The pioneers of Huancavelica.

I´m really going to miss giving improv talks, when the branch counselor whispers you a topic once you´ve already started talking, and have to think of some smooth transition from the Atonement to the Book of Mormon. But, the branch has been growing little by little. Something I´m happy about from this week: There was a little girl (like 7) about two months ago who was having trouble dragging a large load of laundry down the street and Elder Horsley and I helped her bring it to her house (about a twenty minute walk for us). We, then, shook her hand and left but we both always felt like we should go back and visit their family, even though we didn´t even know who she lived with. We tried visiting them a good 20 times during that month, but they were NEVER there. But God never gives a prompting without great purpose, so we persisted. A couple days ago, we passed by the house again, and we ran into some man who told us they were at work, and showed us where they worked. The little girl was extatic to see us. She jumped up and down and screamed "the gringos came!!" We met her mom and the rest of her family and the mom, we found, was really looking for help. She was really worried about her daughter who had ran off and she wanted us to pray for her and visit her. I´m so happy we could be there for them. Deffinitely worth the wait to meet them. Also, last night, we trained a family who has two teenage kids. The kids expressed how they felt in school and in public, being Mormon in Huancavelica. I never really realized how much kids bug them about their beliefs, especially because drinking (even at a young age) is such a big part of the culture here. But the oldest kid expressed that whenever she chooses to defend what she knows is true she suddenly feels as if she´s not so alone, because she has God backing her up. There are so many strong and inspiring people here. They really are the pioneers of Huancavelica and they were definitely chosen to be the light, here in this great city. Anyway, I hope all is well at home and you´re enjoying vacations! Can´t wait to hug you soon!
Much love,
Elder Alexander