Sent: Wed, May 5, 2010 8:34:01 AM
Subject: Beinvenidaaaaassss a la campo misional!!!!!!
Hola!!!!
Ok, so I am finally out in the mission field and it is CRAAAAZZZZYYYY!!!!! So usually, Presidente has all the new missionaries stay in the city for their first couple of transfers. The city is the training zone so missionaries can ease themselves into Guatemala living. But, my last name is Garcia. Does that happen_ NO! They threw me in the loco MOUNTAINS of Guatemala!! They just sent me out right away to Chimaltenango and it is CRAAAZZZY!! Its funny because in my interview with pres i saw on the board all the transfers and Chimaltenango just really stood out to me....but i didn’t think I would go there because new missionaries are supposed to stay in the city first for at least a transfer or two. I am really excited, but scared at the same time. Lucky for me I have a great companion and we have just clicked. She is from LA, and when we met it was hilarious. This is her last transfer and she said she prayed so hard that she would get a North American companion. When she saw me she said her wasn’t going to lie she was kinda sad because she thought I was a Latina!! But when she found out I was from Hawaii she started screaming. then I started screaming and we jumped up and down and started hugging I didn’t know why, but it was so exciting and then the Presidente walked by and was like ohhh no!! Did I make the right decision; it was funny. But she said that she never had a North American companion and that’s all she wanted so I was an answer to her prayer!! Hopefully, as time goes on I’ll still be an answer and not a nightmare! But we get along great. She was also excited that we were going to end in the mountains. We thought for sure we’d be in the city, but you just never know!!
Soooo, Chimaltenango.....I am a little speechless I don’t even know how to describe it. It’s not like totally boonies mountains, it has a lot of people, but it is definitely le sketch. When we got to our apt, I didn’t really know what to say. I was a little in shock especially when my comp said this is the nicest in the area. We have concrete floors which I guess is lucky, but it is pretty much like having dirt floors because it is filthy! Everywhere you go in Chimaltenango is dirt, litter, and poop. No joke. Our bathroom is the type of bathroom where usually you couldn’t pay me to go inside. We can’t flush our toilet so it has a permastank. It is just crazy!! We left the house and when I met the people, I was even more in shock. Every house I’ve been to so far have dirt floors and are made out of tin. It is the craziest thing.
For dinner, we were fed watery oatmeal and bread and jelly and you feel so grateful because you know people sacrifice so much to give this to you. I´m not going to lie it was really, really hard and I was and am in a lot of shock right now and I don’t know what to think. One day I have a comfortable bed, hot showers and air con at the ccm and the next day I have none of that!!!! I’ve never felt so inadequate and just like I don’t know what to do or how I’m going to do this because on top of all of that you rally cant understand anyone. I think it is a blessing for me that my comp speaks English because she can talk to me and tell me that it’s all going to be ok!!!! Family, I am going to need your prayers because this is going to be the hardest thing I have ever done!!!!
I know it’s going to be hard, but I really am so grateful to be here. I think this is exactly what I need and know the Lord is mindful of me that He would send me here. I´m not going to lie my attitude wasn’t the best. I had a smile on my face and I looked like I was really happy and I was skipping and jumping for joy while seeing my apartment and tracking, but in my mind I was screaming and crying. But, last night, we taught a lesson and it just hit me. We were all sitting around in this small dark tin house. They had a light in their house but it was just a light that you go camping with so it does not light very well. And we read together in the Book of Mormon. I looked at this family and I don’t know how to describe it but I just felt so much love come over me and I felt so grateful for all that I have and I felt awful for even thinking bad thoughts or complaining about my situation. I have been so blessed and I just felt so grateful for all the things Heavenly Father blessed me with and for all that my Savior did for me. This family had nothing, but as we read the Book of Mormon together, we were filled with pure joy! We sang a hymn and sweet tears streamed down my face because the Spirit was so strong.
They were so happy and I just felt terrible to even have those feelings I had. I’m not saying that I´m cured and that things now are going to be easy, but I know with assurety that this is the Lord´s work and that this is his plan for happiness. We don’t need all the worldly and vain things of the world to be happy, but happiness comes from following God, knowing your purpose, living the gospel, and being with your family which is the Lord’s most precious gift. This is happiness and this is the message I’ve been sent here to send. This is true and it’s what I have been able to learn here. What a special gift!
Please family, pray for me. Even if I know these things, I still struggle. It’s just the biggest struggle to learn to truly forget about yourself and get to work. More than mastering Spanish, more than anything that is my biggest challenge. But I have high hopes. I know the Lord is helping me and laughing at me too especially when I do things like scream in the cold showers or gag while I’m sitting on the toilet. Seriously, I wish I had a video camera so you could see me out here, but honestly I know this is where I am supposed to be. I feel the Spirit stronger than I ever have in my life. This is honestly the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, but I know without a doubt that I will grow more than I ever have in my life. I love the gospel. I love my Savior and that alone pushes me through each day!!!!! I love you family!! Your love and support means so much to me. I can’t wait to talk to you next week!!!! Prestos Todos Prestos...The church is TRUEEEE!!!
love,
hermana ali
First Companion MTC and CCM, Hermana Williams