Dearest family and friends
THIS IS SO HARD!!!!! i know know why RMs say the hardset 2 years, but the best 2 years.
Ill keep this short
We commited 3 people to baptism this week!
two of them; they are a couple. but satan is a funny demon and makes life VERY difficult some times..... the following is a common thing, that makes missionary work very difficult.
Gabrialla is married to another man, but he left her. sh has been living with Fransisco for the last 20 years. they were catholic before, and in their church divorce isnt aloud, and its expensive. but she knows this is the true church. But in order for her to be baptised, she must pay for the divorce, which they cannot afford, especially when Fransisco cant find a job, and then get married. How long this will take, we dont know. but after much prayer, we felt like aug 28 would be appropriate. We invited them. They accepted. We invited them to fast about this decision and a way they can make it possible. it will definutely be a trial of their faith. but i know, that faith precedes miracles! and it is possible.
The second, is Bruno. We had a very hard time getting ahold of him, and he was nothing that i expected. i was thinking like, a tatted, pierced, guy who was always out causing trouble.... instead, after trying to contact him like 5 times (and almost gave up), he was HOME!
We got to know him. he has BEEN PREPARED! he has such love for God and his family. And we invited him to be baptised. I was so nervous with him, i didnt know why, but hte spirit was so strong! SO STRONG! and he accepted! with out a second thought! im excited to see where this one goes.
Its been a good week. nothing too exciting. There are times i really Loath my last name.... Gonzales.... spanish speaking.... you'd think right.... i jsut cant wait to be fluent. CANT WAIT! i feel like i have been understanding better. but i have to pay super close attention.
no word on the visa
my heart was broken again this week when the crippled woman offered us a glass of water, and not wanting to be rude, i accepted. she directed me to the cuppord in the kitchen. i found three dusty cups (the rest were in the sink or on the counter. the three cups were strangely shaped plasitc bottles. i pulled one down and found dead spiders in it. when i looked over at her to see if she was watching me, she was, so i proceeded to fill up the cup and gratefully drink water.
This woman was living in filth. bugs on her dishes, rotting fruit, but she couldnt do anything about it. I wanted so bad to help her!
But, beling latina, she rejected any service we could offer. i watned to INSIST! but i know, i cant offend her.
this is hard. ill be studying outside in the morning and hear little kids crying "mama dont go!" but parents gotta work and cant offord a baby sitter.
half of our ward is in active. so we spend a lot of time doing visits, and trying to bring them back!
This is hard. but i know faith and dillligence will bring something. Thank you for your prayers. they are felt.
The church is still true, no matter how hot and hard it is here.
And i know there is no growing in a comfort zone, and no comfort in a growing zone. so i must be doing something right.
Hurah for Israil!
Love Hna. Gonzales
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