Week 102

This week was very nice.  An hermana was baptized.  Everything went well, and her parents attended.  We are very proud of her for making this decision.  On Sunday, 7 investigators attended church.  It was a miracle that we had time to pick everyone up for church.

Many people think that their spouse or children won't want to talk with us or agree with their decision to go to church, but as we make an effort to talk with them, they're almost always supportive.  An hermana was unsure if her husband would be in accordance for them to attend since they sell tortillas on Sundays.  We visited them another day and talked to him about the gospel and the church for a little bit.  We asked him if he would give them permission to attend church with us.  He was 100% in agreement and even said that when he had time, he'd visit.  We passed by their house and brought them to church with an hermano.  It's interesting to see how that same situation has happened various times here.  

Two converts who had been inactive for 3 months attended church on Sunday with their mother who is investigating the church.

One of our families is doing very well and is planning on going to the temple in June.  An hermano wants to invite some ward members to his house to throw me a farewell party.  I was touched by his love and his gratitude for the gospel in his life.  He told us how the gospel has blessed their family since they've learned about it.

The hermana's baptism

Military housing

Week 101

The baptism of this family has been one of the most positive and rewarding experiences in all my mission.  The baptismal service was spiritual, and there was a lot of support.  One of the boys was afraid of the water, but he overcame his fear with some encouragement. It has been amazing to see the changes that the family has made.  They have worked hard to achieve their goal.  We are very proud of them and hope to continue helping them in their spiritual progress as they start their journey in the gospel by following Jesus Christ.  There will be another baptism this Saturday.  She is working hard to change her life.  We are working with another family.  They have several challenges that make it hard for them to go to church, but we will be working with members to support them all.

Zone Conference

Aaron cooking on their makeshift stove.

Week 100

We are looking forward to a baptism next week.  The family is amazing and has progressed so much.  

Aaron and Elder Reyes

Aaron and Elder Reyes

Week 99

This week has gone well. We helped two families out by chopping their yards with machetes and getting rid of trash. Both needed the help since the husbands work all day, and one was pregnant. We invited some jovenes to seminary. They all enjoyed the class and received fellowshipping from the other jovenes and the teacher. We are very happy to have such nice families and people to teach. The investigators are receiving a lot of support from the other members. I hope to help all these people the best I can before I leave! I really love them a lot and want them to receive the blessings of the gospel in their lives. It's especially motivating to teach families because I can imagine how blessed they will be when their children have grown up and when their grandchildren grow up as well.

Farm animals roam freely here.

A little neighborhood girl got a toy piano to match me, so we can play together,

This is what the sidewalks look like here.

Week 98

The investigators are doing great.  We have 3 whole families and 1 other investigator who really want to follow Jesus Christ. We repaired the church piano.  Now it's functional.  We had to tighten two hammers and a pedal.  I'll be giving lessons this Saturday.

A member of the bishopric has a huge garden.  Aaron caught a rooster in it.

Machetes are used for cutting grass.

Week 97

We found a new family a few weeks ago.  We first found the wife, while looking for their neighbors.  We then took advantage of the opportunity and contacted her.  We shared a small message with her while on her porch and set up a date to return when her family would be present.  We returned and taught the family about the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The husband liked the message and wants his family to be blessed.  Although they had previously attended to other churches, their desire to find the best for their family was more important than maintaining their traditions and customs.  We visited them the next week with the second counselor from the Bishopric.  He invited them to church.  The entire family went to church. They enjoyed it a lot and expressed their desire to continue and to be baptized. We had a ward service project.  It's nice to see that this family is looking to do and follow the right.

Aaron and Elder Reyes

Service project

Week 96

A new family of investigators went to church on Sunday.  They even gave us a ride home.  I went with a joven to pick up some investigators, but they decided they 'couldn't' go.  Sad. There were 6 investigators from our area in the reunión sacramental, which was awesome.

Aaron and Elder Reyes

Makeshift shower head