Week 24

Hola familia!

Cómo están todos? Another week down here in Chile! We had a crazy good week, but really busy. It started last PDay, actually. After it was all over, and we started to work again, we get a call from one of the people in the mission office inviting us to the mission leader meeting that they hold every month in Antofagasta! Usually it's only for the Zone Leaders, so being invited as just district leader it was strange. And super last minute! The meeting is Tuesday at 10 in the morning. Which meant that we had to be in Iquique to leave by bus at 12:30 in the morning. Usually they have us leave from Iquique more around 3:00 a.m., so you get there at a better time, but we got our tickets super last minute. So we left, and got to Antofagasta at around 5 in the morning, 5:30. We stayed in the mission office apartment, which compared to the rest that I've seen, is a penthouse! They live on the top floor of some really nice apartment buildings with a incredible view of the city and the ocean! Like, what?! My view is of a wall... and a lamp post. But then we had the meeting, and it was super good. We talked about what the mission, as a whole, can improve in, as well as, what we learned from conference. It was a great meeting, even though I never really figured out why I was there. But then we had to drive back to Iquique, and from there to Alto Hospicio. I didn't end up getting to sleep until 2:00 Wednesday morning. But on the bus ride there, they were playing movies! In English! Jaja I watched Identity Thief and Ben-Hur. I asked later if it was chueco, but every missionary does it. I even asked my Zone Leaders, and they said it's allowed. 

So anyways, this week we also had baptisms! Finally!!! We baptized little Carlos on Saturday, and good 'ol Sebastian the next morning! Both were super great baptisms! Carlos asked me to be the one to baptize him, and that was a neat experience. He was super excited! Elder McKinlay and I had to plan everything, but it all turned out nice. There were a bunch of non members at Carlos' baptism, so I have a feeling we'll have a few new investigators, too! ;) But he absolutely loved it. And Tania, his mom, was also very excited for him. It took some work, convincing his dad to let him be baptized, but we got it! And now he has been baptized, and it looks like they will remain in the church, which is great! Sebastian, who was baptized Sunday after church, was so ready! We had fast and testimony meeting, and he bore his testimony! He just talked about how he was making this choice to change his life and be closer to God, and it was fantastic! Elder McKinlay baptized him. (I don't have my camera on me, but next week you can see pictures) 

So Sunday, during sacrament, I was playing piano for the hymns, and I chose to do the hymn 'Because I have Been Given Much'. That was a mistake. Haha, these people are so secluded, they have adopted their own way to sing the hymns! Usually I can adapt quickly to what they're singing, but this time was different. It's supposed to be a slow song, right? NOPE. They started going rapid fire! They sung it at least 5 imes as fast! And they can't read music, so basically it's just what they've remembered from the song, mixed with their own thing! They paused in random places, sung way fast in others... I just gave up on the piano. Lesson learned, coordinate before church to see what's up haha!

So big news, transfers came!! Elder McKinlay left to some city near Antofagasta, and I'm staying here. Elder Barney, from Idaho, came to be my new companion. He's got a little over a year on his mission, and actually was born in Los Condores too! He went to the city Arica for a few cambios, but he's back in Hospicio. He is a rock-solid missionary! I have only ever heard great things about him! He was actually my papíto's companion before me. So that's cool. But he is a crazy hard worker, so I've heard, so we'll see what happens! I've had only a few hours with him, but I am very excited for this cambio!

So that's my week! How is everyone back home?! I love getting your guys' emails! They make my week! I love and miss you all so much! 

Les amo a todos,

Elder Schmid