Hunucma - Week 2

Hola!

Things are really great in Hunucma. The people here never cease to amaze me. Right now we have 7 people we're teaching that are really interested, and we still have member references to contact! It feels like magic when all the pieces with missionary work,  work together.

We met a family this week that was a reference from Jose de la Cruz and the whole family seems interested. The husband (Nacho- his nickname) was the original reference, but the oldest son has taken a lot of interest. Both him and his step-dad came to church on Sunday!

Mileybi is another investigator that is doing super well. She came to church too and even with cutting hair and studying for her nursing tests, she makes time for us. We watched the video of the restoration video with her and she said she really believes in everything we've taught her. Her baptism is scheduled for the 28th of March!

So- last week I didn't explain much of pueblo life- but I want to explain a little right now. For one, everyday I feel like I'm at girls camp, haha! think what most reminds me of girls camp though is washing dishes outside with buckets of soapy water and rinsing in clean water.

This week we visited some people on the outskirts of our area, and it was literally dirt paths with a house every few minutes of walking. I feel like it'd kinda be scary living like that, but I guess the people here don't know anything else. Another thing is that a bunch of people cook their food over fires and get their water out of wells and I think that's pretty neat. Obviously not every single house is like that, lots are still decently modern, but the ones that aren't are super cool to me, haha. Every few houses you find in the area that is more city, have roofs out of straw. It’s a nice things because it makes the house stay cool.

Other things- Tuesday night we had a ward family home evening. The other sisters in the Ward have been getting really excited about doing activities, so Tuesday night family home evening is now a new thing in Hunucma, haha. We played a charades and did the theme around the book of mormon. There were two teams and categories with points for people, events, principles, etc and each team had to act it out for points. It was super fun and I think the members all enjoyed it a lot.

Another thing about here that's different than my other areas, is that the missionaries teach institute. We arranged it so that the other sisters teach mission prep and we teach Book of Mormon. Also, every Sunday we've been dedicating to family history in the prayer house for the members. Then every other Thursday night, Debora (the american who lives in Sisal) got called to teach the productive living class for institute and I'm helping her. They've been asking for English clases one night of the week, so maybe we'll do that too as a way to introduce new people to the church. Who knows, its already seems like a lot haha.

Friday we had zone conference and I want to share one thing I liked from that meeting. One thing they mentioned with us is that our testimonies don't protect us. Kinda a weird thing to say, but after they explained that what really protects you is your conversión. It’s really true when you think about it. A lot of times we do things because in our head we know something is right, like go to church for example. Which is good, but what we really need to find is our personal conversion. Conversion would be going to church because your heart is in it and you look for ways to be involved and help others get involved too. I feel like even as a missionary I'm still not 100%, but that's what life is for right? And honestly that's what God need and expects of us as members of the church. This gospel is perfect and I know that when we really search and ask questions and stay involved, our testimonies are strengthened.

Love, Sister Harper

Note from Mom:  We finally got Hilary's travel information!!! :)  She will be flying home on May 26th!!!