Buenos tardes está miercoles!
How weird it is to be writing on a Wednesday. On Monday we had a
mission tour with Elder Nash and his wife. We have a half P-day today, so that’s
why I am writing you.
The thing on Monday was super good. Elder Nash has such a big spirit.
He taught us about 3 Nephi 11 and how we can apply it to ourselves as
missionaries. He also talked about when people don’t keep commitments, how we
can explain why we need to keep the commitments. How it is all part of the plan
of God. We came here and when we don’t keep the commitments we aren’t following
the plan of salvation. It was really good. Elder Roca and I and about 7 other
missionaries sang in a choir. We sang the new primary song "la familia es
de Dios". It was super good. I love that song. Anyway, tonight we have a
devotional with Elder Nash with the new converts so that should be good.
Yes, we did have the baptism! It was such a nice service. Elder Roca
and I sang I am a Child of God. I sang the first verse in English then Elder
Roca in Spanish and then together in Spanish. It was super nice. pure improv,
but nice. I am excited for this family. They need a lot of help and they will
need a member to pass by for them every Sunday because they aren’t very
outgoing and have a lot of health problems, but I am so excited for them. (see
pictures)
 |
This is this one investigator that we were teaching.
Two Mexicans and one American. How is it that I am darker than the both of them? ;-) |
We also had a few people in church. We have this one guy named Marco.
He is the boyfriend of the relief society president’s daughter. The daughter
was inactive, but she is coming back to church and he is looking like he is
going to be baptized in a few weeks. We are working with him to prepare
him.
We also got a few other people to church. One guy named Jorge Salvador
went for the second time and is trying to change his life.
We have another family that we are working with. The mom and daughter
have gone twice, but we are working on the other 2 daughters and the dad. We
will see where all of it goes!
We have changes this week. I can’t believe it. We just started this
change. It has flown by. I probably will stay here another change. I imagine
that I stay and Elder Roca leaves or we stay together another change. Who knows
though?
I did have a bit of an experience this past week that really got me
thinking about my purpose that I’d like to share. We went to visit Monica for
her birthday and wish her a happy birthday (even though she didn’t answer the
door). While waiting for her to answer the door, all of a sudden someone from
the roof dropped a big handful of wet cement on me. I first was in shock of what
just happened. They later dropped another handful. It was clearly on purpose.
There was an older lady to the side washing her clothes who began laughing and
said that they were just playing. I moved out of the way and realized what had
just happened. Out of frustration I just said out loud "I hate
Mexico". I literally was so frustrated and humiliated. I was covered in
cement and this lady just started laughing at me. In this vicinidad, I went
over to a sink and started to clean my self up. I had cement all in my hair,
and on my backpack, shirt, pants and shoes. As I was cleaning myself up I began
thinking about Christ. I thought, "How did Christ do it?" His whole
purpose in life was to help us, to sacrifice himself. After everything the
people did to him, how did he still love everyone?" It got me thinking
about my initial reaction to the situation and regretting what I had said. From
this situation, I really gained an appreciation even more of Christ. I thought
about how humiliating it was for Christ to have to be whipped, have thorns on
his head, and carry his cross to be crucified.
This whole experience was a challenge mentally for me, but I learned
a lot. I am really trying to love the people and have more patience with them.
I love this work, I love the church and I am so grateful for Jesus Christ.
Thank you all for your support. I miss you tons family, but this is where I
should be. I love you!
-Elder Thomas
P.S. - here is a picture of the city. If it is
clearer another day, I’ll take another picture. There is a lot of contamination
here some days.
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