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

ONE YEAR MARK!

Hey Everyone - 

I can't believe an entire year has passed by.  This has been the most trying, toughest year of my life.   I am so grateful for every second I have had here and wouldn't trade it for anything.  

This was a good week overall.  We had a zone conference with the Catala's.  They are a huge blessing to me and I have learned so much from them.  

The church does not use tithing money to pay for cleaning people so the local people clean the church buildings.  One morning this week, we spent the whole morning until lunch cleaning the church.  We had a little accident while cleaning, haha.  Elder Morris and I found a floor polisher that you see in the movies so we had to take it for a spin in the cultural hall.  For some reason it was crazy powerful and really hard to control. 

Awesome ward activity (with polished floor!)

We had to legit use all our strength to control it.  So it was my turn to use it and I twisted the handle to turn it on and the polisher went out of control and slammed me into the door and the door broke hahaha.  We went to the hardware store and bought gorilla glue and clamps.  Long story short... we fixed it and everything is fine (including me!).  

Rober and James are getting baptized this week.  They are so happy. 

I hope you all have a great week.

With love,

Elder Vincent

Reply Si if you want one!

Hurting for others

Spanish Class

Hey Everyone! 

Another solid week of work.   One miracle we saw happened as we were heading over to the church for Spanish class.  Some guy in the street called us over to his little shop and gave us two plastic bags of bread and said "I know you have people that need it."  So, at the end of class we opened up the bags and offered it to everyone.  All of the Haitians started humbly and gratefully grabbing the bread and shoving it into their pockets.  It was difficult to see how important little rolls of bread were to them.  It made me think of how many times I have left food on my plate and not even thought twice about it.  

Another thing that stuck with me was a conversation I had this week with someone about how hot it is in the summer and how cold it is in the winter.  She said something like "the heat is bothersome, but the cold makes you suffer.  Not suffer from the actual cold, but suffer from seeing all the people without homes or tiny huts who don't have warm clothes.  It hurts."

I'm so grateful that here in Chile I've been able to recognize ALL of my blessings and how lucky I am.  I don't think I would recognize or appreciate these blessings if I hadn't actually lived here.   

We are now in the middle of Winter here.  Some days are freezing and it rains constantly.  Thank you, Natalee, for sending me "Hot Hands" to put in my boots.  It's so nice that my feet stay warm when we are working outside for most of the day on such cold days.  

All my love,

Elder Vincent

Daily calendar 

View from my apartment

Our District

Gift from a member

Doris Gets Baptized!

Doris got baptized

Hey Everyone!

Another amazing week filled with blessings.  We continue to work hard every day and it feels good.  

The biggest highlight of this week was that Doris got baptized.  It was an amazing service and you could feel the spirit so strong.  I was so happy for her.  She had lots of support from her family.  Little by little they are starting to come to church and feeling the Savior's love for them.  Afterwards, Doris made us legit American burgers!  Doris is a huge blessing in my life.  I am so grateful for her faith and courage and everything she has taught me.  

Working with a member

It's truly a blessing to be a missionary.  I love these people and every opportunity I have to serve them.  Although there are challenges every day and it is hard at times, I couldn't be more grateful to be here and to work in this part of the Lord's vineyard.  

Thanks for your letters and support. 

With love,

Elder Vincent

D&C 64: 33-34  Wherefore, be not weary in well doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work.  And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.  Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.  

Elder Dawson and I freezing!

Morning studies

Someone just left their goat here!

Making Progress in La Cordillera

Hey Everyone,

Another positive week here in La Cordillera.  It was a pretty normal week so there's not much to say.  Two highlights from this week are:

1.  I did a baptism interview in 100% Creole for the first time.
2. We had 6 more investigators in church!  

All of our investigators are taking big steps towards baptism.  It's amazing to see the actions they take because of their faith and the immediate blessings they receive (even before baptism).  So right now we are doing all we can to help these people progress as  well as finding new people to serve.  

James 4:8   Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.  Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.  

with love,

Elder Vincent