Last week in the CCM!‏

Hey everyone!

How's it goin back in the United States? Its been fantastic here! Perú
is lovely, like it always has been. I am loving my mission more than I
could have ever expected. I have made friends that I will have for a
lifetime! I have already learned a lot about myself and I'm starting
to learn who I am. I have never loved the scriptures so much in my
entire life. I honestly look forward to reading them, and finding
scriptures that help to answer investigators questions, every day. I
have been so incredibly blessed to have this opportunity to serve. I
would not trade this experience for ANYTHING. Mom and Dad, you
understand because you've been on missions. It's just fantastic and I
love it.

This last Thursday, we had kind of a fun opportunity. We heard on the
intercom that on Saturday the 23rd, we would be traveling to Chancay
to proselyte! What?! We always heard about proselyting, but we never
had the chance to because of conference, or some other reason. But
every Saturday were supposed to have this opportunity, and the 23rd
was our first time... And wow. Okay, lets see. I'll start at the
beginning. So we woke up and had breakfast really early, left the CCM
at about 7am. Chancay is a little under 3 hours away, north of Lima.
This is interesting... We were the first missionaries from the CCM to
go to Chancay to proselyte. They have always gone to another place
before, I'm not sure what its called. But our main objective last week
was to go with a member, and visit the less actives in the ward and
invite them to come back to church. We board this run-down tour bus,
and were on our way. For the first hour or so, I passed out or I'm in
and out of sleep. I woke up as we pull up to this checking station,
and the bus driver tells everyone to put our seat belts on. So we do,
and were on our way again. I didn't know how close we were to the coast
until we came over this hill, and saw the ocean. Man, was it
pretty.... then I realized we were on the edge of a 200+ foot cliff.
Woahh.. It was kinda scary at first! Think about it, were in this huge
tour bus on a two lane road that doesn't even have side rails. The only
time side rails were on this road was on the corners. As I look out
the window at the waves crashing against the cliffs up ahead of us I
see quite a few memorials where people had passed away. Pretty
comforting! This road just snaked up the coastline right along the
edge for a good 45 minutes or more. At times the fog would be so bad
that we couldn't see the ocean. Let alone the road ahead of us. All you
could see was maybe 40 yards ahead of you and two little yellow dots
that ended up being the headlights of the car in the other lane. We
end up in this big valley with the beach bordering the west and
mountains on the east. Lots of farms, actually and lots of palm trees
and such. But what was really sad to see was the poverty. Man, the
people that owned these farms really had nothing. I cant really
explain what they were living in to be any more than a shack. Made of
scrap wood and metal, with cloth over the "windows". Trash was
everywhere in the dirt roads, and wild dogs were running around back
and forth. It was bad. I wish I would have brought my camera, but I
didn't! So anyway, we arrive at around 9:45, meet the members, and get
our list of less actives. Then were on the street. Our member was a
returned missionary from 2008. He was pretty cool! This town wasn't at
all like the poverty we saw, it was pretty normal. So were walking
around and we turn down this alley that had some addresses of the
less actives there. Elder Denhalter and I start playing soccer and
volleyball with some kids I set my scriptures down so I could hit the
volleyball and we had a blast. The kids LOVE us! Its so fun to play
with them. We asked if their parents were home, and they went inside
and told us no... Even though we saw the mom peek through the window,
haha. Oh well. So by now we had gone through the entire list of our
inactive members with no luck. We had talked with a few, but none were
interested, or they were busy and set an appointment for later next
week. Now we start knocking doors! We knock for a good 45 minutes
going down this street, and set some appointments for later that
coming week. (Which is this week, bummer!) While were walking down
knocking doors, we come to a house with the door already open. So we
walk up and we can see the lady doing dishes inside. We call to her
and she comes to the door. We introduce ourselves as missionaries and
we talk for about 5 minutes and she invites us inside! These houses
literally are built touching each other, and they are small. So we walk
in and sit down on this couch that had to have been made of some type
of bamboo, with zero cushioning, and about 6 inches off the ground. So
here we are, starting my first discussion, my knees are up by my
chest, and I cannot stop smiling. I am loving it. She had some
questions about Joseph Smith, and she asked why we worshipped him..
Haha. So we explained to her very clearly that we do not worship him,
and explain that we was a prophet. We give the first lesson and
changed some things according to her situation. We were coming to a
close, and I bore my testimony to this 60 some-odd year old Peruvian
lady. I felt the Spirit so strongly, it was amazing. We had taught her
about the Book of Mormon, and I asked her if it would be okay to read
some of it right now. She willingly agreed, and we opened up to 3
Nephi 11. We had her start, thinking that we would all take turns, but
she kept going.. and going.. and going! We had to stop her before she
finished the chapter, and we could just tell that she was so
interested in this other testament of our Savior Jesus Christ. We left
her with a copy, which she was very grateful for. We asked her if she
would read it that night, and she said "Oh of course, during the day
as well." How awesome? Man, that made all of the walking and sore legs
worth it.

After we had left, my heart sunk. I didn't have my scriptures with me.
They weren't in the lady's house, and I don't remember having them while
we were knocking doors. Then I remembered I had set them down to play
with those kids in the alley! So we book it back to this alleyway, and
they are nowhere to be found. We knock every door and no one says that
they had seen anything. I honestly wanted to cry. How careless do you
need to be to forget your scriptures? It was time for lunch so we left
and went back to the capilla. (chapel) I told the leaders about it and
all we can do is pray that they will show up. Mom and Dad, I'm so
sorry. I know they were a present for my mission and I feel horrible.
We are going back to Chancay on Saturday to proselyte again, but this
time were focusing on finding new investigators! During the morning at
least. And then the afternoon, I think its just less actives again. So we
have hope that they will turn up. If they don't, you will need to send
me a new set. :( There is nothing in English here. Ive asked the
President of the CCM, and he says that I wont find anything here. I
guess I will have to go without English scriptures for a good month if
they don't turn up. I do have an English BOM though, just paperback.
The president said that you guys shouldn't worry about sending
scriptures, just buy virgin Mary stickers and of Christ and stuff and
put a few on the package. Honestly, the people here are very
superstitious. The only problem is, it that you wont know if I found
them until next Wednesday. So pray that they will turn up. I had my
patriarchal blessing in there as well as my 8 color mechanical
scripture marker. So if you end up sending something, please send a
copy of my blessing. I can find scripture marker things here. Again, I
feel SO bad. Of course I lose them as I'm loving them more than ever.
Its hard, and sad, but I know that whatever happens will happen. If I
don't get them back, I hope they aid in helping someone in their life.
Someone that can speak English.

Dad, I will be flying to Cuzco on the 2nd of November. Other than
that, I know absolutely nothing. So... yeah! I'm just as lost as you
are! I am feeling much better. Ever since that first sickness, I have
been perfect. If you know any remedies for altitude sickness, I would
appreciate it because I am almost expecting it! I am so unbelievably
excited to get to the field! You have no idea. But at the same time
I'm quite nervous for it! I don't know what to expect... how my comp
will be, where my first area is, and hopefully my mission president is
awesome! Its all going so fast. I cannot believe I'm on my 9th week of
the MTC experience. It really feels like I got to the MTC yesterday.
And now I'm already going into the field. I am prepared for the worst.
I know we have been sheltered, you are absolutely right. I hear the
food is really weird, and who knows how the living will be. Oh well,
its all apart of the experience right?

I haven't received the package yet, unfortunately. But I bet it comes
this week. Maybe you got the wrong address? Or something, because I
don't know why I haven't received it. It seems like Tuesdays and
Saturdays are when the mail comes. So I guess we'll see!

Anyway, thank you for the support and love that I get every Wednesday!
I love reading the emails and hearing from everyone. Bridger, bro.
Think of Mom and Dad as your best friends. Honestly, they are. They
need to be. I would always tell mom and be honest with her when she
would ask about girls and what not. Well, at least most of the time ;)
I am already feeling that they are my best friends more and more with
time out here on my mission. All they want to do is to help you. They
were once kids ya know. They know how things work! Anyway, I don't have
much time. I love ALL of you. Thank you for your prayers. I sent Tate
and their family a letter on Monday so hopefully they will get it!ly

Much, much love...

Elder Jordan Van Christensen

P.S. Next time you hear from me, I will be in Cuzco. :)

Week 4 in Perú!‏

Hello everyone!!


Well, another week here in Perú gone just like that. It honestly does
not feel like it. Time is flying, and I cant seem to catch up! Its
crazy. It feels like we have been here for only a couple days, when in
reality its already been 4 weeks. I just love it here though and I
will miss it! I love being able to see all my friends here and to just
grow closer. So to answer your question Dad, we have 2 different
teachers, one that teaches in the morning and one in the
afternoon/evening. We have TRC and its typically with one of the
workers here or one of the higher up people. Not sure what they're
called exactly... But yeah, and 2 districts go into this room that has
a couch and two chairs and a side table. And we of course have to
"knock" on the classroom door to get in. We each have situations.
Sometimes its a referral, and other times were just "knocking doors".
Jaja. So yeah, my comp and I taught this week.... and got destroyed.
They were reading the bible when we knocked and they invited us right
in and asked us if we believed in the bible. We of course said yes,
and then he said that he would like to share a scripture in
Ecclesiastes, or however you spell it, and is so confusing! They ask
us what it means, and we have no idea. He then tells us that it means
we must repent because we are young or something. So I went off on
that for a bit by saying that repentance is important to everyone and
that we are able to repent because of Christ and his sacrifice. But
then I got stopped by one of the teachers and we were done. They tried
to explain to us what we should have done in that situation and I
didn't even think of looking at the footnotes. I guess there is a
scripture in D&C that makes more sense. But oh well. We have
"enseñansas" every morning and night, and in the morning we are
teaching a maestro (teacher). So that's awesome! Its better practice
because he throws questions at us like, "Why did Nephi kill Laban?
Didn't the Lord command that thou shalt not kill?" After that he said,
"I don't believe in this book now." So he showed us how to combat that
question... Bring up David and Goliath from Samuel! After we explained
it to him, all was better. Phew! So yeah, but we have this computer
program called TALL. (Technology Assisted Language Learning) It was
developed by BYU actually. Its a fantastic program and it helps us
learn the grammar. Its a pretty slick system.


So I talked to the Presidente here about the lady, and he said that we
would talk more about it later. I didn't get an address, but if I have
a map in front of me I can remember where the shop was. I am praying
that something will work out!


My buddy Elder Whittaker had his cumpleaño on Saturday the 16th! He
was way stoked when we got some mail for the first time in forever! I
got one letter which was the newsletter printed out from the Shaw
family. So that was nice of them!


Congratulations to Marsh and Ash on the baby!! What a stud! I hope
that he is doing so well and that Ashley is just loving every minute
of this experience!! Give them ,


Okay about the mail.... You honestly need to buy the virgin Mary
stickers and place them on the seal of the box/letter/whatever you
send.. Everyone here in Peru is superstitious and they wont cut over
the virgin Mary. But put other stickers (plural) as well like Jesus.
Don't use "Elder". Just my full name. My friends have said that when
they use the stickers, they get the packages, no problem. But with a
smaller fee though I think. I would go talk to the post office about
it and see what they say. My friend said that I guess there is a fee
that you can pay in the states so that I don't have to pay when it gets
here? I don't know... But yes I believe that we go straight to the
Cusco mission home. So send the "package" to the address I gave you
last week. Send everything there in fact. Don't send anything to the
CCM. Because I wont get it! So yeah I will ask around more about the
mail and see if I can get some feedback.


I have also heard that we can only go to Machu Picchu once... :( Sad
day! But that's just what I heard.. I also heard that we go at the
beginning of the mish. So I might be going to Machu Picchu in
November/December! But I guess we will see! I have no idea, so don't
quote me on that or anything. Jaja.


Lets see, I really didn't take any other pictures.. Sorry there isn't
really anything new this week. Pretty much just the same! Today we
will be going to the temple again! We'll get some shopping in and
such. Me encanta miercoles. Its such a needed break. I have been
playing soccer and am loving it! I want to go out for a college team
when I get home I'm thinking. That would be rad. That or tryout for a
kicker in football just for fun. :)


All in all, I'm pressing forward in the language and the gospel! I
forgot to mention that I received the calling of a District Leader
last week. Pretty cool I guess! The biggest responsibility is to just
be the example, so I'm doing my best! I have been translating
firesides and devotionals. On Sunday we had a fireside and my buddy
Elder Fares and I translated it. It was really hard, but pretty fun at
the same time! We have a headset with a mic on it and its hooked to a
transponder. Then everyone that needs it to be translated has a
personal device that you plug your headphones into and you can hear
the translators voice. Its pretty slick. Pretty fun too!


Anyway... I hope that I continue to grow in the language the last two
weeks I'm here! I cant believe I only have two weeks left. Be sure to
keep me in your prayers, I know you do!


Much love to all,


Elder Jordan Van Christensen

Pics from the tour!‏

 Flags from the world lining the street.

 Elder Denhalter, Me, and Elder Badger. Left to right.

 Plazo de Justicia

 Pretty sure this is the main plaza, the president lives around here.

 By the ocean!

 Dead seal... yuck.

 Statue of Christopher Columbus.

 A street we were walking down to shop!

Just a pier.

Greetings from Perú!‏

Here is my experience of the day, I hope you enjoy it :)

So. We stop by this
tiny shop and get some swag, but this lady that owns the store, who
was probably in her 20s starts asking about who we are. So we talk to
her and this other guy asks if there are any similarities between our
church and the catholic church. We explain that we believe in Heavenly
Father and Jesus Christ, and such. Then we ask if they would like it
if we shared more with them. And then they were like, well yeah!
Please! So... we jump in and taught them the first lesson right then
and there. Dad! The Spirit was so strong. I testified of Joseph
Smith, and gave the first vision, and we pulled out el Libro De Mormon
and 3 pamphlets - The Restoration, The Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the
Plan of Salvation - (which we ended up giving them) and had her read
Moroni's promise. She read it with such intent, that after she read
it, she just held it in her hands and just looked at the pages. I told
her right then that the book was for her. We asked these questions in
such a way that she testified of our message! She lives by a church,
but she said it always seemed like it was closed.. and I told her that
our meetings were on Sundays. She was so grateful for the books, and
she asked us when we were coming back! :( I wish I was already on my
mission! But I know that we did all that we could and if it be the
Lords will, other missionaries will find her and because we opened our
mouths, she just might accept this gospel. The whole time we were
talking my heart was just pounding with the Spirit! Today I placed my
first Libro De Mormon, and basically taught the first lesson. I LOVE
this gospel. :) :) This whole thing was in Spanish, mind you. Only a
little bit was in english. She studied for 3 years! It was the most
perfect experience. I am so incredibly stoked to be doing that stuff
every day! Today has been bar none the best day. I am on the biggest
spiritual high!!!!

Hey

Hey everyone!!

I figured I´d email on moms account for a change. Well, this week has
 been pretty crazy! I cannot tell you how much I loved conference!!! We
 were the ONLY people in the nation of Perú who got to watch conference
 live! How rad is that? It was a much needed boost. I loved hearing the
 music. Wow, it really almost made me cry! Just watching them sing
 English hymns was sooo awesome. I loved all the talks, and I thought
 of everyone and what they might be doing at that time they were on.
 Priesthood session was bomb. I could imagine Dad and the boys at the
 stake center watching it and how Dad would have to keep them awake,
 jaja. I bet he was getting after the boys about the talk on teens and
 parents. How nothing good happens at night! Its true! So listen to Dad
 Bridge and Eth! We have been doing a lot of enseñansas which are
 teachings in English. Its all fake, but it really makes you dig deep
 into whatever Español vocab you have. Each of the companionship's get a
 situation and they are told how to act, and what problems they have,
 etc. So you can prepare to teach the Restoration, and have to get into
 the word of wisdom, or the Resurrection. So its pretty intense. But
 its awesome, and I love it! I´m kind of struggling right now with the
 language I think. Its hard to understand the grammar and what not.
 However I have been praying, and I feel like maybe I have gotten over
 this temporary struggle. I am fine though, so don't worry about me!
 Last week we played soccer and I got a BAD turf burn on my leg. It was
 super swollen, and now its bruised. But the MTC presidents wife had me
 take some antibiotics just in case. So its not infected! Hooray!
 The Temple was so awesome today! It always is so great. We had a good
 session, and today I didn't use the translator. I am grateful for how
 much I went before my mission because it had definitely benefited me
 here. I am able to understand more than I thought!
 How is everything going at home? What is going on in the world? I will
 have to email Eric today, I know Rachel said that, but we are family.
 Were brothers... duh. So yeah. It´ll be fun to talk to him for a bit.
 Forward him some pictures for me yeah?
 On Monday we had Immigration which was super boring, but again, it
 was super nice to get out of the CCM. I cannot get over how bad the
 traffic system is here! Maybe not the traffic system, but the people
 are just nuts! Constantly honking. Constantly. Nothing like Utah. Its
 scary because people always will just cross the street, and on Monday
 I almost watched a little sedan get creamed by a dump truck. I was
 like "OhhhHHHH crap!!!" Jaja, needless to say, I thought he was about
 to lose his life. But people are so calm about pulling in front of
 other cars. Taxis especially. Today I thought we were about to get
 t-boned. He pulled out in the street 20 feet in front of another car.
 Anyway. Mom, the hats are around less than 2 dollars a piece. Super
 cheap.Its like $1.75. I guess if you want me to send a package home
 its pretty expensive. Were talking, 35-40 bucks. Depending on size and
 weight. Keep in mind that 1 dollar = 2.77 soles ISH. Shirts are 10
 soles, jerseys are 15 soles, track jackets are like 35. There are a
 TON of different things we can get when we do our tour of the city
 next Wednesday. So you´ll have to tell me today what you want me to
 get, and how much of each. Like ASAP.
 The food here is seriously arroz con pollo every day. We have some
 interesting appetizers, if you remember the potatoes and the spicy
 sauce, we have that sometimes. Lets see, we have weird meat, and we
 think that it might be roadkill, or some stray dog that wandered past
 the CCM. So... its a little sketchy sometimes. Ive been feeling sick
 lately. I have a headache, and my stomach is pretty uneasy, and I just
 took a couple Excedrin. So we´ll see. But I'm good mom, don't worry.
 They take good care of us elders here in Perú.
 By the way I guess that my mission is pretty legit. There are only 6
 of us here in the CCM going to Cusco. Everyone we talk to is so
 jealous! Its pretty awesome. People say, all of you going to cusco,
 everyone here wants to be in your shoes so don't get cocky about it.
 Jajaja. I love it :) I'm so excited to get there!!!!
 Anyway, lets see... what else! Oh, get me Eric's address please! Thanks
 for the email. I love hearing about home. I look forward week to
 reading emails! I have only gotten emails from the family, and Erin. We
 email back and forth as well. So yeah! I love all of you so much. Keep
 me in your prayers! Enjoy the pictures, i think ill send more in a
 second.
 I have a little while longer on the computer so keep writing me back
 till i have to go okay?
 MUCH  LOVE.
  Elder Jordan Van Christensen