Felice Navidad! Well ... kinda

So it turns out that Perú doesn't celebrate Christmas quite like the states (I mean, go figure, it's a different country) but I mean, i was seriously scratching my head on this one.

So, they celebrate Navidad in the time IN BETWEEN Christmas Eve and Christmas. Christmas day isn't a huge thing here.

But, like all "wonderful things", thats not all! Oh no, because why would it be?

To start off dinner was at 11:30 last night, so me and my comp went to bed hungry (not gonna wait that long, plus we were tired) but Peruvians celebrate Christmas by launching fireworks and firecrackers.

All.

Night.

I'm un poco loco right now if you can't tell

I went to bed listening to Tab Choir... only way to block out the noise. Even then it took me a long while before I actually got to sleep.

Anyway, what else happened this week?

Goofy interactions:

One woman asked me in broken English (and a lot of Google translate) if my hair color was authentic.

I explained American Christmas traditions and Christmas dinner to a curious family. My comp was very suprised to hear naughty children get coal in their stocking. He was like ¿¡Que!? (Literally just "What!?")

We went and had dinner with a member last night. When she found out I speak English/American she wanted to practice her English. Then, she asked me if she could get recordings of me talking for her English profesor. 3 recordings, each about a different thing and at different speeds. What was really funny was when I had to talk about my home town, I did so at like ×10 speed and the woman and my comps face go blank. Afterwards, he turns to me and goes "now I know how you feel when I talk fast". 

The profesor responded and said something along the lines of "wow, incredible.  It's super clear and pronounced". The lady now wants me to teach her English.

On the way out of her house I hit my head on the top of her door. It was that short. 

HOW IN BLAZES AM I SO STINKING TALL HERE

Spiritual experiences!

We've taught like 2 to 3 lessons a day while I've been here. And, during that time, my comp will turn to me and say "my comp will now explain XYZ". The first time he did this he wanted me to explain the fall of Adam. The only way I knew what he wanted me to teach was I had my PME open beneath me and I saw the word he used.

In either case, I've taught so many principles while I've been here, it's awesome! Truly the highlight of my day. 

I do also want to mention that the concepts my comp asks me to teach are ones I'm not really prepared for. I definitely wasn't comfortable with my Spanish enough to teach the fall, and yet somehow I still did. Don del lenguas, for sure. (Gift of tounges)

Oh! I also helped a member build a new roof for her house! That was really cool because I'd never done anything like that before, and she loved the work that we did. I'll include a photo.

I would like to conclude with my testimony.

I know that God lives, and that through him all things are possible. I know that he sees his struggling children and helps them in ways that will help them grow. I know that spiritual gifts are real, and a crucial part of our lives.

I believe and I know that our Savior lived, went through Gethsemane for us, died, and rose the 3rd day triumphant over everything. And because of this, we are a part of an effort that isn't losing, but all ready WON. We've WON, because of Christ. All I'm doing is teaching that they need not fear.

And, you don't have to fear, either. Come unto Christ. Come and see. He will give you rest.

Chau until next week!

- Elder Bahnmiller 

1. A family Christmas tradition! Matching PJs!

2. Christmas foosball with a lemon

3. Christmas dinner???

4. Yo guys we finally got garbage trucks! Dunno why this brought me hope seeing this... (and MAYBE a few tears were shed...)

5. Finished roof

6. Me and comp working on said roof

7. A blurry mototaxi (3 wheeled mayhem taxi is more like it)

8. We don't have golden hour here... its more like fire hour

9. Hot chocolate and Panatón! (Sweet bread with mysterious fruit chunks in it. A Gringo favorite!)

The Storm

This week has been crazy! Here are some of the highlights and lowlights...

- Left AZ

- Made it to Perú!

- Saw friends at the airport

- 24hr+ travel day

- Met my Comp, Élder Fuentes!

- Lots of walking!

- I got shot!

- Perú do be crazy

AZ

I'm really sad about this, but I finally had to say goodbye to all of my friends in AZ and the states in general. Thats right! My transfer news is that I am finally in Perú!

I had to say goodbye to a ton of awesome members and a ton of power houses of missionaries, which was quite honestly depressing. However, the work must go on. 

I left AZ and flew across the US to Atlanta, where I boarded a plane to Miami. There, I got to see 2 MTC buddies! I am so greatful that I got to make the last leg of the journey with Elder Crockett and Elder Parry. 

Perú

Did I say last leg? Oh man am I funny!

After we arrived at the airport, we were met by our APs, and they told us we were waiting for one more plane. I had to say goodbye to Elder Crockett and Elder Parry. Muy triste. I also got to see Elder Rodriguez in the airport while waiting for the last plane! It was awesome to get to talk with him for a couple of minutes. About 10 or so minutes later, out walks a bunch of missionaries, including Elder Nichols!

Super pumped I got to see him. 

We then travelled to the mission office and met the mission president and his wife, the Holts!

We got told a lot of things, one such being to not be super realistic in our emails. The mission president doesn't want frantic calls from family members saying that I need to go to the hospital or whatnot. Well, I want to be as honest as possible in these emails. 

NO MATTER WHAT IS STATED IN THESE EMAILS, DONT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CALL MY MISSION PRESIDENT! AT ALL!

Like, please. Just don't.

Now that that is out of the way... 

My apartment doesn't have carpet, but has cement floors. The bathroom is on the roof, and the shower! Oh man. I have to turn the heat on before I step in, and its more like the water sprinkles out of the head rather than actually shower.

I only have 5 minutes with the heater, so I have to be quick. (I can see my last comps chuckling about that one) 

Everything is in gosh dang Spanish. That said, my Spanish is improving! Slowly but surely!

I've seen a surprising amount of American references here though. Stuff like autobot symbols on cars, or unedited Justin Bieber songs playing during service projects. How would the people that don't speak english know that there are a couple of F bombs in there?

Every night I've been here thus far, there has been a fiesta outside. I found out that if I sleep with headphones in, I can get a couple hours of sleep!

My compañero is really interested in my American gadgets. For example, we both really love my electric dog whistle! I've already used it like 40 times! Most angry dogs back off. It's pretty awesome!

The food here is pretty tasty. I've had potatoes with like every meal, even on hamburguesas! 

There is SO MUCH DUST

Oh! Also, they have mototaxis here (essentially a motorcycle converted into a taxi.) Those are really fun to ride in.

I'm so stinking tall. Like, its noticeable. Also I'm white. Ive already been noticed like crazy because of it.

Which reminds me... the people here are non chalantly racist. Ive already been told that I "live like white man, work like black man" and when I asked, the man who told me this made a whipping motion.

BRUUUUUH

My comp here has an Orbee gun, and the second day here he shot me with it. We then had a war with our zone leader who also had one. Me and my comp surrendered.

I think that is all for now! I'm off to start P-day! (Which starts at 8 for some reason.)

This intales soccer and watching Disney movies!

Adios, and till next week!

- Christmas tree!

- Peruvian sunset with my comp!

- instead of a golden hour in the states, we have a crimson our because of all the dust! (Also this is apparently the first sunset my comp has ever seen)

- Elder Fuentes admiring US dollars (by the way, the exchange rate here is crazy! 1 US dollar is like 3 to 4 sols here, and you can get across town with 3 sols. A decent meal for like 6 sols. Its crazy!)

- me and Elder Fuentes with the Christmas tree

Death of a Missionary

Hola one and all!

The time has come for me to go to my real mission! Tomorrow I board a plane at 2:17, starting a 14 hour travel day to Perú!

What's awesome is that because I'm leaving tonight I get to have a dinner with the mission president!

Other than my transfer news... what happened this week?

I had the opportunity to go on my last few exchanges as an English missionary. It was really awesome to get to meet these missionaries and their members. 

I have had Vietnamese food 4 times in the last 2 weeks. I've discovered a liking for Vietnamese egg rolls. I am, however, getting sick of how many times I've had this food. 

I've had to say goodbye to so many cool people. I'm incredibly sad that I've had to say goodbye to these amazing members, but I am excited to see what the future brings!

One of the dinners that we had in the past week was Peruvian! One of the members in our area served in Peru Lima East, and since he heard I'm going to Peru he gave us a taste of his mission! He even had authentic Inca Cola! And OH MY GOSH ITS AWESOME. I'm gonna enjoy the drinks! THE FOOD IS POTATOES!!!! The little potato boy from Idahos gonna be in his element!

This week a member invited us to ride in her Porsche, and it was kinda cool. It was kinda funny because Elder Bunkall asked "whats the acceleration on this thing like?" And she casually baptized the car in like 6-7 seconds it was lit!

This week's spiritual thought is to endure. There were many times during my time in Tucson where I got tried, or experienced hardship. But, I know that God has a plan for me, and for you as well! Just trust in God and everything will be OK. 

The reason this week is called "the death of a missionary" is because when an Elder or Sister leaves the mission it's said they "die". So, I'm technically dying this week. But,  I'll rise like a phoenix in my new and actual mission. I'd like to thank all the Tucson missionaries and people for an awesome first 4 months! Yall are the best! I'll always remember you!

See you in Peru!

Élder Bahnmiller the gringo (aka the potato boy)

Paint'n rocks

Hello everybody!

This week was kinda boring,  in part because I was stuck in an apartment for 3 days.  

Let me explain. 

I went on exchange with the Spanish Elders Thursday night. On Friday, one of the Elders gets sick, so we have to quarantine just to be safe.  That left me with NOTHING TO DO except studies and facebook work for essentially a day. BUT, the Hermanas found out we were grounded and decided to give me and my two temporary companions an arts and crafts project.  Aka they have us some rocks to paint.  I was kinda skeptical at first,  but then I got into it and it was surprisingly fun! I'll upload pictures of them into my Google photos!

After we finished them, they brought more for us to paint! I literally spent an entire afternoon and evening painting.  

And that's the most interesting thing in my email. 

What has my life turned into?

Anyway,  I read a really cool talk by President Nelson called "Self Mastery" that I really liked! It talks about how all of the Commandments we are given by God are ways for us to gain control of ourselves and our bodies. It shows how God loves us, because his laws are all about us, not him "exercising" power over us. Pretty cool in my opinion!

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1985/10/self-mastery?lang=eng

I highly recommend giving this talk a listen! Absolutely fuego!

Till next Wednesday! (Next week's transfers)

Elder Bahnmiller