June 16, 2014
This week has been one to count your blessings and keep moving forward. I’ve included this photo hope it doesn’t take up a lot of room but this week has been a good one.
It started out kind of slow. We went to the beach to play soccer as usual…. Then they started the world cup. We had a zone meeting were the Hermanas talked to us. They had 21 new people this week... putting my 1 person week from last week (practically the lowest any missionary has ever had in Pativillca) to shame :) They told us even if it’s awkward you just need to talk to everyone that’s part of a family. With that we left and walking outside our pension for lunch we saw a man with his girl walk by. I opened my mouth but I froze. They walked past and ah, we felt so bad. I looked at my companion, he looked at me, I hiked up my pants and cinched my belt, whipped out a family pamphlet…. We both laughed and took off running like mad men. We ended up contacting him (after the Dad calmed down from what he thought was a robbery) and we’ve been doing the same this entire week. Running back and forth contacting whoever. It’s been fun but we’ve yet to see or have someone listen.
We entered 6 houses (all preachers of different faiths) who needless to say, were very courteous but politely told me I was going to Hell. It’s been one of those weeks were the only thing in the entire world that could make it better is a 3 Musketeers and a brown gravy mix! My package came and it was a super boost for me.
Friday started off with service where we spackled a rough with mud. All day. It was great fun and I took the longest shower in my life trying to get it off. Saturday rolled around and we had a wedding to start it out. Everything was wonderful until they served the cup of ceremonial wine…. The man that was about to be baptized cried out SALUD and drank it.... You can image where I’m coming from in this moment. I was devastated. I almost cried. We calling our leader to see what we should do. All day long I was looking for the words to tell him he couldn’t be baptized. Following the council of the leaders, we went to his house and we explained it to him. After talking for a long time the Spirit told us he was still ready for baptism. We got to the baptism and I baptized him.... It took me 5 times to get him under. When we came out there was about 40 people. They’d all come to see. Then we had the wedding party and ate cake.
Sunday was their confirmation and my talk (I found out when the speaker didn’t come…. they called me from the audience). Only 2 people came, the rest were out buying or selling or working for Father’s Day... it was really hard and it hurt a lot but I know that it’s not my job to judge or punish them (but a good old sock to the jaw of the president of quorum de elders would make me feel better) but then again the faith of everyone will be tried.
My companion and I had a hard day after with the mundial. Every house we entered was watching (soccer) and my companion entered more than one just to watch. Who’s going to listen to a gringo when Messi is playing (they call him a God here…. I never understood the apostasy much until now. After standing up and leaving every house we found a family and contacted some new ones.
This week has been a little rough for me, trying my faith on what makes a missionary and where I am and who I want to be, why being so obedient when other missionaries (who aren’t always) are having more success…. my companion struggles a lot with that. I know and I am grateful for everything I have. If it’s a little, it’s a little. I know that I’m not perfect I’m far from it, but I’m happy. It’s been wonderful. Now we have to work on this man so he can get the priesthood next week and serve the sacrament.
I love you all, and I’m wishing you a happy week. Thank you for your prayers.
Elder Grow J
We entered 6 houses (all preachers of different faiths) who needless to say, were very courteous but politely told me I was going to Hell. It’s been one of those weeks were the only thing in the entire world that could make it better is a 3 Musketeers and a brown gravy mix! My package came and it was a super boost for me.
Friday started off with service where we spackled a rough with mud. All day. It was great fun and I took the longest shower in my life trying to get it off. Saturday rolled around and we had a wedding to start it out. Everything was wonderful until they served the cup of ceremonial wine…. The man that was about to be baptized cried out SALUD and drank it.... You can image where I’m coming from in this moment. I was devastated. I almost cried. We calling our leader to see what we should do. All day long I was looking for the words to tell him he couldn’t be baptized. Following the council of the leaders, we went to his house and we explained it to him. After talking for a long time the Spirit told us he was still ready for baptism. We got to the baptism and I baptized him.... It took me 5 times to get him under. When we came out there was about 40 people. They’d all come to see. Then we had the wedding party and ate cake.
Sunday was their confirmation and my talk (I found out when the speaker didn’t come…. they called me from the audience). Only 2 people came, the rest were out buying or selling or working for Father’s Day... it was really hard and it hurt a lot but I know that it’s not my job to judge or punish them (but a good old sock to the jaw of the president of quorum de elders would make me feel better) but then again the faith of everyone will be tried.
My companion and I had a hard day after with the mundial. Every house we entered was watching (soccer) and my companion entered more than one just to watch. Who’s going to listen to a gringo when Messi is playing (they call him a God here…. I never understood the apostasy much until now. After standing up and leaving every house we found a family and contacted some new ones.
This week has been a little rough for me, trying my faith on what makes a missionary and where I am and who I want to be, why being so obedient when other missionaries (who aren’t always) are having more success…. my companion struggles a lot with that. I know and I am grateful for everything I have. If it’s a little, it’s a little. I know that I’m not perfect I’m far from it, but I’m happy. It’s been wonderful. Now we have to work on this man so he can get the priesthood next week and serve the sacrament.
I love you all, and I’m wishing you a happy week. Thank you for your prayers.
Elder Grow J
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