It's been hard to keep updating the blog every week, so I'll just update it when I get time. Right now there is a procession going on, and the huge crowd is passing the internet cafe with loudspeakers. A procession is when the people carry these dolls which represent the Saints in the Catholic church, and parade it down the street with music and flowers. It's cool, but sometimes impedes traffic, and the Peruvians in their motorcycles start honking the horns.
This week was the General Conference of the church where the leaders and authorities give talks, but here in Mala we didn't get to see it because we don't have a satellite TV to watch. So instead we had a regular Sunday meeting, but will watch the conference recorded next week on a disc so the whole Branch in Mala can see it. The stake center - which is the larger chapel where people can go watch the conference - is 30-45 minutes away on a bus, so we don't travel to go see the Conference because the people here don't have much money to travel frequently.
On a side note, here in Mala in the past 6 weeks we've had 3 baptisms... in the beach. It's winter over here, so it has been cloudy and cold almost every day. That means the water is freezing, especially when you have the service at 4pm. I didn't baptize anyone, but I was one of the witnesses, which means I got to wear all white and stand in the water with the other missionaries. The baptisms were for Dantol Medina, 8 year-old boy, Jenny Medina who is a mother of two children, and Darlin Mendoza who is an 8 year old boy in a family of inactive church members who haven't attended in quite a while. As of right now in Mala, my companion and I don't have any new people to teach the gospel, so we've been looking all over Mala.
It's difficult when your investigators are almost never home, but we still go looking. I don't need any more stamps. In fact I haven't used any while I've been here because I've been so busy. I haven't sent any new postcards yet, but I promise I will soon. What else is up in Oceanside and life back at home? For me, the mission has been getting difficult trying to teach effectively and find new people. I can speak basic Spanish, but to listen and understand every word, or notice what's going on around me is still a challenge. Anyway, I'm doing fine over here. Haven't gotten sick.
No, there is no pizza here in Mala. They attempt to make it in the panaderias, but it it's like those lunchable ones that aren't tasty. Unfortunately there is no supermarket here in Mala, so all the food we buy is from the mercado. The one here in Mala is basically a giant indoor maze like a swapmeet of alleyways and shacks. Small corridors and no floors, but surprisingly clean. Sister Hemenway is right about peanut butter and syrup. It's all in Lima which is about 2 hours away from where I am... so I got no connections to buy some. Thanks for sending me the package though! Nothing of value was lost. I received the package on September 26, so it takes about 10 days for a package to arrive. I especially liked the stickers of the crosses and la virgen María. The best one was Moroni right next to the virgin... I laughed. Also, the raincoat is great because it gets cold here, and it keeps me surprisingly warm.
Now for the photos... I will probably burn the photos onto a CD and send it home so that we don't risk losing another card.
The mercado here is sufficient. Is mom reading her Book of Mormon in Spanish? I am able to understand it about 70%, and I really hope she reads it because it is amazing. Did you also know the church recently translated and printed their Spanish version of the King James Bible? It's the Rey Valera version. You should check that out because it has all of the topical guides and references just like the English version, and revised language so it's even more accurate with the words because the church took the original texts from greek and hebrew.
Emiliano
