Dear Family and Friends,
Not too much time this week to write. We are trying to get to basketball as fast as we can because we haven’t played in a long time. Plus the ladies who work here want to go to lunch so they are about to kick us off.
Good Week
But this week has been good. We have been working hard trying to find people. I think we spend most of our time finding. Which can get tedious but at the same time can be really fun because you never know what’s on the other side of the door haha. I love knocking. Maybe a little too much. I’m always down to knock. I don’t really care if it’s 9:00 at night haha.
We were knocking in the slums the other day and an African-American young man answered the door. he was YOKED! Seriously, so ripped. He had his shirt off and was just wearing pajama pants and a blue beany. Ha ha he was acting super funny and then it was obvious that he was special needs. But he was seriously so muscular. Anyway, he got right up in my face and almost kissed me… and asked if he wanted him to make us some rice with chicken. Then, he gave Elder Jones a huge hug and almost broke his back. Haha I almost died laughing. I love people.
Juan
But really the only progressing investigator we have right now is Juan. Maira has dissappeared. that’s what sucks about teaching Spanish-speaking people. They just disappear. They disappear to Mexico, to Honduras, anywhere. They just leave. It stinks! No one knows were she is. Hopefully she answers our phonecalls…
Juan’s brother-in-law’s family (the Maldonado’s) are AWESOME! Another sweet family in the branch. They are all just super solid members. Their 17 year old son Christian came out with us all day yesterday and didn’t even complain. It was a terrible day and we just got rejected all day and he just took it like a champ. He’s gonna be a great missionary. And he gave us some great insights on how they do missionary work in Mexico. Some good tips.
We had a good conversation with Hno and Hna Maldonado about Juan while they fed us dinner. He is just a really humble guy. I asked them if they are concerned in how much he is retaining from our teaching (doctrinally) and they said something that really interested me. They said that even when they were baptized they didn’t understand all the doctrine. That is what home teachers and Sunday school is for. All that is necessary for baptism is knowing what the covenant is and having the desire to do it. So I think that’s what we are going to focus on with Juan. He has always been back and forth on his baptismal date. But now we are just going to help him have the desire. With the Lord’s help, and with our fasting we have been doing, it will help him. Please pray for Juan Padilla and his daughters Jaqueline and Emily. Please pray that the Lord will soften his wife’s heart. I wish you could know how dear these people are to me. I have just learned to love people. Please pray for them.
Beto and Yaneth
Beto and Yaneth are awesome as always. Beto passed the sacrament yesterday like a boss!
Not sure what else to say! It’s been rainy and cold but we are loving it out here! I’ve been in Beaumont so long I’m thinking about taking up residency here haha but I love it!
Have a good week y’all!
Elder Viitanen