11/13/23: SA-BI-DU-RI-A

 Bueno Bueno. Another week in Arriaga, Chiapas passes. For those of you who are wondering, Sabiduría means wisdom. I titled this week's email that because I had a somewhat intense drunk man exclaim that word to me about 7 times with a firm tap on my chest with each syllable. I guess it's important to note, so I figured I'd share his "sabiduría" with you guys.


There are a lot of interesting responses people have down here (and everywhere) to 2 teenage boys walking around in white shirts and nametags. Especially when one is white and in Mexico. We were in line for an ATM with a couple of immigrants (there are tons down here, mostly from Senegal, Benin and other parts of Northern Africa, along with a lot of Haitians and Venezuelans too) when one lady looked me up and down and boldly exclaimed to me in English, "I like you, I wanna marry you". Flattered, though somewhat shocked, I replied, "oh thank you, but I'm sorry, I'm a missionary and have chosen not to be in any relationships like that for 2 years". I think what she meant to say was "I would like your passport and a white baby too please". Similar experiences have happened 2 other times since then lol. A lot of them have a hard time understanding why I would take myself out of the US and come south when they are working so hard to get north... I don't blame them for their confusion, I have wondered that too sometimes, but I guess God asks us to do interesting things. And it's been worth it.

This week was way hot. It usually is like that down here on the Chiapan coast, but it was kinda crazy this week. It hit a "feels like" temperature of 121 one day, and got close to that a few other times. It's funny to look at the actual temperature on the weather app and then see the "feels like", because humidity and air quality always throw it way off. 

Spanish has come along pretty well, it can still be discouraging to try to communicate with people and just recieve a blank stare from them, or most often, them ask me something and I'm the one staring blankly. But I'm learning far faster than I expected and I'm learning to enjoy language study. I have been successful in a lot of my listening skills though, having a native companion who speaks little to no english, has helped me greatly with deciphering accents and quick speaking. I can now understand most everything people say to eachother if I listen intently.

This week we were able to help 2 people make baptismal dates! It was very exciting. One is a little 11 year old boy who very much wants to be baptized, but has a hard time remembering lessons and paying attention in them. It will take a lot of patience and even more love to help him get to his goal, but I know God will help him get there. The other is a man in his mid twenties named Pedro who is very kind and was referred to us by some members in another area. He has been searching dearly for truth in his life, and is excited that he has found it through Christ. He works on Sundays, but really wants to come to church, we are helping him find a way to make it happen. I know God will help him through his challenges if he truly desires it. God is merciful like that. 

Spiritual thought of the week: Repentance is so key to our happiness and relationship with the Savior and those around us. Remember, remember to find ways to improve each day and ask God to help you with them. I make so many mistakes each day that take me further from Christ, but when I ask Him for help to stay on His path, He always forgives me and helps me each time through small miracles and the Spirit in my life. How merciful He is to do that! Scripture is Alma 5:21

Anyway that's what I got! Thanks for reading if you got all the way through! ¡Adios!

- Elder Allen

Pictures: 
1. Our lovely weather (it is my proof if you wanted it)
2. Elder Garcia and I with our 1.25 L glass cokes to try to cool off (we both love Mexican coke)
3. A cool waterfall we visited for P-day today
4. Me with the cleanest street cat we have seen, I like cats and wanted a picture, he did not. (we washed our hands afterwards, don't worry) 






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