Week 9: Adventures of a world without peanut butter

Hello lovers of Elder Van Pelt!

Sorry that I have been on haitus for two weeks, I was kind of having a baby. So Zach has a new niece that he can look forward to meeting at the airport in 2 years.

Zach has had some ups and downs the last several weeks, as we would expect him to have. A common problem (or so I hear from my husband) is getting along with companions. It seems Zach has run into this as he has arrived in Chile. He has tried to keep working but finds it hard to motivate himself while also motivating his companion, but as we all know, Elder Van Pelt is very motivated and is taking things one step at a time with the focus on Christ.

This week Zach was able to do splits with Elder Chumbe, who is from Peru. He speaks no English, so Zach really had to rely on the spirit while they taught together in order to understand him.

Elder Van Pelt and his companion have been teaching a little old lady, maybe in her 70s (a little chilean grandma that doesn't hate Zach... Thats a surprise!) Anyways Zach was determined to find Miriam, they spent the day knocking on doors with not a lot of luck. When they reached Miriam's door Zach bore his testimony of God and Jesus Christ. She was about to close the door when Zach interrupted and asked if she could please spend 5 minutes of her time to talk with them. She replied that she didn't have time and to come back the next day, when they taught her an amazing lesson and set up another appointment with her. He feels good about her and feels that with persistence and love she might see the truth of what they are teaching. Zach was also able to teach a pastor this week. He didn't realize he was a pastor until he was in his house and saw items that represented his religion (pastor certificates, crosses, etc.). Elder Van Pelt immediately thought he was going to get his ear chewed off by this pastor and said a prayer to ease tension. Elder Van Pelt and his companion ended up getting another appointment with this gentleman! Wahoo!

Zach has been uber homesick lately as he has been gone 2 months, but he has coped with his emotional roller coaster with encouraging words that friends and family have given him on the way. 

The food is great in Chile, he has gained 6 pounds (which if you know Zach, is a miracle). They don't eat peanut butter or pepper. The people of Chile really mean so much to Zach he just really wants them all to know of the truth of the gospel. He is adapting to the life of a missionary, although hard, he is still getting used to the lack of sleep. He says that church there is super different. He feels the spirit greatly in sacrament and ends up losing it in priesthood meeting where all the men argue about stupid doctrinal things, how to raise kids or what food should be at the upcoming branch party.

Anyways, that is about it for Elder Van Pelt this week, but keep your kind words coming to him. He loves to hear from everyone, and remember, letters written to him are best because he can enjoy them throughout the week and not just during his short amount of time on p-day.

Hasta luego!