Put our faith in God...and all will work out!

Well, don't shoot me because we are in Tuxtla and I can't upload pictures, because I didn't listen to the Spirit and bring my memory card adapter... and there's no way to upload pics from this computer. So you'll all just have to hold your horses and wait till next week to see my new zone and selfies of me and Hermana Baker.... jajaja. (Pictures this week are from past weeks of Hermana Hansen's service in Tapachula & Provo MTC)

SO.

I'm sure you are all wondering how it goes with 2 gringas in Tapachula.... JUNTAS. Well we´ve only been chased by a drunk guy once so far, so I´d say its going pretty well.
 

Hermanas Baker & Hansen in front of the Provo Temple

It's pretty fun to be with Hermana Baker again, because we struggled and grew so much together in the MTC, and now we really get to see how we have grown in our 13 months away from each other and how we teach and stuff. Probably my favorite part of this week was to watch Hermana Baker teach someone how to pray.... I remember us struggling so much with that in the MTC! We could never remember the words! Haha! Now we actually speak Spanish, and she did is so powerfully... a la mecha... fue bien padre de verdad. She is an amazing missionary, and I have a whole lot to learn from her. FIESTA (of missionary work of course).

So this week I learned God loves us, and He blesses us, but that doesn't mean we won't ever have trials, even if they are small.

 Hermanas Baker & Hansen taking a break from studying Spanish at Provo MTC

My first day working with Hermana Baker was Wednesday. We had super great day. We helped a young women find more than 10 names to take to the temple, found 8 new investigators, and contacted and taught a bunch of people. The investigator that we couldn't find earlier, ended up knocking on our door at night so we could talk to her! (She's our neighbor). God was so good to us, and I was seeing MIRACLES that day! 

Then the next day, despite our efforts, was horrible.

We were late for an intercambio with some other Hermanas. As I was trying to call them for their direction I dropped the phone in the street... which was a river because it was raining. So our cell phone died, and we couldn't get a hold of anyone to tell them! Then we had to rush off to the baptism of the ward. As I was introducing Hermana Baker to all of the ward members, I called one of our ward members who had just been called to the stake presidency "Hermano" instead of "Presidente". His wife got annoyed with me in front of everyone (I just played dumb like I didn't speak Spanish.... haha). To top it all off as we were walking from the church building, a freaking drunk started following us for quite a bit. Then he started yelling things at us. So we started running until we got to our ward mission leader's house and ran inside. He ended up chasing us all the way there! (Don't freak out mom.... we were fine hahaha)

Our ward mission leader was protective and didn't let us leave his house and then walked us home...Also, we had exactly.... ZERO. Zero lessons this day... and like 3 contacts. I don't think that's ever happened before!

But whatever...I was humbled and learned that we just have to take our bad days with the good ones.. put our faith in God... and all will work out! 

We put the phone in rice (as I learned from my junior high and high school days) and it worked like a charm! It works great now! And a guy from the little store saw us running away from the drunk and I guess ran out and stopped him from chasing us. He talked to us later and he told us to be careful. Now we have an opportunity to share the gospel with him! 

And, our new zone leader is great, his name is Elder Jarrett, and he made history by opening a branch  and a prayer house in Tonala. He's just the humblest and the best ever... and has the best ideas! Combined with Hermana Baker and Elder de Jesus... they are the dream team! And I got to listen to conference on Saturday and Sunday... only 6 months until the next one! WOOOOO! 

So I'm super excited for this transfer, we are gonna tear things up. We are really focusing more on the Obedience, which brings Faith, which brings MIRACLES. We are also focused on helping the missionaries and the members of Tapachula gain stronger testimonies...instead of only focusing on the numbers. It's just what I need to wake me up out of my almost dangerous slumber of sameness!!! I'm loving the life as usual.

 I made this tortilla by hand

Love you all! 

Hermana Hansen

Two Gringas in Mexico

Hermana Hansen with her new GRINGA companion,  Hermana Yorgason

Yep, you read it right! My new companion is a gringa from Provo, Utah. She's almost 6 foot, blonde, and about to die (she's leaving after this transfer.... :() But even though she's dying mission wise...she is definitely not dying ANIMO (excitement) wise. She is THE HAPPIEST missionary I've ever met and tiene un BUEN de ganas a trabajar (she has a lot of desire to work). She's the best.

Hermana Yorgason decorated my desk..."Welcome to Pimienta the best area in Chiapas"

It's so weird to have a gringa companion... I hope it doesn't halt my Spanish progress because sometimes we get talking and before we know it we moved onto Spanglish and sometimes full on English! We don't even realize it!! But, we are working on it... jaja.

That awesome moment when members of your ward take you to a marimba restaurant for lunch

I'm already learning UN BUEN de su ejemplo (a ton from her example) , and I'm remembering how fun it is to be a missionary!!
 

And being a capacitadora (sister training leader) isn't as scary as I thought it would be... it's actually super fun!! So far I like it even better than training (but we haven't had any intercambios (exchanges) yet so we will see...). Even though it's a lot of work and pressure it really is just a beautiful job. I get the opportunity to work with, and help, and learn from, and love all the hermanas in my zone. It's awesome!

Also, our zone leaders are Elder Brass (who was an assistente to the mission president) and Elder Carreon (who is my same generation). We get to work with them a lot, and they are super funny and bien chido (very cool) as well!! It's gonna be a fun transfer.

SO my area. It's called Pimienta. My area is tiny.... like 8 blocks. We can walk the whole thing at a slow pace in like less than 15 min. We have an AWESOME bishop, an AMAZING ward mission leader, and UN BUEN de ayuda (a ton of help) from the ward.

Like, we are all a team. Just how it should be! I totally miss all the members in Central. But, the members here are ABSOLUTELY AMAZING as well. I've already found a new mission mom, Hermana C!! 

So some funny stories from this week....

I got electrocuted. Bad extension cord. Don't worry, I'm fine, my arm just tingled for a few hours. I felt like the kid from Moonrise Kingdom (maybe only Katie will get that reference....) 

 Hermano P. beat us in an arm wrestle with one finger!

Some joven told me that if we procreated our children would have beautiful eyes. I just blinked at him and Hermana Yorgason responded, "Guess we will be teaching you next about eternal families." jajajaja

I'm attempting to learn two native ancient dialects that people speak here, Centahl and Sotsil. People usually just laugh when I attempt. Ho on ish Ouish Hansen!!!!

YEP I'm with an American....

That's all for now... LOVE YOU ALL... TENGA UN BONITA DIA (have a beautiful day)

Hermana Hansen

Pictures from Hermana Hansen's last day in Central

 One last selfie with Hermanas Hansen, Cook & Juarez

Recipes!

With my bestie, Hermana N., who is getting married in APRIL

Farewell for now Hermana Juarez & Central

How to Plan a Surprise Wedding in Three Days

Ever tried to plan a surprise wedding, a baptism and a stake activity in 3 days? Well, I have. But we can talk about that later.

 

Celebrating at the surprise wedding with Hermana A (Relief Society President) and Hermanas Martinez & Hansen

This has literally been the craziest week of my mission. And I absolutely loved it. I guess I'll begin by talking about all the awkward moments so we can get that out of the way.

 Hermana Hansen....Queen of the Gringas!

...When you accidentally put Musico PELUDO (which means: a very hairy man playing something musical) instead of Musico PRELUDO on the baptism program. Good thing we didn't make copies.

...When your in the middle of a lesson and someone comments on how small your lips are (most Mexicans have beautiful luscious lips. Unfortunately, I do not.) And suddenly all of the women in the room are arguing over my "labios sensuales". Nothing brings in the spirit like an argument over sensual lips.

 Learning how to make tamales with Mama C y Hermana M!!

...When you accidentally kiss a Mexican woman... on the lips. (I'm honestly surprised this hasn't happened before since every time we enter or leave a room we have to salud (greet) (and kiss) every single woman in the room. Luckily it was only Mama C.

...When some drunk Mexicans are yelling things at you because you are white and blond.... but this time you are with your District Leader and they are yelling super nasty and horrible things at you. And your district leader gets all protective and screams at them BUENOS NOCHES. And he tries not to act angry as says, "Ohhhh if I wasn't a missionary.... the things I would do to them...." And you just kind of awkwardly laugh because this happens all the time but of course your not gonna tell him that. Pobrecito (poor guy).

And last but not least....

When somehow a huge rat (more the size of a cat) enters your very clean house. Actually this isn't awkward.... it's more like the scariest moment of your life. 

 Hiding on the chairs from the giant rat while our rescue squad searches for it.

We climbed up on the chairs screaming, which sent it running, so we called our district leader crying, and he gave us permission to call some of the ward members to come help us. Hermana L., her brother...and Hermano G. came to our rescue. 

 

But, they didn't find it.... and let me tell you they searched THOROUGHLY. When we told Hermana L. how big it was....she said that this is very common. Apparently, there are even bigger rats here in Chiapas. Que....bonita. Needless to say we are in the process of looking for a new house. 

 Muy valientes (very brave)

So this week was a week of miracles.  

Hermano A. and Hermana I. got married, baptized, and confirmed all in a matter of 3 days! 

We've been trying to help them get married for about 2 months but they just don't have the money. They live in a tiny room, all four of them, that barely fits a bed, a stove, and a small fridge. But we got the ward to pay for some of it to help them out.

We fasted on Sunday for us to be able to get a date for them to get married, because all of the dates in the Registro Seville were for January. But our zone leaders hooked us up, and we got a call on Tuesday from a lady who could marry them on Friday at 7!

So, we jumped right on it and ran over to their house to tell them. But, we just love them and wanted it to be really special...so then we ran over to Hermana I's house and asked if she could help us out with a dress. Later, as we were talking to our Casi Obispo (almost bishop) (we don't have a bishop) Hermano M, he said that he and his wife would help us out with the cake, a veil, and a bouquet.

A nice and wealthier lady in our ward helped us out with her house, and made dinner for everyone who came. Our district leader donated a white shirt and tie for Hermano A. The whole ward came together to help out for this somewhat of a surprise wedding!

Of course they knew they were getting married, but they just thought they were going to the Registro Seville to sign some papers.  When we showed up at their house to pick them up, Hermana I. was putting on her makeup using a tiny shard of glass. They are so poor they don't even have a mirror. Hermana V (Hermano M's wife) saw this and took off her very own pearl earrings to give to Hermana I. to use. Hermana V. doesn't have hardly any money either! I could not believe it!

The witnesses (unfortunately I'm American and so I couldn't be one)

The way the ward came together to help have a beautiful wedding for A. and I. was truly a miracle. They were so surprised and grateful. It was so beautiful! It wasn't like anything fancy.. but as I was eating my ham sandwich as we listened to an odd arrangement of music that included "I'm Sexy and I know it"... looking at A. and his new wife, I. ...I couldn't help but being so happy for them and so grateful to be a part of all of this. Because their lives really have changed because of the gospel. 

The next day, at their baptism, Hermano A. bore the most beautiful testimony. He has come such a long way, from having all sorts of drinking problems to being a great dad and example for his wife and family.

They have so much faith. The gospel really does change lives. I can't wait for them to take the next step and get sealed for eternity in a year. They really are my family here and I love them so much!! I have never ever met a family with their faith and their humility.

Cuidense mucho (take care),

Hermana Hansen