He Knows Our Needs
We were able to see the Lord's hand again in our work this week.  We'd been searching for a ward member who the missionaries had not been able to locate or visit for ages.  We tried and tried, but could not find her house with the information we had.  It was getting late and we were getting very tired.  As we searched, we ran into some other members and they showed the house where she lived - it was a house that we had passed by multiple times.

As we visited with her, she began to cry.  She told us that she'd been praying that the missionaries could visit her to give her a blessing of health.  In that moment, as we felt the Spirit fill the room, we knew then that the Lord had guided us to find her and to visit her on this day.  The feeling was so strong as we placed our hands on her head and gave her the prayed-for blessing.

Enjoying an iguana meal...

Well-  saying goodbye has never been easy, and I don't think it ever will be.

Yesterday we received news about the new transfers, and regretfully I am leaving Mogambo.  Leaving the Coast of Colombia to go to a place a little bit cooler, well, cooler as in less hot than this oven than I've been enjoying for these past 3 months.

Sincerely I'm very sad to be leaving this beautiful area because I sincerely feel that I have come to love this people.  This ward, the members, and the investigators have all made Mogambo one of the most beautiful areas that I have ever seen.

I will be very sad to leave those with whom I have worked, prayed and fasted for.  I also know that this sadness comes with the calling of being a servant of the Lord; and nobody says that being a missionary is easy, because this is one of the hardest parts.

This Saturday, I found myself praying for those investigators whom we are teaching - that they may be able to attend church the next day.  In doing so, I focused on the love I had for them and the desire I had for them to be blessed with the beloved gospel of our Savior.  Then it dawned upon me ever so slightly - a sudden thought, that all this love that I have for these people, including my hopes and desires that I have for them, will never nor ever could equal the love, the hope, and faith that our Father has for them.  I know that the work of salvation is in those loving, caring hands of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

 As I write this letter, I find myself fighting tears, as I realize more and more that time has come again to say goodbye to those I've come to love.  I am so grateful for the blessing that I have had to know my brothers and sisters here in Mogambo.  I will continue to fight for them in faith and humble prayer that they may receive strength to continue forward  with faith in this marvelous plan of salvation.

This week was great - a little more exhausting than usual, but hey, what can you do?

These past weeks we've been doing a LOT of service.  We hiked a toilet seat (used) across the meadows (mountains) of our area, and we were demolitioners for a bathroom (also used).  

We helped build a house's foundation, and I'm still sore from that one, so fun though.  In all honesty, it has been an incredible experience to serve others here in Colombia.  The people we help and the service we render is an incredible opportunity and a blessing for me and for others...Very grateful.

I'm getting better with the food and the Spanish - day by day, little by little, precept by precept.
(The puppy belongs to a family we're working with - his name is Alfonse)

This week we did a lot of intercambios (exchanges), which is where we switch companions for a day.  A cool experience to work with other missionaries and to see how they teach.

This week we found another family to teach.  Sadly, we also lost an investigator - he wasn't ready yet.  In this life, we are given our agency, the ability and blessing to choose how we want our life's story to be written.  As missionaries, and as representatives of Jesus Christ, we have to learn to respect that, no matter how much we know the gospel will help bless the lives of everyone.

The family we found is incredible!  They are so in tune with the spirit already, and I can not wait to begin teaching them more.  Yesterday we taught them the restoration, and the spirit was so strong. So grateful for the blessing of finding them, and to be able to get to know them. 

We have so many cool families in the area.  Great investigators and great everything.  Honestly more grateful that anything to be here, to grow, to learn, to be alive.  And what's more, with all of these hills, I feel I will be able to climb Mt. Everest after my mission.  

Aldrian's baptism was an incredibly spiritual experience.  He is a young man who has had so many difficulties and obstacles in his life.  How amazing it is to see the change in his life and to see his conversion.  

I am so grateful that I have been able to see him come into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- to see his life transform within the embrace of the gospel.  What an amazing experience to see his life strengthened and to see his family blessed.

I know that his future is in the best of hands as he begins to know more and more about his Savior.  Our Savior.  He will no longer need to feel that he walks alone in this life.  The gospel will be a pillar of support for him and his family forever. 

1st Navidad in the mission!  Bryan and his companion went caroling to members of the ward where they are serving.  He also learned about the abundance of very loud fireworks during the holidays.

                                         The daily "Trial of Faith"  Over 100 steps  to get home.