May 27: Week 33

We did a fun activity as a zone this Friday where we set up a booth at a busy park and contacted a lot of people. Our main focus was to teach about the Book of Mormon and hand them out to as many people as possible who were interested. With the help of about 12 missionaries, we contacted hundreds of people and have tons of references to work with. A lot of people explained to us that this will change the hearts of many strangers when they look at us doing service work and helping them with a spiritual message. I was able to talk to some people for a long time, and really explained the purpose of the Book of Mormon. I'm surprised at how people don't a lot of knowledge of this gospel, and especially a knowledge of the Book of Mormon and the blessings it has when we just open it up. I know I definitely took that for granted before my mission as my Book of Mormon usually sat on my dresser with dust on top. But there is so much happiness that we can find by reading it and by pondering its message.

Again this week, we did a lot of contacting, mainly because the sector we're in doesn't have much. I am not the biggest fan of contacting, especially when we do it for more than 5 hours a day. But this week I really focused on smiling at every person when they opened up the door and treating them like Jesus would if he were sharing this message. I was able to see a tremendous difference in the message we portrayed and the difference in the hearts of the people when we did so. 

The scripture for this week is in Matthew 11:28-30.

28 ¶ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

As I read this scripture this week I was touched by the message it portrays. I love the way Jesus explains and words these short scriptures that he invites all who are heavy worked with all our work, problems, addictions and he will give us rest because he is gentle and his love is everlasting.

Love Elder Rich

BOM activity

Dog's everywhere

Talk with everyone

May 20: Week 2 in Los Chillos

Another week, another email. This week was a lot more fun, we were able to work a lot more with our investigators and put a couple on date. Our work is starting to pay off and we are starting to teach lessons. 

We found a solid family that is from Venezuela that we taught a couple of times this past week. They told us a little bit about their prelife before they fled to come here. Due to the millions of Venezuelans that are now living here in Ecuador, there is an extreme shortage of jobs. Ecuadorians, Venezuelans everybody here. People who have been here for 2 years haven't found a job. This particular gal that we found told us a little bit about her job. She is lucky to have found a job, but I want to tell you a little about what it's like for them. She found a job working in a restaurant serving food. She works every day of the week, without a break from 7:30 in the morning to 5:30 in the night. This gal only makes 8 dollars for the entire day and 56 for the whole week which is equivalent to about .85 cents every hour. The sad thing is that the Ecuadorian people here know that the Venezuelans are in need of jobs and are practically willing to do anything to work even if it includes working like this. 

We are teaching a man that looks just like A$AP Rocky, who has long dreads and is black. He's the sickest man ever. He has a problem with smoking, and we were able to give him a blessing of strength and courage to move forward and he has been doing a lot better. On the way back to our house I felt prompted to talk to a young man that was sitting outside a hospital. As we started talking he shared some experiences from his life up to the point where he is right now. He explained that he was baptized, and has both priesthoods but has made some bad choices and has fallen away. He said that he feels super bad about himself, and really wants to get back on the straight path with god in his life. I had an impression to share a scripture in Doctrine and Covenants a scripture that I read earlier that week. I wasn't exactly sure where it was, but I had the prompting to just open my scriptures and I would find it. As I did that, I opened right up to it. It's in section 58 versus 42 and 43 it says.

42 Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.

43 By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them.

As I shared this scripture, he explained that this is exactly what he needs to do, he needs to repent and experience this change in his heart. What a promise we have from the Lord, that as we repent the Lord remembers our sins no more. I encourage all you to read and ponder this scripture and experience this promise from the Lord in your life. 

Love Elder Rich

Ecuadorian flowers

Pizza

Broke the rules for this one

May 13: What a tough week.

Man, transfers are not fun. I didn't realize how easy my old sector was until I got dropped off here. It's never easy to say goodbye to your investigators and members, but it's always exciting to check out a new area. But I like it here, it's super chill and quiet. Happy to say that I'm opening up my 4th area, every single one so far. Pretty much this whole week consisted of contacting and knocking doors and went unsuccessfully. I have also experienced the Polar Bear Plunge every morning because our shower is broken, and the water is ice cold. But the Lord is teaching me to be patient, and although this week has been difficult there is nowhere I'd rather be. 

This week here in Ecuador the rainy season of Ecuador stopped and the 12-hour sun started. Even though I'm so high in altitude it's still super hot. 

This week I am especially grateful for my mother, and all the women in my life. As we celebrated Mothers day, I was full of joy for the amazing women I have in my life. Here in Ecuador, it's difficult to see because most families don't have great relationships with their spouses or with their children. I am eternally grateful for my amazing mother in my life and for her sacrifice in raising me to be the man I need to be. Although I may give you a hard time, I know that you know what's best for me, I love you.

A story that I absolutely love in the Book of Mormon is from Alma chapter 56. This chapter tells the story of the 2000 stripping warriors that go to battle with their lives on the line, but did not fear because they learned their first lessons from their mother.

47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.

Love Elder Rich

Goodbyes in Turubamba

Goodbye Elder Mora

New companion, Elder Nieto

The new area - Los Chillos

May 6: Baptisms and transfers

We baptized Louisa this past Saturday, and it was a moment I will never forget. I conducted the Baptismal meeting, and there is always such a rich spirit that pours into the room for baptisms. Louisa's kids have lots of doubts about the church and about being baptized. Many times they have expressed that they don't want to be baptized, but I know they felt the spirit during the baptism of their mother. Louisa asked me to confirm her the next day in Sacrament Meeting. I was dead scared when she first asked me. I fasted and prayed fervently for the Gift of Tongues to accompany me, and when the time came I was calm, not scared or nervous. I was able to be a mouthpiece for the Lord and gave her a beautiful blessing.

Sad to say, but I'm getting transferred. I was almost positive I was staying but I'm leaving Turubamba and heading east about an hour to an area called "La Paz" located in "Los Chillos."  The new area I've heard is super difficult in all ways. For some reason, the members don't like missionaries so we have to work all alone, nor do they feed us lunches. It's a very low baptizing area, I think one of the lowest in our mission. But, at the same time, I'm excited to be put in a difficult area and work all I can to bring the people unto Christ.

Love Elder Rich

Louis's baptism

Louisa

Our 28 year old bishop

Homie Benjamin