30 May 2011

Dear family,
May 30, 2011
Well. The month of May has passed and we haven't successfully invited anyone to follow Jesus Christ. Christian and Josue want to be baptised but their mom doesn't want them to. Victor is still the best, and wants to go to church forever, but still fears praying and asking God if the Iglesia de JesuCristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Días is true. Gerald has in his mind August [for baptism], which might turn out since he is facing a few struggles with the Commandments, Adela is having lots of marrige struggles and for that doesn't want to continue so much being a part of the church of the father of her daughter. Edwardo is progressing and [his baptism] is a possibility for this Saturday! Also, Jessica is progressing and is a possible baptismal candidate.
This week I have been trying to bring the spirit into the lives of all the people I can possibly give. Well, more the last two days. Thursday and Friday we had a problem. I think we were relying more on our own ability and didn't actually teach anyone in a real lesson. We couldn't invite anyone to learn about Jesus these two days. Later I figured I needed to rely more on God and we were blessed with 4 lessons per day Saturday and Sunday. I want to become a teacher more like Christ. Me falta mucho pero estoy aprendiendo. [I lack a lot, but I'm still learning] With that goal, we met Leo.
Leo is very smart, and said that he is very religious but doesn't asist [attend] any church because feels like they are corrupt and not the most efficient way to follow Christ. Well, we talked a little, and I was definitely feeling the Spirit. We explained very simply about the Great Apostasy and he was totally in agreement with everything. We explained the Restauration [Restoration] and he got a little cold. Leaving, I asked myself  how is it that someone who seems to be pious and realizes the Apostasy can reject the message and the feelings we brought. The first words the Jesus Christ spoke in this dispensation answered my question.
In Jesus The Christ, I read about the Apostasy. James E Talmage definitely felt strongly about it. It is a pretty amazing chapter. Read it! And then read the Chapter of the Resauration [Restoration]. He says that in 1820, for the fourth time, God the Father gave simple testimony of Jesus Christ and that His commandments should be followed. I liked that part.
Sadly the huge dog that lives on our roof fell off today. From the third floor. We hope he can recover, but [he] at least broke his leg. One of the four. And I'm sure he has a concussion. We saw him shaking for the shock and pain right after he fell and before the family took him to the vet.
I have been a little worried about Leguía because now that I feel like those who I contact really have the chance to receive a testimony from the Holy Ghost that we are ministers of Christ, and that still tons reject us... what does that mean for them. I feel like almost all Leguíans pass through life spiritually blind. I want to open their eyes. We pray every day that the Spirit can be poured over our area and prepare the people to hear the gospel.
Lastly, in my studies, I have taken apart Jacob 5: the Lord of the Vineyard. It is pretty awesome. I like especially how much the Lord works for the vineyard and how much He worries about it. Also I like that He planted a tree in a part that was really, really dry and infertile, but knew that the tree could do it [survive and even thrive---I imagine this hits home because of the terrain around Leguia]] and helped the tree a lot. Interestingly, lots of times it repeats that the branches that don't give good fruit are cast off and burned.
A week of lots of work comes.
Love
(firma) [signature]
Elder Johnson

2 May 2011

Dear family,

The subject in a word I learned this morning, I think it is Colombian slang which means wow. My companion wrote it to his mom talking about the baptism of the week! We met Juan (11 years old) a couple weeks ago in the church and he said he wanted to get baptized, so I wasn't about to say no. We taught him everything and he liked it so much. The night before his baptismal interview he stayed up in his bed reading about the Word of Wisdom, the Law of Chastity, and the Law of Tithing. He is the best. Elder Hunsaker said that in his interview, he answered all the questions super fast and started asking questions about the plan of salvation, but really interesting questions, not the normal basic ones that we are always asked. The baptism was spiritual, the water cold, but the feeling leaving the water and seeing Juan's face as we walked up the stairs was pretty incredible. Just goes to show that we can't really do anything without the power of God working miracles in the hearts of the people of the area, like him and his mom.

Gerald is also doing well, he reads, prays a lot, has great questions that show a lot of thinking, and this week, was completely hilarious. He recently started dating someone which is great cuz he was really hurt when his wife left him 8 or so years ago. But he really really wanted to introduce us to her haha. We went for our appointment and his brother called down partway through the plan of salvation, that there was an international call for Gerald... I have no idea why but that was the plan, that his brother would fake a call and he would, returning, be able to introduce us to Jacklyne, his girlfriend. haha. Well, she is pretty sweet. Asked us a question about what is the soul after the lesson (I think to test us) and we answered correctly, and turns out she knows the truth on that too. Basically Gerald is a lot happier, although not progressing particularly quickly to make this sacred covenant with the Lord. And due to this recent change, he definitely needs the next lesson, talking about one commandment in particular [probably the Law of Chastity]..

Oh and also we did a "service project" with Gerald, we were going to do some real help for him in his auto body shop work. He fixes up the cars after small hits of dogs, small crashes, the aesthetics. Anyway we were planning to use the fiberglass he uses to fix up a bunch of bumpers, but by the time he taught us how, and we did two fractures on one bumper, we had to go. It was really interesting though, and now I know how to repair bumpers and handle fiberglass and make the resin and weld the plastic bumpers!

Elder Hunsaker and Elder Huaccaychuco the zone leaders, will have 2 people to be interviewed this Wednesday! I'm excited to be able to interview them for baptism. It is always great to be able to talk to people who really have the desire [to be baptized].

This is now the last week of the transfer (six week periods of time in which almost never we change area) and I am thinking that I am gunna stay here in Leguia for the next one, though I dont know if it will be with Elder Mateus or not. It has been very interesting to be his companion. I've learned a lot from him and about my whole being here as a missionary.

I really am going to send back a letter today. it's in my backpack and on the way back I'm gunna send it. Just know that it's for some reason difficult for me! apart from the fact that there never is time.

And also today im gunna be able to go pick up my camera, fingers crossed that it's all ok now. The guy wants to charge me 70 soles. I'm pretty sure I could do it myself, but my time is suddenly zero, apart from the fact that I don't have anything of the form of a "tool" like we have at the house. When he said 60, he started talking about a digital lens, which I'm pretty sure is the same as saying: you probably don't know cameras... and are a gringo.. so I'm gunna try to charge you way more. I got it down to 60 soles and there gave in when he explained that this "digital lens" problem, was actually part of the moving focus lens, which is something that rings bells to me and doesn't sound completely ridiculous.

Adela is the wife of a Member less active [a less active member--gotta love that spanglish]. She wants to attend always the church and activate her husband and is basically the best. She said the other day, "digamos que quiero ser bautizado, que tendríamos que hacer"!! which is to say, let's say I want to get baptized, what would we have to do? I was contented [happy]!

Well. It's time. Lots of love

Elder Johnson