Promptings, miracles and baptism

Hey Everyone -

I hope you all had a great week.  Things are good here, even in the negative winter temperatures!  We had a nice surprise visit from President Catala who came to fix our hot water.  Three different plumbers couldn't do it, but he was able to do it.  We hadn't had a hot shower for weeks so we were so happy. 

We were able to offer service this week by chopping wood for a family.  It was freezing outside but we made it fun!  

To find people to teach, my companion and I try to talk to everyone we see in the streets.  One day we were walking along looking for people and there wasn't anybody in front of us. 

Eventually, some guy started to walk behind us.  Normally it's super weird to turn around and talk to someone walking right behind you but I felt a voice screaming at me to turn around and start talking to him.  So I stopped walking, turned around and started to talk.  The guy bumped right into me because I stopped out of no where, and before he knew it I had already started to talk.  I asked if we could go by his house and share more and he said "yeah, but I really want to go to church where there are meetings."   He invited himself to church.  I think that's only happened one other time on my mission (with Doris).  So that was cool to so strongly feel a spiritual prompting, follow it, and see the results right away.  

The following day we set up a table outside the church because it's on a super busy street in between a bus terminal and a hospital so there are always people.  We talked to every person that walked by.  One lady named Ivonne said she wanted to get baptized the way Christ did but then said she didn't want to talk to us and left.  About an hour later we were leaving to go to lunch and we passed by each other again, said hi, but she still didn't want to talk to us.  About 6:00 p.m. that evening we were on the other side of town and ran into her for the 3rd time that day.  She told us she thought it was a sign and asked us to visit her next week.  We are excited to teach her about the gospel.  

The highlight of this past week was Anita's baptism.  The day before she called us saying she was super sick and couldn't be baptized.  We went to her house and gave her a blessing.  She called an hour later and said she was 100% better as if she had never gotten sick.  Immediate miracle.  Everything went really well for her baptism and she was really happy.  

I hope you are all well.  Thank you for your letters.  I wish I had more time to write each of you.  

Con Amor,

Elder Vincent 

My wolf tie!

Fadile's birthday 

Benjamin and Flo got baptized!

Familia y Amigos,

Another great week here in Cordillera!  We were really blessed this week to see the results of our hard work.  On Saturday, we baptized Benjamin and Florencia!  Two "escogidos" that we found a few weeks ago.  But, on Sunday we were really able to see the fruits of our labors as Benja and Flo came to church with the rest of their family (6 in total) as well seeing the Zapata family (Mireya, Doris, Anita, etc) and Fadiles who got baptized last week and is now preparing for the Temple!  It is amazing to not only see the Lord's hand in their lives and their willingness to follow Him, but the blessings they have received.  The Gospel unites families forever!!  I know that is true and I am beyond grateful that I can help others come to know this truth also.  

Breakfast burritos

Please pray for Anita as she prepares for baptism on the 21st of this month! 

Still tons of rain here and the biggest hail I've ever seen.  

Con amor,

Elder Vincent

Some cows at a local park

Fadiles

Hi Everyone!

Things are going well here.  The update for this week is that Fadiles got baptized, there's been tons of rain and I got a new companion.  

The highlight was Fadiles’ baptism.  I am so happy for her and was honored she asked me to baptize her. 

It was sad saying goodbye to Elder Almeida.  He has been an incredible companion and friend.  My new companion, Elder Gomez, is from Uruguay.  He's an interesting guy.  He's very loud and talks a ton but has good intentions!  He eats chips and cookies all day long so I'm going to try to help him eat a little healthier and exercise.

One day last week I was having a hard day and read this quote from Elder Dawson's quote book: "You must have long range goals to keep you from getting frustrated by short range failures." -Charles C. Noble.  I also was trying to keep in mind my Grandpa's email about the importance of having a positive attitude.  Good advice.  

Overall, things are really good here.  We are still teaching lots of English classes to the Chileans and Spanish classes to the Haitians.  I love this area, the ward and these people.  I'm grateful to be a missionary.  

Thanks for your emails/letters,

con amor,

Elder Vincent

Elder Morris and I trying to get home when there's no public transportation