Riots in Coronel, Brian's Baptism

Family and Friends,

This week felt like it flew by, I’m pretty sure it is because there were a lot of things that happened.  It was one of my most favorite weeks on my mission due to a lot of things that I experienced.  I will forever be grateful for the opportunity that I have to be here in Chile as a missionary, experiencing what I am. 

I am going to start with what happened at the start of this week.  So here in Coronel  there are really bad riots going on by the fishermen that live here.  Which included them piling huge rocks and burning tires in all the streets so that nobody can get anywhere.  They actually set a train and cars on fire which was huge and burned for a day and a half.  They attacked police officers who were trying to stop them and a police office was killed, it was crazy.  We were riding in a micro past one of the parts where a bigger riot had happened and I heard a lot of people start to cough in the micro.  At this place the police had used gas tear bombs to clear out the rioting and before I knew it my face felt like it was on fire.  Some of the gas had gotten into the bus and affected everyone.  It  killed me, my throat, eyes, nose and mouth were burning up and I couldn’t stop crying, sneezing and coughing, it was quite the experience!  All this actually happened to us two times during two separate micros rides.  I tried to be a little bit more prepared  the second time.  So Coronel has been a little crazy lately, but apparently this happens quite a lot because the fisherman always want more money.  Pretty crazy but cool to experience.

I went on an exchange with Elder Ruiz in Camilo which is a little city next to ours.  He is from California and has the same time as Elder Healey, a little bit more than a year.  His dad is Peruvian and his mom is Tongan, he’s a homie.  While we were on the intercambio, we found a lot of really cool people.  Whenever I find someone who is truly humble, I am so impressed with it.  Two things that I am trying to work on while I am here on my mission are charity and humility.  If there is anything I want to be in this life, it would be humble.  

The biggest and best thing that happened this week was that Brian got baptized!  He was honestly the most prepared person I have ever seen, and being part of that miracle was amazing.  He told us the day before that he felt very prepared and sure about what he was doing.  That guy really got an answer, so cool to see.  I wish there were more people like him.  The baptism went perfect!  His whole family, who have been supportive were able to come and see it as well.  He told us after that they really liked it.  Before the baptism my companion made cinnamon rolls and after the baptism all the Chileans were stunned by how good they were.  That’s one thing that Chile lacks, good desserts haha.  When Brian got to the church, he was dressed in a suit and tie.  He told us he was a little nervous, and it showed.  But after the baptism he told us how amazing and happy he felt.  He told us as soon as he came out of the water, he felt something different.  He has been telling us for the past week that there has just been an unexplainable joy in his life.  This Sunday I was able to confirm him a member of our church and give him the Holy Spirit and a blessing.  It was such an amazing experience.  The experiences that we have had with Brian, I will never forget.  

In addition to those things this week, we had a zone conference with President Bluth in Lebu.  I got to see a lot of friends and learn a lot.  We also looked at our Family Search and it was cool to see all the work my mom and family members have done.  

Also another cool experience that happened was we were walking home and it was pretty late and there was a guy in a wheel chair just chilling in the middle of the road.  We could see that he was struggling so we went to him and offered to help.  We pushed him for a very long time to his house.  I don’t know what he would have done if someone didn’t help him, it was a long way away.  What my dad has told me about how service will bring the greatest sense of joy is true.  All in all this week has been a very good week.  Hope all of you had a good week as well.  Love and miss you all.

Elder Clay