Oct 26~ El Frio

Hey everyone! 

I hope you all had a great week! I am staying here in Cerro with my same companion Elder Fernandez from Chile (who happens to be from the same ward as Elder Taskers comp right now) small world hahaha. This week was a solid week, and went by super fast as well! Its been super cold here lately and now I have the "burnt cheeks" as everyone calls it here! THE FRIO BURNS! 

My Comp and I are having a baptism this week!! Her name is L.! She has a pretty neat story I mean her parents are evangelists and super hard core but she met the missionaries through her bff thats leaving on a mission soon! She reads the Book of Mormon like a BEAST and has a super strong testimony about this book and the Gospel. Its been cool to see her progress over these past couple months! 

Also we are teaching a GOLDEN investigator that was a reference from his bro. He was studying to be a Catholic priest for 15 years, but had a ton of problems, is going through a divorce, but a really humble guy. We have taught him about the Restauracion, the Book of Mormon, and the Plan of Salvation, and everything makes perfect sense to him. Its awesome! He told us before we started teaching him that he felt such an "emptiness" in his life and wants to fill it! And as we have taught him about the Plan that God has for him and about the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ, he has been able to fill this emptiness up and understand the love God has for him and his child! Its been sweet teaching him, he has a bautismal date for this month.! I love being here in the Mish, its been amazing so far! Love you all! 

Elder Baca 

Oct 19~ Oye Gringo!

Well the title of my email has to tie in with an experience I had this week! 

Just so you all know, there are 2 white people (from the U.S.) in all of Cerro de Pasco, myself and another sister missionary. SO when the Peruvians see me, they always just start yelling GRINGO!!!! ( it means white man), seeing a white person here is like seeing an alien seriously. So this past week, we were walking in the sketchy part of our area to an appointment we had, and out of no where this guy that looks a lil' tipsy starts yelling at me "OYE GRINGO!" so I looked at him, and went up and started to talk to him. His name is Polo (shirt in Spanish), anyways he seemed like he wasnt too interested in why we were here as missionaries.  I invited him to church and he left. On Sunday, probably the worst feeling a missionary can have is when no one shows up to Church, I was feeling disappointed because with my Comp we worked super hard this week. So I said a little prayer, praying that someone would come to church. Literally like a couple minutes after that prayer, I see Polo walk in all dressed up and sits down in the bench, and then 2 more investigators walk in as well! It was a prayer answered seriously, and they all stayed for the 3 hours of church and had an amazing time!

 SO what I learned this week- inviting is our responsibility, as missionaries, or as members. We just need to invite. I mean the worst that can happen is that our friends or family say No ( if your in the US), or if your in Cerro de Pasco you can tick off an  Evangelist grandma and have her run inside to go call her elderly husband to beat you up ( btw that happened to us yesterday, we took off running hahaha the elderly are sketchy here). The choice is yours! 

We found a sweet fam as well this week along with a couple other sweet investigators, changes are tomorrow so I am looking forward to staying here in Cerro! Love you all! God bless! 

¡Elder Baca! 

That lady's coming back next week!! She left because she works out of town, but in other news we got some solid investigators now!! Im looking forward to telling you more about them! SO happy you got to do the work for your ancestor! Its awesome! Im grateful for Grandpa Tom, Ive showed some peeps my arbol (tree) and the freaked out! -Im about 165 pound now! Yes ive lost about 20...crazy. But its okay i am hittin it hard at the gym! THe weather is rough here. The cold literaly burns!! I love you guys so much! Time is flying seriously. Im like the old guy in the mish now, seriously its scaring me! hahah  
Love you mom!   Elder Baca

Oct 12~ Knocking Doors

This week was super awesome seriously! Ill tell you all a couple experiences.

On Thursday this past week, It was 7 at night and all of our appointments fell through by this time, it was a day of just walking walking and walking ( btw our area is the biggest area in the mish), so I was pretty dead by 7 pm, and we were thinking we were finally going to have an appointment with an investigator..and we got there, and the appointment fell through as well. We were with a member and we decided to try to find some old investigators the old missionaries were teaching, and we went to their houses and nothing. I was getting frustrated not going to lie, but I felt the need to just start knocking doors (not the most effective thing, after five weeks in my area I think i have had one lesson by knocking doors). 

Anyways, we were at the end of a street, and i said to my comp, "we are going to knock the door of every house that has their lights on, until we find that person that wants to listen to us." So we started out and every person on this street rejected us until we got to the last house on the street! This house was blasting music but we knocked it anways. A lady came out and started talking to us about the church, and we told her why we were here, and my comp asked can we come in and share this message with you? She stopped to think for a while, and she said yea come in! I started fist pumping because I was so excited. 

ANYWAYS, to sum up the lesson, about how it went. She started asking us a lot of questions about the church, why we are here, (because this was the first time she talked to missionaries) and she told us she was always curious about our church. Turns out when her first kid was born, she was looking on the internet for a name, and came across the name Joseph Smith.  She was interested by his story because he says that God and Jesus Christ appeared to him as an answer to his simple prayer. She was interested in the fact he asked to know what church was true.  So to sum up the story, after a lot of opposition from her fam, she named her kid Joseph. She then told us she has always believed in God, and that she has a firm testimony that He answers prayers. She told us about a dream she had where an angel came to her and asked her "Are you happy?" and she said no, i am not, and the angel asked, "Why not" and she said, Because I am not with my family. And the angel said, "Well okay, ill come back", and walked away... So I felt prompted to ask her, "Do you know how you can be with your family, not only for this life, but the next as well?"... The Spirit filled the room and she said, Honestly I don't but I would like to know. After that I had the opportunity to bear my testimony about how families can be together forever, and the HOW as well. Anyways we finished the appointment saying that we would come back, and the Hermana offered the last prayer. In her prayer said, "Thanks for sending these two missionaries to my house, i dont know why, I felt like i needed to let them in, thanks for giving me this feeling of peace, thanks to these 2 missionaries."  Just to top everything of as we were leaving I asked the Hermana- Hey where's your kid thats named Joseph? I would like to meet him! So she called her two kids (5 and 3) to come out, and I freaked out and said whats up Joseph!!! And then I looked at the Hermana and asked her, whats your other kid's name..."Oh his name is Hyrum but with a J.." What... and my comp told her.. Uhh hermana, you know that Joseph Smith's brother is named Hyrum right?....and then the Hermana started freaking out! "NOOO I DIDNT KNOW!!" I looked at her with a huge smile and said...yea we will be coming back dont worry hahaha!! Crazy experience of the week.

Also, good news. About a month a go i wrote about Roberto, the investigator we found in Huanuco that had the hernia... well he got baptized last Saturday!!! So happy for him! Yea! Hope you all have a good week!! Something I tell my investigators out here, something I really have learned on the mission is I don't believe in coincidences. Love you all!! 

Here's some pics with my new comp Elder Fernandez from Chile, and with my old comp Elder Garcia who's going home! 

Elder Baca

Garcia

Fernandez (and pancakes!)

Hey dad!! hahah i was just talking about sharing a room with jd with my comp and how that has helped me in the mish! haaha  I am loving Cerro! Its rough but its awesome!! Cerro is why I came on the mish!! Thats what I always said, big area, rough people, bad food, water 2-3 times a week to bathe hhaaha its like camping but awesome!! Im loving it! Thanks dad!! I had the opportunity this past week to get called on by an area seventy Elder Godoy while he was giving his talk to bear my testimony and talk about Ward Councils, it was a sweet experience! I  also had my intervies with Pres Henderson. Went good!! Love you dad! Have a good one!

Oct 5~ Cerrito

Los Brothers and Las Sisters! 

My companion and I call everyone el Brother or La Sister in a super Latin accent hahah. 

Well, another cold, but fulfilling week here in Cerro de Pasco. I know that God has called me to be here, not for what I have done, or the accomplishments I have had so far in my life or in the mission, but it is because he needs to work THROUGH me here in Cerro. Thats something I have learned here in the mission, that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is being preached by the weak.  Many times as missionaries we feel inadequate, I mean we are 18, 19, 20, 21 year olds that have High School experience and little training, I have felt that a ton on my mish. But the miracles I have seen here so far have changed me. Its a cause and an effect reaction our here in the mish.  I know through the Lord, he can make weak things strong. I know if we at least try our best, our efforts will be accompanied by the power of God. I honestly have seen that and bear witness that God blesses his children through the missionaries. I mean, it could be a little hard to grasp the concept that God can bless us through two white guys that look Nerdy and wear bicycle helmets, and walk around in shirts and ties all day, but its the truth. The message we share as Missionaries is so important, that if we take the time to listen to it, ponder about it, and ask God if it is true, HE himself will make us know. As missionaries we arent here to convince, thats Gods job. We are just here to Invite and Share. I am a Missionary, and can honestly tell you all that there are miracles that happen out here everyday in the mission field, confirming that this is Gods Work. I am so happy for this time I have had so far, and I thank you all for the support you are giving me! Love you all so much! Have a great week!

I got to watch Conference in the highest stake center in the world! It was awesome! It was a spiritually party (as my old bishop would say in Huanuco). I learned a ton! Im going to make that a habit now memorizing scrips once a week! It will be sweet to see how many verses I know it 20 years if I start this week! Im going to start with Moroni 7:45, the theme of Pres Monson (charity)!  Something i really have noticed here in the mission- I cant pin point in my life where I knew all of this was true? Where I gained a testimony, I mean i know it was here in the mission, about everything, but I know its been line upon line precept upon precept. Some advice I would give to you all (especially Ethan and Ellie) is to keep reading the book of Mormon over and over! I am finishing up my 3rd time here in the mish, and have learned so much! Sometimes I feel bad, I mean I was the kid that didnt go to Seminary much and had like 1 scripture mastery, but knowledge is really a blessing and Im grateful for what I am learning here! That talk by Elder Bednar blew my mind, it was so amazing, really being seasoned in the gospel is a blessing. Thats something I want to strive for throughout my life. I loved something Pres. Uchtdorf said, the Gospel is so simple a child can understand it, but so profound it takes a lifetime to learn it  -something like that! 

Also something that really impacted me this week hearing the Prophet of our Heavenly Father speak, Pres Monson it was something so simple and powerful, "Keep the commandments." Thats my message to you, if you want to be happy and be blessed temporally and spiritually, do what God says! 

Peace! Elder Baca

Sept 28~ The Lion

Que tal todos? 

Hope you all have a great week! Here's some pics of me with the famous Huanuco Lion, I am sick today so I cant write that much! Sometimes the altitude and the food mixed together cause Double Dragons!  Love you all! Shout out to my mom for running a marathon this Saturday! Good luck! Love you!  

Elder Baca 

Sept 21~ Cerro Beat Boxing

What up what up what up everybody! 
Calling in from 14,000 ft! This week was awesome! We worked super hard! We put a goal of 20 lessons with an investigator with a member present, and at 7:30 last night we were able to get!! 

A crazy experience we had this week. WOW. We are teaching this guy named I. who is a drug addict, and does like gang like stuff with his friends (Saturday he robbed a guys cell phone point blank with a gun, the cops came and beat him up with their batons) , anyways we are helping him try to overcome his addiction. He really wants to, he even came a church a couple times. Well, we had a lesson with him last week, turns out at the end of the lesson he wants to do a freestyle rap with his brother to thank us for coming. Let me just tell you, it was one of the sickest raps, he calls us the Misioneros, los sabios, which translates to the wise Missionaries. He freestyled for about 3 mins, and then his brother started freestyling about us for another 3-4 mins. It was so sick hahaha! Cool experience! 

Something I learned this week, 

Prayer is powerful. It literally is communication with our Heavenly Father. We can Pray for comfort, for answers, for others, for anything. I know that prayer is powerful and our Heavenly Father always listens to us, but answers us in many ways, in his own due time! (Alma 37:37) 

1. I am warm at night, (sleeping bag), have hot water, have everything! My pension is sweet! She owns a soup rest. So lots of soup, and we buy our own breakfast, making lots of scrambled egggs, cereal, protein shakes! 

2. It took me a couple days but now I am perfectly fine! We go lift weights 3 times a week and the other days i do p90x, and I bought some protein powder, and am eating like crazy so I am in good shape! 

3. all the kids have rosy burnt cheeks! We call it the Cerro Cheeks! The people are really cold, the members are good, but I love the people here! So many fun experiences! everyone and there dog works in the mine, 14 days straight and 7 days rest!  

4. Its dog city, super dangerous in parts because they attack in packs, but I have my dog TASER so Im always good!

Im loving the mish, everyday I try working hard, REALLY tired but the mission is satisfying. ONE PURPOSE.

I am loving Cerro! The ward is good! The Bishop is awesome! Older, but pilas (batteries, lots of energy), Im loving it! crazy.... I got 8 months left, time is flying. I love you guys!! We have room checks from Pres today, so we will have Pday tomorrow! Yah! Love you! 

Love you all!  Elder Baca

 

Sept 14~ The Chosen Frozen!!!

Hey Everyone!! SO, I GOT TRANSFERRED to .......CERRO DE PASCO!! One of the highest cities in the ENTIRE WORLD, a little bit more than 14,000 ft above sea level!  I am super happy and excited to be here, its insane!! In my zone we are 18 missionaries, and it is sweet because my zone covers the entire city of Cerro de Pasco and the outskirts as well. I am grateful to lead these missionaries here in Cerro de Pasco, because we are the CHOSEN FROZEN. Cerro is a mining city, so there is a giant mine right in the middle of the city (as deep as the Empire State Building). Sweet! My area is called "La Esperanza" or in English the "Hope", and my Companion is Elder Fernandez from Chile, hes sweet! Last transfer there were 3 separated areas in the Esperanza because it is huge, now they shut down one of the areas and just mixed the 3 areas together into one GIANT area, which we cover. SO needless to say, I will have horse lungs by the time I finish here in Cerro. 

The cold season just started, and it is way funny because i went from sleeping with a sheet in Huanuco last week, to sleeping with about 5-6 blankets now!  I love my missionaries here seriously, I honestly feel like I am in the military or something with these guys! hahaha We get up at 5:45am,  3 times a week and go to a near by gym owned by a member (he closes in down for us), so instead of being the little scrawny guys in Cerro, we are going to be in such good shape! The work is really good here.  Years ago Cerro was an area for the "bad missionaries", but now the zone turned into a baptizing zone! Its sweet seeing the progress here. I am grateful for the Lord, and for putting me here in Cerro! Im supér pumped for the transfers Ill have here!

Something I learned while studying the Book of Mormon this week, is that our Savior Jesus Christ, died and suffered for us so that we can be saved, but also suffered every weakness, temptation, problem, or challenge in this mortal life, so that he can "run to us" when we need Him. I know Jesus Christ is a loving, perfect Savior, that always has his arms open to receive us when we need it. I know that when we decide to follow Him, we decide to change. As missionaries we invite and help people come unto Christ by developing faith in him, repenting, being baptized, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. We invite people to change so that they can receive eternal life.  I know without a doubt this is the truth, I mean the answers are all in the Bible and Book of Mormon, but it is more than just knowing the truth. I sincerely feel it because I have asked God if these things are true, and He has answered me that they are. I am so happy to be a missionary, this is what motivates me to be out here, walking around in the freezing cold all day talking with little Peruvians that live in some mountain city, super far away from home. I do this because I know these things are true, and I know the blessings that come from living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love you all so much! I always keep you all in my prayers! Have a great week! 

Pics of Cerro, everyone has a guard dog but that doesnt stop us! 

HEy mom! Ya, Pres sent out a email to everyone, really stinks, but I'll be obedient! I love you guys so much! Cerro is awesome! Its rainy season right now! Its nice to use my cold weather clothes finally! The ward is nice. Like 130 people, area is huge! Today for Pday Im going to the gym for a couple hours! YAAH!!!!!!! and playing soccer, wow doing cardio here turns you into a horse seriously! We have a nice appt, its insulation is good, but heaters dont exist here, so the sleeping bag and lots of blankets come in handy!  I love you guys so much! Keep it up doing your FHE, scripture study, and 2 family prayers a day! Love you mom!! Until next week! 

Love Elder Baca