Wedding and Baptisms

October 20, 2017

Hola Amigas,

In Chapin (Guatemalan) culture there is absolutely no concept of time. If we say "Ok, you wanted to have your baptism before church so you can be confirmed during sacrament meeting, you'll be here by 6:45 so we can start right at 7:00, right?" They'll say, "Oh, yeah, of course! Fijo." Then be 45 minutes late for 8:00 church. One of our investigators had a job interview, so not a lot of free time. Our ZL's told us they'd be at the church at 6:30 to interview him. They got there at 7:45. It's ok though- it's teaching me patience! This week has also taught me how to deal with stress. Saturday we had the wedding of Marcelo Munuz to his wife Aura. She's a member, he's not. (wasn't) We've spent all week trying to take out their documents. But Renap- the place to do it- is like everything else government related here. It doesn't work. So I had to take them to Siquinala (the 2nd rainiest place in the world) while on divisions with a comp who can't speak Spanish (or English) and try to figure out their government system while planning the wedding, 2 baptisms, 3 confirmations, our meal schedule and work out our house contract. Oh, but I'm still in my training for another 3 weeks, so I CAN'T TOUCH OUR FLIP PHONE! So it was all through my comp who I can't understand, but it all worked out. They got married and Marcelo got baptized and confirmed this morning! We also baptized Joshua Televarios, a 9 year old who's already been baptized but his records keep getting lost. Crazy mission life!

Guatemala in general kind of prides itself on having a culture different from the rest of the world, but within that, the coast (or La Loca Costa) prides itself on having a culture different from the rest of Guatemala. The people here will tell you whatever they think you want to hear or just keep talking to keep you happy. During one of our bus contacts, I started talking to this man who was super positive. He seemed super interested and told me he'd talked to the missionaries before. I got his address and he said he'd love it if we came and visited him and his family. I even challenged him to baptism right there and he accepted. But then I asked if he'd been baptized before in another church. "Oh, yeah! I got baptized in your church 20 years ago!" He and his entire family were faithful members, and in a 10 minute conversation about the church he say a thing about it until I asked him directly! We asked one lady if her church had prophets. She told us she thought so, but that they lived in the capital. When we asked if she'd heard of the prophet Joseph Smith, she said "Oh, yes! He comes down here from the capital every month to preach!" With people you've gotta be bold and straight forward.

We did a comp exercise where in every street contact and door contact, we invited them to baptism. There's an amazing talk by Alvin R Dyer called the Challenging and Testifying Missionary. Anyone preparing to serve a mission- go READ it! Because that is exactly what we try to be. Through the bearing of a testimony, the spirit can touch the hearts of these people. It is our job to always provide that opportunity. This is my challenge to anyone reading this- to be challenging and testifying missionaries! D&C 4:3 says "If ye have desires to serve God, ye are called to the work." Everyone with a desire to serve is called. Where you live doesn't matter, missionary work is still as needed in Utah as it is in Texas. There is always work to be done. Sometimes it can be easy to get complacent, and maybe think that our testimony would be an inconvenience to those around us; or that they wouldn't want to hear it. There's a saying in the mission: No hay miedo, no hay verguenze. There is no fear or embarrassment. Be a challenging and testifying member! Psalm 27:1- "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

A testimony doesn't have to be a 10 minute long list of all the things you believe; something as simple as "I know this church is true" can invite the spirit. And it doesn't need to be to someone who isn't a member of the church. We visit the members of our branches too. Everybody's testimony can be strengthened. I testify that as you ask the Lord for the opportunity and actively search for people, you will find someone who needs to hear your words, and is waiting for you. There are always miracles, we just have to be looking for them! I've seen them every day here, from small to large. I can testify without a doubt in my soul that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the restored church of Jesus Christ, and the only church on the face of the earth with a true and living prophet and the power and authority to act and baptize in God's name. The Book of Mormon is the word of God, and was translated by his power. Through it's teachings we can learn the fullness of the everlasting gospel, and draw closer to God than any other way. I love you all, and am so grateful for your letters, support and prayers! Until next week- Que les vaya bien!

Elder Tadje