Mission Zone

Mission Zone

Monday, September 29, 2014

Week 30

Dearest Family and Friends,

               Whats new everybody?! Hope alls well in the states. This week was definitely interesting. A little boring because tuesday I got sick with a cold then yesterday it hit Ruelas really hard. But we still had a very interesting week. The Lords hand is definitely in the work.

So this week, we had a baptism of 3 teenagers who Ive been working with forever. I love them more than anything! And finally, after quite a journey, much pray and fasting, they received permission to get baptised. We went to their housefriday afternoon for their baptismal interview and their Mom came out and told us that the whole extended family is against their baptism and that they cant be baptized. Their mother loves the church as well, but cant be baptized because she has an 80 year old canadian crazy husband but theyre not legally married sooo... yeah. But back to the story. We discussed the need to trust in God before trusting in man. We then turned to the teenagers for their testimonies. Jean, the least intelligent of the 3 said something I will never forget. Jean struggles to read and understand the book of mormon, but has a heart of gold. What he said touched my heart "Mom, I need to be baptized. I need to because I feel something here, that I have never felt before." His simple testimony was beyond a shadow of a doubt the most powerful Ive ever felt. After his testimony, we prayed, and the mother, Suyapa, felt peaceful about the situation. She told us how she had been trying to call us to tell us not to come for the interviews, but that not one of the phones in the house wanted to work! We testified that God knew we needed to have that interview, that he wasnt going to allow us to just throw in the towel that easy! He definitely makes baren his arm in the work! 

Later that night, there was a huge stake party, so we passed to bring jean Gil and tahisa over there with us. As we started walking, we started looking for a taxi to take us. One after another, the taxis passed by and we said "no, that ones really ghetto" or "no, that one probably doesnt have air conditioning" little did we know that god was using our "stuck-up-ness" The next taxi that passed by looked acceptable and we put our hands out. He came to a screeching stop and put his head out the window and shouted "ELDERES!!!" It was our investigator Elbin, who we hadnt been able to find because of work! He had finally found a job as a taxi driver! His and our prayers were answered. He informed us that hes been ready dilligently still, and that he knows Heavenly Father has blessed him. It was a huge miracle, because now we have constant contact again. And hes our personal taxi! haha 

At the party, another investigator, Mari (nicolles older sister) showed up. She quickly found and old friend of hers, an RM! He talked with her all night, and she now is much more excited about baptism, and is preparing much more dilligently. Just another miracle in the Lords vineyard! 

But, as much as the Lord helps us in his work, he still cannot take away the agency of other people. Saturday afternoon, suyapas 6 year old daughter, who meant no harm, came running to her dad with excitement to tell him the news about Jeans baptism. That was the beginning of the war. He and Suyapa had a large fight, and the kids werent able to be baptized. Its a hard thing to deal with the agency of other people. But afterwards, we sat and prayed amd felt peaceful. All of us had done everything possible. Even God worked a few miracles. But He still cannot take away agency. I know that they were ready for baptism, and that they have their salvation at the moment. The sin will fall on the head of he who is responsable. I am so proud of those kids. Theyre going to make excellent missionaries one day. Ill always consider them as my converts!!! 

Well, the mission is incredible. Ive learned so much! Even in trials like these, theres always peace and happiness knowing that youre serving the Lord, and that in trials and disappointment, youre walking with the Savior. The mission isnt easy. because salvation isnt a cheap experience! Im so pumped for GC this next week! To hear the words of a living prophet is an invaluable experience. 

I love you all!
Elder Hodson

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Photos

1. A BUNNY IN A CUP!!! Look how cute haha 
2. TWINS! They are our first counselours kids. They make milo and reese look like calm children. They awesome though
3. I played with a monkey today... I need one in my life haha 

Week 29

The Craziest Week of my Life

Dearest family and friends,

Ive probably started a million emails with that subject, but I definitely had the craziest day of my life this week! 

On friday we had 4 baptisms! It was absolutely the greatest baptismal service. 3 of the 4 are a family I have been working with for 6 months, the family we did the barbecue for! The 4th is Lina! So let me tell ya how crazy this weekend was. 

Friday morning, we went to the courthouse to get them married. That felt incredibly nuts because marrying someone here is so hard! So when we showed up to the courthouse, their marriage hall was occupied so they had no place to marry the people! So of course us missionaries set up all their chairs outside, found tables, and hung white curtains. It was a good thing we came to the courthouse an hour early, because they wouldnt have been able to do it without us. So we got Hector and Reina married, then in the afternoon went to the chapel to get everything ready. We showed up and there was no power in that sector. Which means no running water. We put our stuff down and sat in silence for a minute. I felt that I should, so as I stood to tell Elder Ruelas that we should pray, before I could say any words, the power came back on. Which is a miracle here in Honduras, because when the light goes out, its out for hours. So we got everything ready for the baptism, and6 oclock was drawing near, and Lina hadnt showed up yet. But yet, I wasnt worried at all. I knew the Lord would make up for what we couldnt do. 10 minutes before 6 she showed up and informed us that, she almost didnt come! Her mother is 80 years old and super crazy, and wasnt letting her leave the house. But Lina decided to abandon her crazy mother and get baptized! The service went perfect and after wards they all bore their testimonies, which for me is the greatest part. 

But the miracles dont stop there. Sunday, we gave all 4 the holy ghost and in priesthood, the bishop gave Hector the priesthood, and then Hector had the chance to give his son the priesthood afterwards! It was so awesome! Nothing is cooler than seeing someone you love so much exercise his priesthood for the first time!!! 

So yeah. I cant tell you how incredible it feels to be a missionary. Im suffering from a fever right now, and it doesnt even matter! Im still on cloud nine! 

I love you all! Here are the photos from the baptism. I have more pictures that ill send in another email. I know this work is true, and I know this is the true Church of Christ! 

Always,
Elder Hodson

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Week 28

HEYHEYHEYYY!!!!

whats up family and friends? Hope alls well in the states! Today we are celebrating Honduras´s independence day, so we had an awesome parade this morning. It was a blast. But I wont lie, I now know what was said about ammon and his brothers in the lamanite territory "Strangers in a strange land" EVERYONE STARES AT ME!!!! Its like Im an alien!!! When Im in normal mission clothes, nobody stares. But in normal people clothes, i feel like im a zoo animal! haha 

We had an awesome week! It went super fast. I love the mission, but then it starts to go so fast and Im like "whoa. slow down" Last pday, after we wrote home, We went out to this touristic pier. It was awesome. Super romantic! hahaha definitely awkward for 4 dudes to be there together. So we made the best of it and took titanic photos. (See attached photos) Super funny. But Honduras defnitely is a beautiful country. So while we were there, a group of teenage girls asked me to take a photo of them, and being the social butterfly that I am, I glady accepted. And when the camera opened, it was on selfie mode. Of course I made the best of that situation and took a selfie hahaha now hopefully that little bit of joking around will open up a door for one of those girls in the future to accept the missionaries! I saw when they looked at the selfie. they all got a good laugh. No shame! haha 

So Im getting very close to having 6 months in this area, so its quite probable that Ill leave here in 2 weeks. But, regarldess, Im not gonna do to Ruelas what Perdomo did to me and leave me hanging with no investigators! We are working hard to find new investigators every week to keep a steady flow of investigators who are gonna progress to baptism. Weve worked our butts off these 3 months and finally were seeing the fruits! I should leave this area with a bang, 4 baptisms this friday and 3 baptisms the next saturday. The joy of missionary work are unmeasurable! 

I had my testimony of priesthood blessings strengthened this week. Saturday night we went to Lina´s house because we heard her son eduardo was sick. We knew that if he was sick Sundaymorning, she wouldnt be able to be baptized this week. We ran over there around 7, and he was running a huge fever. We gave him a blessing, and immediately his fever started coming down. By 9 oclock that night his fever had fully dropped. The next morning, I was quite nervous. We had already sung the opening hymn, and Lina hadnt showed up yet. But to my surprise, during the opening prayer, she walked in, little 6 year old eduardo following behind. Happy as can be! 

Well. I love this work! And I love the Lord! I know he payed for our sins. I know this is his kingdom on the earth. I love you all! Hope all is well. If there is anything I can do here to help any of you. Let me know!

Always,
Elder Hodson









Monday, September 8, 2014

Hawaiin missionaries in Honduras

so we all decided to buy 25 cent hawaiin tshirts and take some funny photos. enjoy. Of course we had to take some femmy hand photos with our flowery t shirts haha






Week 27

Happy Monday!

Hows everyones day? I remember back in high school, we all dreaded mondays. Now mondays are what keep us going every week! This week has been absolutely awesome! Ive loved it! It went incredibly fast. So this week I hit 6 months in the mission! How incredibly fast was that?!?!?! So did another missionary in our ward, Elder Coj, so we burnt ties on Sunday night. It was a blast. I only have 18 months left... Thats just a girls mission! Easy! haha just kidding. Dont tell Dix Jarman I said that haha 

 We had an awesome experience this week with one of our investigators, Lina. She had learned about tithing in church on Sunday from the class the bishop taught, so she decided to start putting away her 10% even though she has yet to be baptized! We explained to her that tithing is a commandment that only the members are commanded to obey, but she then informed us of how important tithing already is to her. She told us that that morning, she had put away her 10%, and that day she witnessed a miracle. She had 4 different payments to make that day, and she had no idea how she was going to make due. But the Lord put forth his hand! Certain people came to pay her earlier than she expected, and with that money she was able to pay all of her payments exaclty down to the dime! She, and I as well, know that The Lord blessed her for her willingness and faith to pay her tithing, even before she was baptized. Its a testimony builder for me that God doesnt want our or need our money. He wants a willing heart. In the moment that we become willing to put him first, is when he becomes willing to pour out his blessings upon us. 

Im so pumped for this upcoming week! Hector and Reina Davila have all of their papers done and ready. So this week we are gonna get them married! Then Saturday, boom! Another family entering into the waters of baptism. They already have a goal to go to the temple in a year. They are starting to save money now for their trip. Also, Lina is preparing to be baptized this weekend as well. She has been the most prepared person Ive ever met in my entire life to be baptised. Come to find out this week, that her dad is a member of the church as well! She had no idea! But yeah. Im pumped for Linas baptism as well. 

We had another spiritual experience with a man named Elbin this week. He is trying his best to turn his life around. Hes left behind all of his addictions since before we talked with him. But hes struggling because everyone around him are into drugs but have high paying jobs while he is still left searching for a job. We shared with him this scripture,

  40 And now my beloved brethren, would exhort you to havepatienceand that ye bear witall manner of afflictionsthat ye donot revile against those who do cast you out becausof yourexceeding poverty, lest ye become sinners like unto them;
 41 But that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictionswithfirm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions.
to which he responded "I feel as though God is speaking directly to me through this scripture. Im going to read the book of mormon. And im gonna ask God if its true." It was awesome to see the power the book of mormon has in anothers life once again. The mission is incredible. Where else can you have these experiences day after day? I have no idea where else. I love it here. I love the Lord. I know this church and this work are true. I love you all! Enjoy some burning tie photos.
Love,
Elder Hodson