From Snowflakes to Palm Trees ... WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE!!!

Well everyone ... 

I left the bitter cold, and now I am in the completely opposite climate! I am in TINGO MARIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This place is literally the 2nd most beautiful place that i have ever been to. The members and even investigators give us stuff everytime we go and visit! The best fruit I have ever had is right here! For dinner we usually just have huge bowls of fruit and the rice is so good. I guess after every trial there comes a blessing. Now my problem is, I have not stopped sweating! The people here think that I am dying because I am just always sweating! I carry around a sweat rag with me to wipe my face! haha  There is not one person to talk to in English within 3 hours of here so I guess my Spanish will come along even better and faster. 

We should have 3 baptisms next month, and in 3 1/2 days of working we have had 17 lessons, what a difference from Carhuamayo!! So yeah, I guess you can say that my week was super fast.  Now, hopefully I get use to the weather here, or i will want to just jump off of a cliff! I am serious. It is probably 100 degrees and 100% humidity, and I am accustomed to and acclimated to the bitter cold. hahaha!!! 

I have a ward here with 200 assisting members, we have ward activities. and everyone is so nice. There are a lot of different kinds of people here. It is so easy to tell the people who are educated and the non-educated apart. The educated people mind their own business and say hello when you pass by. The uneducated people, they stare at me like I'm some sort of monster, they point and say "gringo", actually they yell it, sometimes from across the park, or the street! It's like they've never seen a gringo before in their life!! haha!! These people are crazy!!  I think I'm going to like it here, I am having a good time, and I should see a lot of success. 

My new companion is Elder Arpires, he is from Argentina! He's a cool guy, and we get along really good! We're going to be great together! And I am in Elder Rocky Evans zone!!!! He is the zone leader here and I'll be going on splits with him tomorrow! Rocky Evans is another Elder from Sandy/Draper, he went to Alta High School with Luke, he's a year older in school! 

Today we are going to a waterfall. It should be super cool. I miss you all more than you can imagine, but I am almost 1/4th of the way done with my mission, it is going fast! Everyone please be safe and be happy! 

I want you all to know that I know that this church is true. I have been praying so much lately for so many different things, and my answers come, it's not always when I want them, but in the time that they are most needed. Prayer is the only thing keeping me going some days, and also my patriarchal blessing. I have read my patriarchal blessing at least 60 times since I got to the mission. It has given me great comfort, and direction. I am so grateful for my blessing. It talks a lot about my mission and it has given me the greatest guidance. I know it's straight from Heavenly Father, through the mouth of his patriarch. I love you all and I know that the only way that we can live again after this life and be together is through our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Everyone have a great week! Love you all!

Elder Christensen

Marcelino Chavez and his son

Mercelino is the husband to Luke's Pensionista Hermana Beti.

Luke really loved this family, and they took good care of him!

Saying goodbye to Cerro de Pasco with some of his favorite Elders and friends.

Saying goodbye in Cerro de Pasco to great friends!

Elder Baca and Elder Christensen saying "See ya later", not goodbye!

Elder Baca has fast become one of Luke's greatest friends, mentors and Zone Leader.

We are all so grateful for Elder Baca. Luke will truly miss him!

Goodbye to Cerro de Pasco and Carhuamayo

On the 6 hour drive to Tingo Maria (the jungle)!

Along the way to Tingo Maria, looking a little more like jungle.

Welcome to Tingo Maria!!! Love the palm trees and blue skies!

Luke went from 15,000 ft to 2,200 ft.

He ought to be able to breath really good now!

Tingo Maria!!!

Tingo Maria has a population of 55,000 and sits at 2,204 feet above sea level.

It is known as the "Door of the Amazonia"

Tingo Maria was considered unreachable until 1936.

In 1942 the US Government sent funding to Peru to cultivate the land. They now grow

large amounts of coffee beans there!
Tingo Maria is about 8 hours north of Huancayo at the northern end of Luke's mission.

It looks beautiful!!!

My First Baptism and It Was In The River !!!!!

Hey everyone! 

So how are you all doing? I had a baptism this week and it was pretty cool!!!! We baptized in the River Rancas. I don't know for sure how to spell it, but yeah, it is in Cerro de Pasco. It was the first time that has happened in over twenty years in Cerro de Pasco!! I baptized the lady standing by me in the pictures. Her name is Isabel Jenny Macha Wertes. She's a funny lady!! Elder Baca (my zone leader)  just called me up on Thursday and said she was going to be baptized and I was going to baptize her.  The baptisms were on Saturday. Elder Baca baptized someone and so did Elder Delgado. It really was such a neat feeling! What a great day! 

This week we got water! But our duchy (means shower I'm guessing?) doesn't work at all. It is still like just a little bit warmer than cold. haha!! and especially in Carhuamayo, haha yeah it's not that fun to shower!! but I guess it's all part of the experience! It's kinda cool! 

So also this week I learned how to solve a Rubics cube fast! But, I am trying to figure out how to do it in 30 seconds. I can get it in 1:38 seconds but not any faster! haha! I got a super good cube for a professional, but the day that I got my cube, (last pday) we hiked up the highest mountain in Cerro de Pasco and we all solved a Rubic cube there!! and took a few cool pics too! And.... I did a backflip at 17,000 feet. So cool to think about that. I did take a pic of it. 

Not really that much that went on this week. The baptism and the hike were the highlights! I got pizza on Sunday morning. I read that book Our Heritage that is in the missionary library, it comes with Jesus the Christ and 3 other books. I read it in 2 1/2 days. It was really good. I am reading Our Search for Happiness now and it is super good. Really, I never want it to end.

Transfers are this week. I guess we'll wait and see, I might get transferred?? I won't know until tonight, or in the morning tomorrow. I really am so sick of burned rice and chewy chicken. I sometimes just eat only like a fourth of my plate. I do love my Penchinista. She is super cool and the same with her husband. They are great people!!

Oh and I forgot to thank a few people after Christmas!!! I want to thank the Primary kids from the Crescent Park 3rd Ward for their letters, they were awesome! Sister Snow for her package... I have loved the gummy worms!!! Thank you! My awesome First Grade Teacher, Mrs. Richardson, I loved the sour gummy worms!! The Vickery Family, again loved the sour gummy worms! The Jordan's for their package, I do love Swedish fish and the caramels were great! Also, Mimi and Papa, thank you for the package, the candy, the money and all the goodies, and I loved your letters! Thank you everyone for thinking of me. I felt really spoiled! I am starting to gain weight again I think  from all of the candy that I am eating. I guess that's a good thing!!!

I love you all and be safe. 

Love,

Elder Christensen

Overlooking the City of Cerro de Pasco, Peru

One of the highest cities in the world. The second highest in Peru at 15,000 ft.

Luke's backflip at 17,000 feet

Luke's beloved Rubic's cube over the city of Cerro de Pasco!

A house in Carhuamayo, Peru

Elder Baca and Elder Christensen with Isabel Jenny Macha Wertes

Elder Christensen, Elder Baca, Elder Delgado and those getting baptized

Elder Christensen baptizing Isabel Jenny Macha Wertes 

in the River Rancas in Cerro de Pasco, Peru

A New Room ... Rubic's Cubes ... Ugly Dogs ... and Maybe Even a Baptism!

Hey so what's up everyone! 

This has been a patience tester kind of week!  My comp and I moved on Thursday to a new room and it's way cool. Our bathroom is super nice!! Most of the houses don't have bathrooms inside the house. The only problem is we don't have any water! So I haven't showered since like last Wednesday. I feel so gross! Hopefully I get a shower soon! So Friday the Branch President came over and he was trying to fix our water problem. My comp who has 13 months in the mission and is a Latino from Paraguay came in the the room flipping out and breaking all of his things! I told him he was acting like a baby and to stop, he said, "all babies inherit the kingdom of God" and I told him that he needs to figure things out, maybe pray about it. He was mad the whole day and pouted! Saturday he did the same thing, and Sunday he was super depressed and cried again. I showed him D&C 136:31, "My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the glory of Zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom."  Well, after I read that to him he got really mad at me! Then he told me everything that was wrong with me!!  I haven't done anything to him at all, I was just try to help him and he makes me feel likeIi have no purpose! Anyway I guess it's all ok now! 

One great thing about this week is that we found a guy that actually wants to get baptised!!!!!  He is super cool. His name is Cirilo Dominica. I think that this town started out with three families because everyone in the whole town has one of three last names... Cordova, Dominica, or Arsepalo. I am serious, it is weird! The mission leader for the stake in Cerro said that Carhuamayo is like an 1800's little old town in the movies. haha!! 

On Wednesday I figured out how to solve a Rubics Cube so I am buying a really good one today for 40 Soles, that's like $12.00. Another funny thing that happened this week, I was walking down the street and saw the ugliest dog in the world. I am not lying this dog should be in a record book it was so ugly! So I just kept laughing over this throughout the day. Later we were on our way to a lesson and I looked into this truck and again, I am not lying, I saw a dog that was 15 times uglier than the first. I got some videos! haha  So the next day we were walking to the same people's house and there was this drunk that stopped us and kept asking if we could bless his car and his dog because he wanted them both to be prettier! So we walked to his house and I saw that ugly dog again, the one that was the uglier dog and i just started laughing so hard! The drunk guy got super mad at us, so we walked over to his car, gave him a Word of Wisdom pamphlet and left. It really was a pretty funny! haha. 

On Sunday I read this talk that President Henderson gave me. It was written by some other Mission President somewhere else. It is called the 4th Missionary.  I loved it! I realized that I was a "3rd Missionary". That means you work with all of your might and strength, and the "4th Missionary" is someone who works with all of his heart, might, mind and strength, and I am working to be a "4th Missionary" for sure! 

Well that's my week so far. I love you all and thanks for the support. Hopefully I get out of here at transfers in a week. But, if not, I think I'll be just fine, I can make another transfer here! 

Chau,

Elder Christensen

Luke and Pablo (an investigator) ... Luke says Pablo's a little crazy, but he loves him!

Elder Christensen and Elder Alfonso making pizza.

Luke says Elder Alfonso always tells everyone how ugly Luke is!! 

He's not sure why he says that!!!

I think he's kinda cute!

This cute little kitty belonged to Luke's Pensionista. He was left outside one night,

and it was so cold that the cat froze to death. So sad :(

Some of Luke's favorite Elders in the mission...

Elder Baca (California) Elder Leonard (Colorado) and Elder Christensen (Utah)

This picture was taken in Huanuco at a Zone Conference.

Christmas night in Elders Christensen and Alfonso's room. They had no power that night!

Somewhere in Carhuamayo, Peru

Main Street in Carhuamayo, Peru

Luke at the Internet Cafe.

He's looking pretty suntanned and he also has the rosy red cheeks!

They call those cheeks "Cerro Cheeks". I'm not sure if they're from sun burn, wind burn or frost bite!

It was a Great Christmas!! Happy New Year!!

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! It was so much fun for us to spend some time with Luke through Skype! Technology is so amazing and what a blessing to be able to SEE and TALK to him!! It's really probably somewhat of a miracle ... Skyping from the top of the Andes Mountains, with a clear picture and perfect sound has to be a miracle! Thanks for the love and support each of you give to Luke. He really wanted everyone to know how much he has appreciated getting emails, and cards and letters through the mail. Mail is a lifeline to a missionary! Thank you so much! We wish you all a wonderful new year!

Hey Everyone!! 

So this week was the worst, but also the best week of my mission so far. It was bad because we only had 5 lessons and 10 contacts!!  But, we were only in Carhuamayo for like 2 full days so that might explain most of it. Everything else was super awesome!! 

Tuesday night we had some super amazing good milkshakes in Huanuco!! And, I had about a gallon of them! They were mint chocolate chip and we put Oreos in them. Oh man that was super amazing, I haven't had anything like that for so long! We went to Cerro de Pasco on Thursday, Christmas Eve, and then my comp went to Tarma on Christmas Day to baptize some dude. So I was just hanging out with Elder Baca, my zone leader, and we had a super cool time. I really like him, we get along so good! We made hamburgers as a zone! They were so good! Hamburgers!!!  Then after that we went and Skyped our families. It was awesome because we wore those funny witch hats when our families answered the Skype. After we both talked to our family went and ate some pretty good Chinese food. Then we went back to the room after picking up some packages. When we got back to the room we didn't have any power, so no lights, so we just hung out.  Elder Baca opened his Christmas packages because he hadn't done that yet. I opened mine the day before on Christmas Eve before I left Carhuamayo.  Because we didn't have any light or anything we just used flashlights all night long. We ate some good American candy and talked about funny and crazy things. 

As you know, there is a mail strike here in Peru, so mail is just coming in really slow. It was slow before, but now it's just a few things coming in here and there. I was told I had some mail at the terminal so I picked it up and that night I also read some letters that is got. I should have more letters, but I did get a few. Mom, I got your letter that you sent me back in November. It was a way good letter!! I wish I would have had it when you sent it and meant for it to get to me! It helped me so much, you said some things that I really needed to hear. I really wish I'd had it sooner, it could of helped me sooner! thanks mama!!!! 

Saturday I got super trunky because I was just thinking about my family after talking to everyone on Friday! It was the best! Sunday it all changed! I haven't thought about my family at all, because I don't like you guys anymore!! haha!! I'm just kidding. I love you all a ton!! But, that was my week! I don't have many things to talk about since we talked just a few days ago. My Spanish is coming along better. I really can't wait until I am fluent, but I know I need to be patient with myself. And, also I might have said this on Friday, but my cool investigators that we've worked so hard with. They don't want to get baptized till like March!!! What the heck!!! Well, that's all!! Until next week!

love you all,

Elder Christensen

Elder Baca and Elder Christensen

Cerro de Pasco, Peru

Christmas 2015

Elder Baca and Elder Christensen in Cerro de Pasco, Peru

Christmas 2015 

Family Picture!! Skype call on Christmas Day 2015

The many faces of Elder Christensen on the Skype Call

Christmas Day 2015

Cerro de Pasco, Peru

Feliz Navidad!!

Hey Everyone and Feliz Navidad!

Sorry I was tardy on my email. We are in Huanuco again for a multi zone Christmas thing. I want to come here to Huanuco to serve so bad! I love it here! 

This week has been really hard. I've had such a tough time with my comp. He whines about EVERYTHING, he's super cocky and selfish. But this week, we helped each other, both in different ways. I have helped him to become more humble and he has been better at working on the other things too. Carhuamayo is such a hard place to be. I really am so ready to get out of Carhuamayo, but I'll be here until the Lord needs me somewhere else. I just have to keep telling myself I can do it here, it's hard but it will make me into the missionary I need to be. My comp actually helped me this week too. He did more for me this week than anyone, other than Nick, Kass, Kolt and Cory and their examples that they have shared with me from their missions they served. I know they've been in similar situations while on their missions, they understand, and I trust their advice. Again, I broke this week, I swear I've been super emotional since I've been here, maybe it's the spirit working on me and breaking me down! But, we were in a lesson and the guy we were teaching could have been the first baptism here in Carhuamayo in a year! I was so excited, but he felt like he could not accept the baptismal date that we gave him. I felt like this just ripped me apart, we had worked so hard with him, and I was so excited for him to become a member of this church and this gospel. Later that night I started thinking, then I felt like maybe I didn't have a testimony, I couldn't figure out what was wrong with me, why was I feeling so down about this.  My comp sat me down and asked what was wrong. He then said some things to me that will change me forever, he told me that only the strongest are sent here to Carhuamayo. He said, "this place is a place for growing and establishing your own strong testimony." He then said, "I have never met anyone that didn't have a testimony that would cry for some other person's salvation!" I then realized that through the whole conversation I understood every single word that he said so clear, just as if he had said it in English! It was like I had to hear his words and Heavenly Father gave me the Gift of Tongues for that moment so that I would know why I am here. The Holy Ghost, for that brief moment, helped me with what I needed. I know this gospel was put here on this earth for us, to help us to be happy. The gospel of Jesus Christ is true! We are so blessed to be members of His church, and to have true happiness in our lives! He lives and he loves us!! I have been loving life now and I am more confident in all I do. I now realized that I love the Lord so much, my testimony will forever be growing, and I too am trying to have a better attitude about the mission and Carhuamayo. 

This week we went to Cerro de Pasco everday. I am in Huanuco chilling with Elder Leonard. He's a cool funny, tall, skinny guy. Also, this week the zone leaders came to Carhuamayo and we had a good time with them, they are such great guys and great Elders. We chilled, ate some good chocolate cake and drank mate'. We talked about all the crazy things that have to do with the tribes of Israel. We talked about things back home, video games and funny movies. Well that was my week and No I will not have any pictures because this computer's USB port doesn't work! Sorry!!

Merry Christmas to everyone! and family I can't wait to see you all on Skype on Friday!!!

Elder Christensen

I'm the Boogeyman!! or a Pishtaco!!

Well this has been a crazy week!! I keep thinking that I don't really like Carhuamayo, but then I realize all the blessings that I'm seeing. Every week I feel like I learn more and more. I feel like I learn more in a week here than I have my whole life! It's pretty crazy here in Carhuamayo!  Sometimes it is hard not to get cocky about my Spanish haha! I get thinking I'm so good at it, and then I realize that I don't really know it that great. But, I do have to speak it all day and when I don't know a word I have to try and work my way around what I'm trying to say. It is hard!! 

I do think that I have finally gotten to the President of the branch here in Carhuamayo. He has seriously changed for the better in a short time. He shows up to church 20 minutes early, and helps prepare everything! We actually are starting church on time now! and yesterday we had ward council!!! The third time in a year! and he stayed with us all day and went with us to teach lessons! He really is turning into a good guy! 

I will Skype on Christmas day from Cerro. I think they will have good internet there, better than in Carhuamayo. But, I will buy some calling cards just in case the internet is too slow, or it just doesn't work from this primitive place! Cerro does have better internet and actually has web cams. My pensionista has a computer with a camera, but they don't have internet. I will give her your email and she can email you, and then Nick can translate the message. Also, I was reading through my letters, looking for advice during this past week. I was reading Kolt's letter to me, and he told me to read D&C 4 again. And so I did, and I love verse 2! It made me want to go out and work hard. So you know what I did?  I went out and we found a new investigator and the kid wants to be baptised now! His name is Brad. He is a cool kid, the only problem is that it is hard to find him because in Peru they have school everyday, but Summer break for school is coming soon!

I do know that this is the hardest, but best time of my life. And I am really liking it! It is hard to deal with my comp, but I am learning patience and I'm getting good at it with him, yes, I know it's something I've needed to work on, I'm having my chance now! He isn't obedient and he has a toooooonnnn of pride! He's also a little selfish, but I'm learning so much every day that I'm with him. And, it's ok, because I only have 4 more weeks in Carhuamayo and then I'm going to the Jungle, and I'm going to get warm again. Yeah, I know, I'm dreaming and wishing, but hey, maybe!!! Yeah, I really do want to go to the Jungle. Every Elder usually gets to go to the Jungle after being in Carhuamayo, or a good, WARM, area in Huanuco! Huanuco is way cool! But the Jungle sounds better, and warmer!

 

It finally stopped raining in the Region of Cerro de Pasco. It literally rained for 2 weeks straight. It was so depressing, but yesterday all day it was warm and I was in a short sleeve shirt all day!! It was the best! It is summer here!???

Ok, now on to the funny parts of the week. So we have this less active member that is progressing. So, we go and teach him like everyday or every other day, and seriously, he thinks that I am a Pishtaco! (go and look this up they are some crazy people)  But, in the middle of the lessons he looks to my comp and says, "what does the pishtaco have to say about this?" It is pretty funny, and it really kills the spirit, and then he just dies laughing when he says it! He thinks he is so funny!! Actually, it is so funny! He had an accident a few years ago, and now his mind is like scrambled eggs. That is how the President of the branch explained it. He really is classic! I'll send a pic of him. Well, I am the only missionary I feel like that has their package for Christmas. I'm feeling pretty lucky! It's all because of the mail strike in Peru right now, bad timing!  Well, and that was my week love you all and bye!!!!!!

Elder Christensen

I looked up "pishtaco"!! It's pretty funny!!!

A pishtaco is a mythological boogeyman figure in the Andes region of South American, particularly in Peru and Bolivia. According to folklore, a pishtaco is an evil monster-like man, often a stranger and often a white man, who seeks out unsuspecting Indians to kill them and abuse them. The legend dates back to the Spanish conquest of South America. Primarily, this has been stealing their body fat for various cannibalistic purposes, or cutting them up and selling their flesh as fried chicharrones. Pishtaco derives from the local Quechua language word "pishtay" which means to behead, cut throat, or cut into slices.

Humility, Patience, Obedience and Hard Work!!

Hey!!!

So this has been a good week, but kind of a depressing week too. I have found so many scriptures this week that have given me comfort!  I love them!!  Next week I will send a picture of all of them, because I think everyone deserves them! So, Elder Bullock is out of here, and he is now a Zone Leader in Huancayo. I really do miss him. He really was super cool and he helped me out a lot. Now I have a disobedient Elder with me, his name is Elder Alfonso. He tries to count some contacts as lessons and I keep telling him that they don't count!! So during informs I just don't tell the District Leader those numbers. haha!!! 

I am having a good time. I have been looking up a ton of scriptures, like I said, in my Pocket Reference Book for Missionaries. I looooooove that little book!!! I found a great scripture on the way here to Cerro de Pasco. It is D & C 136:31, "My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the glory of Zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom." So now I guess I pretty much have to finish my mission!! So I'll see you all in 21 months because tomorrow is my 3rd month in Peru! Wow, how fast time flies, and it should only go faster the more time I have!

Yesterday we had 7 people in Sacrament Meeting! AND .... the Branch President was on time!!! and set up the Sacrament!!! On Saturday I showed him D&C 107:99, "Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence." and 100% he was scared and started working!!! We actually had a branch council and it went really good. In the next two months we could have 4 baptisms!! They will be the first baptisms in Carhuamayo in a whole  year!! That really makes me a lot happier to think about that!! 

Last Monday on p-day we went to Huayllay! It's such a great place. It's rock climbing heaven! We had hail and lightening super hard while we were there, and I really thought that I was going to die, but it was one of the coolest things that I have seen in along time! I really loved it. While we were there Elder Bullock got the call that he was leaving Carhuamayo to be a Zone Leader. I'll send pictures of this place, cause it was so cool!

So, like I said at the beginning, this week has been hard and depressing. Hard because my comp knows about 1/2% of English and I am forced to speak a language I'm not comfortable with at all! But, I know it will be good and really I do like it, I guess mostly because I have learned more about Spanish this week than another week so far. One of the little depressing things is that it goes from short sleeve weather in the day, to about negative 50 degrees because of the rain and wind chill! Which happen here at 15,000 ft every day! It gets so cold! The other day I forgot my gloves in the room so my hands were frozen, and I really thought about just cutting them off. haha!!  Just kidding! but it has been so dang cold every night this week! 

Elder Alfonso is my new comp and he is from Paraguay. I don't know the name of the city because it is a really weird name. He's really cool. I'm trying to help him be obedient to all of the rules, all of the time! I have realized out here that there are a few things that you need to have, humility, patience, obedience and to work hard all the time. Well, that was basically my week. I am working hard and trying as hard as I can so we will all receive blessings. I love you all. 

 ¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡buenos suerte!!!!!!!!!

Elder Christensen

Visiting Huayllay National Sanctuary. 

A park in Peru noted for the large scenic rock formations of theRock Forest, near Carhuamayo, Peru

At Huayllay 

Elder Christensen, Elder Baca and Elder Grandstaff 

Such a beautiful place! Luke said, "it's a rock climber's heaven"!
And if you know Luke! You know he's in heaven standing up on this big rock!