Another week down here in the Piura Vida. I can't believe how the time just keeps on movin. It is looking like this could be my last week here in Sullana! I have grown to love this area and the people here. I have grown so much and have learned what it is to be a missionary here in this first area. Its not 100% certain that I'm going to be leaving, but I have 6 months here so it's probably time I'll be heading out. My goal is to make the best of this last week here and to work super hard to leave the area in good condition. :)
On Tuesday we did a lot of knocking doors to find new people. It is definitely my favorite way to contact here in this mission. I love to see the surprised people look on peoples faces when they open their doors to find a strange gringo looking to talk about Jesucristo, hehe. Unfortunately we didnt find too many people who let us in, but we kept knocking and eventually found our golden family. We found a woman named Kely and her two kids Marcio (age 14) and Nayomi (age 9). They are seriously the perfect family. They let us in right away, offered us some water and some crackers, and then asked about what we had to share. It was honestly super cool to see how interested they were in hearing our message and what we had to share with them. We taught them all about prophets and the restoration of the gospel in these last days and also the Book of Mormon. They all loved the message and told us that they felt it was true. After the lesson, Nayomi (cutest little girl ever) asked her mom, "can they visit us every day?" It was super funny. Im really excited to visit them again and to set a baptism date for them. It was so awesome to see some fruits of our labors after knocking doors all day and not seeing much success. I know that the Lord is always preparing people to teach, we just have to be diligent and go looking for them. :)
On Wednesday we had our interviews with President Rasmussen that we have once a transfer. It's always really cool to sit down with President one on one for a few minutes and just talk about the mission and the gospel. President and I talked a little bit about how we are pioneers here in this part of the Lords vineyard, not only bringing in new members, but also establishing the church here. As I have mentioned before, the church here is nothing like back home in Utah. The majority of members and even leaders of the wards and stakes here are fairly new to the church. It has taken a lot of patience and hard work to try to help them and establish a strong church here. It is a big responsibility to be here to offer help and to be an example to all the wards and stakes. I definitely feel like a big reason I was called to this mission is to do exactly that. I have grown up in a strong ward and now I am here to bring those things I have seen in my own ward to this small ward and stake here in Northern Peru.
On Thursday our ward played in a volleyball tournament that was going on at the stake center. There was a ton of people that showed up to cheer the different groups that were playing (Elders, relief society, young women). We decided to go as missionaries to cheer everyone on as well. :) It was really fun to see all our ward members play and have a good time. Everyone kept looking at me funny for cheering and yelling super loud in English, but my ward loved it. :)
On Friday we had our multi-zone conference in Piura. I always love the multi-zones. I always learn so much from President and Sister Rasmussen. Sister Rasmussen talked about how God doesnt usually call the qualified, but rather he qualifies who he calls. She talked about how a lot of the elders of the early church often critized Joseph Smith for his lack of schooling and education, but none of them were able to do the things that he was able to accomplish because they were not divinely called of God. It was really interesting. President talked a lot about what makes a successful missionary and he said something that really made me think. He said, "Be the missionary that people will miss when you return home." I have been thinking a lot about those words and have really made that a goal for me. I want to be the kind of missionary that is extremely diligent, obedient, and full of love that people will remember when I leave.
Well I had more things to write about but due to lack of time (again), I gotta jet. I know that this is the work of the Lord and there isn't anything I would rather be doing right now! I know the gospel is true.
I hope you all have a great week.
Elder Bailey
Also shoutout to the lil bro! It was his birthday this past week. Ladies hit him up ;) Love you Aus.
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