Ecuador

Holaaaaa!!! So crazy it's been another six weeks since the last transfer. The days go by so fast, and in a week it feels like we have completed a month's worth of work. Last night we got the news that I will stay in Gerónimo de Alderete but with a new companion... HERMANA GONZAGA de Ecuador!!! I'm so stoked.

I have so many things I want to share about my studies this week. However, the biggest miracle of all was the baptism of our friend Vicente!!!

We found Vicente one night walking on the street. We asked him if he wanted to learn more about the restored church of Jesus Christ. As he explained that he didn't believe in God and was about to refuse our request, I quickly asked for his phone number, hoping he would give it to us. HE DID GIVE US HIS NUMBER! (we at first thought it was a fake number, and he thought we were hippies) We taught him little by little about the existence of a loving Heavenly Father and His plan for Vicente. From the beginning, Hermana Herrera and I felt very strongly that we needed to rely on the power of the Book of Mormon to help Vicente feel God's love.

There is SO MUCH more to the story; however, my testimony of the POWER of the Book of Mormon grew so much in my two months teaching Vicente. There is NO WAY that the words of my companion and I alone could ever change a 24-year-old man to not only believe in God but then choose to be baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ! Truly it was the power of the Book of Mormon, that testifies of God and His Son Jesus Christ, that changed our friend Vicente and his heart.

After his baptism, he shared his testimony in church about the change the Book of Mormon made in his life and said, "before the missionaries and their message came into my life, I didn't believe. However, now I am a man of faith."

The introduction of the Book of Mormon states :

Those who gain this divine witness [of the Book of Mormon] from the Holy Spirit will also come to know by the same power that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is His revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory to the Second Coming of the Messiah.

I JUST CAN’T BELIEVE I get this opportunity to watch and help people CHANGE as they come unto Christ. Like, I don't have the words to describe my love for my mission, this country, and Christ's church. Time is going by too fast not to enjoy every moment, the good AND the bad. Learn, grow, and enjoy the process of progression!

Highs:

-THE BAPTISM OF VICENTE!!! AND HIS TESTIMONY

-Cristobal wants to get baptized!!!!

-Intercambio with Hermana Silva de Brasil

-That I didn't get called to a Portuguese-speaking mission

-Jumbo (the best grocery store ever)

-Trio with Hermana Herrera and Hunt

-Wars chapters in Alma

-Chinese food

-watch this video! It is soooo good!!!

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/video/inspirational-messages/2023-01-0020-are-you-really-there-spa?lang=spa

-Lunch with the family Linco