This area is great!

Hows it going?

It’s been a great first week in Alejandro Korn. I'm still learning about the area and the people who live here, but I already know that I'm going to like it! We have bikes that have already broken down twice, but they help us get to where we want to go. We also live in an apartment behind a members house. It is a paradise! There is a nice garden filled with flowers and bushes. The member helps us with our clothes and feeds us once a week, then sometimes just brings us a bowl of fruit. She also cuts hair, but after I saw the haircut she gave my companion, I think I'm ok with the local barber.

She also takes care of her mother, who is 103 years old! Every morning we help load her into her wheelchair, and in the afternoon, we help put her back in bed. She doesn't say much, or hear much, or see much, but she´s still alive! And she always has a smile on her face in the mornings!

As far as the work goes, we have two investigators that are really progressing, their names are Orlando and Sebastian. Both are excited and happy about making the changes they need to in order to be baptized and follow Christ's example in their lives. We have found a family that is interested as well. They are very evangelical, but we hope that they are open for the message.

This area is great! I think I'm going to like it here. My Companion is also great! He´s a BYU baseball player, works hard, teaches well, and I'm learning a lot from him! He goes home only 6 weeks before I do. In fact, within 4 months, more than half our zone will finish their missions. These next few months are going to be full of changes in the mission, and one of the reasons is because about a third of the mission goes home within 18 weeks. All of the missionaries that started during the big wave are finishing up.

I also noticed the missionaries who have already worked in Alejandro Korn, have left a good tradition. I like comparing it to two great American tales. One is Johnny Appleseed, who spent his days roaming the Eastern United States, planting apple seeds along his way. I don't know if he ever was able to eat the fruits of his labors, but because of what he did, the Eastern United States are filled with thousands and thousands of fruit bearing trees. usually when we serve the Lord, we don't see the good we do, but if we are diligent, we will do lots of good. The other story is of Paul Bunyan, the lumberjack that cut down a forest with a single swing of his ax. It is easier to destroy than to build. That´s why its important to always be diligent, and have a vision of future blessings, not just present pleasures.

Just the thought of the week.

About the coming home stuff, I don't really know what to do about it all. Some people say I need to have a plan, others say that there is plenty of time to think about that stuff on the airplane home. Personally, I wouldn't mind guidance  or a plan before hand. I don't focus on home when I'm not supposed too, but days like p-day, I have some time to think about what I want to do, and what I should do. The truth is, I have never been so focused on helping people come to Christ, because I know that my mission is almost over, and I want to get everything done that I need to here.

Thanks for all of your prayers and support. It would be impossible to do without you guys!

Have a good week!

Love

Elder Chipman