Hola,
Well it was a whirlwind week, first traveling for 17 hours in a bus, then going right back for another 8 hour ride at 2 am for training, then going back to our town for 8 hours in a bus that got to our apartment at 3 am the following day. Good thing we had general conference over the weekend to catch our breaths.
The town I’m in has about 12,000 people and is still being repaired from the huge mud flood that ravaged through the main part of downtown. It happened about a year ago but it is still very fresh in their collective minds. I'll take more pics as the weeks go on. Most people walk around with sadness in their step and dirt in their teeth.
We have a couple of people to work with but I’ve noticed that many people are preoccupied about their jobs and therefore very unstable with our appointments. The church here is a small branch of 40 people--lots of older folks. Only 5 people showed up to watch general conference on TV in the chapel, and there are no other missionary elders here so I watched it in Spanish--which was fine, except when I could see that Elder Holland was getting fierce and I could only hear the pretty laid back translator. I’ll make sure to listen to it this week for sure!
A memorable event this week was knocking on doors asking for trash since the trash collectors are on strike. With the help of a member we collected the trash from a whole block and gave them a pass along card to watch a church video with us later this week. The people were very thankful because there are flies EVERYWHERE. But when we got to the trash dump outside the city I almost threw up as the truck waded through black clouds of flies, vultures and the stench of death. Now I understand what outer darkness could be like.
Here’s to a cleaner week #germafob4life
Everything is awesome,
Elder Phillips
 |
| Hi from Chanaral with Elder S. |
 |
| Running into old friends #1 |
 |
| Friends #2 |
 |
| Friends #3 |
 |
| Friends #4 |
 |
| Chapel in Chanaral |
 |
| Scenic view of Chanaral |
 |
| My New Companion Elder S. |
Hey Elder Phillips-I love reading about all your experiences! Stay safe! Ashlynn has her mission papers in and we are awaiting her call! If you can live where you are as a germaphobe and survive you will be able to overcome any obstacle in life ;-)!
ReplyDeleteHey Elder Phillips-I love reading about all your experiences! Stay safe! Ashlynn has her mission papers in and we are awaiting her call! If you can live where you are as a germaphobe and survive you will be able to overcome any obstacle in life ;-)!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sister T! I didn't know Ashlynn is going to serve a mission! How awesome :) I sure have grown to not be so germaphoby but we will see how long that lasts after I'm home hahaha. Say hi to the family for me! :P
ReplyDelete