Here are some excerpts from Pierce's email yesterday:  

"We had a "Christmas Conference" this past week.  The Christmas conference was with all the missionaries from Arica and President.   President basically talked about how we need to find more people to teach and how to do it.  We got our packages from home and did a gift exchange as an activity.  It was pretty fun.  I got chocolate, so all was good."  

"Elder Muñoz leaves in 2 weeks to go home.  He's ready to leave at this point.  He and I are really cool, so we will definitely keep in touch throughout my mission and after."  

"Yes in our mission,  we stay in the same place for 6 months.  That means the same house, same sector and same people.   Unfortunately, also the same responses/excuses. I have at least 8 more weeks here."  

"Yesterday at church we had the first ward council meeting that I've ever been to.   It was great, they’re (the members) starting to care more.  I just hope the members keep their word. Last week was really hard to find people because of Christmas, and this week because of New Years will be tough too.  Then just 1 more week until, Muñoz goes home and I get a new companion.  Hopefully another Latin that I'll be forced to speak Spanish with." 

"No, we can't drink the water from the pipes, since it has lead in it.  You have to buy water.  Nobody here drinks water at all, only soda.  We keep water at the pension (house) to drink though."

"This year in my mission,  I guess we baptized a total of 1048.  I would like to know how many are still active. A huge problem here is keeping people active!  The ward is starting to care more, so that's good."

"It's honestly just like, you want these people to do things and they know they're supposed to too, but they just don't want to.  I don't know how to motivate a person who doesn't want to be motivated.  It's The most confusing thing ever!  The thing is, that these people don't want to be motivated.  It's not their fault.  It’s like dad said on the reservation.., they don't think they can change, so they don't try to change. This sector is ridiculously hard I guess.  The culture here is to not care, and it's depressing at times.  You can rev them up. You can bring the Spirit and they for sure feel it.  They cry and stuff and recognize it, but yet they still don't want to act. It amazes me.  Thank goodness for the other Elders.  We have a lot of fun and keep each other sane in times like this." 

 

"Mate", An herbal drink they drink there in Chile.  (looks yummy....) 

Pierce making a sand/dirt angel.

I think this is the mountain they had just climbed.  

Arica