My name is Elder Welch. I am a member of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints. I am currently serving a full time mission, sharing the gospel with the people of Lima Peru West. Here you will read about my experiences in my letters home. Please feel free to write comments, but know I wont see them until I get home in February 2013.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Monday August 29, 2011

Hola familia!!!!

wow do i have a story for you. let me just start by saying that Jose Miguel Chapoñan Santisteban and Cinthya Mariluz Vador Iparraguirre, were baptised on saturday!!! but it was anything but stress free. Elder Portillo and i were put in charge of filling the font and getting the keys to open the church and that is where all the drama started. the baptism was scheduled for 2 30 in the afternoon so we figured we should go to the church around 1 that will give us enough time to fill the font, and clean up a little bit before everyone shows up. we get there and open the church, and one thing that is really weird is that this church (unlike anyother church in peru) has a alarm system . . . . that we didnt know about. i am sure you can see where this is going. the alarm went off and not only does it start a siren that is really anoying, but it also sends a signal to the police, and wouldn´t you know it just our luck, the nearest police station was 2 blocks away. within minutes there were three police cars in front of the church, and chad as my witness the last place you want to be in peru is infront of a peruvian police officer, they only have one rule shoot to wound, because if they are wounded you can still put them in jail. they begin screaming over the microphone that pretty much lie down on the ground or die. so of course we took the first option, they put us in handcuffs and almost got us in their cars, when who should come around the corner, (thankfully) the second counselor of our branch presidency. they get everything straightened out and the police leave. and then i notice all the people. there were probably 300 people watching it all.

i was so close to seeing my first peruvian jail..... and i never want to be that close agian.

that is awesome about carson, congradulate him for me, and find out what mission too. i had alot of elders in my distrcit in the mtc that are in mexico. the weather is cold and rainy. we are out of lima and yes we do see alot of wildlife, not just dogs. my area is kinda like a little oasis. there is a little bit of jungle, and even a few rivers.i can actually say (without lying) that this area is actually really pretty. i will try to send some pictures but once again slow internet. my stomach is still kinda sick but i am more or less used to it. the fruit is amazingly delicious, but the rules are the same, if you cant peal it you cant eat it. but for the majority, i eat oranges, mandarinas, bananas, mangos, pineapples, and jocute (it is a fruit kinda like a coconut, hard on the out side but soft on the inside, but has a much better taste). mom you will be happy to know that i have grown to like sweet potatoes, they eat them alot here and i think i am more accostomed to it rather than like it. but tomatoes is another story. i love tomatoes now!!!!! the vegtables are like the fruit, they all seem to have a better taste here. i have eaten vegetables that i am sure i would have never eaten before my mission and they are all pretty good. one thing that i have come to LOVE is a little pepper called rocoto. (chad will know what i am talking about) it is tiny but it is powerful. they put rocoto, onions and lemon juice together and eat it with almost everything, and i have fallen in love with it. we do have many storms but none to scary, and yes i have felt alot of earthquakes, some of them are quite strong too. in almost every building there is a sign that says that this building is earthquake safe. and yes there are flowers of every color shape and smell. i would take pictures of them but i am not ready to feel that gay yet. :)

well it is off to fruit then futbol i love you all, thank you for the prayers not only for me but for my investigators i know that they are helping. and always remember i am working as hard as i can.

Elder Landon R. Welch

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