Incredible Story

Hello Mom and Dad,

I have an incredible story to tell you both. Well everything is riding
smoothly in Pamplona. We could use more help from the members to teach
families and find new investigators. I remember before I left for the
mission, I wasn't too excited about sharing the gospel with other
people. Well, irony is cruel because nearly all of my areas that I've
been in the church members don't really help us out with missionary
work. A few do help us out, but they're very limited to the help they
can present because of work and school. So, Mom and Dad, I urge you to
pray for opportunities to share the gospel with the missionaries to
family or friends. It will be a blessing for you, the church, and the
missionaries. It's something I learned in the temple about sacrifice.

Well, that's about all of what's going on in Pamplona. We're preparing
a 13 year old boy for baptism this Saturday. His name is Jorgino, and
he really wants to seguir aprendiendo mas acerca de la iglesia. He has
permission from his mother who really wants to help him out, but his
father is the one we need help with. He recently gave his son
permission, but he himself is like Abuelito Hector, catholic and a bit
hard hearted. We're going to see him and talk to him for the first
time tonight. Rock n roll.

I'll tell you about an icredible story that happened here in the
mission. It all happened before I got my change from Pisco to
Pamplona. It starts with a missionary who already finished his
mission. His name is Elder Jay. I was never in the same zone as he
was, but I did get to know him for only 5 hours during a zone
conference.

Well the story goes like this: He lives in California, but
he was an adopted child from Peru and never knew his biological
family. Well, he grew up in a family who are church members, and he
got his mission call to the Peru, Lima South mission, and he was
excited. He asked President Manning for permission to look for his
parents, and it was granted. Well, fast forward the scene, and 1 week
before he finishes his mission, he still hadn't found his family.
Elder Jay, while in Chorrillos, asked his pensionista for help, and
she was able to get the data for him, and found out that his family
lives somewhere in Pamplona Alta. With permission from President
Manning he went to our zone and asked for the missionaries to find his
family. Some 5 days left before his mission ends, Elder Bearnson and
Elder Xicay found his mother and told her that her adopted son is a
missionary from the church, and that he's here and wants to meet her.
Four or three days left, Elder Jay finally got the opportunity to meet
his biological mother who gave him up for adoption about some twenty
years ago. He entered the home and saw his family all waiting for him
and asked, "I heard that my mother is somewhere here, where is she?"
So they told him that Carmen was his mother, and Elder Jay finally got
to meet her, but only for two days.

He gave his testimony with tears
in his eyes that Sunday meeting, and said that he wanted her to know
the restored gospel, but that she would decide for herself to be
baptized.

Well, Elder Bearnson and Elder Huaman ended up teaching her family,
and they got baptized yesterday Sunday morning. I interviewed Jasmine,
Jesus, Elder Jay's siblings; and Carmen, his mother. In fact, his
mother asked me to baptize her. I don't know why she asked me, but I
think it's because I told her I'm from the same state as her son. I am
convinced that our Heavenly Father answers prayers.

So, there you have it. God exists. The odds of that happening are so
slim, it's just a testimony builder. My time is up, and I have to get
going. Hope you enjoy the story.

Elder Emiliano León

Lima , Peru Temple Visit

Hey Mom and Dad,

Thanks for the letter. Our whole zone went to the temple this last Thursday, and it was a good visit. I haven't been to the temple in about a year and a half, so it was a good refreshing taste. I actually could understand all of what was being said inside in Spanish, so I didn't need headphones for translating.

Well, this past week has been difficult. After we visited the temple and prayed for help on our mission, apparently God decided to have fun with us because every single appointment we had made failed. After we tried appointments, we visited some of the inactive members, and they weren't home. So after failed attempt after failed attempt, Elder Hesselgesser and I decided to go contacting and doorknocking to pump ourselves up. It just so happens that the first house we contacted were deaf people. We had to speak really slow, and think of ideas to show the Book of Mormon in ways we thought weren't possible. Luckily, there was someone who wasn't deaf to listen and translate. She wasn't interested, but I had fun with that experience even though her Catholic grandma busted out the rage.

One of our investigators ended up leaving for 2 weeks, so her date to be baptized was pretty much cancelled. Well, there's always the next 8 months to work things out. I did the best I could, we'll just have to be patient.

I'm happy to hear that your school is doing great and progressing. If Sebastian has an email, can you give it to me? oh dang, that reminds me that I haven't sent any new photos. You have to understand that I've been really busy. I promise that I will get those photos on CD. You will have new photos before this change ends.

Tell Jack I got his email that I appreciated it a lot. I was happy to know what has happened to our home teaching families. Mom, Dad, do your home teaching and visiting. Here in Pamplona, we have a problem with recent converts not going to church and going inactive because nobody visits them. I read Bruce R. McConkie's talk called "Just an Elder," and it really is an important part of the church. As a missionary it pains me to see recently baptized members lose that light they had in their eyes.

Well, my time is about up. Thanks for letting me know what's going down in Oceanside. I miss the Mexican food, let me tell you. Tell Abuelito Hector, Luis, and Abuelita Chole that I can't wait to return and speak to them in Spanish. Love you all, and please continue our geneaology. Hasta luego.

Elder Emiliano León

Lima

Hey Mom and Dad,

We had elections yesterday for los alcades en el Perú. That meant no church on Sunday, no proselyting, and no leaving the room. We were cooped inside for the whole day, and Peru experienced an entire day without the Restored Gospel being taught. Crazy stuff, and the rule about not leaving home was straight from the Area.

So that meant we didn't get to see the General Conference. We will be seeing it next weekend. Patience, like always. I have to thank you both for putting the names in the temple prayer list. Leslie and her mom are getting better, like they say in Monty Python. We have two boys that Elder Martinez and I are working on to get baptized. Juan Flores, who is 15 years old, and Giorgino, who is 13. Juan wasn't able to get baptized in September because his mom didn't allow him to, but we have no way to get in contact with her since she lives in a completely different city. Giorgino wants to get baptized, we just need to teach his whole family together, and get in contact with his father. They're really good kids, and they'll help the young men progress.

The missionary work here in Pamplona is great. Maybe not as great as I thought, but for what we have, it's good. My testimony has grown on the mission, being a district leader, I get to interview people for their baptisms. I've heard some intense and amazing stories. I'm almost certain that coincidences don't exist, because they're practically small miracles that occur every day if you have the Spirit with you.

Well my time is about up. Thanks for writing me and filling me in on what has happened in the General Conference. Now I have a preview of what to expect. I'll do my best to send photos. Take care and say hi to everyone back home for me.

Back in Lima, Peru ! Pamplona Area

Hola Mom and Dad!

Well, guess what? I finally got changed from Pisco and I am now in Lima. I'm in San Gabriel with my new companion Elder Martinez from Nicaragua. I'm now district leader, which means I get to do the baptismal interview for the investigators. San Gabriel is way different than Pisco. There are a bunch of cerros, or hills. But these aren't grassy hills. They're dirt hills, and they're crazy steep. It's like if the people constructed one house on top of another.

It was sad leaving Pisco. It was inevitable, but I didn't have time to say goodbye to all of the members of Pisco Playa or write un recuerdo, because I had to leave at 5pm the same day, and pack all of my stuff. I guess now I'm gonna have to write and mail a lot of recuerdos to Pisco Playa. Plus it's a bit colder and cloudier in Lima than in Pisco.

Well, it's a new area, new Elders, new members, new ball game. I've never been a district leader, but there's always time to learn. En verdad, gracias por su ayuda por animarme. Creo que es porque yo estaba en un solo área por mucho tiempo. Ahora son nuevas personas, y solamente tengo que enfocarme en la obra. Bueno gracias por escribirme. Les amo mucho y nos vemos la proxima semana.

Elder Emiliano León

Pisco Playa

Hola Mom and Dad,

Well I'm still in Pisco as usual. I'll get to sending photos next week. Things have changed pace on the mission, and today I don't have a lot of time. My new companion is Elder Berrú and he is from Piura, Perú. Apparently there has been an update on how we do things, so this week is going to be a mass training week for all of the missionaries, or something like that. Anyway, I'll let you know more on that next week.

The weather here is still cloudy and cold. Some days it gets sunny and warm, but all of the nights are still the same... cold. My spanish is at a fairly good level and I believe I can communicate on an easier level. Now that Pisco Playa and Pisco Pueblo are now separate with regards to missionary work, it's easier to focus and help Pisco Playa. My companion and I are working hard to bring more investigators to church.

There are now 16 missionaries in Pisco, and I'm pretty sure I'll be staying here until October. We were able to bring a lady named Graciela to church this Sunday. Her two daughters were baptized in Lima, and I think that has helped her be more receptive to the gospel. We're using the help of la familia Zavala since they live nearby. Funny story coming up. I told the bishop that I wanted to play the piano for the hymns, but it just so happened that the book closed on me while playing, and I ended up pressing the wrong keys and ruining the whole movement. It's actually not so hard playing piano. Thanks to the guitar classes I took, I'm able to play, I just need to practice a lot.

Well my time is almost up. I'll be sure to get those photos coming, and write in Spanish from now on. Say hello to the familia and all, and I'll talk to you guys next week.


Elder Emiliano León

Prep Day & Almost 1 year in Pisco

Hola Mom and Dad,

You're not gonna believe what I am about to tell you, but I didn't get an exchange. In fact, I'm staying in the same area, and I am going to be training another new missionary again. If I don't get any cambio loco, then that means I'll be in Pisco until October. All of the other missionaries were laughing when they heard I was staying. We joke about how President Manning forgot that I even exist. La familia Hernandez esta felíz que no voy a salir. Tambien los miembros de la iglesia estaban soprendidos cuando escucharon que me quedaría aqui.

My companion Elder Tani will be staying in Pisco, but he will be a serving in Pisco Pueblo, and his new companion will be arriving today. I, on the other hand, am staying in Pisco Playa, and my new companion won't be arriving until Wednesday. Elder Juarez, my trainer still serves his mission. He called me the other night and told me that he will be training another missionary too. What does all of this mean? I will have two sons, and a brother on the mission. A family of missionaries.

It has been cloudy and cold lately. Daytime sometimes the sun beams down on us, but at night the cold sweeps in. I miss all of the food back home. Jaime made some burgers, but they're not as good as In n Out nor Rocky's. So my gramps thinks he can outlast injuries and illnesses by manning up and taking it. Good luck. I'm happy that he's in doctor's care now. As always, tell the family I said Hi and that I love them all. Enough to the point where I miss them. If you're going to send another package, send corn and flour tortillas, with the album REQUIEM by Gioseppi Verdi. I'm craving for tortillas. Love you both and take care!

Elder Emiliano Leon

Spirit of God

Hello Mom and Dad,

I'm fine on the mission as always. I believe I've learned to distinguish when the spirit is present and when it's not. President Manning talked about just how important it is to have the spirit present when you teach. Elder Moser, who already finished his mission, gave a cool lesson about the Holy Spirit. It's basically the same situation as if we had planted a seed, or want an egg to hatch. We cannot force the process to advance faster, but we can nurture it and change the environment so that growth will take place.

It's the same when teaching investigators. I've had moments when my companion and I were teaching with and without the spirit. It's something small and subtle that you can feel, but you can't explain.

I've been reading A Marvelous Work and Wonder, and Mom, you're right about that book. Correct me if I'm wrong, but you told me that the same book helped you become more active. I can see why, since everything it explains is so clear and concise when talking about the Restoration.

Well the next exchange is in July 18 I believe, and I'll be in Pisco until then. I will have 9 months in my area, which is pretty intense. Most missionaries are only there for 4 to 6 months. I can't believe that I already completed a year, really.

Pisco Playa finally received a new bishop since they had none since February. It's hard working with 2 wards, but it's all for the experience. Yesterday was the most intense case of Paracas winds. It's basically a sandstorm when the winds blow in from the sea and pick up all of the fine dust on the National Reserve, and all of Pisco is bathed in a golden fog... of dust. It was cool but lame at the same time, because you couldn't see what was about 25 meters in front of you, but as we walked, our shirts changed from white to cream. I would blow my nose and dust would shoot out. But no worries.

Today is absolutely normal.Yes I got my package with my book and razors, and the card arrived. I'm still here with my companion Elder Tani in the same place. I think I'm going to be here for 9 months. I already finished my first year, and it all flew by so quickly.

Anyway, here in Pisco the members ask me, "Elder León, when do you leave? How long have you been here? Aw, don't leave us!" They're really cool and help us with our references. The only difficulty is that we have two wards, so we're covering a huge area. We lose time traveling from one area to another and going to meetings. We have one baptism planned for July, and are going to try to plan two more.

News flash: Apparently my request was granted, and President Manning will be sending two more missionaries to one of the two wards my companion and I are taking care of.We've been cruising along, and are planning to have a baptism this week, if time will allow us.

I'll be completing 8 months in Pisco soon, and I'm almost 80 percent sure that I'll be leaving Pisco this time. The next change comes in July 18. If by some chance I stay here, that means I'll complete 9 months and leave at the end of August.

The other missionaries here in Pisco and the members are all telling me I should go and buy my piece of land and build my home since I haven't left.The people told me "Lo siento hermano León, pero los Estados Unidos ya no están en el mundial." Peruvians are all talking about the World Cup. Part of me wants to leave Pisco and visit other places, and a part of me wants to stay because I got accustomed to the people here.

Time is up and I gotta be closing this letter. Love you both and say hello to everyone back home. I mean it, because a hello echoes and leaves huge effects. Until next week!


Elder Emiliano Leon