The zone training went very well, it was sad to give my final
testimony in front of all of the elders, but that is how it goes... the
mission goes by so fast. The zone training was interesting because
President Williams shared with us his favorite talk of conference at
least for missionary work. He really enjoyed the talk by Elder Anderson
when he talked about missionary work and compared it to a huge puzzle.
He shared the scripture in Daniel 2 44 45 which talked about the stone
that was cut out of the hill without hands and the dream which was
interpreted perfectly by Daniel. President said that we are the ones the
interpret the dream to all the rest of the world... also that this work
will never fail and it cannot be stopped. He later gave us all puzzles
and told us to put them together.... we did, but later he said that all
of us did it wrong... then he showed us that there is an order to
follow. Like finding the border pieces, matching groups, not forcing the
pieces, and not taking too long on one piece... Later he compared each
step to the work... we need not force investigators but teach by the
spirit, also if the investigator is not progressing... well we must drop
the investigator and look of the chosen sons and daughters that are
being prepared to receive the Gospel. Also that we must have a plan and
work starting with the people near the chapel and then later working to
the limits of the area. ... it was a great comparison and application of
the talk.. . finally he took one piece and gave it to each of us and
said that we are important key pieces in the puzzle for the preparation
of the coming of Jesus Christ.... each of us are key.
This
week we worked with the family Carlos Bonilla. We are rescuing the
family and preparing their daughter for baptism. All oft the family made
it to church except for the dad. We are trying to help him become
active again so that he can have the privilege of baptizing his
daughter. Teaching the family is always an interesting experience
because the daughter Jaditiza is a very timid girl. She is advancing in
her reading in the book of Mormon. She is setting the example for her
family because she is the one that motivates the rest of them to read to
Book of Mormon and pray. Although, when we ask her questions to make
sure she understands at times she is too shy to respond even though she
may know the answer. Yesterday we explained the law of chastity to her 3
times to make sure she understood... patience is a virtue ... it is the
whole teach people and not lessons... each time we taught her in a
different way.... we even showed her a video.... she will be ready for
the 22 of October.
The
family in Kennedy is doing okay. We went to the lesson with them on
Sunday, but sadly we found the Dad drunk, so we rescheduled for Tuesday.
We are going to set goals to help the dad stop drinking. I know that he
will be able to stop drinking, because I have seen complete changes in
the lives of other investigators during my mission. Especially the
recent convert here in Moshoqueque.... I feel that visiting this family
with Gian Franco ( CR) will give them hope for change and also we
animate them for their baptismal goal.
This week I stayed in Moshoqueque with elder Romero. It was a pleasant work visit. It was great seeing how much Elder
My
companion is sick right now,,, but he followed your council and took
some Ibprofen.... I can testify of the power of IBprofen...it saved me
when I broke my toe.... haha.
Romero has progressed since the
beginning of his mission. He has lost the fear to talk to people in the
street and he teaches well. We set goals with Elder Aceldo on how each of
us could improve as leaders, missionaries, and as people.
Well it is sad that I did not get to say goodbye to Grandma Ilene but I
know that she is in the spiritual paradise right now so that is
comforting. I will always remember her calls on our birthday to congratulate me... her birthday buddy.
I hope you are
doing well. It is so weird that I am about to finish my mission... It
feels like I still have a lot of time left but I do not. The members are
now counting my days... well at least Marco is... are old mission
leader who is now first counselor. I will surely miss Peru and this
people. And the opportunity to share the gospel 24 7... I mean I even
dream teaching people... haha...
I am so glad
to be in a new room... it is much bigger and the bathroom is much bigger
than the tiny little one in the old room. The other room had other
rentors that made a lot of noise in the nights so it kept us from
sleeping. Also, something scary happened to me in the other room...
During the night, while lying in my bed, my blanket was pulled and
thrown off my bed... It messed with my head because my companion did not
do it and it felt like someone ripped it of me... so So got up and went
to the bathroom.... ya still confused... as I left... I am not kidding,
I saw a Nun floating there.... well I ran to my bed and covered myself
and prayed.... It was hard to sleep after that... but after that night
is was normal again. So in this new room I feel like I wont have any
problems with random nuns because the first thing we did was dedicate
the room.