September 21, 2015 email "Know the truth of all things"

Tortillas: 30
Clautzawach? Thats " how are you?" in K'ichi. We have been having fun learning the culture and getting to know the people better by having them teach us small phrases in their native language. Most people here speak Spanish, but it warms them up to us to see gringos speaking their Mayan tongue. We had a great week this week with my new companion Elder Bentley from Gilbert Arizona.

 He is a 6’3 tall white dude with blonde hair and blue eyes.  There are many times when the people just stare at us as we walk down the street.  He is straight from the CCM, and I feel it is a wonderful blessing to have someone that is ready to work very hard and see many miracles.  We were so blessed this week to be lead to those that are in the most need of our help.  It is so wonderful to see when we have blessed the lives of someone that was waiting for us.  Also, I feel so blessed that the Lord has sent me to this wonderful country of Guatemala, so rich of culture and beauty.  This week the country celebrated their independence day on the 15th.  It was a crazy day for us because it was when we had changes and I received Elder Bentley.  We were able to see some of the preparations for the parade celebrations in XELA, but mostly it was just us finding a way to get back to Cantel.  We eventually did get back, and there were not many people, but we still had an amazing day.  It has been raining alot, but I love it!

Mejor Milagro:

So, one day we had planned to go to a part of Cantel that you could call the center.  You have to climb a really big pathway because it is basically on top of the mountain.  As we were going, we reached a crossroad and in my mind I thought that it would be logical to go to another place not planned.  But after consulting with Elder Bentley we both felt to keep going up to the pueblo.  As we arrived, there were almost no people in the street.  I was beginning to regret our decision, but we kept with the plans.  As we were about to stop at the home, we saw two girls 10 and 17 years, carry a big drunk man by his arms.  We offered to help them carry him home.  As we walked and talked we came to find out that the man was so drunk because just a little bit before, he had received the news that his newborn son had died at birth.  We carried him and the girls (his sister and niece) lead us to their home.  As we arrived we tried to talk to him about what had happened, but he was so drunk (probably the drunkest that I have ever seen anyone) that it did not work.  As we were about to leave, we asked one of the older women family members there if there was anything also that they needed help with.  She told us yes.  They needed help to dig a grave.  So, by the guidance of a couple small children, we were lead to the cemetary to a grave site where the drunk mans father and brother were digging a grave.  We then got to work, even though in our missionary clothing.  

We talked with them while we worked and came to find out that the father had been receiving the missionaries 15 years ago, but they disappeared.  He even told us that he still had a Book of Mormon.  I know that the Lord lead us to be able to bless his children in their time of need.  I feel so grateful for the opportunity to be used as an instrument in his hands, in doing whatever he needs .

Testimony time:

This week I rediscovered a story in the Book of Mormon, of which we can learn alot.  The story is about Teancum, a Nephite warrior that was diligent in keeping with what he was commanded to do.  In this story we read about how in the midst of a war against a wicked king, Teancum worked diligently for the cause of liberty.

And it came to pass that Teancum stole privily into the tent of the king, and put a javelin to his heart; and he did cause the death of the king immediately that he did not awake his servants.

Though intense and gorrey, we can learn a lot from the type of man he was.  We read that Teancum, in order to do this act, “went out by night.”  All other were tired, but Teancum would not rest until the job was done.  We read about how he was a man of preparation, obedience with exactness, trust in the Lord and always completing what he was commanded to do.  He is an example to me of the type of warriors we need to be in this battle against evil.  We need to be the kind of people that the Lord can trust in and call in to get the job done.  We must act in diligence with all that we do to complete the commandments of the Lord never letting anything stray us from our ultimate goal, eternal life.  I know and feel so blessed that the Lord has given us a guide to learn how to be valiant servants, the scriptures.  If we treasure their words daily and keep our communication always open with the Lord, we will never be lead astray, but rather to know the truth of all things. (Moroni 10:5)  I love my Savior and I love his gospel.  It is my privilege to serve him.  In the name of Jesus Christ , Amen.

 Guatemalan hot dogs!

 Thank you Newcomers!