Week #52 - Esperanza

FIRST OFF we had the chance to listen to the prophet speak here in Perú!!! Russell M. Nelson came to Lima, Perú this last week with his wife, Gary Stevenson and his wife, and a few other members of the Seventy. There was a devotional for just the missionaries at 2pm Saturday and we got to watch the live broadcast in our stake center in Esperanza. The ward members and the missionaries also got to listen to him at 6pm on Saturday. During the 6pm session, Gary Stevenson and his wife spoke, and were followed by Sister Nelson and President Nelson. When the Prophet started to speak, someone was translating him right by his side so the people could understand in Spanish. But then all of the sudden, President Nelson said: “No... go ahead and sit down...yo voy a hablar en su idioma”. The audience went CRAZY and everyone in Lima started to cheer and clap. He gave his whole talk completely in Spanish! Tears streamed down my companion´s cheek and she was blown away. It was such a special and once-in-a-life time experience that I will never forget and I KNOW my companion will cherish forever. I know Russell M. Nelson is a prophet called of God to guide us specifically in these latter days. 

SECOND. This week, Nicol will be baptized at 8:30 am Friday, and Carlos and Oscar will be baptized on Saturday at 4pm!! WE ARE SO EXCITED. Oscar had been coming to church for MONTHS. But it has been so difficult teaching him with his hectic schedule studying at the university. He told us yesterday at church that he´s felt the need to be baptized, and will do all he can to receive the lessons. He sent a message to our bishop also saying he wants to be baptized this Saturday so we will be teaching him 4 times this week to finish us his lessons! MIRACLE. 

Also, after being super healthy for quite a while without any problems, I had a little bit of a cold and my body started to ache on Friday. We were debating on leaving to proselyte on Saturday after talking to the nurse because I couldn´t walk very well. In our studies in the morning, I prayed to ask God if I needed to rest, or if I should try to leave. I ask Him to let me know in my studies through the Spirit what I needed to do. And He answered me. I happened to be in Mosiah 9 in the Book of Mormon and started to read when Zeniff is leading a group of people from Zarahemla to possess the land of Lehi-Nephi. They end up having a battle with the Lamanites, and Zeniff prepares them with every type of weapon possible. He then explains, ¨Yea, in the strength of the Lord did we go forth to battle against the Lamanites; for I and my people did cry mightily to the Lord that he would deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, for we were awakened to a remembrance of the deliverance of our fathers. And God did hear our cries and did answer our prayers; and we did go forth in his might; ...those phrases hit me so hard. They truly fought with the strength of the Lord. And it made me think, this work is impossible if I try to rely on my own strength. The Lord promises me His strength when I do my part and pray for His help. In one day and one night, they killed 3043 of the Lamanites!! It made me remember how precious every moment is on the mission. I don´t have time to waste! We can accomplish so much as missionaries in one day and one night, saving peoples souls. So, I took that as my answer that I needed to work with my companion, ¨relying on the strength of the Lord¨ to help me push myself. And we did find souls that needed saving. 

The fight against sin is real, as Sister Nelson taught us during the devotional. Satan does all He can to stir us up to anger, get us frustrated or discouraged, or make us seem like we can´t work hard today because we are weak. But he is the father of all lies, and tries to make us forget the strength the Lord can offer us, if we only rely on Him. Alone, I am so weak, but I know and have seen with my own experiences on the mission, that with the Lord, I am made strong. 

I love you all so much! Don´t give up, and pray to Heavenly Father sincerely for His strength to keep going, and you´ll FEEL Him helping and pushing you forward.

Hermana Doney