Date
December 26, 2018
Area
Mazatenango, Suchitepéquez, Guatemala
Companion
Jenaia Durling
Week 11: Feliz Navidad!!
Hola everyone, Feliz Navidad!!! What a wonderful Christmas!!! The Christmas traditions here are tons of tamales, ponche (a fruit drink), and tons of fireworks all night long! But the greatest part of this Christmas was getting to talk about the Savior and seeing the gospel of Jesus Christ change peoples lives! This week in church on the 23rd we had SEVEN investigators come! (That is a lot, we usually have 1 to 3) Happiest of all, Estefania and Benson came with their hija!!!
We have been teaching Estefania for a while now (actually she was my first cita in the mission when I was fresh from the CCM) but recently her husband has gotten interested and it has changed everything! Now they are progressing as a family, reading the Book of Mormon together and attending church, and it makes me SO happy!!! I know that families are happiest when they follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, and it is such a joy to help others learn about Him!
One other story from this week... Hna Amanda is a miembro, and she feeds us twice a week and her food is la mejor. All her familys income comes from her tortilleria but Christmas Eve morning some bolo spread gasoline over the whole edificio and set it on fire. The whole thing burned down. We went over there in the afternoon just passing by, and found all the priesthood brethen there working to rebuild it. We ended up staying for a couple hours to help in the kitchen to make the ponche, and Hna Amanda gave us presents. Thats right here she is, super poor and her source of income just got destroyed, and she is selflessly giving. She bought me earrings because one time I complimented her earrings. Theyre beautiful, I am wearing them right now and might never take them off. I was so touched by her sacrifice and also that of all the priesthood brethren...to leave their families Christmas fiestas to help build a tortilleria for a ward member. The people here dont have a lot but what they have they ALWAYS share. There is so much to learn from that!!
Also this week we had the Christmas multi in Reu with all the other missionaries and it was fantastic! Tambien (surprise!) I spent the day in Reu on Friday with Hermana Salvador, ayudante to presidente, for intercambios, and it was so much fun! We talked to everyone and it was exhilarating to be in a different area for a while...though I love my area!
Anyway Merry Christmas everyone and happy new Year! This Year make the effort to share your testimony of Jesus Christ. Dont stop Lighting the World just because December is over! And also... if the missionaries knock on your door or ask you something, PLEASE let them in and help them even if you dont really want to. It is so good when people let us help them! I love you all, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!