1 Month in Nicaragua
Date
October 9, 2023
Area
La Dalia
Companion
Elder Mariano Flores
1 Month in Nicaragua
Hello Everyone!
This week has been great, my companion (Elder Flores) and I have been able to work hard together and see the "fruits of our labors." It's amazing to see what the Lord can do with our efforts. One of the coolest experiences I had this week happened during the Branch Confrence of La Dalia on Sunday. This event is really special to the members here because this is the only time each year President Lucas (the Stake President) makes the 2 hour trip to La Dalia to attend sacrament meeting. My comp and I decided we should fast and work hard to personally invite all of our investigators and inactive members to attend the conference.
As Sunday morning came around it was amazing to see how many people were able to come! I remember seeing the joy on the everyone's faces as more and more families (many of them haven't gone to church in years) walked in. We had 34 people attend the service, which may not seem like a lot in comparison to other wards, but the Branch President later told me that it was the biggest the congregation had been in a long time! It still isn't enough to make La Dalia a ward instead of a branch, so I still have a lot of work to do here and I'm excited to keep to it. I know that God answers prayers and that he knows each of his children. He knows our problems and he always has a solution for us.
One of the talks I really enjoyed listening to again from the last General Conference (in english it's a lot easier to understand haha) was from Dieter F. Uchtdorf about the parable of the Prodigal Son. One of his closing remarks is really powerful.
"No matter what may have happened in your life, I echo and proclaim the words of my beloved friend and fellow Apostle Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: “It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s atoning sacrifice shines.” I bear witness that the moment you decide to return and walk in the way of our Savior and Redeemer, His power will enter your life and transform it... Our Heavenly Father will run to us, His heart overflowing with love and compassion.. Angels in heaven will rejoice. And so will we, your family in Christ."
As we make the decision to turn back to Christ we can find joy and peace within our souls. The path back is never easy, but God and Jesus Christ will always strengthen us in our times of need.
Fun Fact about Nicaragua 🇳🇮
- The most popular card game here by far is called "Des Moche." Everyone loves it, I've had the opportunity to play with other missionaries, kids in the street, and members of the branch during my free time. It's a bit complex but it is kind of like phase 10, you need to make matches of 3 (same number, run of 3, etc) until you get rid of 10 cards. It's a lot of fun and I don't exactly understand 100% of the rules but if you are curious definetely look up how to play!
How to speak like a Nicaraguan
- Nicarguans don't say their "s" sounds! It's a bit confusing to understand people but I've started to get the hang of it!
Pictures 📸
- P Day in Matagalpa (statues, catholic church)
- Hot sauce challenge with the Branch President: I made the mistake of accepting a challenge from the Branch President to do Homeade Hot Sauce eating contest with him. Most of you know I can't handle spicy food to well haha so after about 3 rounds I tapped out (it was the hottest thing I've ever ate), but a lot of fun!
- Learning how to cook Nicaraguan food
- Working with the members (President Benavidez, Hermano Blandon)
- Pictures of Nicargua
- Homeade Baseball
- Practicing Lessons in Spanish to "Juanito" (a cardboard cutout man I made to help so I can help visualize the lessons better)
- Some of the kids tried to shoot us with water guns while we were walking home! Afterwards it was a good missionary opportunity, they went up to us and asked us who we are, why are we here, etc and we shared with them our purpose. We also gave them pamphlets of the Plan of Salvation to share with their families, I dont know if anything will come out of it but it was a fun experience.
- Picture with a dog we call "Lobo", he is a bit crazy and likes to chase me when I'm walking down some of the streets but he is a good dog.
This week has been great, my companion (Elder Flores) and I have been able to work hard together and see the "fruits of our labors." It's amazing to see what the Lord can do with our efforts. One of the coolest experiences I had this week happened during the Branch Confrence of La Dalia on Sunday. This event is really special to the members here because this is the only time each year President Lucas (the Stake President) makes the 2 hour trip to La Dalia to attend sacrament meeting. My comp and I decided we should fast and work hard to personally invite all of our investigators and inactive members to attend the conference.
As Sunday morning came around it was amazing to see how many people were able to come! I remember seeing the joy on the everyone's faces as more and more families (many of them haven't gone to church in years) walked in. We had 34 people attend the service, which may not seem like a lot in comparison to other wards, but the Branch President later told me that it was the biggest the congregation had been in a long time! It still isn't enough to make La Dalia a ward instead of a branch, so I still have a lot of work to do here and I'm excited to keep to it. I know that God answers prayers and that he knows each of his children. He knows our problems and he always has a solution for us.
One of the talks I really enjoyed listening to again from the last General Conference (in english it's a lot easier to understand haha) was from Dieter F. Uchtdorf about the parable of the Prodigal Son. One of his closing remarks is really powerful.
"No matter what may have happened in your life, I echo and proclaim the words of my beloved friend and fellow Apostle Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: “It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s atoning sacrifice shines.” I bear witness that the moment you decide to return and walk in the way of our Savior and Redeemer, His power will enter your life and transform it... Our Heavenly Father will run to us, His heart overflowing with love and compassion.. Angels in heaven will rejoice. And so will we, your family in Christ."
As we make the decision to turn back to Christ we can find joy and peace within our souls. The path back is never easy, but God and Jesus Christ will always strengthen us in our times of need.
Fun Fact about Nicaragua 🇳🇮
- The most popular card game here by far is called "Des Moche." Everyone loves it, I've had the opportunity to play with other missionaries, kids in the street, and members of the branch during my free time. It's a bit complex but it is kind of like phase 10, you need to make matches of 3 (same number, run of 3, etc) until you get rid of 10 cards. It's a lot of fun and I don't exactly understand 100% of the rules but if you are curious definetely look up how to play!
How to speak like a Nicaraguan
- Nicarguans don't say their "s" sounds! It's a bit confusing to understand people but I've started to get the hang of it!
Pictures 📸
- P Day in Matagalpa (statues, catholic church)
- Hot sauce challenge with the Branch President: I made the mistake of accepting a challenge from the Branch President to do Homeade Hot Sauce eating contest with him. Most of you know I can't handle spicy food to well haha so after about 3 rounds I tapped out (it was the hottest thing I've ever ate), but a lot of fun!
- Learning how to cook Nicaraguan food
- Working with the members (President Benavidez, Hermano Blandon)
- Pictures of Nicargua
- Homeade Baseball
- Practicing Lessons in Spanish to "Juanito" (a cardboard cutout man I made to help so I can help visualize the lessons better)
- Some of the kids tried to shoot us with water guns while we were walking home! Afterwards it was a good missionary opportunity, they went up to us and asked us who we are, why are we here, etc and we shared with them our purpose. We also gave them pamphlets of the Plan of Salvation to share with their families, I dont know if anything will come out of it but it was a fun experience.
- Picture with a dog we call "Lobo", he is a bit crazy and likes to chase me when I'm walking down some of the streets but he is a good dog.
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