transgression. To explain: El Mas Alto* (*The Most High). This drink is made from chewed up and spit out yucca, sweet potatoes, and fermented before adding beer and more alcohol. They passed around a glass, and we asked beforehand if there was alcohol, and they all said, NO, no, don’t worry about it, it’s just juice! MENTIROSOS*(*LIARS). It was disgusting and had a bit of a kick to it, and afterward, the San Ramon elders asked their pension, and she shared what it was and couldn’t stop laughing. So that is how Zona La Merced transgressed. Moving on, haha. Then, there was a BOA that came out and we got to hold it! :) The whole thing was a massive tourist trap, but it was an experience, to say the least. :) Despues* (*Then), we went to Trapiche El Tirol in San Ramon for lunch before hiking Catarata El Tirol* (*Waterfall El Tirol), getting SOAKED. Afterward, we went back to San Ramon, showered, and went to dinner. Interesting but fun Pday. :)
En Martes* (*On Tuesday), we traveled back to La Merced for a conferencia de zona* (*zone conference), where we had capacitaciones* (*training) from the Hermana Leaders and the zone leaders, as well as added capacitacion on how to fill out registros bautismales* (*baptismal records) by hand. Despues, us Oxapampinos and Villariquenos went and got chifa before making the trek back to Oxa. Oh it’s so good to be back. :) Much less heat, for one! We had mala suerte* (*bad luck) finding people en casa* (*at home), but we finally found and taught Mara, our less active, from 2 Nefi 12 about how we all need to prepare personally and poner metas para mejorar* (*set goals to improve). :) We found other people and set some citas* (*appointments) as well! It’s good to be back. I’m exhausted from sleep loss and travel, but it’s la vida en la Selva* (*the life in the jungle). :)
Miercoles* (*Wednesday)! We traveled BACK to La Merced en la manana* (*in the morning) for entrevistas* (*interviews) with Pres. Silva. We all talked and did practices before I was interviewed, and he told me that I was still here in Oxa for a reason, part of which to develop more caridad* (*charity). So there is a reason I’m still here; now I have a bit more direction. :) Despues, divisions started and Canari and I went back to Oxa! :) We first visited Mariella, a recent convert, and taught her about historia familiar* (*family history) and la obra vicaria* (*vicarious work) before going to Carmen, a less active, and teaching her about scripture study. En siguiente* (*Next), we visited our investigadora* (*investigator) Rosicela and taught her about La Restauracion del Evangelio* (*Restoration of the Gospel) before visiting our investigadora Claudia (yes, Satan’s not Voldemort Claudia) and teaching her about fe* (*faith) and its incredible power. Long and tiring day, but a good one! :)
En Thursday* (*On Thursday), I studied with Canari in the morning and bought cleaning supplies before Sinks got back! :) Despues de almuerzo* (*After lunch), we couldn’t find anyone and were desanimada* (*discouraged) because a reference we got wasn’t answering and we couldn’t visit them. :( Anyway, we found Luz and talked with her about her mission preparation (she leaves in the beginning of August) before visiting Verenisse and talking about the influence of friends, nuestra naturaleza divina* (*our divine nature), and the importance of setting goals for ourselves and seeking the direction of God. :) Despues, we visited Miguel y Anabel, less actives, and started their lectura del LDM* (*meeting of reading and praying) by reading 1 Nefi 1 with them. Following this, we went and played volley at Noche de Deporte* (*Sports Night)! :)
Friday! After studies, we planned for week Five. This transfer has FLOWN by. After lunch, we went and visited Jocelyn, a converso reciente* (*recent convert), and read Jarom and talked about guardando los mandamientos* (*keeping the commandments)! On the way to our next cita, Sinks got a call about booking her flight home (she only has one transfer left after this) and it left her a bit emotional for our next lesson, and de hecho* (*indeed)! We visited Carmen and our investigator Coxy and taught them about the Dia de Reposo* (*Sabbath). :) Despues, we stopped for a soto* (*soda) and found Dr. Pepper, Sinks favorite soda!!! It was equally delicious and saddening, because it had ads for Batman v. Superman, which made me REALLY want to watch it. Then, we visited Ayde, a less active, and read 1 Nefi 4 with her before going to Noche Misional* (*Mission Night) and teaching about Daniel 3 and playing charades. Chevere dia* (*great day). :)
On Saturday, we visited Katty P., a less active, in the morning and taught her 1 Ne 16. After lunch, we visited Rosa C. , our recien rescatado* (*recent rescued), who’s almost done with her mission papers and taught about DyC 4 and challenged her to study and teach us the Restoration when we come back! :) Despues, we visited Grace, a less active, and read FLJ* (*For the Strength of Youth) before going to get milkshakes from our investigador Jose and talking to him for a while about the nature of our God as our divine, supreme, and loving Creator and the purpose of trials to strengthen and test our faith. :) Fantastic day. I’m still not sure why I’m in Oxa, but I’m pretty sure Jose and Rosa C. have a big part to do with it. They’ve influenced my life greatly for the better. :) Thought of the day: Do not define others by their trials. Ether 12:27 reminds us that all trials and weaknesses serve a divine purpose- to keep us humble. But remember- weaknesses, through the grace of God, can become strengths. :)
Domingo* (*Sunday)! Sinks got really sick today , so after church and teaching Principios del Evangelio* (*Gospel Principles), we went back to the room and stayed there so she could rest a bit after lunch. Despues, we walked around Oxa to no avail before a reunion with the presidency of Sociedad de Socorro* (*Relief Society), where we helped them with maestras visitants* (*visiting teachers)! :) After this, we found a nuevo investigadora* (*new investigator), Lila! :) We talked to her about faith, the Book of Mormon, and how families can be eternal. Era chevere* (*very great). :) Despues, we visited Celeste y Arletti, our investigadora, and read FLJ with them. :)
Todo sigue tranquilo aquí en Oxapampa* (*Everything is still quiet here in Oxapampa). :) I’ve had a bit of a cold, but hopefully that passes quickly! :)
Con amor y mis oraciones para siempre* (*With love and prayers forever),
Hna Schmid
(*Italic translations by Karissa’s mom using google translate)
