Hola!
I've been in Peru for two weeks now but I feel like I just got here.. let me back up.
The end of my time in Provo went by so fast. I was dreading leaving
there and every time someone talked about it I would tear up a bit. I
gave my first Spanish talk the last Sunday there on the Santa Cena
(sacrament). I wrote it myself but I don't really know what I was saying
at the time I was giving it. Everyone said it was really good
though--definitely more the Spirit than myself, I'm sure. The night
before I left Provo was a sad day.. I cried so much saying adios to my
district. Myself, Hna Buzan, and Hna Warner left behind our 7 Elders and
Hna Mangum who didn't get her visa for Peru yet. Hopefully she will be
joining us soon.
We left the MTC at 6:00 on a Tuesday morning. We arrived in Peru
around 11:00 that night and got to the CCM (MTC) here in Lima around
2:00 in the morning. We all just crashed. Adjusting here was kind of
hard at first. In Provo they were all about being exactly obedient but
here it was really hard to be obedient at first. Mostly because our
first day or so was very unstructured. It was kind of frustrating, not
knowing where you were supposed to be and what you were supposed to be
doing. I was definitely a bit home sick for Provo.
There are about 90 or so missionaries here in the CCM. About 1/4 of
us are Norte Americanos. The Latino missionaries don't speak much
English so there is a ton more Spanish than in Provo but we still get to
speak English amongst ourselves (which we probably should try not to
do). I was really surprised at how much I understood when I first got
here. I get the idea of most conversations and every day I understand
more and more. My speaking is still pretty slow but it's so much better
than in Provo. I have a Latino companion, Hna Diaz from Argentina, and a
North American companion, Hna Asay from Provo. All of the hermanas here
are super sweet and we laugh a lot together. And all of the Latino
missionaries in general are very helpful with the language although they
do remind us of how slow they have to speak for us.
A few of us will be moving up to be in a full Latino district next
week. This means only Spanish all the time. I hope I survive it haha.
I'm excited for the opportunity to learn more though. Our teachers for
these past couple of weeks have been fantastic--Hna Flores and Hna
Chipana. Love them! But we'll have to get new ones next week.
I have to say, I'm not a huge fan of Peru (can't wait for
Ecuador!). It's like China in a lot of ways... All of the houses and
establishments are pretty much gated. It's very smoggy and most days the
sky is just a blue/grey smear. However, there are mountains and
everyone here speaks Spanish so that sets it apart.
Since being here I feel like I've been able to focus better on what
I'm supposed to be doing (there are definitely less chances for social
distractions when you can't speak the language). Studies have been
really good and I'm learning so much about the gospel, about Spanish,
about the gospel in Spanish. It's kind of funny because I understand
most everything I hear until we get onto subjects other than the gospel.
My vocabluary hasn't progressed that far yet.
All in all it's been a good experience so far here in Lima. The
people (and missionaries) here in South America are so amazing. They
have a humility and love for the Lord that is unlike anything I have
seen. One of my roommates is an angel, I'm pretty sure--Hna Ibarra. It's
very humbling and a privilege to be able to meet and interact with
these amazing individuals.
Time is almost up, gotta go! I'll email everyone again before I leave Peru. Hope all is well in the States!
Con amor,
Hermana Williams
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