the one with a whole lot of social events

Hola Everybody!!! that's right I'm alive and well still down here in Chile!! this week went by way fast and i think the next 10 weeks are gunna fly as we come down to the end, it's a little scary. anyways to give ya'll a run down on the week, this week we had zone conference which was super awesome i saw a bunch of my buddies and we learned a lot of important things from our awesome mission president, what a conference. i didn't want it to end. then yesterday we also had to take care of some visa stuff for my companion in the city and we were there like all day with a bunch of buddies from my group so the hours sure passed by fast. we were just chatting up a storm and it's crazy how close we've all become after all this time here in Chile, these are friends that im going to have for life, i love these guys. Today we played basketball, my jumpshot was on point but my 3 pointer was struggling a bit, we'll work on it when i get home. then we went to carl's jr and i ate the best meal ive had a long time. and free refills! that doesn't exist down here in Chile, but today i felt like i was at home again haha. 

the work has been going great, some investigators went to church this week that we were definitely not expecting to come and that really made our day. we're working a lot with haitian people and im little by little learning their language (creole). it's crazy to understand 3 languages in one conversation. everything's going great and i'm truly happy with life these days. i pray that you can all say the same as well. 

I love you very much and i wish you a great week!!! 

Love, Elder Carlos Cabrera

facts of the week:

1. when a bunch of gringos play basketball for the first time in years, they all just try to make 3 pointers the whole time

2. free refills don't exist in chile, but little by little, they're moving in the right direction, next step: free bathrooms

The one where i was a burglar

Hola everyone!!! So this week has been crazy busy!!! we had meetings to go to (we also ate mexican food so it wasnt that bad) and a whole lot of people to visit. My comp Elder Whiting and I have been going so hard since we're kinda on our last stretch of the mission. yeah we still have like 10 weeks left but we're not trying to waste anytime at all. we've been teaching people from all over the world, Haiti, Peru, Dominican Republic, Colombian, you name it. not that many chileans believe it or not. but this week my comp made the dumb mistake of forgetting the keys inside the house and unfortunately the only way to get into the house was through the bathroom window which was way too tiny for either of us to go through and actually impossible for my big boy companion. so, for being the skinny one of the two, i had to go through the window and let me tell ya, it was not a pretty sight. but we ended up getting in and we're all good now haha. so that was the story of the week stand by for more wild adventures of Cabrera and Whiting!! Love you all and have a great week!!!

Elder Carlos Cabrera

facts of the week:

1. you can call anyone tio or tia (uncle or aunt) and its totally okay here, apparently a bunch of people have nephews or nieces hahaha

2. everyone has the same african decor in their houses, i dont know if its the style or just the cheapest thing in the stores 

The one where i go to Conchali

Hola Everyone!!! well heres the latest updates: i am no longer in Colina i was transfered to a new area called Fermìn Vivaceta in the zone of Conchali. my new companion is elder darren whiting from Mesa, AZ. we came to the mission together and we're actually going home the same day too so we have a history together haha. But yeah it was so sad having to say goodbye to the area and all the people i grew to love but thats the mission for ya. its full of hellos and goodbyes and you know you loved the people when it hurts to say goodbye. i guess i loved them too much haha. but i know ill learn to love the people in my new area as well. but this time the goodbye will be when i go home. i just want to invite you guys all to appreciate what you have and not only when you dont have it anymore because by then its too late. but we'll see what this new area has in store for me and ill be keeping you posted on all our adventures. 

Love, Elder Carlos Cabrera

The one with Jadens birthday party

Hola everyone!!! yeah its me and this time i come with photos again!!! thats right i got my camera and now you guys can have actual evidence that im alive and well and that its still me thats writing every week haha. this week passed by way fast especially the weekend. this past weekend we had district conference here in Colina and it was wonderful, great talks and the spirit was definitely present. but on top of that, we had a PIZZA PARTY!! thats right i havent had one since like the 6th grade but my buddy Jaden Meservy (President and Hermana Meservy's son) turned 14 on saturday and we all celebrated with pizza, root beer, dr pepper and mint brownies! you have no idea how much i was in heaven i havent had any of that stuff in a long time, i nearly cried when i saw the rootbeer cans hahaha. so it was great!!! besides that alls well here, this coming week we should be having transfers and most likely my companion Elder Puello is taking off to another zone to continue his mission, we've been together for 4 months and its always a little sad to say goodbye but thats the mission for ya. stand by to see what happens. anyways i guess until next week!!! take care everyone! 

Love, Elder Carlos Cabrera

facts of the week:

1. there was a rumor around here that Trump declared war on Chile and everybody became anti.gringo for a good 2 days hahaha

2. when you dont know what to say but you need to kill time its super easy in Chilean spanish, you just stress the sylablles and the time flies by

The burning ceviche 1-Elder Cabrera 0

HOLAAAA Everybody!!!! Long time no talk! sorry about no email last week, things were hectic and i couldnt get around to it. but im here im here safe and sound so no worries. youre favorite chile missionary is still going strong down here in Santiago and wow how the time flies. its getting harder and harder to write these emails because everythings starting to just blend together and when the time comes to tell you all about it, i dont remember a thing. you can all imagine how frustrating that might be. 

so lets see whats the latest in life, well we've just been visiting a bunch of people and helping in anyway i can. ive come across a new perspective of missionary work. i use to look at it as a day by day door knocking fest, where we just had to knock a bunch of doors try to share the gospel with anyone we saw and that was it. in a certain regard, thats not incorrect. but what ive learned is that its so much more than just that. what we do is we lift people up who donty have the strength to lift themselves up. we help people progress, we help people learn and make changes and in the process, we do the same. Ive developed a new appreciation for this work, and its taken me about 21 months to do it haha. dont take missionaries for granted, on the contrary, take advantage of their dedication and their desire to serve and allow them to use you as a reference and a guide to bring this Gospel to all our friends and loves ones. a missionary has power to change lives, and thats something im really gunna miss after all of this. but im not done yet so im going to make the most of it while i still have it.

just a few thoughts i thought id share this week. i love you all very much and i wish you my best. sorry there arent any photos, the computer isnt recognizing my camera so hopefully next week. 

Love, Elder Carlos Cabrera

facts of the week:

1. peruvian ceviche makes hot cheetos seem like baby food. so ive ate mexican ceviche no big deal, but this week i tried an authentic peruvian ceviche with a bunch of peruvians and i felt my insides melt a little bit, all the peruvians just laughed at us and ate it like it was no big deal