Tuesday morning we woke up and allllll the water in Longavi had been cut off haha. So that was interesting. So we just went through the day normal (minus showering, and other things that require water) because we were told it would be turned back on at 12. So we did studies, went to district class, went to lunch... and FINALLY went back home and got to shower and other things hahaha. I have no idea WHY the water was cut off.... but it was. haha. Also, I forgot to tell you all that we had been teaching this family (not anymore, but before yes) that was Catholic. and I guess when you get baptized in the catholic church you get to get godfathers as well? So anyways we invited this family to be baptized and they said "yeahhh" (thats a not very secure yes answer). but one of their dauthers that is 20 yrs old basically got really excited about the baptism, because she thought it meant she could get a new godfather (apparently her other godfather isnt doing his job too well). So then she asked if we could be her godfathers, and we explained how we dont really do that and its not necessary... but she didnt care. she REALLY wanted Elder Cowden and I to be her godfathers haha. and she never really got the idea... and the family didnt get the idea either that we dont do the godfather thing. hahaha. But so we ended up dropping that family and we dont teach them anymore... but the point is i almost somehow became an unofficial/official godfather of some chilean girl??? hahaha. Luckily we got out of that one way or another.
On Wednesday we did some more exploring way out in La Tercera... and ran into a very interesting fellow... This is a super weird story. Im sorry but its just amazing what some peoples religious beliefs are. ha. So we ran into this guy in a wheelchair at his house. and he was a vendor and sold fruits at his house. So he invited us to come talk to him by yelling at us "Hello youngens! Come here at lets talk about god! The creation, the world, and the mysteries of god!!!" So we thought "ohhhh gosh..." in our heads haha. And so he said alot of interesting things. But the most interesting thing was this: He told us how God has a special patio for certain children in heaven. And that, lets say for example, after this life, Andrea goes to god to be judged, and He asks her "how many children did you have in that life?" And andrea answers "2!" but then He says "No!!! You had 3! David! Come here!" So then david comes running to Him from the patio, and He says "David, THIS was your mother!"
This old man then explained to us from this example that it is a special patio for children that have been aborted in this life....... and Elder Cowden and I just looked at eachother, and Elder Cowden said "uhh... thats not doctrine at all." and the old man said "yes it is!" Elder Cowden then asked him where its found in the bible. and the man said "uhh... I dont know! But the preacher from my cassette taught me it! And he was fullll of the spirit!!" So then we were just like "oooookay.... well were gonna go now! It was nice to meet you!" hahaha... I am grateful to have the knowledge and understanding about the plan of salvation that I do have... :) Some things that people believe are WHACK.
Thursday!!! On thursday morning Elder Cowden and I had a little roadtrip to Retiro!!! And this time Ema got married!!! Woo hooooo!!! At lasttt!!! A successful marriage! haha. Geez. That took way too long. But, there were about 10 of us, and we all entered into this tiny little registro, entered the room, and they were married! To be honest, it was once again super anti-climactic (sp?) but i am very very very happy for her. I just hope mas adelante her husband can receive the gospel as well and then they can get married in the temple! THAT will be awesome for them :) But so we were very excited and happy about that! So then her baptism was going to be at 4 on saturday...
But remember how i said its been REALLY hot lately? Well for SOME reason... EVERYbody was complaining that the baptism was going to be at 4... because it was going to be hot. Like we were inviting people to the baptism, and they would ask what time, and we would tell them "its at 4!" and they would ALL reply "At that hour?? Ahhh its so hotttt then!" and Elder Cowden and I were dumbfounded. Like seriously. friends and family of Ema didnt want to go, and werent going to go to the baptism, because at 4 o`clock its hot. We just couldnt believe it. Butttt so I made a mistake. At one house with one family friend of Ema, we stopped by to inform them and invite them to the baptism. And they gave us the same reply... "Its so hot at 4!" So Elder Cowden and I just looked at eachother still in amazement, and I then mistakenly asked the question "what do you guys do between 10 in the morning and 4 if its sooo hot???" and Elder Cowden and I thought it was a funny joke... haha But i accidently really offended the family :/ and they got mad and began telling us about how they work in the groves picking fruit all day in the hot sun and start really early, and we couldnt do it, especially in the hot sun, and especially with our "white skin" and "ya dont think we get home tired??" and.... yeah... :/ I felt really bad... So we just apologized a bunch and then just got out of there asap to leave them tranquilo... Oops. I felt really bad/awkward haha...
So that was friday. and then also on friday we had a really weird thing happen. So long story short, the whole mission is out of materials. Like we have lesson 1,2, and 3 pamphlets that we give to people when we meet them... and the whole mission is out of lesson 1 (the most important) and, at least in our house, we were ALSO out of lesson 3 pamphlets. Which leaves us only with lesson 2 pamphelts to give out, "The Plan of Salvation". Which we always jokingly say is for in case on our first visit we meet someone who had a death in the family... Well on friday we only had lesson 2 pamphlets... and we ran into 3 families who had had someone in the family die that day. (it just happened that they were all family members of the person that had died. Not 3 different people haha) and so we were like "wow that nevers happens..." and I said that the Lord knew that Longaví was out of lesson 1 and 3 pamphlets, and that we only had lesson 2 pamphlets... so He had to get rid of someone so we could give out the lesson 2 pamphlets... haha.... Is that a bad joke? haha at least IIII thought it was kind of funny... hahahaha.
Well on saturday we finally had our baptism of Ema!!! Woo hoo! We actually DID end up changing the hour to 8 at night... but not because of the heat haha. It turns out some of them werent going to make it back on time from work to be there at 4, so we changed it to 8! haha. But still, everyone was happy about that because "its not so hot!" So anyway, the baptism turned out great!! I gave a mini talk on baptism, and actually Yino, a recent convert of 5 or 6 months and the nephew of Ema, was able to baptize her!!! So that was way awesome! And he did it perfect!!! We were so happy and excited for all of them. it was a great experience! :) Ema seriously is amazing haha. Shes been going to church and patiently waiting to be married and baptized since 2008. But her husband never wanted to get married. But now he did and Emas prayers and faith and patience finally paid off! She even understood the importance of NOT taking the sacrament during this whole time, and I think she was even most excited to partake of the sacrament on sunday! haha. Shes an amazing example of faith and patience! haha. And it paid off and the blessings came! Woo hoo were excited for her!
Oh yeah, and on sunday I did the confirmation in church too! That was a good experience too. I prepared for that alot different than I have before... And i saw a big difference. It was an awesome experience for me. and I hope it was for ema too haha.
Butttt more than that... Weve been playing soccer alot and I LOVE it. My old shoes are wrecked and DESTROYED now... so actually today I went and bought a pair of shoes to play soccer with haha. Theyre actually soccer cleat-like shoes haha. Hard to explain. I dont have any other shoes though so I might have to get a different regular pair. But Im loving soccer! its way fun.
Theres been some contentions in our house lately... Its rough. and awkward haha. Theres alot of pride sometimes and some not so straight thinking or great decision making... haha so its made it somewhat awkward sometimes between the 4 of us.
But! Dont worry, I loveeee being companions with Elder Cowden. Hes reallyyyyy funny and we get along great! The contention isnt between us 2 :P haha.
Uhhh but more than that... I cant really think of much!! Im loving it here! But my time is running out... Ill probably be leaving from Longaví anytime now... haha like any cambio. THAT will be weird! Im super old here now in Longavi haha. ive been here for almost 6 months! haha. But I love it. Were making lots of changes and different focuses and stuff... Idk hard to explain. But I loveeeee being a missionary! Im still learning SOOOO much new stuff everyday. And I cant wait for what the future holds! I love my mission!!! haha.
I know the church is true, that God loves us, so he gave us a Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ! And that through a prophet called of God, Christ restored his gospel and church here on the earth once again, so that we can be eternally happy, and live with our Heavenly Father again! The church is true!!!!
Love you all and miss you lots!!
-Elder Heyman
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