Week 2--Chile

Chile is treating me very well. I won´t lie, I went through a bit of culture shock for that first week. It was difficult to understand people, but I am understanding more and more each day. One weird thing here is the dogs. There are hundreds of dogs in the street. I´m talking mangy mutts. Sickly little creatures. I feel bad for them, because it is freezing at night, and they have no where to go. But yeah, be grateful for all you have in the USA because here, more likely than not, it doesn´t exist. Like heaters for example. I have not been in a single building except the chapel that has its own heating system. Everyone has their own propane heaters, and that is how they heat their houses.
Water heaters also don´t exist. We have these things called calafons, or something like that. It is this heater outside our hose that uses propane to dominate the water and make it hot. Ours works really well, but when I had to do an interchange last week, their heater was SOOOOO cold! Our apartment is mas o menos. Our beds aren't that nice, but I get better sleep here than I have ever gotten! It is because we work hard, all day, everyday. Rain or shine, we are out in the streets.
Its funny too because pretty much every time someone sees us, they make fun of us and call us gringos. They also love to talk about how Los Estados Unidos lost in the World Cup. Guess what? So did Chile!!!! haha. But they funny thing is, they go crazy to have American clothes, drive American cars, and live American lives. I hear more music from the States here than Latin music. Stuff like Micheal Jackson, The Eagles, Phil Collins. They go crazy for it!
This week, we got a new investigator! Her name is Marisol and she is going to be baptized the 15th of August. Well, we hope so. In order to be baptized in this mission, an investigator has to attend church 3 times. She wasn't able to make it yesterday. But, we still have time, and we are hoping it will all work out. You would be surprised how many people here were members. Her husband was baptized years back. But, like many people, he is inactive. At the beginning of the lesson, he wanted nothing to do with the lesson at all. But we taught with power and love, and more and more, he became part of the lesson. At the end of the lesson, he offered the closing prayer! So sweet to see a family progress a little in the gospel.
This week I also had phase 1 of training. It was really cool. We went to the President's house, which is so sweet by the way, and talked about some things that we need to do. The major thing I got out of it, was that we need to work to help others to have their own testimony so that when we leave the area or mission, they will stay in the Church. I think we can all work on strengthening our testimonies.
Have I told you about Victor and Leenor? They are so awesome. They are recent converts and are basically like our grandparents here. Every time we go over, they give us something to eat or drink. They bought us like these thermal type pants. They are really uncomfortable, but it was way nice of them to think of us. People don't have very much here. It is really different, so much different, than Utah. I am so grateful for all I have, and all that you have.
I am doing well, and working hard. The time is already starting to fly by. I love you all. Work hard, and choose the right.