Publishing Peace‏

Hey everyone!

Well, the weeks just keep flying by… a lot of stuff has happened this week. First of all, Jose Luis was not baptized, due to some personal problems that he has. But, he will be baptized next Sunday, on moms birthday! Haha. We are visiting him every day at his request, and helping him along the way. We also have another baptism planned for this Saturday, Rina. She is a contact that we made while walking through the busy market. She knows our pensionista, Roxana, and another member, Ivone, who both work in the market doing upholstery. Roxana and Ivone have been accompanying us to our lessons with her, and she understands the need for a baptism in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We explained very carefully how Christ was baptized, and how we should be baptized in the same manner (Mark 10:38-39). She came to church for the second time yesterday. She is a single mom with a 4 year old boy.

Yesterday was… an interesting day. We had 6 people in the church, which was awesome!! We were stoked on that for sure. But later in the day, we could not find anyone at home! NO ONE. That was a real bummer. We decided to visit members, and on our way home for the night, we found Paolina and her husband (another contact that we had in the street the other day.) We taught her, and she cried when she said the closing prayer. She said, “God, I thank you for sending these two angles to me to bring me closer to Thee.”  Pretty legit. We were able to get to know her husband who is a mechanic, and set up an appointment on Tuesday, and a FHE in their home for Thursday. We’ll see how it goes!

Something else that was….. well… interesting, was the lady that told me she wanted her grandchildren to have my eyes, and to leave my “seed” with her daughter. I do not know if you can put it any more bluntly than that. Or, the other time when I was walking with Elder Soderquist (a new missionary in the field who shares our apartment with his comp) and two ladies thought that we didn’t speak Spanish and said, and I quote, “Oh look at them.. how handsome.. Ooh how I would like to…” And I did not hear the rest. Thank goodness I didn't hear the rest. Silly latinos…

Something else I was thinking about for my b-day package was Sour Watermelons! That's the only candy I am craving after Jacquie sent them to me. Haha. Oh, and maybe some mangoes! I get the real thing here, but they’re not dried! I don't know if you have sent it yet, but if you haven’t then great! Oh, and my size for a hat is 7 and 3/8 I think… I’m not too sure on that one. And just one more trunky suggestion… Maybe the family can get a Lake Powell trip set up in August?? Maybe? Just a thought! :) Oh, and tell Josh thanks for the email! I got it a few weeks ago, but it was great to hear from him. And thanks to you too, Grandpa Christensen! Now you know that you can email me!

Anyway everyone, I just am loving every minute out here. My comp and I get along really well as we strive to keep the spirit with us throughout the day. I can see the Lords hand in our lives as He guides us to those who need us. Although crazy things happen here in Quillabamba, I really love it. Life is so good! Tell Parker and the other guys good luck for me! They’ll be great. I can’t believe how much I have grown since entering the MTC. Just personally, I really am learning who I am and what I’m all about. That made me think mom, the mission really is more for me I think than anyone else. Apart from all the people I help, I am helping myself I think even more. Mom, you’re trunkier than I will ever be! Don't talk about hugs getting off the plane… just yet! Haha, I love you though, and I know it will be a day to look forward to. I have much left to do and accomplish here in Perú, cant get distracted! Keep the faith everyone. This is truly the work of the Lord. I am a Publisher of Peace. (Isaiah 52:7)

Con amor,

Elder Christensen 

Prayers Answered.

Hey everyone!

This week has gone by really quickly. For a couple of reasons… We have been really busy trying to find less actives to come to church and looking for new investigators. Well, yesterday we saw the “fruit” of our labors! Haha, we had two entire families of less actives come, plus 5 or 6 more people. Then, we had 4 investigators in sacrament meeting which was the best.

So a cool story that happened this week. We had basically given up hope that we would find Jose Luis after he had moved from his apartment. We had been going there almost daily, with no luck. Well we have been praying day and night with the hope of somehow to find him again. He accepted a baptismal date the very first time we met with him! He was so excited, and we were really sad that he moved without us knowing. So, one day we were searching for a less active member, and we were going to teach her friend. We got to her house, and knocked and knocked and knocked. No one home. Bummer! So, we start walking down the street kinda bummed, when I looked up and I saw someone in a wheelchair. I stopped my comp and was like, “Look.” There was Jose Luis chillin there in his chair! He was with his mom, and they were outside of a store, just leaving it looked like. We almost ran up to him, and man his smile was so big when he saw us! He was s-t-oked. We started talking and he started to apologize, and basically to make a long story short, we got his new address and number! We went by his house to pick him up and bring him to church. I rolled him all the way there, and he loved it! He will be baptized on Sunday! Prayers are answered!

Well, today we went to some waterfalls again, so enjoy the fotos! I wish I had more time to write, but just know that I love you all! The work is going great here! We are working hard, and I love it. I love the mission! I am feeling a lot better, thanks for the worrying.. haha.

Have a great week everyone!

Elder Christensen

Week 3‏

Hey fam,

So, this week has been kinda slow. Were really trying to work with those that have a baptismal date, but one fell through because he didn't attend church this week. Pushed one week back. We’ll see how it goes. I am learning a lot here in Quillabamba, thats for sure. Its just a small branch, kinda like the twig that you had in Michigan, dad. Haha, that made me laugh. Were back to teaching Gospel Principles, for the lack thereof of a teacher. We also pass/bless the sacrament almost every Sunday.

There are a few problems here in the zone, but we had a good Zone Meeting today where we talked about these problems and how we are to honor the names that we wear on our chests everyday: Our families, and Christs. It was a good meeting, and I feel like the zone got the message.

I am loving the scriptures! Before I came out on the mission, I never really had a true appreciation for them. But really, they are amazing. I can’t get enough of them. There are so many things we have to be grateful for. There are so many people here that live in mud houses and dirt floors, yet they make it to church every Sunday without fail. It makes me think and hope that in the future I hope that I will be strong and to have that same faith that these members show. I just love the mission. I can’t describe what joy this work brings me. Even though there are many trials that come before us as missionaries, to have the faith and courage to move forward no matter what the circumstances, is something special. Its something that each of us should strive to have in our own lives. Life isn’t easy. It was never intended to be easy. But if we lean on the Lord to guide and strengthen us during our trials, we can learn exactly what He wants us to learn and take from that experience what we need. I have a strong testimony for this work and I find myself each day thinking less about myself and trying my best to help those around me. Mom, when you said that these last  6 and a half months are going to pass quickly, it made me realize that I really don't have much time left. Just know that I am leaving it ALL on the field. No regrets. I love you all and hope all is well! I cant think of much else for my birthday, oh, maybe a hat. Have Bridger pick out a cool one from Decade maybe. And i would like some Nike basketball shorts. Whatever color you like. I’m not too picky.

Les mando muchos loves!

Elder Christensen

¡¡¡New sector, new comp, New Year!!!‏

Hey family!!

Haha, dad, why did you ask if I was transferred? Of course I was transferred! My new area is awesome. I love it here!! My new companion is Elder Morales from Nicaragua. He lives in the mission where Connor Kendrick is serving! So, I got here on Wednesday at like 4am after a really long bus ride. I tried to sleep, but it was really hard with all the curves and bumps along the way. I woke up to a really humid air, and I was sweating already. We got off the bus and got all my bags and walked to our apartment about a block away from the bus terminal. I showered in cold water, which was nice, and got to bed. I woke up at about 8ish, to roosters making that annoying sound that they make. I was pretty tired, but we went to our district meeting where I met my new district as district leader! In my district are the sisters and the zone leaders. It was interesting giving my first lesson as a DL, but it went pretty well as we talked about some problems that we have here in the zone. We also talked about solutions and how we can achieve them. I think it went pretty well.

So, the new zone where I am is called Quillabamba! Its semi-jungle, but my sector looks and feels just like the jungle. Its really hot here, really humid, but right now it’s the rainy season. So it doesn’t get as hot as it normally does. But just sitting here in the internet café, I’m sweating. It’s a big change from Cusco, but I love it! The work here is great. The leadership in our branch is so-so. We are just a district here in Quillabamba. But I really like it. We are finding a lot of great people to teach. I am feeling normal now health wise, and I am back to normal! So, dad, don’t worry about my sickness! Thanks for caring, but I’m fine now.

Well, I don’t have much time to write all that I would like to, but I am really happy to be here in Quillabamba. Oh, happy new year! I kinda forgot about that. Ha, but yeah needless to say there was a lot of drunk people passed out in the streets. Gotta love Peru!

I love you all! Thanks for your support and love. Till next week!

Elder Jordan Van Christensen

PS, really sorry about no pictures… This internet café is crap. Its suuuper slow, so hopefully next week we go somewhere else.

Missing the snow... Loving the work.‏

Hey everyone!! 

Well, where to start? This last week has really flown by. I can't believe that it is only 2 weeks until Christmas!! Time is a strange thing in the mission. 

So, we have been really trying hard with the family of 4 to help them progress, but this is the third week that we have invited them to come to church, but they just don't come. I don't know what the deal is. The dad can be kinda weird at times. For example, on Saturday we had an appointment with them at 7, so we went over and it was just the dad. He said that his wife sends her apologies that she wont be able to come because of something that came up. So, he was kinda pushy to get us out, I don't know why, but I knew I had to at least invite them to church. I started talking about the church, and he just cut me off right in the middle of my sentence. We all left after that, pretty upsetting. So, I guess we'll see if they end up accepting commitments and progressing. 

We had something interesting happen just this week. We were told that our old investigator that moved to Puerto Maldonado would be moving back to Cusco because her husband is basically a piece of crap. So, even though she has a little 1 year old, and is pregnant, she is leaving him. So, we are going to visit her this week, seeing that she gets here tomorrow! She told us that she really wanted to get baptized, so that will be another on the 24th! We have 2 for sure baptisms programmed for the 24th, and a few possibles. So, we'll have a "white" Christmas this year! Were all real excited! Were trying to get a couple married, but I don't know if it will happen. He works up at Machu Picchu for months at a time, and when he comes home (like he will tomorrow) he comes home for only a week. Then he leaves again. So, we'll see if they decide to get married. If they do, the wife really wants to get baptized. She told us that yesterday at church. She is so awesome! Her and her 7 year old kid were waiting outside of their house yesterday morning to go to church at 8 with us. She is making a lot of friends in the church and she whispered a couple weeks ago during the sacrament, "I feel so peaceful." It was really special. Her boyfriend (whom we have taught many times before) told her once that he would belong to the church. He didn't say when, just that he would. So, before you know it, they will be a complete family! Such a great feeling. 

So that's what's going on in the work for now! Thank you guys for getting after the boys to write me. It was good to hear from them. And thank you dad for helping with Machu Picchu! I am meeting with a guy today from another ward that is a tour guide to talk about all the details for our trip next Monday! We are all really stoked to go. We will be waking up at around 2am to take a bus from Cusco to a place called Ollanta to get on the train that will take us to Machu Picchu Pueblo. There is a little town at the bottom of the mountain that actually used to have missionaries there, but it was closed. So from the pueblo we will get on another bus that will take us up to the actual mountain. We will be there for the sunrise, and most of the day just exploring the ruins and taking pictures. It's gonna be so fun!!!

And yes, Skype this year! It's gonna be so strange to see all of you! I will have all the details ready by next week. I know that the President wants all of us office elders to spend Christmas at the mission home, and I'm way stoked for that. Last year they said that they spent Christmas eve there, watched Disney movies, and just slept over until Christmas. I am so lucky to be in the office for Christmas! It should be a lot of fun! So we'll see when and where we will be skyping, and I will let you know next week! Mom, I'm sure they will love the present you got! It sounds perfect. Really, it does. I can see him putting it in his office or the house somewhere. But, no. I have not gotten the package yet... Still waiting. You might want to call Vanessa and see whats up. But I'm excited for the package! Thanks so much for that. What am I NOT supposed to open till Christmas? I will wait, I just need to know! Also, yes dad, I will be here until the 27th, That's when we will have the change meeting here in Cusco. I don't know where I will go yet, and I don't know if president will let me pick either. But you'll know when I know! Keep your fingers crossed for jungle! ;)

So funny story. Yesterday we got to Sister Carrascos house for lunch, when we hear from behind us, "The Mormons from America!" We spun around to see kind of a scraggly looking guy with long hair. I said, "Yup, that would be us. Where are you from?" He answered, "I'm from Norway. (pause) I like Joe Smith. I like what he found... the... the... the script! I listened to the missionaries in 1970." So then we asked him where he was from or if he was visiting. He started to walk away, then turned around and put his hand on the side of his mouth like he was whispering and said in a voice that I cant really explain, just that it was hilarious, "I'm looking for something!" Hahahaha, we walked in the door and bursted out laughing. Oh man, you should have heard it. He was a crazy. For sure. So, training is going well, Elder Buckner is learning quickly how to do everything. 

Anyway, I don't think there is anything left to say, just that I love you all! Be sure to tell Stu and Lori thanks for me! I will be sending them something special in the mail for sure. I'll just send it to the house, and you guys can take it over to them. They are so great. I miss them! Tell Stu that I'm still taking my vitamins! And I got an email from Stewbabe, so tell him thank you very much for that. I also got an email from Uncle Mike, he sent me an electronic copy of his season card he does every year. It's so great to hear how everyone is doing. Especially this time of year! You're all missed dearly, and I can't wait to see you Christmas day! Take care everyone! 

P.S. Were listening to Mannheim Steamroller Christmas right now, and were lovin it. I love Christmas! Sure miss the snow!

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ELDER CHRISTENSEN
Secretario Financiero

Misión Perú Cuzco

(51) 984-503-861

(51) 084-242-521

RPM #623574