So on Tuesday we got to wake up at 430 in the morning to head out. It was
kinda hard to leave Negritos. I feel like it`s my hometown here in the mission
now. I`m going to miss the people there. Anyway, we boarded the bus at about 6
to head to Piura. After two hours, we got to the transfers where we have a huge
meeting and President talks a little before telling everyone the transfer.
One thing different that he has decided to start doing is `co-companions`
where two missionaries are together, but there isn`t a Sr. Companion. They have
to work together and decide things together. They could be missionaries from the
same group, or they could be close together in time. I think there were like 7
or 8 co-companions. Anyway, that really kinda suprised me because normally we
learn from a Sr. Companion, right? However, I think it will be a great learning
experience, having to learn together. You`ll be even more suprised when I
explain my companionship. ;)
So Elder Naranjo is my companion!!! He`s at least 6` tall too!! Haha, it`s
definitely a big change from Elder Ramirez, walking next to him. He also happens
to be from my group! We came at the same time into the field, which means that I
technically have six weeks time more than he does if you count the MTC. However,
he is the Sr. Companion. When I heard that, I was a bit suprised because I
expected to co-companion thing, but I also felt the spirit witness to me that it
was just...right. Maybe God is going to teach me even more humility, something I
think is very important. Anyway, we`ve really had a great first week together.
Elder Naranjo has established a lot of relationships in just 6 weeks here in
Sechura, and we have some great investigators! We had 4 attend church this
Sunday, and Felix de la Cruz should be getting baptized this Saturday, with
Jhoselyn the next! I`m really excited.
Sechura, like I said, is way different from Negritos. It`s about an hour
south of Piura by bus, and it is just pure, flat desert. Our area doesn`t have
hardly any roads, and it`s pretty rocky at parts. The people here practically
all work in fishing, which can make it difficult to encounter them at home
because they leave for one to two weeks at a time. That means that knocking
doors is more of a hunt as to which house doesn`t have a padlock on it! One day
we spent about 3 or 4 hours knocking and we were only able to talk to 5
people...a bit difficult! However, President said something in transfers that I
really liked. He said we need to search for the way that God wants us to work in
our areas. He talked about how we should discuss as a companionship how we`re
going to work, and pray for the inspiration as to how we`re going to find
people. I have faith that there are a lot of people here in Sechura that He is
preparing, we just need to find them!
Another cool thing about my new area is that Elder Mark Lindsay is my
District Leader! Jen, you should know who that is! He really is a great DL, and
after our first District meeting, I feel like I`m going to improve a lot while
I`m here. He`s got more energy than many missionaries I`ve seen, and expects
more. That`s the way it should be. He and Elder Christianson are also in
Sechura, but they`re more towards the main part of town. The rest of our zone is
spread out over Castilla, Catacaos, and I don`t know where else! This means that
we four are pretty isolated out here, almost in the middle of nowhere!
As a result of the isolation...I have some bad news! Mail has now gotten
even slower. :) We can only send and receive letters/packages at the end of
every change. That means that you shouldn`t worry if I say I haven`t gotten
anything, because it`s true! Also, don`t worry if you`re not getting anything
either. I`m writing, it will just take longer.
As far as the branch here goes, I think we`re going to be in great hands!
They just recently called a new Branch President, but he seems to have a lot of
energy and desire for the work. We also have a great Mission Leader that they
just called this week, and I think we`re going to work a lot together. I guess
there`s been a bunch of issues here due to rumors and things, so that a lot of
members have fallen away and are less active. However, things have turned around
a lot, and I guess that on a regular basis they have about 40 attending
church.
This Sunday we had a bit of confusion concerning our Branch Conference! I
guess they originally had it scheduled for the 20th, but the Branch President
couldn`t make it. Well, then this week the Stake President found out an Area
Authority would be holding a meeting on Sunday. He thought it would be fine
because he could send his councelors to the Branch Council, but then at the last
minute he found out all three of them had to go! Anyway, he ended up coming to
Sechura to try to work things out for the 3rd. I don`t know what exactly
happened, because Saturday at 9, they had decided to postpone it for the second
time until the 3rd. However, Sunday rolls around and we had our Branch
Conference! Sometimes things just happen, and we get to learn from them. The
Branch Conference went really well, and I think we had about 120 people come!!
It was so full that we elders didn`t have a place to sit! I wish it was like
that every week.
Anyway...I`m alive and well here in Sechura! The heat is hotter than ever,
even though they say we`re starting into winter here! I hope all is well up
there in the good ol US of A! Don`t hesitate to send me a letter or email! I
hope to get a big stack when July rolls around. :)
Love you all!
Elder Schofield
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