Well long time no talk. Ive decided recently that im going to call and write less but ill still respond to anyone who writes me. Ill probably have transfers the next week so dont know if ill be able to write.
A month ago we had a visit from Elder Bednar. We took a 10 hour bus ride so that all the guayaquil missions could be together. It was crazy there where around 600 missionaries there. We some how weaseld our way into the front. Elder Bednar got up and to our suprise he just started to ask questions. He didnt come with something specific planned but Just asked and answered questions and we somehow taught ourselves. Absolutely briliant. Now im trying to be like Elder Benar when I teach but it requires a lot of practice. As he was talking to us he saw that the man who was handing around the mics was tired so he just started to do it himself. I was in deep thought with a question on my mind when I felt someone touch me. Out of all the missionaries Elder Bednar personaly talked with me. He gave me an unexpected promise and answered a question I have had for years. I know that we have a prophet and apostals that are called of God.
Its crazy that I really only have 11 months left in the mission. Ive done a decent job until now. Although ive been sent to some of the hardest areas ive been able to baptize a lof of people and most of all the 12 people I have baptized continue to be strong and active. Every single one of them. I know that if this was all about me I wouldnt have had success. Nobody has gotten baptized by my good looks or decent spanish. As a missionary I will always lack and come up short but I am sure that after doing everything that I can the Lord will fill the gaps and that truly makes the differences. I have high goals set and with the counsel of Elder Bednar its time to become so incredibly disiplined and so confident not only in myself but mosltly in God. Its time to play the second half a lot better than the first.
So we have two baptisms planned for this week. They are a couple. The wifes name is karina. Three years ago she her husband Edison and there 5 kids found the church. The kids got baptized but the parents where not married thus could not until they get married. Then out of no where Edison was thrown in jail for false charges. For two years Karina took her kids to church and partisipated in activites not even being a member yet. They are super poor and humble. Thier house didnt have electrisity so I did the wiring for their house. Its a good thing their arent building codes here. Now they have electricity and water. Then out of the blue Edison got released. After three months weve been able to help them save up enough money to get married. I realized that no body goes house to house selling food to old people who cant cook. We fixed her up a little cart to go around and sell food. to the old people. They will get married thursday and they wanted their baptism this saturday. After three years of waiting there dream will be completed.
DSC01056.JPG
Mercediz. She has gone to church the past 12 weeks straight. We baptized her 4 weeks ago. After she was baptized she explained to us that she saw two white young men, one with brown hair (my companion) the other withe black, (me) in a dream the night before we visited her for the first time. She had prayed that night to find the Church of God.
DSC01101.JPG
Encebollado. The best food in the world
DSC01096.JPG
We have been eating a lot of crab lately
DSC01093.JPG
Before Machetes
DSC01092.JPG
After Machetes
DSC01020.JPG
My best friends. Bridget and Helen. We eat lunch with them everyday.
DSC01111.JPG
I dont know how the houses support earthquakes
DSC01107.JPG
This River is the border of Peru and Ecuador
DSC01112.JPG
Weve been going out into the remote parts where its pretty much a mini jungle. One of the people we are teaching is a native so hes been teaching me a little bit of the native language.
DSC01117.JPG
DSC01119.JPG