Another Week of Winter...

Hey Everyone!

We've hit the colder part of Winter here in Chimbote. Everyone is suffering from the "brutal cold." It's kinda like fall weather... But everyone is getting sick "due to the change in weather."

I swear it only cooled off a little. It's finally not hot all day every day (just for a few hours of the day, the rest is pretty cool). But I guess it's all a matter of perspective.

I kinda miss the snow, though.

Anyway, more important than the weather is that we had another baptism this week! Yefferson was able to make it to baptismal water, even though his mother Hna. Zuly couldn't quite make it. But Hna. Zuly should be able to follow his footsteps in these comming weeks. The baptism service we great. We only ran into one problem; when we showed up, the font was empty. We had filled the water up early that day, but someone came and drained it all before the baptism. We came, opened up the door to show Yefferson the water, and there was nothing. UGH!

But, thankfully we have a font that fills up pretty fast and by the time enough people showed up (40 minutes later, which is normal... unfortunately), the font was already filled and we started the baptismal service. It was still shock to open the door and see it dry, though.

Other than that, we've been doing great down here in San Luis. We're working hard and have several more people who are getting close. We'll be here to help them each step of the way.

Hope all is well and that everyone can keep enjoying their Summer.

Take Care!

Elder Seth Prestwich

Well, I guess I'm 21...

Hey Everyone!

I guess I'm 21... That's what the calender tells me. That means I've finished a full year of my life in service to the Lord. From 20 to 21. That's quite the achivement if you ask me. I know I could have done more and been better, but I've been trying. I've been super greatful for all that God has done for me in this year and for the conversion that He's allowed me to develop. But most of all, I'm grateful for the people that He's put in my path so that I could help them find the way to eternal happiness. That means more to me than any change that I've personally had.

The members and my investigators did a nice little party for me. It was just 4 or 5 families, so it was a bit calmer. It wasn't the entire ward throwing a party. So this time, we got to eat in the house of an investigator (which isn't common here, since we have pensionistas) and several families came. They did a little surprise party with the dinner they invited me to. It was really nice. I got to eat cake and they gave me a couple little gifts.

Other than that, we'll see who else we can help.

Thanks for the birthday wishes!

Take care!

Elder Seth Prestwich

It's Almost My Birthday!

Well, we're going strong here in San Luis!

The week was good and we're gonna keep working. We have several investigators preparing for baptism this month and I hope all goes well.

Jefferson was getting ready to be baptised for last Saturday, but his mother didn't give him permission. She told him he has to wait two years until he's 18 to make that descision. We're gonna see if we can get her to change her mind this week. It was a big let down for him to not be able to get baptised, but we're not giving up yet.

As for other investigators, they're doing well. There's a mother and her daughter (Zuly and Jefferson, as well) that came to church again last week and are doing great. They listened to missionaries years ago, but didn't get baptized. This time, Zuly is a little more determined. I really hope she can make it there. She's quite receptive to the spirit and humble. We just have to help her get over her fears.

Other than that, I'm doing pretty good. The zone leaders have told me that I've got a package waiting for me, so I'll get it today. Thanks for sending it!

I'm sure I'll enjoy it a ton.

Everything is going strong and I'm pumpped to work hard. I don't have very much time to waste, after all. I gotta do my absolute best and work with all my heart, might, mind and strength.

Take care!

Elder Seth Prestwich

Happy Independence Day!

Well, we've hit July. Crazy.

Hope everyone enjoys the 4th! I'll have to make a little flag to hang around the room or off my backpack. I'd like to show a little pride for my country.

Other than that, all's been going normally. People are coming to Christ, I'm in good health, so no complaints. My companion is learning a ton. I often forget that he's a new missionary, so that's a good sign. He's getting a lot better.

But I guess it would have been cool to have a week that was a little more eventful, but it kinda went by. Nothing too out of the ordinary. Though we did get to go to the stadium and go play soccer. That turned out pretty fun. It was full sized and we played 11-11. Even with that many people, we got worn out super fast. Lots of running. But quite enjoyable. I'm just hoping that I'll learn to play well some day.

Hope everyone's healthy and well!

Elder Seth Prestwich

President Turk is Off...

Hey Everyone!

Well, this was quite the eventful week!

First off, Juliana was baptized! She's 35 years old and is married, but doesn't have kids. She's a chemical engineer and is studying a second major. But it was really great to help her come to Christ as well. We found her in a time that she'd been looking for a specific purpose in her life. She'd felt a bit lost. Other than her husband, she wasn't sure exactly what more there was to life. So her friend explaind a little about the Plan of Salvation. Something simple. She liked it, and then her friend brought her to church. A simple invitation, but Juliana loved being in church. After the first day there, she told us that everything seemed familiar, as if she'd already known that it was right. It didn't take her long to gain her personal testimony and feel closer to Christ. She came to love the Book of Mormon and the message of the Plan of Salvation. She even felt a strong spirit from learning the commandments. So she made it to the waters of baptism last Saturday and left the water quite suprised at the feeling of the Spirit. Even if it scared her really bad to be submerged in water.

After that, we met together as a mission in Trujillo for the missionary broadcast to the world. It was really inspired and I dearly hope that the ward will be excited to apply it with us. It'll do miracles in the lives of many of they do. Then President Turk, our mission president, gave his farewell testimony along with his wife. They'll be in the US again bytomorrow. We'll be giving a warm welcome to the new president this week. It'll be interesting to see the changes in the mission with a new president and the addition of the new programs (epecially using internet in the mornings!) from the Prophet and the Apostols.

But I'm doing wonderful and seeing the work move forward! I now have 3 months left to work till I drop. I really hope to help as many people as possible in these months. There's a lot of people who are close, so it should be great!

Take care!

Elder Seth Prestwich

Wow, Sounds Like a Lot Happened...

Hey everyone!

Well, sounds like there was a lot going on back home. I'll be praying for all those families that lost their homes in the fire. I really hope that they can recuperate quickly.

But on the good side, I'm doing great down here. We just finished yet another transfer and I'm working hard. The baptisms are coming around, so I'm supper happy about that. I'm always thankful for the chance to help people, especially find their way to Christ. I wouldn't trade this time for anything, as hard as it may be. I'm not sure what I'm gonna do when it finishes... So I figure I'll just not think about it. I'll just work day by day for now.

Hope everyone is enjoying Summer and the new games. And that Father's Day went by well. And I hope that things can get a bit better back home.

You'll all be in my prayers!
Thanks for everything!

Elder Seth Prestwich

The Beach!

Well, we just had a fun little time at the beach in my area. We took a small 20 minute comvi (shuttlebus type thing that's public transportation) ride there and had a ton of fun. We explored several caves and played volleyball and soccer. Quite a good day.

But even better than that were Esteban and Estefany's baptisms! They both got baptised on different days this week, but it was really amazing. They both felt the Spirit quite a bit. Estefany is an 11 year old girl, and the last who needed to be baptised in the family, she's Junior's (just got baptised a few weeks ago) sister. She was SUPER afraid of going under water (first time in her life), but she came into the font bodly and had a HUGE smile as she came out. One, because she felt the Spirit really strongly, and the other I'm sure is that she didn't drown, like she thought she would.

Esteban's experience was great as well, and a bit funny at the same time. He's been fighting to progress, but finally made it to the waters of baptism. And as he came up out of the water. He clentched his chest and asked "What is this feeling?!"

I laughed, "That, my friend is the Spirit."

"It's INCREDIBLE!"

We were talking after and he commented that he'd never felt so clean or happy. He had a whole lot taken off of his chest. I loved to hear that. I know it'll be an experience that will help him keep faithful until the end of his life.

And on top of all that, Junior had the chance to go to the Temple! He went with the ward and had an amazing time. He came back super happy. And then, the very next day, he prepared and passed the sacrament for the first time. I felt quite proud of him as he passed the sacrament to me. It gave me quite the smile.

So things are going quite great down here. We're hoping to get a couple married and ready to get baptised in these weeks as well. I'll let you know how it goes!

Take care everyone!

Elder Seth Prestwich