Still Alive (July 19, 2021)

 Well I don't know how long it's been without an email from me. A month? Two? Quien sabe. I hope you all are just on the edge of your seats because finally here's some news about that one missionary.  

I think I'll just start off with a few things that happened this week. 

First off, Monday we climbed the hill (mountain) again. It was awesome because it's now covered in green. There's a wall that you have to jump to get to the second peak, and after crossing it we just got shlapped with fresh cold air because of the vegetation. We continued on past the second peak, and were well on our way to the third, but then that little voice that we should all listen to said, "Hey, bad idea."

That was probably for the best. We were in the clouds and with all the vegetation it was super slippery. We were also basically climbing a cliff face to get to the third peak, and a fall would've meant death. Sad that we didn't make it, but happy that I at least had more than the reason of my burning lungs to not go all the way. I also took one of my new favorite photos which I will include in this email worry not. 

Tuesday? Can't really remember, just a ton of lessons as usual and another cloudy day. We are now five missionaries in the entire zone, and to explain a bit better for you all, usually there are fourteen missionaries here in Pachacamac. Two companionships now, one being in charge of three wards, and the other in charge of four. The days are busy, obviously with so much to be in charge of, but we are doing our best and hopefully in the future we will get some reinforcements. Tuesday afternoon one of the Elders in the trio came to live with us in preparation for Wednesday. 

Wednesday I had a meeting with all the zone leaders of the mission, the assistants, secretaries, our new President and his wife. It was a bit weird because I went alone. That's usually not something you are supposed to do, but I'm the only zone leader and it was a leadership meeting. Still was kind of weird negotiating taxis and being alone in Lima. The meeting started at 10 but I had to be there at 8 because I was to be part of a musical number with another Sister from Pisco. 

Started at 10am, ended around 7pm. It went extra long and I understand why because we were basically debating the future of the mission and how we could better our key indicators. Everyone had a lot to say, probably because this was the first meeting of its kind for well over a year. 

I am very excited to see what happens with this mission and this new program. Although I may leave before I see the mission at full numbers once again, I find comfort in being one of the many who held the fort so to speak. 

Thursday, more lessons more stuff yadayada however, our water stopped working. It was off the whole day up until around 10 at night. That's happened before so I thought whatever, hopefully it doesn't happen again. Then at around eight the next morning, we lost water again. It's been the same patter for the past four days now, where we have water until 8ish in the morning, and then it goes off and comes back around 9ish at night. Our apartment dueño landlord told us that apparently there's an emergency problem with the water in all of José Gálvez, so we probably won't have reliable water throughout the day for the next three or four days possibly a week. 

Yesterday was the worst, because we got back from church and there wasn't any water. We couldn't cook the food that we had so we ate chickpeas that had been soaking in water for about two days. Delicious. 

Then I was super thirsty and so we decided to move to one of the abandoned missionary apartments nearby in hopes that they would have water. We showed up and... Nada. No water in the pipes. Thankfully though, they had a box of emergency water that was only a month expired and so we drank most of that.

The water came back last night and so we are a bit more prepared for these next few days without water. 

Over these past few weeks I've felt a little like Job from the old testament. Receiving trial after trail even though I think I'm doing the best that I can. Although it's difficult, I find comfort in his story because all his trials were a test, and he was blessed accordingly after succeeding. Perhaps I am halfway through the exam right now, with the teacher patiently waiting to see what I do. 

I am grateful for these experiences although they are not what I want, because I know that they are for my good and perhaps I'll learn a thing or two from them. 

I hope that you all are doing well! I'm excited to see you all in about four and a half months, but until then I'll keeping trekking and hope you all do the same!

Yours Truly, 

El Nuevo In'peru'ving misionero

Elder Baird