Feb 17: T minus 7

Officially hit one year here in Ecuador this past week. It's been some ups and downs, but overall I've learned so much about myself, about God's perfect plan, and how important it is to live a life according to Gods. How he wants us to all be happy, joyful, give our best effort even when life just seems impossible. It definitely hasn't been the easiest year, nor the funnest, but I wouldn't change it for anything. I can truly say as being a missionary for so long that the gospel changes lives, helps us recognize our priorities versus needs, and allows us to know where we need to look for a remission of our sins. This Gospel really is incredible.

This week we ham on teaching the importance of Baptism. The doctrine is so simple but so powerful. When teaching about baptism, I know the spirit has to be so strong or the people will never understand why they need to be baptized or even be baptized again. We really hit hard explaining what blessings they can receive, the changes they will see, but tying it all in at the end that following Jesus Christ can lead us to live with those we love forever. We put the goal to talk about baptism in each lesson we taught, and invite them to be baptized in God's true church.  By the end of the week, we had 6 people accept a baptismal date, and we even put a marriage date on a family so they can get baptized after. 

I'm nobody special, I'm nobody perfect, even as a missionary. But I know that loving people is vital in missionary work.  In my patriarchal blessing, it says "As you serve faithfully you will come to love the people you serve upon, and they will come to love you." I never completely understood this part in my blessing until I came on my mission and experienced it. As I have been faithful and loved the people, they have been able to see God's hand in their lives, understand that they need to follow him even if it's changing their religion, even if it's throwing on a white dress and getting baptized. There is no greater power than love, love can truly heal this world. May we share it with those we know, that even they might decide to change their lives, like God's love changed ours. 

Happy Late Valentine's Day to all. 

Love Elder Rich

nametag

Reunited with mijo Elder Hunter in Baños

P-day

 hitchhiking in the rain