Almost... December?

Hey Everyone!

Wow, I can't believe that December is already coming up! It's really comes out of nowhere without Thanksgiving!
But this week went by well. It was SUPER long. A lot happened, but we're ready now to start another exchange here in Huaraz. Elder Fernandez and I will be working hard. We have a lot of possible baptisms this month, so we're looking forward to this month. We're gonna end the year well.

I've really been able to see the tender mercies of the Lord working with us each week as the spirit guides us and our investigators. We've received some great references from the members this week. Some people that are really prepared and sensitive to the Spirit. It'll be really great to work with them and see a conversion in their lives.
We just finished a ward conference and it was really cool to see so many people here. Even in the time that I've been here, there are a lot more members active. We had a less active family do an special number. Two of their kids played their violins really well. They're both really young (14 and 11), but they play in the symphony of Huaraz. Their mom is always making them practice, every time we go there. But they really have a talent and they enjoy performing, so it was really cool to see.

Hope everyone is well and healthy!
Take care and enjoy the end of November!
Elder Seth Prestwich

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Even though there isn't a Thanksgiving here, I'll be quite happy. It'll be a wonderful day to give thanks to God for all the wonderful things I've been given. I'll be looking for those little blessings from God on that day as well. They always come. Every holiday. So I'm not too worried about it. But I'll be working extra hard to bless the lives of others as I reflect on the wonderful gifts that God has given me all my life. Starting with the Gospel and the Atonement of Christ. Two things that I'll never be able to thank God enough for. But I hope you can all enjoy that day with your families and with some wonderful food. But don't forget to say a prayer of thanks that day.

But the work has been going pretty well down here. We had 11 investigators in church again! We had two families come, so we're really excited to work with them. They're both wonderful and we'll do all that we can so they can make it all the way to the Temple. It may be a ways off, but what we do and teach now will allow them to make it there. Other than that, the other baptismal dates are falling. We still have one more, Diana. She's 19 and is working hard to gain a personal testimony, but is quite set on being baptized the first of December. So keep her in your prayers as well!

Oh, and thanks a lot for the package that you sent! I'll be enjoying the candy on Thanksgiving as well. But it's nice to have a few sweets around, and it's fun to see how everyone else enjoys candy from the US. It's nice to share the joy a little.

And I enjoyed the comic strips as well, thanks for those. They really brightened my day.

Take care everyone and enjoy the Holidays!

Elder Seth Prestwich

Baptism of Susan!

Well, Susan was baptized this week! All turned out very well. She was super prepared. She had been going to church in another ward for a few weeks, and was already thinking about getting baptized when we got her referral. But we came to see her and she wanted to know the truth. So we helped her with that. She got excited when we showed her the Book of Mormon and she started to read it right away. It was awesome to hear how she felt when she prayed to know that it's true. She really did all that she could to prepare herself correctly. And the ward really took her in right away. She gave the opening prayer last Sunday, then was confirmed, then was sustained as the YSA Representative for the ward. All in 10 minutes or so. Pretty crazy. But she's ready and feels happy to have the chance to serve as well.

We have another baptismal date for this Saturday. Her name is Susy and she's really excited as well. She's a 15 year old girl whose a national box champion. Pretty crazy. She's never really gone to a church before and didn't know anything about God, so it was interesting to start at block 0 with her, but it's been a humble opportunity to see the Lord change and bless her life as she accepts the Gospel. Pray a lot for her so she can prepare herself this week.

We went to a really cool historical site this week in Chavin. It's one of the oldest ruins here in Peru. But the trip there was several hours, so it was pretty crazy. We all got into a giant Van (20 seater) and went cruising through mountains and cliffs. It was super cool to see all of the (almost) untouched mountains. It was all green. Very different from Trujillo. But I'll have to show everyone a ton of photos when I get back.

Thanks everyone for your support! I'll be praying for everyone!
Elder Seth Prestwich

Update

Hey Everyone!

Well, the Lord has really done miracles in this area. He really is here blessing us and all the people that we teach. We mannaged to have 11 investigators in church this last Sunday (we've normally had 3-4 every week here). And we have two more people preparing for baptism. One this Saturday and the other will be the next. Keep Susan and Susy in your prayers so they can do what they need to so that they will be prepared. But we'll be focusing on the 11 investigators that came to church and helping them a ton. We'll be sure to help them see how great the blessings they'll recieve are.

But it's been an incredible experience to be here. I really know that the message we share with everyone is true. And that it brings the happiness that everyone is looking for, even if they don't realize it. But I see God testifying to me and all that I teach that it's true. I know without a doubt that it's what will bring eternal happiness to anyone who accepts it. And not because I say it or someone else has told me, but because God Himself has told me, and I can't ever deny that. And after sharing my heartfelt testimony of that with an investigator today, I started thinking about it. But I really know that it's true and that I'm happy because if it. And that I'll never leave it or deny it. Not for anything. And I can only thank my Heavenly Father for that knowledge and assurety. But that itself makes me so happy to be here sharing these blessings all day every day. There may be a lot of difficulties here in the mission, but none of them really matter. There is no sacrifice too big to help others come unto Christ so they can  recieve Eternal Life.

But I'm still enjoying the nice green hills and mountians around here. It really puts me at ease as I work to follow Christ and help others do the same.

Love you all!

Elder Seth Prestwich

We baptized Bruce Lee...

We had a baptism that went over quite nicely. It was an old investigator that didn't have permission from his parents. He's a 10 year old kid named Jimmy Bruce Lee de la Cruz Rodriguez. I didn't believe him at first when he said that his name was Bruce Lee, but it is. It was just nerve wracking to have him say that just before the baptism and not being sure, haha. But we worked with his parents and got permission to baptism him. That same day. So we ran all over the area getting things organized, announced, getting the interview done any everything. In the end, we got it all in time to join the baptismal service of the Hermanas at 5:00. But it went over nicely and we're excited to have had the chance to help him. But getting the permission was a real miracle. I didn't think we'd ever get it the first time we talked with them. I guess that's the how the Lord always blesses his children. I love being able to help people come to Christ. I really, honestly hope to be a missionary all my life.

Oh, as for Jimmy, we found out that he only showers once a week (in the morning before church). And his baptism was Saturday. He didn't take a shower before it. When he took off his shoes, the entire bathroom filled with a rancid odor. It honestly smelled like skunk, and just as strong. I have NEVER smelled feet like that. We made him wash his feet in the sink before stepping into the faunt. Phew...

So as for a fun cultural note. I ate month old potatoe (they soaked it in water for a MONTH.... That's just worng). They made it into a cream and served it up in a bowl. And it smelled... well... rancid. It really got my stomach going. I only managed a little before I couldn't take it anymore... Ugh... But at least it's really healthy... Or so they say...

Other than that, life is going pretty good here in Huaraz. I love the culture here. Though I could go without the slaughter house in the middle of town. That place gives me the creeps. I never know how animals screamed when they died... They cut the pigs open live here. It's awful. And smells SO bad. They just dump the blood out of the side of the building into the river. That and there's always a ton of animals sitting around outside of the building, and they don't clean up after them. So that just adds to the lovely smell. Other than that, the area is really pretty, though.

Anyway, I love you all and hope that everything is going well up there in the US. I'm working hard and the Lord is really blessing me for my desires and efforts. I definitely have a testimony that the Lord completes with all of his promissed blessings that he gives in the scriptures. It's pretty incredible to me how directly and closely the Lord woks in my life. 

Thanks for the support and Love! Take Care everyone!

Elder Seth Prestwich

Huaraz-- In the Far Corners of the Mission.

Well, this week has been one of the longest weeks of my mission. Phew. I got sent off to Huaraz this time. I wen't by bus. It left at 9:15 pm and I got there at 7:00 am. Longest bus ride ever. It didn't matter how soft those seats were, they hurt by the morning. As for Huaraz itself, it's really quite pretty. It's got trees and green! We went on an hour bus ride to another town that's part of our area and the whole time I was enjoying the green cliffs and hills with the purple mountains in the background. It definitely felt close to home. WAY better than Trujillo. And to top it off, Trujillo is getting really hot right about this time of year, and it's still nice and cold here in Huaraz. We have to wear sweaters every day still. Which is the nicest escape from the heat. I think this is the first time I've ever been thankful for the cold.

The people here are great as well. They all talk SO funny. They have a rhythimic, singing tone in their voice. I have to hold back the laughs from time to time. It's awesome. And as soon as you get away from the touristy main streets, you get to true Peru. I didn't really know old Peruvian culture till I got up here. They people dress with bright colors (it almost looks native american) and they all have super tall cowboy looking hats. They're soo cool. And they all talk Ketchua here. Which is pretty crazy. From time to time I go to talk to someone and don't get why they don't understand me, until they answer me in Ketchua. So it's kinda funny to finally learn Spanish and then meet other people who don't speak Spanish. Kind of a funny reverse.

Anyway, we're working with our few investigators that we have. My companion, Elder Fernandez, has been here for 3 months and has had 11 baptisms in that time. But now he's hit a wall and I came in new. But we're working hard, looking for new investigators. Though people are a little bit more closed here, we'll manage to find a few people.

And as for the food, well... It's... alright. A lot of the food is similar, but people eat a lot more... intestine, chicken foot, liver, chicken throat, rotten potatoes (seriously, they soak a potatoe for a MONTH in cold water, then boil it and serve it with a weird green sauce.... just the smell made me sick), and several other strange things. But that's alright. At least I haven't gone so far in that they eat cats. That's all I ask for. But the pensionista likes me and said that she won't give me anything too weird. Phew.

Anyway, I'm off to work hard and help people to come unto Christ.

Thanks everyone for your support and love!

Elder Seth Prestwich

Off to the Mountains...

Hey everyone!

Changes came once again. This time I'm headed off to the far corner of the mission-- to Huaraz (area Huarupampa, I believe)! It's in the mountains of Peru, so that should be quite interresting. Though, it's far away from any... big city. A lot farther than Ascope. Ascope was 1 1/2 hours from Trujillo. Huaraz is 6. So that'll be a trip. I'm leaving tonight. So I'm not gonna be able to say goodbye to many people here.

Well, I feel as if my work here in Laredo was well done. I worked hard and diligently and the Lord guided us on our way. Maybe we didn't see many outside evidences, but we've started the work again. And I feel as if I will be leaving the area in a good place. We're ready to marry a couple, Clever and Juvicza, on the 20th. Then we'll just have to help them come to the waters of baptims, then later, the Temple. I really hope they can pull through to the end.

Other than that, I'm rather sad to leave Elder Quispe. He's been a great companion and we've really enjoyed working together. And though we didn't have a ton of baptisms we were able to work together with a good attitude every day here in Laredo.

But I'm excited to go to Huaraz and get to work. It'll be a definite change in enviroment (I'll have to buy a sweater), but I feel like I should really enjoy it. Time to go forward with faith.

Other than that, President Turk came to visit us this week. He was teaching with Elder Quispe and I for about 3 hours in the afternoon. We found several of the families that we were teaching, so that was really cool. It was a successful day and the President was happy with our work and the Spirit that was in our lessons. But he really testified of Christ in every aspect of the teaching and really brought the Spirit every time he talked. It was really cool to see his exaple in teaching agian.

Well, I'm just excited to get back to work and also to see the pretty part of the mission (though everyone says that the mountian food is terrible... that'll be fun). Keep me in your prayers! Thanks for all the prayers and support that you always send me. Know that I love you guys and I'm praying for all of you as well.

Take care!
Elder Seth Prestwich