On Tuesday, we had a lesson with Pool. We’re finishing up the lessons with him to get him ready for his baptism this week. Pool is honestly the man. When Elder Randall and I first started teaching him he was super shy and didn’t really talk much, but now he’s really started to open up with us. He’s really become one of my best buds I’ve made in my mission. We love to talk about the world cup and/or anything soccer. He loves to tell me that Portugal is going to win it all this year and I love to tell him he’s crazy. Obviously Germany is going back to back ;) He’s just a Ronaldo fan boy . . . lol. Pool is the man though. It’s been so cool to see his progress in the gospel and his desire to do what’s right. Hopefully everything goes as planned with his baptism this week.
On Friday, we had our last interviews with President Rasmussen before they finish their mission. I’m super grateful for the chance I’ve had to be here in this mission at the same time as President and Sister Rasmussen. They have made such an impact on me as a missionary and have been such great examples for everyone. They are some of the most Christlike people I have ever met. It’s going to be tough to see them go. :(
As most of you know, being on a mission gives you the opportunity to meet some interesting people. This week we found a guy named Carlos who is quite the interesting fellow. I want you to think of someone that you know who believes in conspiracy theories, ghosts, aliens, or anything like that and then times the magnitude by about 10. That would give you Carlos. I guarantee this guy sits and watches the TV show “Ancient Aliens” for 10 hours a day and eats everything up as absolute fact. Honestly, I have no idea how he comes up with some of the things he talks about. He was going off about all sorts of weird things like the illuminati, demons, aliens, and how the United States are secretly trying to take over the world. He told us with a genuinely concerned look on his face that there are aliens that are living in the US and that they kidnap little kids and take them to Area 51 to eat them. He also told us that there’s secret unknown powers that you can uncover from reading the Bible like mind control and stuff. I had to do all I could to keep from laughing right in front of this guy. It was hilarious. I just tried to keep a straight face and nod my head listening. The good thing is, being the type of guy he is, Carlos totally LOVED the story of Joseph Smith and the gold plates. Everything about Joseph translating ancient plates from reformed Egyptian to English was right up his alley. Everything was going good until we started to talk about the two civilizations that make up the Book of Mormon. We started to explain the Nephites and Lamanites and that’s where we kind of lost him. When he heard “Nephites”, he got really excited and started telling us that they are some kind of alien race and are 8 feet tall giants or something. It was super funny. I’m excited to visit Carlos again to see what else he has in store for us.
On Saturday, we found a girl named Daniela. When we first knocked her door, we were actually looking for her brother, who we had taught a few weeks back. After she went looking for him and came back saying he wasn’t there, we started to talk to her and introduce ourselves as missionaries and what we do. She knew what we were trying to do, and quickly threw up her wall of defense and said she wasn’t interested, and already has her religion. It wasn’t until I asked her “how is your relationship with God personally?” that she began to crack a little. She explained to us that despite attending her Catholic church and reading her Bible, she feels like her faith in God is crumbling a little. She feels like she doesn’t know which direction to go in life and just feels like something is missing. When we explained and promised to her that we had a message that could change her life, she finally let us in. We had an incredible lesson with her about the Book of Mormon. We explained how this book of scripture was written for our day and was translated by a prophet of God. We shared of the power it has to change our lives, bring us closer to God each day, and can give our lives direction. It was amazing to see the spirit testify to her of the truthfulness of what we were saying and to see the change it brought to her mood. While at the beginning she was irritated and somewhat lost with her faith, by the end she was smiling, joking around with us, and feeling the spirit. She accepted to read the book and pray to know if it is true. What a testimony builder this was for me to see the change the spirit can bring to our lives.
Today for P-day I finally was able to head back to visit my first area in Sullana! Elder Silvano and I took a bus put to Sullana with mi pata (my boy) Elder Huarcaya and his companion Elder Kilpack. We spent the whole day visiting the members, our converts, and our friends that live in the Obrero ward. It was so good to see some of those people again. I met some of my closest friends during my first 5-6 months of my mission there. My life was honestly changed for the better for having served there and having met some of the people there. I love Sullana and the people there so much. Si estan leyendo esto en Sullana, les quiero mucho!!
Well that’s it for this week. I’m so grateful for my mission and the man it is making me. I know that this is the work of the Lord and that we are out here saving souls. There is nothing more important than that! The work continues . . .
Congrats on the wedding this week Alex and Haylee! I know the wedding wasn’t as fun without me, but I hope you all had a good day! ;) I love and miss you guys a ton.
Avanza Su Verdad!
Elder Bailey
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