Never in my life did I expect to be serenaded by a Mexican man playing the guitar singing "Kiss Me" (actually in perfect English.... and very beautifully).... especially not on MY FREAKING MISSION. But yeah, that happened.
People in Chiapas are a bit crazy. We are convinced that's why they sent us here.
Because we fit right in.
I also never thought I'd be discussing the gospel in a run-down bar at one in the afternoon with a slightly drunken Mexican lady bar tender and then leaving a blessing on her and the bar... in Mexico. But, the mission puts you in interesting situations.
English class with Hermana Martinez
I made an amazing discovery this week. The reason why I can understand perfectly some people and hardly understand anything with others is because SOME PEOPLE IN CHIAPAS USE VOSOTROS. VOS. WHAT THEY TOLD ME WAS COMPLETELY USELESS IN THE MTC UNLESS YOU ARE GOING TO ARGENTINA OR SPAIN.
So Hermana Toleofoa y Hermano Ashby.... GRACIAS POR NADA. Hahahaha!
But, seriously. Chiapas is a lot like South America in many ways. It's so much different than the rest of Mexico (or so they tell me). But, Miralo Velo Vos is a phrase that is totally Chiapaneca because it like describes how these people talk. With horrible grammar, with Vos, and with accents in random places. The accent would be like this.... mirAHHHlo vEEEElo VOS (Haha not sure if that makes sense... but yeah).
Zona Mactamazura.... the biggest zone in the mission (the city zone) and also the zone with THE MOST HERMANAS.... AHHHH GIRL POWER
This was a really amazing week in Central. Muchos milagros (many miracles), and for the first time on my mission we completed the estandartes de excelencia (standards of excellence)!!! (Well...dry. Minus bautismo).
BUT this is very exciting! I honestly feel like I gave it my all this week and enjoyed every minute of it. Missionary work is the most enjoyable when you work the hardest.
One
of my favorite milagros this week was with one of our menos activos (less actives). He
hasn't been to church in many, many years...and actually gave us a new
investigator who is just so awesome. But, onto the milagro. So he has a
lip ring. As missionaries we haven't said anything about it
because... well agency...and he probably knows it's not right. We
figured the best way to handle this was just to pray for him.
So, we had a lesson with him and his friend this week, and he came without his lip piercing. His face was also so much brighter, and he was smiling a lot more. There really was a change in him! He told us that the other night he was praying, and he felt uncomfortable praying to God with this lip piercing. He felt like he should take it out and not wear it anymore. He also has been sleeping a lot better now that he prays and doesn't have nightmares.
That's praying with REAL INTENT. Padre Celestial told him to do something, and he LISTENED. Really such a blessing and such a miracle. He is so amazing and really working on being a worthy priesthood holder again. I know the church is true!!
I
love rebuilding this ward. The ward members are all so amazing,
seriously. But there's so many inactivos y menos activos... it's insane.
It's hard to retain our recent converts because the ward needs building
up itself. But, that's the thing...missionary work is about bringing
TODOS PERSONAS (everyone) a Jesucristo.
 |
| yes mom.... that is SHYLOH. SHYLOH'S GONE MEXICAN. SIS GROVER IS IN MY ZONE |
Honestly, one of the most exciting moments is when a completely inactive person keeps a commitment and comes to church. We are all God's children, and we all need this gospel. Every day I'm more converted as I see all of these other people more converted.
Love you all!!
Hermana Hansen
