¡Hola a todos! ¿Cómo están?
This week started with some iffy news. For the past couple weeks we have been hearing whispers that Paraguay is having a real tough time dealing with the virus and that even the Paraguay Asuncion Norte mission went into quarantine. Finally we got the news that starting on Saturday we would be going into a 9 day, mission-wide quarantine. Elder Harmer thought it was pretty funny, because exactly a year ago is when he found out that he would have to leave Paraguay and return home. He spent his 19th birthday, the 28th of March, on a plane home to Washington, and this year he spent his 20th birthday on Sunday in quarantine here in Ita Paso. It’s crazy to think that we have been hiding from COVID for over a year now. We have seen many challenges as well as many blessings from the Lord.
For example, it was a challenge for Elder Harmer and I to go into lockdown again, but we have already seen so many tender mercies and blessings from the Lord. Elder Harmer and I expected to celebrate his birthday quietly in our apartment and not make too much of a fuss about it. But, our district of missionaries and the members here in Ita Paso had different plans. It started off with the sisters that took our old area sent us Cake, Soccer Jerseys, and other goodies, sent to us from the 2nd counselor in the mission Presidency. Next, in passing, Elder Harmer mentioned that it was his birthday on Sunday to a member, and the next thing we knew we were getting phone calls left and right from all the members asking if they could bring over cake and sing happy birthday to Elder Harmer. It was awesome, it’s so awesome to see the Christlike love that the people here in Paraguay have for us and for one another as well. It hasn’t been easy to go into quarantine, but with the Lord’s help Elder Harmer and I will see even more blessings come out of it.
On Sunday, Juan Carlos gave his first talk on faith. Luckily President Hansen gave us the ‘ok’ to go to church on Sundays, and we were able to hear him give his talk. It was an incredible talk, and what was even more incredible was seeing his growth, and how he has influenced his friends and family. His mother was in attendance, and she was so proud of him that she gave him a hug and then suddenly threw her arms around Elder Harmer in a big ol’ hug. He was not expecting it and it was pretty funny to see his reaction. It’s sad that we can’t go visit people with him this week and help his friends and family, but I know he will continue to minister to those around him and continue to progress in the Gospel!
So this weekend is General Conference! It feels like it was just yesterday, when Elder Harper and I set up our phone in our Mansfield apartment with our journals and scriptures ready to listen to the messages of the Prophets and General Authorities. The changes in my life since that point of time are astounding to me, and I attribute a lot of that to the messages that were shared at that General Conference. When we go into General Conference with either a question, a desire, or a yearning to receive revelation or knowledge, the Lord will always answer to those who have faith. I encourage all of you to spiritually prepare for General Conference, as well as reflect on the Atoning Sacrifice and Divine Sonship of our Savior Jesus Christ this Easter season.
Les Amo mucho!
Elder Watson
Bakers tend to make chipa really early in the morning, getting the oven extremely hot after kneading the dough and filling it with whatever they want. The week coming up before Easter Sunday is called “La Semana Santa”. During the week EVERYONE makes chipa. Everyone goes to each other’s houses and eats chipa, gets drunk, and listens to polka music. Hence, why the Paraguayan government wants a quarantine, to stop people from spreading COVID to each other during La Semana Santa. Before COVID, it was the prime week for contacting, because people would tend to say, “We don’t want to hear a message, but we have Chipa! Come and eat some!” And of course they ended up hearing a message and it was a great way to get new people to visit and teach.