Mission Blog |
A dangerously acute account of 18 months in Nicaraguan Territory.
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Sometimes ups outnumber the downs…. (Disney’s Robin Hood) Dear Civilized world,
Did you know that Nicaragua is a very different place from the states? Here, ants and rats and cockroaches take over everything that isn’t put into a container as tight as a black hole. There are drunks awake at 6:30 AM to annoy you with their awful singing. There is trash and dogs everywhere. Invisible bugs gnaw at your skin all the day long. But hey, you get a nice tan (or more freckles in my case), the bus rides are better than any amusement park, and a soda costs six cordovas (or in other words, 22cents). Life is good J Yes! We had a baptism this last week! It was so fantastic! Miraculous, really. How long had we (my companion and I) been in Leon? For two weeks and yet here were two people ready to receive their salvation. They definitely weren’t handed to us on a silver platter, but we got them there eventually. Alvaro (husband) and Ana Maria (wife) were so happy to enter the waters of baptism and become members of the church. And I know that we are going to baptize all eight of their children one day! One of their children is named Alvaro, or Alvarito as we like to call him. He has the most questions about our church than anyone else I’ve ever met. He also has the most doubts. After much time and questioning, I finally discovered the source of his hard heart. A few years ago, he was stranded in the capital city, with no means of communicating with his family, no food, and no money to buy the ticket to get back home. After two days, he finally saw a chapel and he remembered the Mormons were usually pretty giving. He walked in and asked to talk to the bishop. After hearing his story, the Bishop sighed and said, “I am really sorry, but I cannot help you.” Alvaro spent a few weeks in the streets before he was finally able to return home. There are two lessons to be learned here: First, that we, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, are being watched by the world around us. We should never cease to be aware that every action we commit is affiliated with the church. Secondly, every action we commit is also recorded in a Heavenly Book. Should we not seek first the kingdom of God and fill our books with acts of pure love and charity towards out brethren? As Elder Holland put it, should we not bless the poor, in spirit and in body? I’m so blessed. We all are. But brothers of mine and dear sisters and loving family and sweet friends, we need to do more! We need to pray for our suffering siblings! We need to fast for our beloved brothers! We need to help! Do it and see the difference in your own life! “I have wept in the night For the shortness of sight That to somebody’s need made me blind But I never have yet Felt a tinge of regret For being a little too kind” --Hermana Beatty
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November 2015
CategoriesAuthorhola! I'm Naomi and I love reading, my amazing family, and the color green. |