So this week was a bit slower with finding new people and having more people to teach, but we worked real hard with the people that we have already been blessed with. So this week was centered in service for us. We did 3 service projects and really tried to help every person that we talked to with something. So our golden investigators, Salvador and Esther (Ill tell their story in a little bit), needed help building a part on to their house, so we saw it as the perfect opportunity to help someone out and show Christlike love. Well we didnt know how long it was really going to take when we first started, but we ended up working 2 days and a total of 11 hours, with 8 missionaries, on this project. None of us having experience building houses, especially with crooked pieces of bamboo and 1 hammer. Well we did our best and we got a solid frame and wall up that is later going to be filled with cement.
The one bad part about it was all the gringos, me included, got super burned. All of our necks and faces are peeling now its wonderful. Well our service has already been payed off with blessings in this week and in the past from Salvador. So Salvador and Esther are awesome, but they have had their fair share of trials in their lives. First off Salvador was in a church (no clue what church) with his wife about 15 years ago and out of nowhere, the pastor said that he wanted Salvador's wife and if he didnt give her to him, he was pretty much going to hell. After that he was thinking and he came to the conclusion that in God's church that would not happen. He also came to the conclusion that there is only one true church on earth. Ever since then he had been looking for the 1 and only true church of God.
About a month and a half before I arrived in this area, Elder Bailey and his companion were sitting outside Salvador's neighbors house teaching her. Salvador walked by and having heard a little about our Church, said to them, "Hey you guys have a book right?"The other missionaries of course saw it as an opportunity to contact someone and they started talking. He invited them in and they taught him about the Restoration. From then on he has been this area's most positive investigator. So the problem with him is, his wife that got taken from him and he were never divorced. He is now living with another person named Esther. Because of this they cant be baptised until his divorce gets finalized and they get married. Its all a big mess but we are working with it. Now he has been an investigator for 5 months and we are still waiting. He has one of the strongest testimonies that I have ever heard. He already kows more about the church then I do, and most of the lessons we have with him, he teaches us. Besides that he has been sharing the Gospel with more people then we have time for. He has given us countless references of friends, family, and random people that he met in the street and taught them about the Gospel.
Just from him right now, we have around 8 investigators in Sacrament meeting on a weekly basis. Well there is so much to say about him and how he is going to be a General Authority, but I dont have much time. Oh one other thing that is kind of cool is he has one arm. We have no clue how it happpened but its pretty sweet. Besides that, he has been an awesome investigator to have and a real help in the work. He's going to be an awesome member. Right now we are trying to work with his Grandkids and get them baptised but we just need permission from their parents. Well thats the story of Salvador in El Salvador.
On the other hand, the other sweet thing that we did was make pupusas with Juan and Nohemy. Best place to learn, from the pro chef. He taught me to have flow and all while cooking (pic). Well this week was a good one filled with love for others, for God, and Gods love for us. We are blessed to be called to serve in this country at this time to share this Gospel and that is the best blessing I have right now! I hope your weeks were awesome and you could feel the love of God.
Love,
Elder Adams
Trying to figure out how we are going to build a house with some crooked bamboo |
Acting like we know what we are doing |
Manly tools |
Two days and some blistering sunburns later... |
Stoked on pupusas |
The first pupusas that Elder Adams has ever thrown |