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
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