New Missionary Training... Fase 1 and 2

We had great sessions with our new missionaries. Fase 1 training we hold after they have been here about 10 days. They come back the next Friday after they arrive, so they now know what questions to ask, how to do things, and what they need help with since they have arrived. We have an interactive meeting and then followed by nice lunch for each of them and their trainer/companions too. The following month, when they have been out for 1 change or about 6 weeks, then we have the new ones come back for Fase 2, this time the whole meeting in Spanish, and without their trainers/companions. They are fine by now, getting around on the metro, buses and can really converse fine and understand the majority of what people say. Here are some of their comments and thoughts about what they are learning, saw, heard, experienced in their first change here in Chile Santiago North:

1. "One woman said she had never heard of the church before, but when we started to explain about Jose Smith we felt the spirit and powerfully, as if someone else where teaching her about it, so she paid real close attention."
2. "Our investigator had a very strong prejudice against Peruvians, but she told me that even though I am from Peru, her heart was softened towards me as she always saw me smiling, and being helpful. That was what made her want to listen to us, where my companion said she wouldn't listen to just him before."
3. "A teenager started gaining more trust and confidence in his parents, after he began having personal changes in his life from the gospel. He used to be a deliquent but the gospel helped him express more love and appreciation to his parents. I did the same in my country, after I learned about the gospel. I was much more obedient and unselfish with my parents' requests after I joined the church."
4. "I really feel the power of prayers here in just these short 10 days. The Spirit was really powerful, and sometimes this is the only time I really can understand what is being said, during the prayers, by the spirit."
5. "I can't believe I'm really here, finally in the mission field. I feel like I've been waiting for this all of my life. I talked to a man yesterday who told us many things he needs to repent about, including crimes and serious stuff. But it touched me to see him crying and wanting to change."
6. "The first night we arrived, we bought some groceries, put my suitcases in the house, and we went out. It started raining, I was drenched, by my companion and I both didn't mind, we said what a great way to start out, because the people felt sorry for us, and everywhere we knocked, people let us in! I remember Pres. May telling us to go the extra mile, and then it is true...we were more than blessed!"
7. "I was not used to riding a bike like we need to in Los Andes, and I fell off 4 times when I first started, but I kept trying and now I am better at it."
8. "My trainer is so great, he practically runs to the appointments, but he knows everyone in this area, and now my leg muscles are really strong! One lady put a baptismal date and then after we were teaching her, she wants to move it up and do it sooner! We are having lots of lessons with whole families and see miracles in them."
9. "We were talking to a woman who said she was busy, and then she told us she would give us just 5 minutes. Then she soon let us in her home. Then she told us that she has attended or tried many churches all around the neighborhood, but never been in ours. She was excited to hear that we are missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ, because she loves to talk and learn about Him. She was thrilled we invited her to come and attend out meetings this week. She must really be prepared!"
10."I read DyC 11:12,15--This made me really feel that when I am testifying and trying to share my thoughts, the spirit fills me too, with joy. Just like the scripture says, and I can understand how it makes us want to share it more."