October 14, 2013
Mom, Dad, and Family,
This is a kinda “real” letter.
I’m doing a journal thing again, too much happened!
Day 42-3 (Monday – Tuesday)
OK, the last two days have been a bit of a blur. Had a really
good last class, managed to pack and leave by 8:00. Left a little late because
Johnson didn't wake up till 7:00 and I couldn't pack while he was sleeping.
Left breakfast and headed to class where we had personal study for a little
longer than usual because Hermano Smith was a little late. But after that we
talked a little about Daniel and had a Q and A until 12:00. Had a good rest of
the day. Played one last game of Ping-Pong in which I finally beat our District
champ (Johnson). Left for the airport afterwards. Got there in time to buy
calling cards but our bus was stuck for like thirty minutes because our driver
got lost... kinda funny! We also got stuck watching everyone’s bags for an hour
and a half while they found something to eat. So I was starving, but I got to
call, and that’s what was important! Got on the flight and got to sit by/preach
to this awesome girl from Reno, who was going to Chile for a 3 month excursion
into Patagonia and then a 2 month vacation to Brisbane Australia. She was way
nice and a history buff so we got a long really well. I talked about the church
for quite a bit and she was very familiar with it and had read most of the Book
of Mormon but just wasn't seeking religion right now. She liked how
understanding and accepting I was and told me that I would do well, because I
wasn't narrow minded or too pushy but I just talked about and explained my
religion and beliefs without condemning her own. Got to Santiago, hauled butt
to immigration, then baggage claim, then back through security where they
confiscated my umbrellas…still kind of mad about that. Still made my flight. Sat
next to another group of elders from the Santiago MTC on Peruvian named Elder Santisteban and a Chilean from Vino del Mar named Elder Rivera. We all made jokes and had quite a few laughs
about my gringo Spanish... but they told me my accent was really good. First
glance over the mission was breath taking I've never seen anything as beautiful!
At first we could only see what I thought were entire mountains coming out of
the bottoms of clouds. Turns out they were only the top quarters. Then we got
to see the gorgeous lakes and rivers that go all over the countryside. We
headed over to baggage claim and the first people we saw were the the President,
his wife, and the APs who had driven 2 hours just to meet us and get our bags,
how awesome! Me, Johnson, Elder Crautzer and the sisters were lucky enough to
get into the car with the President and his wife so we had about two hours to
talk with them and that was awesome. They
are so nice and funny. The countryside is so beautiful here! The grass is truly
greener on the other side... of the world and it even mows itself! …or at least
the cows take care of it! Went to the mission home had a 3 course lunch of an
awesome salad, lasagna, and then brownies and ice cream. I then had an interview
with the President where I found out that I'm being sent to Villarrica, an
awesome touristy town and that my compañero is Elder Renshaw! Everyone’s been telling me how awesome and hilarious
my companion is and that he’s addicted to juice. We had completos afterwards, which
were fantastic! And that was probably my favorite part of the day!
Day 44 (Wednesday)
Didn't have time to write too much about yesterday so I'm doing
it now. Just woke up in a hilariously sketchy or “tueco” hotel but it wasn't horrible.
Went to immigration and had a hilarious conversation with the Peruvian and Chilean who
I flew in with about man eating sirens and mermaids in Chiloe, ghosts in the
hotel last night, and the lisps of Warner Brothers and Lucus films actors. Apparently
they speak with a theta. Got the passport stamped and understood the joke that
the other Elder Johnson (a hilarious office missionary who like me was
also “born” in Villarica ) was trying to play on me so I told him that I had
memorized the necessary phrases. He was sadly disappointed. Here’s some “need
to know” lingo so my letters make sense.
1 born: where you started your mission
2 father: your trainer
3 mother: your second compañero
4 grandmother/father: your father's or mother's, father
or mother (I met both of mine but they died my first day, how sad!)
5 brother: your trainers other son (I'm his first so I
don't have any yet)
6 uncle: trainer’s brother
7 died/death: ended mission
8 killer or murderer: last companion of the deceased.
Took a bus to Villarrica, got home at 7ish. Took a little time to
meet the Branch President, talked with an inactive, and then ate some delicious
chorizo and headed to bed.
Day 45 (Thursday)
Day two on the mission, woke up and froze my butt off! During
personal study kept going back to the clothes room for gloves, a coat, another
pair of socks, until finally I just took the largest blanket off of my bed! Studied
till 12:30 and then we went to the mamitas to pick up lunch. She was nice but
didn't talk much. Her daughter was hilarious! She called Renshaw a nudist liar
and shot him with a fake gun! After 4:00 we went knocking and hit up a couple
of amazing rich homes, but didn't teach anyone. Had a couple close encounters
with some of the dogs but nothing too bad. Got to see how beautiful this area
is. The volcano smoking in the background, green everything, a huge lake with a
beautiful island in the center, and simply fast gorgeous water everywhere. Met
our ward mission leader at 7:00. The man is hilarious. I've never heard anyone
talk that fast. I tried to listen but eventually just spaced out. Everyone
talks fast here but not nearly that fast or as fast as our papito who is simply
ridiculous! I'm still not sure if he's actually saying something... headed home
went to bed.
Day 46 (Friday)
Got my first door slammed on me today, he was 6 so I think I'll
cut him some slack...
The people here are so nice I don't think anyone slams doors. Took the dog dazer out to day, more fun than
effective. Shuts the barking ones up but if they want to come up and bite they
will, (*note: I see a dog every second of every day!) also it didn't work on a
really scary bulldog which rushed us, creepily silent. Some rocks kept it at
bay though. Went up to an insanely rich house trying to get a good picture of
the volcano (I did) and ended up bumping into a really mean looking German Shepard
and her owner, who we thought was with security (her name was pepper and her
owner was just as friendly and a little more receptive to the gospel...) So
we talked to him about the gospel and he was really interesting. We'll hit him
up this week. Talked to some nice people in the apartments but everyone
was busy watching the Chile game. Everyone’s been pretty happy this week
because they won... Threw a rock at this black dog with a messed up eye which
always tries to bite us and totally nailed him right between the eyes! He
hasn't even barked at us since. Finally taught a lesson. This woman's
father was in a wheel chair and her daughter had downs-syndrome. She was really
receptive and was reading the Book of Mormon. Afterwards, we went to a woman
named Negali's house where we taught her English, which I thought was ironic. Went
to bed.
Day 47 (Saturday)
Service day today. Not to mess with Auston… but I AM the lumber
jack! Took a bus into the countryside and then walked a couple of miles to this
old run down shack of a house, where we were given chainsaws, axes, and
machetes and told to cut some trees down for wood. SOOOO COOL!! I have pictures
and more to tell but I'm out of time. So next Monday I'll finish. Sorry!
I love you guys so much and can't wait to hear back from you!
I'm loving it here! I love my companion, I'm starting to figure out the
language and love everything about my mission! Talk to you soon.
Elder Washburn
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| View of Villarrica volacano |
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| Elder Washburn with view of the Lake in Villarrica |
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