The Work Continues

Family Home Evening, a service project with plantains and band-aids, and another wedding???

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Glynis here: another week with no pictures. Oh well, at least I'll get to see his handsome face in 15 days when we talk on Christmas! What a wonderful present that will be!

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Hello to my brothers and sisters!

This week was pretty eventful, so I'll get right into it. On Monday we had a family home evening where we went to a members house, and we invited Octavio and his mom to come. we decided to watch the video of the Restoration, and Octavio's mom definitely felt the Spirit. We have set, in our minds, the goal for her to be baptized at the end of January so hopefully that happens. She really has the desire to follow Christ, but she wants to be really, really sure before she does anything. We tried to explain that faith is an action, and if we want something to happen, for example if we want to know if something is true, we have to act to find out. It sort of went over her head, but at least she has Octavio as an example and if all goes well she'll make the decision to get baptized, too.

On Wednesday, we went to the house of one of our prospective baptismal dates, Cindy Ijuma, to do some service, and it was so great! She and her husband sell Chifles, which are basically the equivalent to potato chips here, but they are made from plantains sliced and then fried. We helped them to make them and I'm not going to lie, I cut my hands quite a bit, but at least it was fun. Later we taught them the plan of salvation and we helped her to understand especially that this life, right now, is the time of her salvation. We taught that the things that she is doing right now are the things that will be important in the end. It was a great lesson and I hope we can finish all of the lessons in time to get her ready for her baptism.

Speaking of baptismal dates, we also went to Jackie. and turns out she was in a terrible motorcycle accident. We came to her house for our appointment, and her sister answered the door. She told us she was upstairs recovering, so we went in and found her lying down with blood all over her legs. I guess her dress got caught in the wheel of her motorcycle and it tore up her leg. The good thing is she is ok, but she has trouble walking. We gave her a blessing of health and left her to rest. If you guys could pray for her that would be great, she could use some help right now. She is still very excited for her baptism on the 29th though, so that is awesome!

And finally, Giovanna. We taught her the law of chastity this week, and we thought it was going to be really rough because she has a partner and they aren't married. Right now he lives in Lima, because of his work, and the plan we came up with is to baptize her, then, when he gets home they will get married, and then we will teach and baptize him. Super complicated, but that's the way it goes. She took the law of chastity really well, and she wanted to change her life really bad. She called her partner that night and told him everything. It turns out he didn't know that she was taking lessons with the missionaries, and he was a little upset. He wants to get baptized as well, but wants to do it with her, which is a great idea, however, the only thing is that he is only ever here for a few days and then he leaves for Lima about every 3 months. Sister Giovanna is now having second thoughts about getting baptized, because she also wants to do it with her partner. We invited her to pray about it, and she told us that if God tells her to get baptized the 29th, she'll do it, but if not, then she'll wait for her partner to come home and then get married and then baptized. This will mean getting baptized in April or June. Pray for her as well, that she can get an answer and know that the 29th is the date for her. We feel strongly that the Lord desires her to be baptized on the 29th, to start the new year off with a clean slate and to be an example to her partner in Lima. We'll see what happens.

We are finding a lot of new people and for that I am content. I love the work, and the people here are incredible! Let me know how y'all are doing, and if you are getting excited for Christmas!!!! It's going to be great! Que tengan una buena semana! (Glynis here: I think this means, Have a good week)

Also, sorry I don't have photos, mom. I haven't had a whole bunch of opportunities to take photos this week.

-Elder Neves