Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Gangsters Paradise

Last week for P-Day, we went to the south of our mission to go to a mall that was really nice. It made me feel like I was at home. We had a great time with some of the other Elders in our District, that came with us. On our way back home, I began to not feel so good. At that time, I thought it was just because I was a little dehydrated and nauseous because of the bus ride. However, when I got home, I started feeling much worse. I began throwing up off and on for the next hour and then got sick from the McDonalds I ate at the mall.

Besides that, my week has been great.  This week we have changes so Elder Tocigl and Elder Gerrardo are leaving our Ward. They were great guys.  Elder Carney and I are still in my training period, so we will still be together for another six weeks. 

We have one investigator who is really beginning to progress whose name is Venel and is from Haiti. A lot of Haitian immigrants are moving to Chile which is really cool. They are such awesome people who are very humble and want to hear our message. He has lived here for 7 months and already speaks really good Spanish.  For his roommates, we have to do a lot of reading in The Book of Mormon and in the pamphlets(that we hand out) in Creole. It’s really fun trying to talk in Creole. hahaha. Anyway,I’m really excited to see where that will go.

We have another family that we are teaching who are really cool. We were walking down the street and heard them listening to Gangsters Paradise. lol. Anyway, we contacted them and are teaching them twice a week. They are Super receptive!

Elder Carney and I do a lot of walking each day. Our area is about 2 1/2 miles x 1/2 mile, which seems really small, but there are so many people in it! It’s been a great week.

In our lessons, we teach people the doctrines of Jesus Christ. This is just one of the lessons we teach and in it, we teach about repentance and what it truly is. When people think about the word repentance, many times they accompany this word with shame, faults, wrong doings and other negative words. A different word comes to my mind and that is the word Gift. When we exercise our faith in Jesus Christ and truly ask for forgiveness of our sins, we can be cleansed. We can thank our Savior for this gift. Because of His suffering and sacrifice for us, we can continue to repent throughout our lives knowing that we can be cleaned thanks to our Savior. When we recognize our sin, stop what we are doing wrong, confess our sins to the Lord and ask for forgiveness, restitute our faults and then accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we have truly repented. I testify that repentance works; that doubt and guilt can be turned into confidence and happiness through sincere prayer to our Lord. 

Repentance has a drastic of a change as does turning on a lightbulb in a dark room. There is a drastic change from dark to light, just as there is a change of being sinful to cleansed. When we go through this process we can be changed! 


Disfruten su semana. O y hablaremos el proximo miércoles!


Thursday, October 20, 2016

Short and Sweet

What a week this has been! The weather’s been freezing cold the past 5 days. On Saturday, we had a ton of rain and the streets (in some parts) were filled with water! That day was so fun!

Last Friday, we had a really powerful lesson on the ability to do hard things with a less active member. We shared the video Mountains to Climb by Henry B. Eyring, which is one of my favorite messages/videos by the church.

Oddly enough in this talk by President Eyring, he explains how he “asked for a mountain” or a really tough challenge to be put before him. I had to think about that for a minute….I don’t know if I have the faith to ask God for a trial (mountain) to be placed before me. Regardless, two weeks later, President Eyring was given a really tough trial.  One of the toughest of his life. Climbing that mountain is tough. We will climb, we ill slip and fall, but with faith we will get to the top of it. That much I do know.  

One of our investigators is getting baptized in 1 1/2 weeks.  We are so excited for her! She is so receptive to everything. It’s as if she’s a member already!

Elder Tocigl (my roommate) is banking on his Visa coming in next week and leaving the country for Las Vegas. He bought 100 rolls (20 mil) of sushi for us two nights ago.  It was awesome! hahaha

Sorry for the short email. Next weeks will be longer.  

I Love it here!!

Chow!


Elder Hendrix


Below is the link of the video that Elder Hendrix referenced in his letter this week:




_________________________________________________________

Mom note.  When asked if he is having fun, this was his reply:
Elder Carney and I with Nefi, one of our ward members. He is a great guy!

Santiago Temple

Friday, October 14, 2016

We Can Do Hard Things

This week has been a great one! On Thursday, we had the opportunity to go to the temple with one of our investigators, Valeria, who has a baptism date at the end of this month! Thus far, that experience had been the highlight of my mission.  It was such a great experience. We took the metro to downtown and from then ere went to the temple. The temple is so beautiful! We walked around the gardens and Valeria was absolutely amazed by everything there. There truly is a different spirit there. While there, we shared a message on temples and took her into the foyer part of the temple. Such a great experience.

The Santiago Temple

On Saturday, we were able to go to one of Elder Carneys old investigators baptism. It was so great meeting him and talking with the other missionaries. I am truly surrounded by such great people here.

Two days ago, we helped a member paint their house. I admire this sisters faith in letting 19 year old boys paint her living room! hahahaha. The too, turned out looking pretty good. After we finished painting the room (and each other) we had a lesson with a girl who is from Sao Paulo, Brasil. She was SO receptive to our message, so I am looking forward to more visits with her!

Yesterday, Elder Carney was throwing up and had a fever and Elder Gallardo (one of our roommates) was sick too, so Elder Tocigl and I managed both of our sectors today! During the lessons in my sector, I was forced to lead the lessons and I thought I did a pretty good job of it. I’ve been here almost a month now and I’m slowly but surely beginning to see results! However, yesterday, I received some very scary news. lol. I apparently have to give a talk on Sunday…..for 15 minutes….in Spanish. Did I mention that I have only been here nearly a month! Pray for me. lol  Other than that frightening news, my week had been good. We do a good job of keeping ourselves busy each day. Each day goes by so fast!

This week I’ve had a few people ask me the question of, ‘why is life so hard? Why do I have such hard trial and why do bad things happen to me?’  Every time I am asked this, I tell them that I do not know the exact reason for their difficulties. That no matter how hard the challenge may be, we know that God will not give us a challenge that we are unable to bare. Despite how overwhelmingly impossible it may seem to overcome, we need to have faith that we, through the help of our atoning Savior, can and will overcome this challenge or any challenge that we will face in the future. A month or so ago, one of my best friends, Benjamin Blessing shared a scripture with me that is directly applicable to this topic. In Romans 8:18 it says, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the Glory which shall be revealed in us.” Though our suffering may bog us down now, when we overcome our trials and continue to overcome them, I firmly believe that every trial will be worth it when we obtain that glory! This much I know to be true.

Chao!


Elder Hendrix

__________________________________________________________

An email from Elder Carney

Hello sister Hendrix!

So here are some pics from these last few weeks, its been a good one! Your son is doing incredible and is a beast! He is really picking up on the language and is really trying hard! Super diligent. Life has been good here, just living it up with Elder Hendrix! He is an incredible missionary! Hope all is well in your fam! Que tengan una semana maravillosa!! 

Elder Carney


Saturday, October 8, 2016

Lost and Nearly Bit.



This week’s been a very good week! I really enjoyed watching General Conference and hearing all the leaders of the church speak. I was fortunate enough to watch it in English with another “greenie” missionary, while all the other missionaries watched it in Spanish.  

On Monday, we had divisions(it is where you are paired with a different missionary, from a different area) with the zone leaders and I stayed in my sector(the area where I live and serve). Now my sector is no more than the size of my neighborhood back home, but there are probably 50,000+ people that live here. Just to kind of give you a perspective, my mission is 11x16 kilometers and 3 million people live in it…..Needless to say, there are so many intricate streets that Elder Martinez and I got lost a few times,but we had a great day. For Noche de Hogar (Family Home Evening) we had sushi with two families from our ward that are amazing(sushi is really popular here right now) and played a fun game.

In the afternoon of this same day, every appointment we had fell through, but as I looked back at the end of the day, it ended up being good.  While we were walking down the street, one of the less active kids we teach had a basketball in his hands as he was leaving his house.  We asked him if we could go and shoot with him for a couple of minutes.  He obliged and we ended up going to the “colegio” or school in our sector. Every Tuesday there is an after school program for kids(teens) to come and exercise/play basketball at the school.  We couldn’t stay very long, but we had a chance  to talk with the instructor and told him that we would love to help him with the kids if he needed it!  

Overall, it was a great week.  Hope y’all are enjoying your fall weather.  I envy you. It’s starting to get REALLY hot here.  

Talk with you next week!

Elder Hendrix


Just a couple of notes from my personal email with Elder Hendrix.  When asked if he's had anything “interesting” happen he shared this with me, “a three legged dog tried nipping at my heels but I scared him off. A drunk guy tried popping my fingers and almost broke Elder Carneys hand lol”  

Another completo consumed.  Now that is a hot dog!!

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Found The Camera Cord!!!!






Elder Hendrix and Elder Carney

This week’s been a great week! Elder Carney and I were sore for about 3 days after our hike this past p-day, but we’ve been working really hard, nonetheless.



 Hiking into the Andes!


 What an amazing view!
 Santiago
Elder Gutierez( one of my roommates in my apartment)

 We have some investigators who are really progressing in the Gospel. It’s amazing to see their desire to change their lives for the better.  In one of our lessons this week, with one of our investigators, we taught a lesson and shared a video about Joseph Smith. Her niece, who lives in Puente Alto( a different city in Santiago) was there and was really intrigued with the video and The Book of Mormon.  She said she had always wanted to read the book but never had one! This was music to my ears because we have to pull teeth just to get an investigator to read a page of  The Book of Mormon! I am excited to see where this will go.

My day is very long, but it goes by so fast because we are always on the move. The food here is pretty good. Completos are to die for! The mayo here is amazing and empanadas are really good. Sushi is really big here too! Overall though, the food is so unhealthy. I’m praying I wont get a beer belly here…. :)

Elder Carney is a great dad. (here if you are a greenie (new to the mission field0 your trainer is called your dad) He is from Colorado and is really good at Track and is such a great trainer.  He’s made this transition period so much easier for me, especially with the language.

These past few days I have really been thinking about hindsight. We’ve had a few lessons with investigators and less actives who are struggling with their faith. There is a particular verse in The Book of Mormon I really like that talks about this topic, “And now, I Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith” (Ether 12:6) This past week, I have received that witness! I thought back on how tough high school was and how challenging it was to stay the course. If I didn't have my beliefs and standards I have now, there is no telling what kind of person I would be right now, but because of the beliefs and principles I live my life by, I’m halfway around the world, inviting people to come unto Christ! How great is that?!

As I’ve studied, I’ve began to understand that answers do not come through answered prayers or miraculous miracles. Often times, faith comes by way of experiences. The beauty of hindsight is that I never had this perspective during high school.  I would endure and defend my beliefs with honor without these great experiences and feelings that I now have daily on my mission.  It was very tough, but as a result, I grew so much from it.  

Love,



Elder Hendrix



Elder Hendrix's desk( what a difference a mission is making on his cleanliness and organization) :)

Thursday, September 22, 2016

No Comprende

 Aguas De San Ramon


This week has been so busy and very long when I look back on it, but very rewarding. I am understanding a little more each day, but it is still so hard. For example, we taught Peruvians a couple days ago and I followed the conversation very well and could communicate very well with them. The next lesson, we taught a Chilean with no teeth,.......Didn't get a word out of him..

We do A LOT of walking in my area. We are in La Granje which is in the southern part of Santiago.I love the people here. So great! They are so humble and amazing. We have really been getting to work. We have many menos activos and investigators who are really starting to progress and its awesome to watch them change their lives for the better.
Elder Carney is my trainer (Dad as they call it here) and is the man!! I love working with him.

Today, I am exhausted. We went on a waterfall hike in the Andes. It was so amazing!! It was 5 miles in and 5 miles out in tough terrain and sadly, Coach Tidwell, it wasn’t a chocolate waterfall (inside joke) 
A really cool thing about our District is that we have permission to leave our mission. We went with our district to the east mission and completed this daunting hike. We are so close as a district and zone because we are all so close together. I love these guys. I have photos but lost my plug. I’m in the process of finding a new one but the Andes are HUGE. They trump the mountains in the US!! 

This week has been so hard, but so rewarding. I know that I will struggle with Spanish for awhile, but I can use it to my advantage. What my President told me( President Gwilliam is so amazing. I had an interview and got to know him really well) that people will listen more closely to what I have to say because they are trying to figure out what it is I’m saying.  That will help them feel the spirit more and be more inclined to hear our message.

I love it hear. God calls you where you are supposed to go. It wouldn’t matter if it took me 2 years or if I never learned Spanish. I love the Mission. I love the people. And I am happy. Talk to you next week

Love,


Elder Hendrix



The day their district left the CCM.  


Thursday, September 15, 2016

VIVA CHILE!!!


I’m going to apologize up front for my short email. This week has been so hectic and I haven't found any time to write! Our flight to Chile was great. I had two of the best meals I have had in 6 weeks!! The mountains are HUGE here, but the smog covers almost all but the tops of them. My companions name is Elder Carney. He is an amazing Elder. He is from Colorado, and is such a great guy! Im really looking forward to our time together these next 6 weeks. I am living in La Granja! We have the 2nd smallest mission in the world, but 3 million people live in this area. 

I had a funny experience on the bus today. A lady literally walked up to me and took a picture of me. It was so weird... She then proceeded to type to her friend or something as she kept glancing at me then at her phone and then back at me…..My companion was looking over her shoulder to see what she was writing. He said that she was texting someone that I was cute….


The Chileans are amazing people! They are so great and humble. However, I can't understand an ounce of what they are saying. Their Spanish is so bad lol but I can testify to them! Not going to lie. It is hard here but I know that abrupt change in our lives gives us the opportunity to grow more than we possibly can imagine! 

Chow! 


Elder Hendrix

P.S. in true Elder Hendrix fashion....he misplaced his camera cord.  Hopefully he finds it soon. :)




Completo(Chilean Hot Dog)


An email from Elder Hendrix's companion


Hendrix family!!

This is Elder Carney from Denver Colorado, and I am training your son Elder Hendrix!!! Just wanted you guys to know that he is an INCREDIBLE missionary, and will do amazing things here in Chile Santiago Sur! We have only had one day but he is ready to get down to work! I hope you guys know that  I am here for whatever and that I am super excited to be training your son. He is the man! Please let me know if their is anything that I can do for you guys or for him! Have a great week! And here is a picture of his first completo (hot dogs but so much better!)
Elder Carney


An email from the mission home


LA IGLESIA DE JESUCRISTO DE LOS SANTOS DE LOS ÚLTIMOS DÍAS
Misión Chile Santiago Sur, Francisco Aranda 530, San Bernardo, Santiago Chile, 807086

September 13, 2016

Aimee Hendrix 
USA

Dear Sister Hendrix:

We are happy to send the exciting news that after weeks of preparation in the Mexico MTC, Elder Hendrix has arrived safely with his group of fellow missionaries to the Chile Santiago South Mission.  He was transported from the MTC to the Mission Office where he met his trainer, participated in a New Missionary Orientation and was transported to his first assigned area. 

Your son has been assigned as a junior companion to Elder Carney, from Littleton, Colorado. Elder Carney is an exceptional missionary selected by President Gwilliam to guide Elder Hendrix through this important training period of his mission.  They are assigned to labor in the Pensamientos 1 sector in the La Bandera zone. 

You can expect to hear from Elder Hendrix by email Wednesday which is preparation day.  We trust that you will also write to Elder Hendrix on a weekly basis. Your positive messages of support and love will be a great source of strength and encouragement to him. We will send you our weekly newsletter as well as other occasional messages. To send a letter or a package we strongly recommend you use USPS, and the following address:

Elder Hendrix
Chile Santiago South Mission
Apartado Postal No. 544
San Bernardo, Chile

We thank you for all that you have done to help prepare Elder Hendrix to faithfully serve a full time mission. We know that your family will be blessed for his sacrifice and commitment to serve the Lord.  Thank you for entrusting Elder Hendrix to the Lord and to us.  We look forward to getting to know him well as we labor together.  We want you to know that we will love and watch over him while he is in our care. Please feel free to communicate with us at any time, with any concerns that you may have.
Most sincerely,
                                    

   President Douglas G. Gwilliam                                   Sister Stephanie Gwilliam



Elder Hendrix meeting his Mission President, his wife and his companion, Elder Carney