¡¡¡¡Hola Familia y Amigos!!!!
Wow. I've been out Eight Months and a day. In some ways that's a long time, but in some ways, it's waaay short. But anyways, about the week:
This week was pretty good. While we were not able to see all the people we had hoped to teach this week, I must confess that I have seen the Savior's hand this week. We were not able to teach the family we taught last week because they were painting their house when we stopped by, but we now have had a wonderful opportunity to at least offer service, and maybe to give service to them. I also had the opportunity to talk with both the oldest daughters on Facebook and establish a better connection with them. While we didn't see Walter this week either, because of a pre-planned missionary finding activity (to explain, all the missionaries in the city, all 22 of them, go out on splits with members of one of the five wards here once a month. We do things like go to a bunch of lessons that got set up beforehand, track people down, visit less-actives, etc. Really a good idea that could be adapted for other areas, for all you Ward Mission Leaders out there *cough, cough*), we were able to set an appointment with Alex Loayes, a young guy (17) from Guatemala that's very interested, but has been working a ton the last 3-4 weeks and hasn't had time to meet with us (can't remember if I've talked about him before), but he talked to Elder Debora through Facebook on Friday or Saturday, I think, and said he has a little more time now, and we can meet! We were able to meet with our less-active Magdalena and also our returning less-active Marleny and teach them. Magdalena wants us to teach her daughter, Erika, who is struggling through complications and after-math of Lukemia. Erika's not in our area, but the Hermanas (spanish sisters) probably need it more than we do anyways, and I'm grateful for the desire Magdalena's feeling to share the Gospel with her daughter.
Anyways, it's been a good week. Don't have any more time, but I love y'all and can't wait to hear from y'all next week!
-Elder Whitaker
Wow. I've been out Eight Months and a day. In some ways that's a long time, but in some ways, it's waaay short. But anyways, about the week:
This week was pretty good. While we were not able to see all the people we had hoped to teach this week, I must confess that I have seen the Savior's hand this week. We were not able to teach the family we taught last week because they were painting their house when we stopped by, but we now have had a wonderful opportunity to at least offer service, and maybe to give service to them. I also had the opportunity to talk with both the oldest daughters on Facebook and establish a better connection with them. While we didn't see Walter this week either, because of a pre-planned missionary finding activity (to explain, all the missionaries in the city, all 22 of them, go out on splits with members of one of the five wards here once a month. We do things like go to a bunch of lessons that got set up beforehand, track people down, visit less-actives, etc. Really a good idea that could be adapted for other areas, for all you Ward Mission Leaders out there *cough, cough*), we were able to set an appointment with Alex Loayes, a young guy (17) from Guatemala that's very interested, but has been working a ton the last 3-4 weeks and hasn't had time to meet with us (can't remember if I've talked about him before), but he talked to Elder Debora through Facebook on Friday or Saturday, I think, and said he has a little more time now, and we can meet! We were able to meet with our less-active Magdalena and also our returning less-active Marleny and teach them. Magdalena wants us to teach her daughter, Erika, who is struggling through complications and after-math of Lukemia. Erika's not in our area, but the Hermanas (spanish sisters) probably need it more than we do anyways, and I'm grateful for the desire Magdalena's feeling to share the Gospel with her daughter.
Anyways, it's been a good week. Don't have any more time, but I love y'all and can't wait to hear from y'all next week!
-Elder Whitaker