I am always reminded that God’s hand is in this work.

Well hey there family, 

This week was really another struggle, not going to lie. It just seemed like no one wanted to listen to us. Every contact I would do, they would keep walking away or say “another day.” I was going crazy. Wednesday past, Thursday past, and almost all Friday past. We had not entered into one house. We had been walking trying to find people to teach. All of our appointments were falling through. We were exhausted and just needed a miracle. Our district decided after the food on Friday we would do a fast to find people. We are really trying to find people who have interest in the Gospel and want to progress on the path of God. Finally Friday, we find this guy named Salvador in the street. We set up an appointment for him in the night. It started pouring rain and we couldn’t find his house. I think he gave us a false address because no one lives in the house he told us. We were frustrated and then had to go to another appointment on the other side of the town with this lady named Leticia. It was pouring and we didn’t have our umbrellas or coats so naturally we were soaked. We couldn’t find this lady’s house. She said she had a panederia [bakery] so we literally asked every panaderia. We eventually found it. We had a great lesson. We read 3rd Nephi 11. She has loved everything we taught her and we committed her to going to church. It was a great way to end our day. Saturday came and we seemed to have tons of success. We entered about 4 or 5 houses. We were finding all these people that said they could go to church with us. It’s really hard to find people who don’t have work here because it’s so touristy to people work on the weekends. We found about 3 or 4 more people who said they would come with us on Sunday. We were so excited! We planned to go pick up everyone in taxi in the morning.

Then Sunday came. We went to Leticia’s first. We met with some members who were going to take her to church while we went to the other people. We found Leticia who said a restaurant called her late last night because they needed her to make desserts for them so she couldn’t go. We were frustrated and just kept praying for a miracle. Then we went to the other people. One left a note saying he will see us at the church (but that never happened), the others we couldn’t find or said they had to leave for work. So we went to church without anyone. As we pulled up, a guy who works in our area (Juan, who lives forever far away) showed up. We haven’t been focusing on him a ton because he lives so far away and sometimes has to work on Sundays. Then the hermanas showed up and their investigators never showed up either. We were super bummed. However, after the services, we were talking about what we are learning in this area.

Some things I’ve learned along with my district:

1. Maybe we are living in a desert of affliction like Nephi. Although we have these trials, we need to continue in this work. Like when Nephi broke his bow, everyone murmured. Nephi however did something about it and fixed it. He continued through his trials and eventually they inherited the Promised Land. Maybe what we are working for is something even greater. God just wants us to work through our trials and then we will receive.

2. Later that night, Elder Whatcott and I were talking. We literally felt like we gave our all this past week. We prayed, we fasted, we were obedient, we are trying our hardest. And what were we doing all that for? To find someone who is really interested in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the joy that it brings. Of all this, who came to church? Juan! He has so much interest. His nephew is living in Salt Lake and is a member. He introduced Juan to the church and he Juan wants the same changes in his life that his nephew had.

So from all this, although it may not be how we were hoping, God answers our prayers. In his own time, he will help us grow. He may need to humble us first, but he will answer our prayers. I am always reminded that God’s hand is in this work.

So with that, we are going to make the sacrifice and go to Juan. It might be expensive, but God will help us find a way to get to meet with him and teach him about this great Gospel.

In terms of other people, the family with the clown will probably have to wait. We were super direct with them (something I am trying to learn to be--direct). We talked to them about keeping commitments because they keep saying they will read something or go to church but they don’t do it. They understood how we felt, and said they will try to be better. But they can’t really progress because they are out of town for a while preparing for their daughter’s quincenera... Maybe next change they’ll progress. 

We are teaching this one really good mom and kids named Jeniffer and Nestor, but she has to work on Sundays. We are hoping she can change her work or something to go to church. She loves this stuff. She even told us she has had a dream about the Angel Moroni! Some angel with a trumpet on top of a building is what she told us. Crazy!

So yeah, I learn so much here, even though it’s hard. 

As it’s Thanksgiving, I just want to say thanks to all of you! Thanks for being such a good family! Thanks to all my friends! I am grateful for this Gospel and the joy it brings to me and my family. I am grateful for this opportunity to serve the Lord. I love you all!

-Elder Thomas

P.S. – Attached is up top of Valle. I saw a bunch of Mastercraft boats a few days ago. BEAUTIFUL. They are pretty popular here. 

Also attached is a picture of this huge spider we had in our apartment yesterday. BLEH. 

Joke: we contacted this guy who said “I am atheist. Gracias a Dios” haha