September 18 2008, Elder Milner

Hola de Peru!‏

Hola mi familia y mis amigos! I arrived this morning in the city of Kings, Lima. What an eyeopener. I can not even begin to describe what Lima is like. It is so different than anything I have ever seen before. I was kind of sick on the bus ride to the MTC, so I couldn´t look outside for the whole time, but I did see enough to get an idea. I wish I could send you pictures directly through the email, but alas, it will not work. On the airplane here I met a man named Carlos from Bolivia who was in the seat right next to me. I was happy to see someone who would be so similar to the type of people I will be teaching for the next two years, and true to form, he didn´t speak English. But, even though I made countless mistakes, I was able to speak to him in spanish for a while, and understand most of what he said. It was really awesome. I still have so much to learn in the language though, it is not even funny. Luckily, Carlos spoke slowly and clearly, a trait I have not seen be passed onto anyone here yet. At the end of the flight, I asked Carlos if I could share a little bit of the message we carry, and he was very nice about it and agreed. I made a lot of mistakes, but he understood the idea I think, and he excepted a pass along card, although it was in English. I hope he follows through on calling the numero or visiting the website, and I hope the spirit was able to work through me. It was a great experience.

More about Lima. Lima is interesting, from what little I saw. We went down streets and streets of closed down shops, looking like the shops from one of those nostalgic towns in Alberta, but even more run down. The funny thing about those shops is that they are all connected in big two story almost mall type things, and then we realized people are living in them. There are closelines visible on the top floor of the building, and there is no roof on top! It is really a strange site. from what I can see it seems as if there truly is a lot of poverty in the city. Well, we as missionaries bring something so much more fulfilling and wonderful than wealth, I hope that these people will come to feel of our desire to serve them and love them. I hope that as I come to know them, I will really come to build that love of the Savior for them, to see them as He sees them. I love this gospel, I know that God answers prayers, and I pray that I will always be able, as well as all of you, to truly be worthy to have the companionship of the Spirit. It is through the Spirit that we can truly come to love, teach and have that happiness that does not end, but is life eternal. I hope with all my heart that I may become the Lord´s instrument for good among this people, and that I may be able to say, ¨I am glad I did¨, instead of ¨I wish I did.¨

I love you all, and I hope to be able to hear from you soon.
Love, Elder Milner