Hello friends, family, colleagues, acqaintances, strangers, creepers, associates, chums, classmates, comrades, sidekicks, and even my enemies :)
This is officially the 1st Blog post of many of the Adventures of Elder Hatt! (Or Las Aventras d'Elder Hatt). This will be the place where everyone goes after a hard day's work filled with sweat and tears (and maybe some blood) to read about my incredible adventures as I work in the wonderful land of Lima, Peru for 2 years!... I know, you're jealous ;)
Sooo, I'm sure there's a couple people out there (alright probably everyone) who's wondering "Why the heck is this boy going to live in Peru for 2 years away from friends and family, practically isolated, with little to no communication other then the periodic email once a week and phone calls twice a year and snail mail that will probably take at least 2 weeks to get to him?" (Please refrain from sending me freshly baked goodies for a package, as they will most likely take twice as long as a letter and may not be so fresh once recieved... unless you undercook them :) ) And my response would be, "Good question, when I find out, I'll let you know!"
No I'm just kidding :) I can't wait to get to Peru and meet the people and learn the language. The reason I'll be in Peru is to actually provide service to the people while serving a mission for my Church. I'll be helping them with whatever they need and teaching them about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is my belief and my hope that it will be a most rewarding experience serving in Peru and I can hardly contain my excitement... In fact I enter the training center in exactly 18 days. But who's counting right? :P
I'll fill you in a little bit on how the process works, because I don't actually leave straight for Peru. So, my first step is to enter the training center in Provo, Utah to prepare myself to live in Peru. While there I'll be learning the language as well as the best way to help and teach the people that I'll be surrounded by. Typically I stay in the training center for 9 weeks before I am kicked out and forced to fend for myself while learning how to live in a polluted, hot, smelly city with a small population of only 9,000,000 people! I can't wait :) Aha I'm kidding, I'll be paired with another Missionary in Peru who will train me and help me get my feet on the ground. Typically I'm with one Missionary for 6 weeks before recieving a new one, sometimes more, sometimes less. And this pattern will continue for the 2 years while I'm there! It'll be a hoot, that's for sure.
Anyway that's a basic synopsis of my life to come in the next few years! If you'd like to send me a letter while I'm in the training centre the address is as follows:
Elder Jonan Klinton Hatt
Peru Lima West Mission
POB 30150
Salt Lake City UT 84130-0150
USA
If you would like to send me packages while in Peru my address will be:
Elder Jonan Klinton Hatt
Peru Lima West Mission
Aveniva Carlos Salaverry 3664
Los Olivos
Lima 39
Peru
Phone: 511-521-5405 (Phone number is only needed if shipping with a private courier, but again remember, no freshly baked goodies please :) And please don't call the mission home!)
Unfourtunately I do not have my mailing address while in Peru, and won't be recieving it until I get there, but I will be sure to let everyone know what it is as soon as I do :)
Anyway, that's a little bit of an insight into my life. I wish you all the best and remember to check back weekly for updates or pictures or information or a combination of the three :D
Sinceramente (Sincerely),
Elder Hatt :)
