This week has been another trying one.
It was a definitely growing time for me though. I was able to have a
great talk with my companion about what we want to improve with and we
are taking things really seriously here in Chascomús. I really didn't
want to go another month without baptizing, but it seems like August will
also be a "dry" month even though it's rained a TON!!!! So, the Lord
saw it needful that I spend another transfer with Elder Haynie in
Chascomús. We have lots of goals and expectations of this transfer. I'm
expecting to see a lot of success!!!
So I don't know where to start with this past week.
Let's just say I can't wait for the new bikes to get here!!! The bikes
have been breaking down every single day, several times a day. From flat
tires to breaking spokes, we've seen the works happen in the bicycle
shop recently. Also, the rain and mud endure to bother us. I watched a
lovely scene when my companion, while I was fixing my bike, tried
turning around in the road and the bike slipped out from under him and
her crashed into a ditch. And knowing me, the kind and helpful person
that I am, I just laughed!! ha ha! Oh I haven't laughed that hard in
weeks!! He's totally fine, but it sure cheered me up that day!
Yes, Mother, when you come, it'll be very cold, wet,
muddy, and don't forget, in Spanish!! ha ha! By the way, I've heard of a
few parents that wanted to come pick up their sons and weren't able to
because of flights and such. Make sure you plan well if you really do
intend on coming here.
Anyway, I'm going to tell the coolest story of the
week. So I don't remember if I've mentioned anything about Jefferson,
but he is was the ray of sun light in our dark week. So I have been
praying fervently for a miracle; or rather, a person to cause a
difference. I believe the Lord is answering my prayers through
Jefferson. So he is 23-years-old and as of seven or eight months, he is a
member of the Church of Jesus Christ. This is a summary of his story:
Jefferson is from Paraguay. There, he lived a
wonderfully blessed life. He owned about five companies, had
secretaries, assistants, and employees of all types. He drove a a new
2012 Toyota sports car, a big home, and lots of money. He was not the
type of person to reach out to others. Very closed. Didn't like average
people nor the richer class. He preferred to stay indoors and to work.
He was dating the governor's daughter and dumped her because she
complained that he wouldn't leave his house. He had only one best friend
and he didn't tend to see him very often.
So one day while working at his office, he sees the
missionaries walking by and curious, went outside and asked them to come
into his office to talk for a moment. There, they chatted for a while,
the missionaries explained their purpose and taught him the first lesson
about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After the lesson,
he asked the missionaries for a Book of Mormon and offered to take them
to their next lesson several kilometers away.
As time goes by, Jefferson reads the whole book. He
attends church. Does service. Gives references. Even threw a surprise
party for one of the elders. He tried to buy them a car even!! He was
generous with the members with his abundance and he would buy food, rent a
bus on Sunday mornings to go pick up members to go to church and many
other activities. He realized that in that time, he was happier giving
what he had than keeping it for himself.
He loved being there with the saints and wanted to
join with them, but couldn't. His mother, infuriated by his decision to
join a church, began to complain and when he didn't listen, she took
away his businesses, his cars, and his money. She left him on the street
with nothing to do and all of this because he wouldn't deny his
testimony. So he gathered his things, bought a plane ticket and left to
Argentina to get baptized.
Now he has no money. Keeps getting robbed by his
job, the house where he's staying and anything bad that could happen, is
happening to this poor kid. He's got ten pesos to his name and has
gotten to the point of house hopping, sleeping outside in the cold, and
even begging for bits of food. He came to church on Sunday and saw that
we were a total of 16 people. He then told me of why he chose to come to
the small city of Chascomús. He said that when he was praying to know
where to go so he could bless someone's life with his testimony, he
looked up at the map of Buenos Aires, Argentina and saw the name of
Chascomús. He felt prompted to come here to help.
Well, he came and is already contacting the people
and wants to prepare himself to serve a mission. He has a grandfather in
Brazil with the money to serve and he wants to get as prepared as
possible! So now he'll study and work with us! Meanwhile, we store his
money in our pench so it doesn't get stolen any more and we keep praying
and looking for a possible home for him.
I honestly believe he is the answer to my prayers!
He's so excited to work and I feel like he will be the way to talk to
the people easier and to baptize more! He wants to baptize SO badly! But
I am very grateful to my Heavenly Father that he hears and answers my
prayers. I have been blessed with His love so many times when I didn't
deserve it and now more than ever!
Anyway, some other investigators that are still
progressing really well are Zoe and Marisa (who's nickname is Nona) are
so excited to get baptized!! Every time we go over, they are singing
about going to church and getting baptized! It's amazing! Although they
are only 10 and 8 years old, they are so smart! They know so much of the
Bible and of our lessons. That's thanks to Zoe's mom who reads with
them and helps them learn. Marisa comes from a very dysfunctional
family. Her father in a drunkard and they have no job. They live in a
tin house with dirt as floor. She lives basically at Zoe's to escape her
reality at home. It's sad. But hopefully we'll be able to teach her
parents and change their lives. Marisa's brother Carlitos is now
studying with us too and he really likes it! Hopefully we can baptize
him too!
Well, I'm out of time. It was a hard week for all of
the trials we faced. One being the epidemic that is hitting Chascomús.
Everyone is sick with the fever and chills except me and now my
companion now that he's better. Well, family and friends, I love you all!
I miss you but I'm so happy here in the mission field. My mission means
everything to me. It changed my life and continues to do so as I help
others change theirs. The Redeemer of the world lives and he directs
this work. I hope you have an amazing week!
Love,
Elder Blake W. Cowan
No comments:
Post a Comment