Week 54

Wow, so this week was an absolute blur. Right after emailing home last Monday, I started feeling really, really crappy. We headed back to the room to rest and things just kept getting worse and worse. I spent the whole night with a high fever and chills and I was throwing up. It was definitely one of the most painful sicknesses I can remember having in my entire life. I seriously felt like I was going to die, haha. The next morning, things hadn’t really gotten any better, so we called the mission office and they thought it’d be best to head into Tumbes to get checked out. So we went to the hospital and after taking some blood samples and running some tests, the doctor came in to tell me that I had a pretty sever intestinal infection. Crazy, right? He said I probably had gotten it from something I ate. I have no doubt that it was the plate of Ceviche (typical Peruvian dish that consists of raw fish and onions) that I had eaten the day before. I’m definitely going to be cutting Ceviche out of the diet for the rest of the mish. Anyways, the doctor thought that it would be best to keep me overnight in the hospital while they hooked me up on an IV to get me some liquids and antibiotics. Everything went well, and I’m better now, but I have to say it was quite the unique experience to experience Peruvian healthcare, lol. I don’t have time to write all about it, but ask me about it when I’m home. So yeah, most of this week I was stuck in bed resting up. I’m grateful to be alive! Haha, kidding.

However, on Saturday I was feeling a little better and we were able to have Lucila’s baptism! Her baptism for sure was one of the most well-planned and organized baptisms that I’ve seen here in the mission. The members showed up, a member of the bishopric was present, the assigned talk-givers came through, and we ALMOST started on time! It was awesome. Lucila is the sweetest little girl ever, and is one of my favorite baptisms I’ve had. I’ve developed such a special bond with her and absolutely loved teaching her. She understands the gospel so well and in such a deep way for only being 9 years old. I’ve never seen anyone so excited to follow Jesus and be baptized. She has also set a good example for her non-member dad and her inactive mom. They both came to her baptism and showed up on Sunday for her confirmation. Lucila is definitely someone special. 

This week was transfers! I’ll be staying here in La Cruz for at least another 6 week and my new companion is Elder Quispe! He’s from Trujillo, Peru and is a stud. He was actually in my district back in Piura when I was a DL there, so I know him pretty well. We’re excited to get workin’ together. Hopefully we’ll see some baptisms this transfer. 

This week I was reading in Alma about one of my heroes of the Book of Mormon: Captain Moroni. In Chapter 48:17, we learn a little about his character:

"17 Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.”

I love this scripture. What a spiritual giant Moroni must have been. This verse always makes me reflect a little. If every person on earth today was “like unto” me, what kind of world would we live in? Or if every missionary was “like unto” me, what would the mission field look like? This way of thinking helps me to realize the things I am doing well, and also the many things I need to improve on. If every man or woman was like unto you, would the "very powers of hell” be shaken? Would the “devil never have power over the heart of the children of men”? How would this world be? 

Hasta a próxima semana! 

Avanza Su Verdad!

Elder Bailey