Written by Elder Jacob Avery, currently receiving training at the Peru Missionary Training Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Hola! Peru is much different than expected. The buildings are very boxy, we're on a tight schedule, the food is okay, we're surrounded by a big wall, and we work out in all of our free time. These things can make the MTC (Missionary Training Center) feel much like a prison haha! It's very busy, but I've gotten used to it.
Seeing the Spanish come together before our very eyes is super cool. On the first day there was no interaction between North Americans and Latinos, but now we talk to each other, and yell at each other from across campus, all the time.
There are six Elders in my room. Elder Larsen and I are companions, and the other four are native Peruvians. They are so funny. Elder Gonzalez is trying to learn English, so he always approaches me and points to some object, "How do you esay dis?"
"That's a flip flop."
"Flep fle?"
"Flip flop."
"Whu bout sandel?"
"That works, but sandals look more like what Jesucristo would wear."
"Oh! okay! Flop lip!"
Anyway, it's a blast and a very effective way to learn Spanish, or English, which ever you're trying to learn.
The campus is very nice and very well kept. It's made up of three buildings and has about 100-200 misioneros. The food is basically rice and potatoes. Some of the food is funky, but we're getting used to it. The Latinos say that the food in the city is nicer than the food in here, so we are looking forward to getting out into the field. In fact, Elder Larsen and I have been very excited to get into the field. Our first mock investigator was yesterday, and we feel like we nailed it. Plus, we already know the essentials in Spanish (bano - bathroom, comida - eat, jesucristo - Jesus Christ), so why wait another six weeks? :)
Our favorite way to introduce ourselves is, "Somos siervos del Senor" (We are servants of the Lord). In the words of Elder Winterton, "Somos siervos del Senor, so please don't shoot us or steal our cameras."
Quiero compatir mi testimonio que yo se que la iglesia es verdadera. Jose Smith fue un profeta de Dios y el evangelio de Jesucristo esta restaurado hoy en dia. Yo se que Jesucristo es nuestro salvador y es el hijo de Dios. En el nombre de Jesucristo, Amen.
(Translation: I want to share my testimony, that I know this Church is true. Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is restored today. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and is the son of God. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.)
Lessons in Peru...alarm clocks, traffic, and such (July 16, 2013)
Elder Avery's First Email from Peru (July 4, 2013)
