Week 100 - Juan Por Fin!

This week was an unforgettable one!

On Thursday we had the privilege in going to a small city with the name of Viviate, to officially marry Juan and Soledad! The four of us rode in Perci's little red car (cautivita) an hour and a half to Viviate, where we were able be the witnesses in their marriage. We have been working with the Mendez family for about 5 months now, and we were finally able to take the last necessary step in Juan's preparation for baptism. The two have been together for more than 15 years and have 7 children together, but despite the time and experience together it was so great to see the smiles on their faces as they signed those documents to fully commit to each other and their big family. Afterwards, Juan invited us all to a delicious plate of "chicharrón de pescado" to celebrate.

Saturday was the baptism! Wow, what an amazing spiritual experience it was. All of his 7 kids were able to attend, and he gave a powerful testimony of repentance after being baptized. I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have had to work with the Mendez family over the past few months. I have truly seen a miracle in Juan and his conversion to the Lord. Despite his rougher background and all the challenges he has had in his life, Juan has truly converted to the Lord and has changed his life. We are now working with him to recieve both the Aaronic and Melchezidek Priesthood and prepare him and his family for the temple. I have so much love for him and his family, and it will incredibly hard to say goodbye to them in the next few weeks.

Saturday morning we were able to participate in an activity that our ward put on called "missionaries for a day". All the young men and young women in our ward spent the morning and afternoon at the stake center ("MTC") learning about missionary work and what a mission is all about. Elder Ospina and I gave a lesson on the importance of the Book of Mormon to the young perspective missionaries and then had the honor to pin on their personal nametags before going out with them to do some visits. What really made the experience great was to see our recent convert Shnaider there with his scriptures and nametag ready to learn. He was able to come with us to visit some of our investigators this week and even taught the law of chastity to one of them! He is learning so much and like Ive said before, has so much love for the gospel. He will be a great missionary someday, and I cant wait to say what things he will do. I love that kid.

In these days I have just felt completely overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity that I have recieved from my Father in heaven to serve in this mission at this time. I love being apart of his army. I am seeing so many miracles daily that are too many to explain. It is truly amazing! I will continue working until the last minute of my mission. I love this work.

Avanza Su verdad!

Week 99

¿Que pasa chamitos?

This week I had the opportunity to go on a work exchange with an incredible missionary named Elder Baldeon. Elder Baldeon is from Lima Peru, and just recently got to the mission about a week ago. I can honestly say that have never met such a humble and dedicated missionary. Elder Baldeon was baptized just over a year ago, and is the only member of the church in his family. It was amazing to be with him and hear his conversion story. His family was completely against him being baptized, and even more against him serving a mission, yet he knew in his heart that the gospel was true and knew that he had a responsability to share his knowledge with others. The only support he recieved for his mission was his bishop, and a few other members of his ward. He came to the mission with only one suit case worth of clothes, but he brought with him the most important and valuable thing he could have brought: a rock solid testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. What great opportunity it was for me to be able to be around Elder Baldeon for 24 hours. He is a real example of someone who has "left their nets" to follow the Savior.

The other highlight of this week was on Sunday. Our ward recieved a visit from one of the first 6 missionaries that served here in Piura over 50 years ago! In sacrament meeting he was invited to speak to the ward, and he gave an amazing account of what the church was like here in Piura 50 years ago. While he was serving, there were only 45 members in all the city of Piura. Now Piura has its own mission and thousands of members, including 4 stakes. It was so cool to talk to him and share experiences. It makes me wonder how the church will grow here in the next 50 years. I am so grateful for the opportunity that Ive had to contribute to the growth of the church in this part of the Lords vineyard. The work will continue to move foward!

Avanza Su verdad!

Elder Bailey