rain

Dear Family,

It's dumping buckets at the moment in Cajamarca: I admit that rain is delightful when you're not in it. We walked here and entered just as it was starting to pick up - the thunder rattled over our heads (unfortunately one can't find the lightning) and we watched the ominous grey clouds approach from the North. Whew, I neglected to mention that this building has a tin roof (the rain just got really noisy for a minute there).

We had a fun service project this week - it was another cieling job. It involved mixing the cement (this time we had a machine to do it for us), pouring it into buckets, then hauling the buckets up the stairs and dumping them out on the "roof." (I say "roof" because we're actually making the roof/cieling in the process - it's temporarily supported by wood planks and beams.) It's a good workout, at least. We filled the entire area of the cieling in about an hour and a half, after which my shoes were covered in mud and cement. While we cleaned off, a small water-fight took place (it might have been bigger with access to running water and a hose, but we didn't enjoy such amenities).

Saturday night, we put on a "Noche de Cine" (that's "Cinema Night") and invited members and investigators to enjoy popcorn and a movie. The setup had a few obstacles, but we eventually found the right cords and got the sound and video all hooked up and ready to go. There weren't quite as many in attendance as I had hoped for, but nobody complained about wanting more popcorn - I'd call it a success, at least in terms of logistics. We put on "Remember the Titans," and the small crowd seemed to enjoy it. We had to accompany an investigator back to their house and then come back to help clean up (popcorn + small children = big mess). Since we started late, we got back to our room much later than we wanted to. However, after a quick dinner, that allowed us to fall asleep right when we got into bed.

Speaking of bed, our apartment here is a bit different than the ones I've been in before. It's the same in that the walls and cieling are concrete (but this room has a floor instead of bare concrete! hooray!), but instead of two separate beds, we have a bunk bed. I sleep on the bottom bunk, and I stay warm with three 100%-wool blankets. Our pensionista rents the rooms right next to ours, so walking to breakfast after studying doesn't involve going outside anymore (which is a real blessing, since it is frigid in the mornings).

We had some really special lessons on Tuesday this week. We came to the house searching for someone we had contacted last week, but we only found their son and his cousin. After a little conversation, they invited us in and we explained the Restoration of the Gospel. [side note, the rain just picked up speed: I can't hear myself think! We're going to have a wet walk home, I fear.] It was fascinating to see how it moved their hearts. The younger of the two expressed his desire to be a part of it as well as his doubts about his personal ability, struggling to express his feelings. It was clear that the Spirit had touched them powerfully. We left that lesson nearly running to get to our next appointment (to which we were a half hour late), and taught the first half of the Plan of Salvation. The investigator told us how the last time we taught had filled a void in her heart, and she was ready and willing to listen to what more we had to say. The Spirit was powerful there, too; we had to leave early, since it was approaching 9pm, and the mother of the investigator (who had been giving us suspicious looks the last time we were there) was upset that we were leaving so soon. There's only one Source for such a profound change of heart: the working of the Holy Ghost through faith in Jesus Christ. I absolutely love the way the Gospel works.

I testify that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way we can find happiness in this life. There is no other source of peace and hope anywhere in the world. We had a perfectly clear, starry night yesterday, and it bore a powerful witness into my heart that the Lord created this earth as well as those telestial lights. I've seen a few miracles in my mission; nevertheless, I've felt even more miraculous changes inside my heart.

Thank you for your encouragement and faith in your prayers on my behalf and on behalf of all the other missionaries in the field. I'm happy to hear of the success you're enjoying in school and sports! Keep it up! (The sun will come out soon, and if it doesn't: those who practice in the rain win in the rain.)

Love,
Elder Withers