Copiapo: Training a New Missionary from Spain

Hey Everyone!

It's been a little while since I posted so I'll just give a quick update on what's going on in the mission!

I said goodbye to Elder Pineda about a week ago and was with him when he got onto the bus that would eventually lead him to his house in Panama. It was really emotional and I got pretty trunky with all the home talk that was going on. I then ended up without a companion for a couple days because I ended up having to travel to Antofagasta to pick up my new companion.

I showed up in Antofa with 14 other Elders from different areas in the mission. We talked amongst ourselves and the greenies who were going to start their missions. We then had about 4 hours of training in which President Dalton basically told us that we had the life of a person in our hands. It was pretty intense but I learned a lot there as well.

We then all sat in a circle and the newbies one by one opened a letter that contained their first sector and their trainer. One by one the newbies were greeted by and then went to sit with their trainers. Finally, the time arrived and Elder Alcántara started to read his letter " Your first area will be in the city of Copiapó. Barrio Chañarcillo. Your trainer is.....ELDER WALKER" Immediately I let loose a giddy scream and sprinted to give my companion a hug, accidentally shouldering him in the nose in the process. We then got on the 8 hour bus ride to Copiapó and here we are.

My new companion is super awesome. He's from Spain and is super excited to be here in the mission. It's a humbling experience to be able to be someone's first companion in the mission and I'm learning really how much I don't know. I can feel myself being strengthened by the Lord though every day and I know that through him week things become strong!

I love all of you guys and know that you are doing all you can to help the missionaries back home! Not alot this week but next week for sure!

Love,

Elder Walker

Copiapo: Acknowledge God even in the Dusty, Dusty Atacama Desert

Wooh! Another week in the life! Not that much happened this week actually so this one's going to be a bit short.

Becuase of the dust that has been so thick in the air lately, they spread this substance on the major roads that looks a bit like oil. It smells pretty awful but at least the dust isn't all over the place any more.

We had a pretty powerful lesson this week with a pair of new investigators. They were really receptive and the Husband committed to be baptized! It's a big step for them because almost all of their extended family are members. After almost 50 years of being in contact with the church they're taking the important steps towards the waters of baptism!

Our Recent Convert Nataly is doing great! This week she testified in church of the power of faith to an investigator we brought to church! It's amazing the progress that we're seeing in her and the desire that she has to keep on learning and progressing in the Gospel!

My companion heads back home on the 23rd of this month, so I'm in for a pretty emotional ride!

A quick spiritual thought:

Alma 10:5

 5 Nevertheless, after all this, I never have known much of the ways of the Lord, and his mysteries and marvelous power. I said I never had known much of these things; but behold, I mistake, for I have seen much of his mysteries and his marvelous power; yea, even in the preservation of the lives of this people.

 6 Nevertheless, I did harden my heart, for I was called many times and I would not hear; therefore I knew concerning these things, yet I would not know; therefore I went on rebelling against God, in the wickedness of my heart, even until the fourth day of this seventh month, which is in the tenth year of the reign of the judges.

I love this scripture and it's so true in our lives! God is always manifesting his power and we only need to humble ourselves and we can see his hand in everything we do! I know that the Lord works miracles and if we look for opportunities we can, just like Amulek, become powerful tools in the hands of the Lord to help bring others to salvation!

Love you all so much!

Elder Walker