Hola! Que tal?
This week was very interesting! We moved into our apartment in Ita Paso on Monday, and since then we have been doing lots of work here! It’s been interesting getting used to more of a rural and spread out area. We don’t have a supermarket here so we have to take a bus downtown to use the stores there for shopping. The only problem with that is right now the bus drivers are striking because they aren’t getting paid enough… and also they are shutting down the buses for 15 days due to COVID so we will have to figure out a new way to get groceries. Every new area I have been to during my mission has had its different challenges and rewards. It’s always changing, but the thing that never changes between each area is the gospel, it’s the same church, doesn’t matter if you are in Mansfield Ohio or Ita Paso Paraguay. Knowing that helps me react to each new challenge with the strength that comes through trusting in the Savior and his gospel. His love and help for you is available anytime, anywhere.
This week they called a new branch President and we are going to be his secretaries. It should be interesting. Luckily he is very supportive and wants to work with us to help the members. We’ve been talking to lots of members this week, and inviting them to either engage in missionary work or come back to church. The members are awesome, and are some of my favorite things about the work. We had a member invite us to see her kill and cut up a chicken she had. I included a picture of me holding the dead chicken. Every time we enter a member’s home they run to get us bread, give us juice, or get their pets and throw them at us and have us pet them. They also shower us with people they know that we can teach, the location of inactive members, and always want to go out with us to do work and invite others to hear about the restored gospel. When members help us out and are super supportive it not only blesses the people we teach and serve, it also blesses them, and it’s so cool to see how it blesses their lives.
With all the challenges we have come across in our first week here, as well as with all of the support we have received, it has made me reflect on the 3rd verse of ‘How Firm A Foundation.’
“Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, upheld by my righteous,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.”
I know that even when we see new challenges everyday, new struggles, new trials, that the Lord will help us. We just have to act in faith, putting one step in front of the other, and trusting in the Lord.
I hope you all have a great week!
