Elder Brandon Clark Serving an LDS Mission in Lima, Peru South: More about Peru

I need to talk more about Peru. I am in the area of San Juan. Solidaridad. Nice area, about middle class status. Everything in Peru is dusty… Everything gets dusty, then it gets wet, it’s awesome.

The best are the mini taxis, picture a motor cycle with a box around it, where they cram 3 to 4 people inside. And then they whizz around everywhere. And then the buses, those are crazy. They pack about 1 million people in this bus that is as tall as me. Not enough seats, you have to stand, then the bus is constantly stopping and speeding up. People getting in and out, you have no balance its crazy! There are dogs everywhere. A good dog fight every day, nice free entertainment for everyone. And American music is the thing here. Not the good kind, the stuff on the radio. Oh yeah don’t forget the fancy t-shirts with English lettering. Like: ``angry beast man`` I really don’t think they know what that means or if they think it’s something cool… but the thugs around here look like the chumps back at home its super funny but hard to take them serious when they really are serious.

The best is getting all of these weird looks from everyone especially all the kids. And then the awesome gringo chants. Like: Gringo habla! talk white boy! It’s funny but sometimes annoying. But I love the people, and want to teach them all about the gospel!

The food here is amazing! I will probably come home fat...no not really, I would cry. But I think that I am addicted to Inca cola. It’s amazing! Plus it’s freezing! Freezing.

It is very challenging with some of our investigators because they must be married first, before baptism. And they have to assist church for at least 3 weeks and all three hours… Very challenging but we were able to commit 3 more to baptism! Super exciting!

I have been so humbled these past weeks as all I can do is rely on the Lord and put all my trust in him in every lesson.

Heb. 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him

Christ is the author, but only if we obey.

Alma 7: 11-13
And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

These verses help me always remember that he has atoned for every single one of my sins, every single one!

READ Elder Bednar’s talk, “Atonement and journey of mortality”... I would write more about it because I love it so much, but don’t got much tiempo.

``I suspect that many members of the church are much more familiar with the nature of the redeeming and cleansing power of the atonement...than they are with the STRENGTHENING and ENABLING POWER!` it’s not only for sinners, it’s for those who are striving to become better!

D&C 76:19 And while we meditated upon these things, the Lord touched the eyes of our understandings and they were opened, and the glory of the Lord shone round about.

Love Elder C1ark