Week 7 Vallenar

April 27, 2015

Hello friends and family!!! I have finally arrived to the mission field! My first Area is called ''Vallenar''. It is the southern most city in my entire mission boundaries. I can honestly say that I love it here. There is more green here than any other place in the Antofagasta mission so im grateful for that. The weather is pretty good as well. It gets kinda hot during the day but at night it’s perfect!!! Vallenar kinda reminds me of Idaho actually. There are big mountains and not a whole lot of plantation on them. Vallenar sits in a valley and we live at the top of this little valley. This is both good and bad. We have to walk Soooo much everyday up hill and then down hill. I think im going to lose weight! On the contrary, railroad tracks run right by our house so it wakes us up every now and again. The houses here are nothing like what we have in Idaho. They are usually cement houses about the size of an average sized garage in Idaho. This is extremely sad. We know a family that has literally nothing. Their house consists of 4 cement walls and only part of the house has a roof over it. They have dirt floors and 2 rooms. The craziest part is they offer us candy and food and jackets from off their backs just to help us as missionaries. I cannot express in words how humble these people are. The apartment we live in is nothing special but im grateful. Our bathroom is kinda gross (thanks for buying me shower sandals hahaha). But you know what? I love Everything about this place. The people, the food (sometimes haha) and EVERYTHING! I had some sort of bean stew my first day and it was gross but I ate it because our mamita made it and I didn’t want to hurt her feelings. Another day I had a meal, which consisted of bread, pasta with chicken, one random hotdog in it and a salad. Entonces, a veces... la comida es muy rico, pero.... otras veces, la comida es ''diferente''. My Spanish is a lot better than it was a month ago so that’s good. Having a Latino companion is difficult. I can’t always say what I need to but I know enough to get by for right now. Yesterday was my first time going to church in the mission. It was very different than what im used to. In the entire sacrament meeting, there was like 20 people max.... if that. Since hardly anyone goes, they call it a ''Rama'' or branch. They made me get up and introduce myself and share my testimony. I made them all laugh so that was good. They all call me ''Elder Spiderman'' because they can’t pronounce my last name haha. One of the investigators of the other Elders in the Rama came to church! We had the opportunity to teach him about the plan of Salvation! His wife passed away 3 months ago so I think this really helped him. He too broke down in tears during the lesson. The spirit is real my friends. Feeling the spirit on your mission is a totally different thing. I am currently teaching my companion English phrases like ''Whacha talkin bout willis?'' haha. Elder Leon is the coolest! He is such a good trainer. Anyway, that’s about all for now.... until next week!!! Love you all!!

Elder Spanbauer

Elder Leon

Apartment

Where We Sleep

Bathroom & Shower

Above the City of Vallenar

First P-Day

Playing Volleyball With Other Elders

Week 6 Vallenar

April 23, 2015

Hey guys, sorry I haven't emailed lately. I have been super busy. I was traveling to Antofagasta where I met my mission president and his wife. I stayed there for a night with some other elders and the following day was a initiatory day. We met all of the trainers and we were assigned our new companions. I was assigned to Elder Leon. He is from Ecuador and speaks no English.... but its okay. I think i will learn faster that way. Also, my first area is Vallenar. I am currently here serving. Today is my first real day in the field. My apartment is not super nice or anything but I'm happy with it. I will send pics next week. This town is a very poor town and all of the houses are very run down. There are more dogs than people and its kinda hot during the days and super cold at night. Over all, I love this place and my companion. The language is stressful but I just have to remind myself it will come with time. I love you all so much!!! Until next week!!!

Elder Spanbauer

Hey, I have like ten minutes to write really fast so I'll explain everything next week. The spits went great. one woman broke down in tears and that hit me pretty hard. We won against the Latinos in the game hahaha but they claim we cheated hahahah. The Spanish is still bad haha but I try not to let it get me down. My trainer only speaks Spanish so I have no choice at this point. I flew to Antofagasta and then took a 10 hour bus ride south to Vallenar. So far, I like it here. Our apartment is pretty ghetto haha but I kinda like it. This city is going to humble me if it hasn't already. I will go into more detail next week! Love you!

Elder Spanbauer

Getting My Assigned Area to Vallenar

My Trainer Elder Leon From Ecuador

Elder Leon (Trainer) and Me

Elder Mangum (AP to President Dalton and BYU QB)

Yeah This is Happening... Look Out Chile!

Elder Oribe (AP) Handing Out Assignments

Week 6 Arrived at Mission Field

April 21, 2015

Saludos de Chile!!

We are pleased to inform you of the safe arrival of Elder Parker Todd Spanbauer in the Chile Antofagasta Mission. We are thrilled to have Elder Spanbauer serving here with us.  It was a pleasure to greet him at the airport today and spend some time getting to know him.

Thank you for the sacrifices you are making and the support you are giving him while he serves. We know he will appreciate the support he receives from home and you will be blessed for having a missionary in the field. We have attached photos of Elder Spanbauer taken in front of our signature Antofagasta landmark, La Portada, with the city of Antofagasta in the background.

The Lord is hastening the Work of Salvation and this is an amazing time to be a missionary.  Elder Spanbauer is needed here and we are so grateful he has chosen to serve a mission.  We will care for him as if he were our own.

With much love,
President & Sister Dalton
Chile Antofagasta Mission
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

President & Sister Dalton at Antofagasta landmark, La Portada

Parker & New Missionaries Arriving on Day 1

Week 5 Santiago MTC

April 15, 2015

Hey Guys!!! Sorry I'm writing a little late this week. We have a ton of Elders and Hermanas here at the CCM (MTC) so we had to split up our Pdays. So first off, yes we got to listen to all of the sessions of conference!!! I honestly think that's the first time I've listened to every single session! We got home super late that day! (midnight) I absolutely loved the talks and I especially love Elder Holland! This week has been so much fun and stressful and then fun again and then stressful.... but in those moments i feel the most stress, I also feel the comfort of the lord the most. When people said it wasn't going to be easy, they weren't kidding!!! My Spanish is so much better than it was when i first got here but still pretty sloppy. I can hold a conversation with the Latino Elders and people on the street but sometimes its hard to understand them when they speak a billion miles an hour. There are so many people from so many different places here so its hard to understand some of them. There is one Elder from Peru that speaks very softly and I cant understand him to save my life. So yeah, my Spanish is ´´mejor´´ pero still sucks hahaha. I have had a ton of opportunities to teach ´´investigators´´ AKA my teachers acting as investigators from their missions. Its a lot of fun but really hard to do in Spanish. Yesterday we went to the temple again. It was a wonderful experience as usual. This time was special though because it is probably the last time ill get to go to the temple in a long time!!! I love to take the opportunity to pray in the celestial room after the endowment session. I know I am in Chile for a reason and I cant wait to start my real mission in Antofagasta!!! Today was our Pday so we got to go explore the city a little bit more. We went to another mall to get some things like envelopes, pens, sharpies...etc. After that we bought some Gatorade and a TON of candy hahah. As a missionary in the MTC, candy is a necessity. We went to Lider (walmart) and i bought some more shampoo and more candy hahaha. We also went to a little empanada store and got some fries and empanadas. Lastly, we went to an LDS distribution store and i bought some really cool Peruvian Ties! Today we didn't do a whole lot but we still had a good time. I cant believe it has only been a month and a week! I'm getting nervous because tomorrow we go contacting out on the street. Also, on Friday, we are going on missionary splits with the missionaries in the West Santiago Mission. So its just going to be me and most likely a Latino teaching real investigators. This makes me a little nervous, given my Spanish skill haha but im sure it will be an amazing experience. Sounds like things are going good at home. Regan, goodluck on Pace! Rylie, sounds like you resolved things with ya boy so that's good. I loved the photos you guys sent me!!! Tell Tori I love her!!! Anyway, I need time to send photos.... I love you all so much! If you guys ever send me a packaged, Send me more photos of you guys!

One more thing... So we have been challenging the Latinos every morning to futbol and yesterday we slaughtered them!!! They were so mad hahaha and they beat us today so tomorrow is the championship. Its funny to watch their faces when i school them hahah. #whitepower

(by the way, Elder Muir is still in our companionship and he is from California)

love you lots,
Elder Spanbauer

Just Chillin!

Shopping for Treats

On the Streets of Santiago

At the Mall

The Gang!

Elder Taylor from Mesa Arizona

Elder Muir from California

Everyone

Trio Companionship Elder Taylor, Me and Elder Muir

Santiago Temple

Santiago Temple

Classroom

Where We Live

Bathroom Area

Our Bedroom

Santiago MTC

Mall Area in Santiago

Pizza Hut in Chile

McDonald's in Chile

Elder Taylor

Senior Missionary Couples

Invincible

Here We Come!

Completos

Week 4 Santiago MTC

April 7, 2015

Hey guys!!! I had some emailing problems morning so I've gotta make this quick. So a lot has happened in the last week. I´ll start with last Pday. After we got done emailing home we decided (Elder Taylor, Elder Muir, Elder Stayner, and Elder Johnson) decided to go to the mall. There is a huge mall a few blocks away from the MTC called Parris Mall. We wanted to take a cab there but none of us knew how to get one hahaha. We waved a cab down and he stopped for us. Before we even told him where we wanted to go, we all just jumped in hahaha. Keep in mind, cars here are SUPER small! Also, Elder Stayner is 6.8 ft. tall!!! So the five of us are trying to squeeze into this tiny cab and Elder Johnson jumped on top of us in the back seat. The cab driver was furious! Well, technically i couldn't understand what he was saying but the look on his face was priceless. He basically said get out hahaha. After our first cab experience.... we decided to walk. It took way longer to walk but it was so worth it. They have McDonald's, Pizza hut, Popeyes and a ton of other well known fast food restaurants. We went to a famous place called Domino. They sell super good completos there. I had one with cheese, bacon, BBQ sauce and Avacado! Best completo ever.... well at least compared to the ones here at the CCM (MTC). After that, we went around the mall for about 20min and also went to the Walmart (Lider). We then realized we had only 10min to get back to the MTC so we were forced to try our luck with another taxi. We found a taxi and told him the address and he immediately knew where to go. Let me just say, I have never been more scared for my life!!! He drove so fast and at one point, he started honking at a poor little old lady in the street!!! It was sooo funny but so wrong at the same time hahahah. Today, We are going to go to the mall again and look around some more as well as get another amazing completo. The second wave of Latinos left this morning so that was sad but we get new ones tomorrow!!! Elder Perrier was among the ones to leave. He arrived in Chile with us but was transferred to the other district because he is french and doesn't know a lick of English. Oh!!! Two nights ago he cut mine and Eldert Taylor's hair hahah. That was a scary experience haha because he was sooo agressive! He also has those scary Swiss/French eyes as if he is some kind of mad Artist of some sort! However, he did a really good job haha. I will miss him a ton! My Spanish is getting a lot better as well as our teaching skills in Spanish. We have amazing teachers! Tomorrow we get a new set of teachers that will most likely speak only Spanish..... so yeah, wish me luck haha. I hope all is well at home. I might get some more time to write later today and send pictures. I love you all so much!

Btw - Elder Taylor is not going to Antofagasta. He is serving in the Santiago Norte mission. Elder Muir, my other companion is serving in Antofagasta! My Spanish is a lot better than it was so that's good, but its still not the best haha. I always have to remind myself that it has only been a month. Speaking of which, it does not feel like it has been that long. As of right now, all is well. Just trying to get ready for the field. I love you guys! They might give me some more time to send photos later because my computer was having issues for like 30min. So hopefully they let me. If not, I will try to send more photos next week. I love you all.

Elder Spanbauer

Elder Taylor and I at the Santiago Temple

Missionary Games

Everyone