¡Moto Chorro!

Monday, June 27, 2011

hello to all!
Well, I had a great week (mostly), and a lot of information to share. To start things off, after sending last weeks email on Monday, we went to the "Confederation de Futbul de Sudamerica". It was sooo awesome. We saw all the trophies and information about all of soccer in south America. there were tons of sweet presentations on all the countries. of course, Brazil and Argentina dominated practically the whole museum, but Paraguay had some good moments as well. The highlight was when we entered into the big "soccer ball" part, which had a 360 degree screen that showed a video of the history of soccer in south America. Supposedly, soccer started here in Paraguay with the guarani indians...I think that the people in charge just wanted to throw some Paraguayan pride in there haha. It was an awesome pday.
We kinda had a scary moment this week. We were walking down the street at about 6 at night and it was already dark and cold. There is a big problem in this country with what is called "moto chorro", which is when people go out 2 by 2 on their motorcycles. one drives, and the other gets off the back and robs people. Its really dangerous, and I have always heard about it, but never thought it would be a problem with us. Well, we were walking and heard a moto behind us. There are a billion motos here, so it was just a normal noise. we heard it kind of slow down, and then it came next to us and tried to grab my companions bag. he hit off the robbers hand, did a cool spin move, and started yelling "moto chorro!" and ran toward a nearby house. It all happened soo fast, but while he started running I started backing up too and noticed the robber guy had a knife in his hand. The robber starting running at me, so I turned and ran too. by this point the people in the nearby house came out, and so they got back on the moto and drove off. We could hear the moto at the corner of the street waiting for us, so the house owner grabbed this huge sweet machete thing and told us he would accompany us to the street. While we were leaving, we hear the moto drive away. all is well, we didn't lose anything. It was a great testimony builder of the celestial protection that missionaries have, and I am just happy we left safely. It was really crazy...
We went out doing visits this week with a member, Hna. Vera, and were passing by a house, when hna. Vera said that there was a member living in that house. Supposedly, there was a big misunderstanding in the past, and that hna. Vera and the member got in a big fight and hadn't talked to each other for a long time. At first, hna. Vera wouldn't go into the house, and said she would just wait outside. We convinced her to come in, and we shared Moroni 7 about charity. It was so cool because after the lesson and prayer, they were hugging and doing the south American lady kisses thing, and complimenting each other on their hair, looks, etc. It was literally something you would see in a cheezy movie, it really made me smile. It was cool to be able to be apart of that cool moment.
The update on the investigators and converts... Christian, the one that already got baptized, blessed the sacrament the past 2 Sundays, and last night he went to a big fireside really far away on his own, about missionary work. He got the papers for serving a mission, and is really excited about that. He is such a great kid. Christian and Nelida, the family that we have been working with for a long time, are getting married this Saturday, the 2nd, and christian is getting baptized by his brother (who is a branch president in another ward.) Then on Sunday, christian is going to receive the Holy Ghost, receive the Aaronic Priesthood, and then baptize his wife Nelida that Sunday night. We had some great lessons with them this week. It was really cool when they were talking about how excited they are for the whole baptism and marriage, and are already looking ahead and wanting to prepare to go to the temple a year from now to be sealed...they were really excited when I told them that if they want me to, i could go with them to the temple in a year from now. It has been such a blessing to be in this area, in this companionship, at this time, in this country serving the Lord. You cant find more happiness on earth that serving the Lord and helping others come unto Him. I love the mission. Next week we have changes, I will be sure to let you know if I am staying or going...Until next week,
Elder Babcock