Alo!
This was my first full week in Chile! And wow has it been interesting! From talking with local kids, to getting robbed but not actually, to trying new foods, and more!
Some of my favourite moments are when the local kids yell "oi gringos, habla inglés con nosotros!" And we will respond with "what do you want us to say?" And they just stare at us confused because they have no clue what we are saying. And then they will laugh and come up beside us and talk with us as we walk. They know a script pretty much, if you follow it you can speak with them haha. It goes like this
"Hello how are you?"-them
"I'm good, and you?"- you
"That's good. I'm fine thanks"- them
So you could literally say anything in your part such as "I am having the worst day ever. And you?" with a smile on your face and they'd say the exact same thing... "That's good. I'm fine thanks." It is quite fun. And after that script they speak spanish with us. It is really good practice for me, even though they wreck me hard for how little I know. It is so funny.
Now about that getting robbed thing, it was super funny. We were walking home at it was getting dark. And something we do to avoid getting jumped is say hola to the people that look suspicious. So we were passing this person who had their hood pulled really low; couldn't see their face. So we all said hi as we passed him. I felt uneasy because I was walking in the back. And then soon enough I felt a sharp jab in my back and heard this voice speak quietly in my ear, I didn't understand it because it was in fast Spanish. I turned around in surprise and it was that guy with the low hood. I kinda freezed up not saying anything while the other missionaries kept walking. Then the guy started laughing and took of his hood. It was a boy that is in the ward here haha that was pranking me. He got me good, normally I'm not that easy to scare with like a jump scare or something as some of you know. But that got me so good, I flinched and broke out in cold sweat thinking "I knew this was going to come at some point, just get the rob money out and pray you don't get stabbed." But it was just a prank haha. Something we do have to do though is put our phones and bills in our socks when we walk after dark. And if we have late lessons the members will usually offer to drive us home or escort us back for our safety. But generally we've been fine. Just listen to the promptings of the Spirit and know which areas and streets are dangerous.
As of right now, today, I am not allowed to leave my house for safety. And it might be the case for tomorrow as well. The reason being riots and protests. So yippee. These past couple of days when we've been walking we've seen large groups of angry people, things burning on the sides of the road and other things.
Coke and bread. I have drank more pop this past week then I have ever had in my entire life. If I don't keep working out I will be packing 2 3L coke bottles on either side of me. This is a roast that Chileans like to use on us haha. I have tried many different Chilean dishes, my favourite being Cumpletos. It is a hot dog with tomatoes, guacamole, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, and hot sauce. Sometimes other toppings with that base. It is pretty dang good. As of right now I am able to pack in 3 medium ones haha. On certain holidays they make meter long ones... we will see if I can eat one of those haha. Another thing they have is something called Echo. It is kind of like coffee, but it is wheat based, no relation to the coffee bean so it fits in the palabra de sabiduría. It is pretty good... if you add a lot of sugar haha. It kind of tastes like puffed wheat squares but in a liquid hot drink form.
I had a cool experience with the gift of tongues the other day. We were at a lunch appointment and afterwards we shared a little message. Elde Call shared a scripture then talked about it for a bit. I was trying to understand him and what he was sharing but I couldn't follow because my Spanish isn't the best yet. (Although I am starting to understand about 20% of things now which is a huge improvement for me!). Anyways, after he finished sharing his thoughts he gestured for me to share. I kinda stared at him and said in english "what are we even talking about, what do I share??" And he just smiled and said "Elder, just start talking and say the first things that come to mind." So I started talking in Spanish saying the words that came to mind, and when I couldn't translate a word I would ask Elder Call. Afterwards when we were walking home he asked "do you know why I had you just start talking?" "No" I responded. "It wasn't because I wanted to embarrass you. It was because I knew the Holy Ghost would help you, He wanted to say something to those people through you." I nodded in agreement, realizing that I actually didn't know what I told the people when I spoke. I told my comp that and he told me "that's because it wasn't you speaking, it was the Holy Ghost putting the words in your mouth for you."
Doctrine and Covenants 11:21 reads: "21 Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men." This is something that I experienced. Everyday I have a personal study to grow my knowledge and my tongue was loosed and I spoke with the Spirit.
Question of the week: When have you had an experience where you had to act with faith first not knowing if something would work out?
For me it was that last experience I shared. Before I started speaking I didn't know if I would say something that was even remotely close to what we were talking about, but I had faith and trusted I would be alright and started speaking.
I hope everyone is doing fabulous!!
Love you all!
Elder Spencer
Fotos!
Cumpletos
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