Calahueche

Hola Amigos y Familia,

Don´t let that salutation convince you that my Spanish is perfect now because it definitely isn't! Im still trying every day to get better at Spanish, and to be honest it is frustrating at times when I want to say something but I cant express it clearly in Spanish. This week, I taught some parts of the Lesson of the Restoration to a family and when my companion asked them some follow-up questions, they couldn't answer because they didn't understand what I had told them. I am definitely learning humility and patience here. I will continue to pray for the gift of tongues because I really need it now. I´m two weeks in and can hardly keep up a decent conversation. I know that the Lord has helped me up to this point and that he will continue to bless me with the knowledge I need.

I also gave my first talk in Spanish yesterday. It was obviously very broken but I could tell that people understood it when I said Amen, and they all said Amen back (hopefully it wasn't just to make me feel better). The topic I was given to speak on was ¨Las Bendiciones del Ayuno¨, aka. Blessings of Fasting. This week was a little rough for me and my companion. One of our progressing investigators decided she didn't want to be baptized anymore and she is leaving us hints that she doesn´t want us to return to their home. Its been especially hard because she did have the desire to be baptized just a few weeks ago. We fasted for her on Thursday hoping that she might change her mind but she still doesn´t want it. Regardless, I still know that the power of the fast is real. This coming Sunday is Fast Sunday and I am going to take full advantage of it. 

This week I had my first experience with divisions. I was with Elder Zapata in an area called Calahueche. Its similar to Pueblo Nuevo in that there are lots of hills. It is a little more humid but it is beautiful. I took some pictures in Calahueche which i´ve attached. 

I have felt the Spirit so strong in certain homes this week. There are people who live in sheet metal, cardboard, and plastic homes, yet they are the happiest people ever. Yesterday, we visited an old man who is a convert who was saying he didn't want to go to church anymore because he was incapable of understanding some things in the Book of Mormon. He told us about how he only had a little bit of schooling as a child and that he cannot read very well, but he knows the principles of the gospel are true. I felt so blessed to be in the home of someone who was so humble. His house is completely built of wood and sheet metal, with a dirt floor. He also lives alone. We invited him to come visit investigators with us because in the past he had offered to assist the lessons with us. I feel so blessed to have been born in the circumstances I had. I was blessed with so many more opportunities than lots of people here in Guatemala. I know that, because of that, a whole lot more is expected out of me. The mission isnt only for the people who need the gospel, its for me as well. Like I said before, I have learned so much about humility here. It is so difficult to converse with people who don't speak your native language. The mission is teaching me so much more than I could have ever known anywhere in the United States.

Just to finish off, I want to let everyone know that I am safe and healthy. So far the mission has been treating me well. Im being very careful and I have seen the blessings that so many of you plead for me to have in your prayers. Thank you to everyone for all of the support. Remember to pray every day and read your scriptures because those are two of the best ways to feel closer to Heavenly Father. I know this is true because I feel it now. 

Have a great week everyone!