Teaching the Lamanites

Hola Familia

Thanks for sending me all your pictures.  WOW! People look so clean in America.  And white.  Yesterday I saw another gringa in the grocery store and couldn't help but stare.... Like forreals, what on earth are you doing in Guatemala? Being the weird white girl was totally my thing. She caught me staring at her and we had some really awkward eye contact.  Thanks for signing me up for that "How not to Be a Weird RM" class, Dad... Clearly I will be needing it.

OKAY NOW ON TO WHAT I ACTUALLY WANTED TO TALK ABOUT

This week was SO FULL of miracles. Since my hija was here with me we started teaching the family S.  They are some of the most special people I have ever met.  We have had some challenges in teaching them (they live 45 minutes away in a car... In a part of our area where there aren't any buses) but they have always been really positive.  Last week they showed up at church with their two sons... HUGE MIRACLE.  When we went back to visit them we met their 15 year old son, O as well.  We taught him the first lesson, but he told us that he studies every Sunday and will never be able to go to church.  So we just left him a folleto and the invitation to go to church.

Well, Wednesday we went back to visit them.  When we knocked the door, O swung the door open.  He was holding in his hand the folleto we left him (how do you say folleto in English?) [Editor's note:  Follleto is Spanish for pamphlet...we have had this same exchange with Sierra several times over the past 14 months.  Now you can see part of the reason she will need the above-mentioned class at USU this fall!]

Anyway, he told us

"Hermanas! I read this folleto and I prayed to know if this was all really true.  That night I had a dream where I heard the voice of Jesus he showed me both of you and told me that you were going to change my life and that this is all true.  I woke up and walked to my school and changed my schedule so I can study on Tuesdays.  I want to get baptized."

WHAT?

Then we walked into the house and started talking with the parents.  D, the mom told us that she also prayed to know if she should get baptized she then told us

"I just felt something hit me... I was overcome with this good warm feeling.  I know it was the Spirit.  I know that God wants me to do this.  I am going to get baptized too."

Then we asked the dad.  He told us...

"Well, I wanted to ask right.  So I climbed up to the top of that mountain there (pointing at the mountain) and when I was there I prayed and asked God.  It was there that I had a dream where I was walking along this path and it was really dark.  Suddenly there was a fork in the road.  I saw lots of people walking along the bigger path that only lead to darkness.  But then I saw you guys on the other, smaller path.  It was bright there and as I was walking along I was lead to the gates of heaven.... So yeah I want to get baptized too."

WHAT? THESE PEOPLE ARE STRAIGHT UP LAMANITES!

They all came to church last Sunday  ALL FIVE OF THEM.   R, D, O, A and their super cute ten year old M who every time we ask him what the Law of Chasitiy is he confidently replies

"Don't ever drink coffee." (don't worry, we are going to clear that one up)

R and D will be married this Saturday in the chapel and the whole family is going to be baptized this Sunday... WOW! WHAT A MIRACLE: 

I love this family so much.  They are a huge miracle.  Please pray for them, and pray that they won't drink coffee!

I am so grateful that God sent me to this beautiful country to teach the Lamanite people.  It really is incredible to serve here.  Every day is another miracle and I love being a part of it.

In other news, rainy season has officially started here.... And it is crazy.  When it rains here in SE the rain hits you horizontally because the wind is so hard.  I just run around with water up above my knees holding my umbrella sideways as a shield.... It is awesome.  And freezing.  My jacket does absolutely nothing to keep out rain, but it is all good.  Just part of the Guatemalan experience.

Also, I got to call Hna Cortes again this week.  Her mom is in bad shape.  I think that quickly The Lord will call her to the other side.  Please continue praying for the Cortes Family.

Well, that is about it for this week folks.  I love you guys!!! Read your scriptures and I will talk to you next Tuesday.

Also, my inspired question of the week...

What does it mean to you to take upon yourself the name of Christ? 

This is what I have been studying this week.  Send me your respuestas.

LOVE YOU GUYS!

Hna Sabia (Wise)

Whoops! We went to the volcano

Hey family!

Wow, this week was a blur.  It was great to see you guys on Sunday and talk for a bit! You all look great... Strider looks so clean! It never ceases to amaze me to see a dog from the United States.  This morning I was awaked by a pack of wild Guatemalan street dogs eating our garbage.... Nature.

This week I got to do divisions with Hermana P again.  Holy cow I love that girl.   It has been our desire from before the mission to be companions but doing divisions together is the next best thing.  She called me Thursday night to tell us that we would be doing divisions the following day.  I explained to her that that would be great, but that we were planning on going to a really far away part of our area that we had never visited before.  She was down for the adventure so we made the split in Villa C at 10 the following morning.  We then jumped on a bus headed for "los positos".... Now according to the trusty hand-drawn map that the elders left on a post it, "positos" was pretty close to the heart of our area.... Well, almost an hour later we got off the bus at the foot of a giant volcano....

Yup, we were lost.  But this part of our area is breathtakingly beautiful so we just started knocking.  The houses there are made out of mud, wood and volcanic rock and have never before been knocked by missionaries.  After 3 hours of work, we found NINETEEN new investigators and Hermana P was ready to call President and tell him that we were just going to stay there forever.  But, we worked our way back to the heart of SE (after waiting an hour for a bus) and managed to eat lunch at 4:45.... You know, usual lunch time.

But really, it was incredible.  As I stood in front of a crowded Guatemalan bus next to Hermana Prawitt and began bearing my testimony it hit me.... This really is the best experience I have ever had in my life.  I LOVE the mission.  I love Guatemala.  I am totally living the dream here in SE Barrillas.

Other great news, D got baptized this weekend! WOW what a miracle.  Even better was that he got baptized the same day as stake conference... In El Frutal.  The same stake where I started my mission with Hermana H over a year ago.  I got to see all of the members that I love from Petapa and some of my converts as well.  It was such a tender mercy to be able to shake the hand of my very first mission bishop and to be able to talk to my very first convert. 

Even crazier was talking to D Saturday night before his baptism.  As we were waiting for his baptismal interview, he casually mentioned to me that a year ago he was living in Petapa (my very first area).  Obviously, this made me excited and I started asking him where he lived and if he ever went to church.  He explained that he never went to church there but that is where he started listening to missionaries... This is what he told me:

"Yeah... There was this really skinny gringa chick who was visiting me with a latina... But then one time she came with another skinny gringa who didn't speak any Spanish."

WHAT?! I AM THAT SKINNY GRINGA WHO DIDN'T SPEAK ANY SPANISH!!!!

I taught him a YEAR ago with my trainer, and completely forgot about it.  We had to drop him because he wasn't coming to church, but a year later he got baptized in a completely different area.

God works in mysterious ways... Glad I get to be a part of it. 

In other news, I talked to Hermana C on Sunday... Her Mom is in really bad shape.  She is now confined to a bed and can barely speak.  Please keep praying for their family.  But my hijita is doing just great.  She loves her little trainee and is rocking it out there.  She says her area is tiny, they already knocked all the doors and no one wants anything to do with the Mormons, but she says that they are finding miracles. 

Things are coming along with my new companion. Keep praying for us!

Love you guys!!! Have a great week.

Hermana Wise

There is No Need to Panic, People!

Hola amigos,

This week I had a touching experience with Hermana C.  As you have probably realized, we have been working hard and seeing very few results of our efforts in the past weeks.  But, after the trial of your faith comes the miracle... This Sunday we passed for about ten investigators and no one wanted to come to church, so we went by ourselves to go take the sacrament.  When we got there, there was a 15 year old kid sitting there in the congregation in his blue jeans and tee shirt.  When we talked to him he explained to us that his name is D and that a few years ago he listened to the elders, but later had to move away.  He still had his Book of Mormon and told us that he was faithfully reading and wanted to be baptized now that he lives here again.

... WHAT?

So obviously we went looking for him that same day.  When we got to his house, he wasn't there.  But, his older brother M received us.  There wasn't a woman in the house so we couldn't go in.  Instead we huddled together in the cold rainy street and began teaching him the first lesson.  When we got to the first vision his eyes welled up with tears and he looked at us and said

"I felt something really good in my chest when I heard that.... I really want to know if what you are telling me is true. But I think God is trying to tell me that it is."

We testified of the truthfulness of the restoration and then asked him to say the prayer to finish the lesson.  He was a little nervous and explained that he had never prayed before but agreed to give it a try.  This was his prayer..

"God, thank you for sending me these sisters to teach me about the truth.  I really want to know if what they told me is true, but I felt in my heart that it is.  Please let me know if Joseph Smith was a prophet.  I want to be baptized on the 17th, please help me prepare, I am ready to change my life."

The Spirit was so strong, and I just felt incredibly grateful that I have this opportunity to be here and bring the truth to the people of Guatemala.  It is moments like this that I am reminded of all of the anxiety and fear that I felt before coming out on the mission.  Honestly, there was a while there when I didn't want to come, but I am grateful that I did.  This is the best decision that I ever made in my life.

I know some people started reading my letters from my blog post "You Don't Have to Freak Out" and now that I have a year in the field I testify that really, there is no need to fear.  When we live righteously and follow the guidance we receive from God, we really do see miracles.  This decade of decision thing truly is terrifying, but I know that as we seek the guidance of our Heavenly Father, he will direct our paths.  There is a scripture in Jacob that I absolutely love reading with investigators who are beginning to doubt the answers they have received to their prayers.  It reads...

"The Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not.  Wherefore it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be, wherefore these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls."

The Spirit does not and cannot lie.  Thus, when we live righteously, we qualify ourselves to receive personal revelation from our Heavenly Father through the Holy Spirit.  We won't receive this guidance all at once, but it will come.  I think that a lot of times as humans we want God to hand us a detailed instruction book or a blueprint of everything we need to do, but God doesn't work like that.  He requires our faith.  He will grant us the guidance we need line upon line and precept upon precept. 

Personally, I love the example of the Brother of Jared.  When The Lord was going to destroy his people, he cried unto the Lord to save them.  For his diligence and his faith, The Lord granted to him according to his desires.  In the first chapter of Ether we read the instructions that God gave to him

"Go at the head of them down into the valley which is northward.  And there I will meet thee."

The Lord didn't promise to walk with the brother of Jared down into the valley, but He did promise to meet him there.  Likewise, God always requires action on our part before we can see His direction.  Frequently we must make those first few steps into the darkness before we can be further illuminated by the Holy Spirit. 

God has found me in my valley.  He has met me there.  Those who have been reading my letters know that my mission has not been easy.  I have battled parasites, dengue, falling in holes, trips to the hospital and many disappointments.  But, the mission is an experience of joy.  The mission truly is those best 18 months.  It isn't the best because it is the easiest or that it is always the most fun.  But it is the best because it draws us closer to The Lord.  It teaches us who He is and helps us become like Him.  The mission doesn't change us, the atonement does.  But being here has helped shape me into the person who God wants me to be.

 But I first had to go into the valley.  The Lord requires ACTION.  But when we act righteously, He will always guide us.  So really, there is no need to fear.  

I am glad I came.

I testify that God will meet us in the valley when we move forward with faith.

Just like he is going to meet Hermana C.... Who received the call to train this next change....

I am going to be a grandma, people!

But I will be staying here in SE.  Pray for M and D!

Love you guys!

Until next week!

Hermana Wise

Bob Marley the Prophet

Hola Familia,

Forgive the apostasy in the title line.... Allow me to explain myself...

This week we decided to go visit the family who came to church to deal drugs with the elders investigators, you know... Because the Gospel changes lives and what not.  Well, we found their house and taught them lesson 1.  They were a very young couple with dreadlocks both sitting outside their house wearing homemade tee shirts that they drew marijuana leaves on, but they agreed to come to church again and seemed pretty positive so we went ahead and started teaching them.  They even agreed to pray to know if Joseph Smith was a prophet! So, we went ahead and challenged them for baptism.

"Will you follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by someone holding the priesthood authority of God?"

Investigator "Uh, what are the requirements, like what do we have to do first?"

Well that is a good question, so we briefly explained the Word of Wisdom... And this was his response.

"Well, here is the thing..... It is great that you guys have this Joseph Smith guy, but we already have a prophet.... His name is Bob Marley.  That is why I keep my hair like this.... I am just into really natural stuff and I really like smoking weed.... That is the pact that I made with God.  So thanks, but I am not really interested."

Well, I had no idea what to do with that, so we just invited them to  church and got right out of there.  But really, it was pretty funny. 

This week was pretty successful, even though we didn't have any investigators  in church we have started building a relationship with the branch here.  Sunday afternoon the second counselor took us to a really cool part of our area to go visit some less active and part member families who live out there (it is like an hour away in a car.... Did I mention that this area is HUGE?).  It was really a positive experience to be able to gain the trust of the members.  The presidency also asked us to speak in church which is another evidence that we are gaining trust.  I spoke about the power of member missionaries.  It was good, and we are starting to see some results. The work here is slow, but good and I have faith that we will find people who progress.

This week in my Book of Mormon study I was reading in Helaman 5 verses 2 through 5.  Really gave me some personal comfort.  We have been working hard here, and maybe we haven't seen a whole lot of outward results, but I know that God is preparing miracles here in SE, and I know that I am changing.  The mission has changed me.  I am becoming exactly who God wants me to be.... Sometimes that means we suffer, but God knows better than we do what it is we need.  I love the mission and I am so grateful for this experience.

I love you people! Thanks for praying for us

Con amor!

Hermana Wise

Almost Got My Head Chopped Off....and Other News

Hola familia!

Wow, what an adventure it is to be here opening area for the 4th time in SE.  This week was tough, really tough as we tried to gain some traction in this very tiny branch.  But, we are definitely seeing miracles and coming to love this little sector of the Lords vineyard.

Okay, for the title of this email.... This was going to be one of those ''wait until you come home'' type of stories but it is just way too funny to not tell you guys. Just try not to worry about me...

So, we are opening this GIANT area but they just pulled the elders who were here and moved them more southward. As a result, when we get completely lost I can always call Elder Larson (who entered with me) and ask him a thousand questions to try and find our way around... Kinda helps, but he only had 3 weeks here before we took over. 

Anyway, the elders just kept telling us all about ''Juan.'' 

According to the elders, Juan is a golden investigator who is going to get baptized in April. 

''HE IS TOTALLY READING THE BOOK OF MORMON!!! HE IS AREADY TO 2 NEFI!!!'' they kept telling me...

So, clearly we decided to go try and find him.  It was late Saturday night when we started looking for him.  The address wasn't very clear (welcome to Guatemala) and while we were looking we passed the house of some converts.  As a spur of the moment decision we asked one of them to accompany us for the visit.  She did, and brought her 9 year old niece with her. 

So we find the house, and the grandkids yell to us that their grandpa is waiting for us and we should come in... So we did.... and were super excited to meet this ''super awesome Juan.''

Big mistake... Next thing I know, we came face to face with Juan... An angry 80 year old Guatemalan man who was yelling at me and holding in his hand a machete.... That's right people, A MACHETE!!!  He started yelling at me asking why the Mormons are always bothering him and explaining that he ALREADY GOT BAPTIZED THREE TIMES in other churches.... But then here was the real knee slapper... He then started explaining to us that he was reading in the Book of Mormon and he read that Nefi chopped off Laban's head with a sword.... He then proceeded to make giant swinging motions with his machete as he explained to us exactly how Nefi chopped off Labans head.

... And there I was.... Completely convinced that this man was going to chop my head off...

I wish I had a picture of Hermana C's face in that moment... and the convert's.  I quickly just invited him to church and then we BOOKED IT OUT OF THERE!!!

Yeah... We called the elders.

I am just grateful my head is still here on my neck... God is merciful. The elders totally bought us ''Sorry we almost got your heads chopped off'' cake. Almost makes up for it, but I am still resentful.

 We also got to go to the temple this week to do the work for Hermana C's grandma.  It was just incredible.  The Spirit was so strong.  After coming out of the font, Hermana C just hung on me and we both cried, the Spirit was so strong.  I really know that she accepted the work.  What I wasn't expecting was how strongly I felt the presence of Grandma Dora... Pretty sure that our grandmas are companions up there in spirit heaven preaching the gospel. 

Other news... We had two investigators in church on Sunday! Granted, they came to deal drugs with the elders' investigators, but hey! Beggars can't be choosers. 

Keep praying for us people! I am definitely praying for you!!! If all else fails, just drink Gatorade and get on with your life, that is what Guatemala has taught me. 

Love you guys!

Hermana Wise

Chased By Jesus

Hola Familia!

Well, I have officially survived another Holy Week here in Guatemala... What a miracle.  Friday morning, NO ONE was in their house, after all of our plans fell through we started knocking around the central part of our area before lunch.  Finally, we found someone in the street and started teaching her a basic first lesson.  It was right after the prayer when I heard a scary... BOOOM DRUM TUM DA DUM coming from right behind me.  I flipped around and there He was... Jesus.

Okay, not the real Jesus... Just some Catholic guy dressed up as Jesus marching through the street hauling his giant cross (Jesus didn't even carry his own cross... So confused).  Anyway, said Jesus began chasing us.  That's right people CHASING US.  We straight up got chased by Jesus through the streets of Palin.  It was the scariest/most hilarious experience.  The best part was how I couldn't stop yelling at Hermana C:

"RUN HERMANA, RUN!!!! JESUS IS COMING!!!!"

Luckily we were able to outrun the guy and find a lesson before lunch. 

Other fun surprises this week, I got to have divisions with Hermana P.  It was awesome.  I love that girl.

Other unexpected news:

.... My companion and I are no longer in Palin.  We had emergency changes yesterday and are now serving in an area called SE which is located in the mountains above P. 

I am serving in a branch again.  This area is huge, and for the past five months the elders who visited here didn't touch the area book... Like at all.  We literally have nothing.  There aren't even old investigators and none of the converts come to church nor have been visited since November.... It is a challenge, and it is hard but I know that God wants me to do it.  Who on earth opens area four times during their mission? Oh yeah... I do.  Pray for us, please. 

We got the news just before conference.  I remember feeling so stressed when President explained that I would be opening an area AGAIN.  Honestly? I was kind of resentful towards God for a minute there.  Opening areas is hard people, really hard.  But listening to the MoTab sing "Consider the Lilies" really reminded me that it isn't my right to question God and His will for me.  So here I am... In SE.... Lost, but doing the will of God.  So all is well.

Tomorrow is going to be a very special day.  President has given my companion and me permission to go to  the temple to do the work for her grandmother because Hermana C told me "I just want someone on the other side waiting to receive my Mom, and I feel like my grandma will accept it."  Please continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Well folks, that is about it.  I love you guys! Shout out to mi papi chulo singing in the MoTab, you make me so proud.

Well,  I love you people.  Pray for us and know that I pray for you too!!!

Con amor!

Hna Wise

 

 

 

 

I HAVE FAITH!

Hola mi familia,

Well truth is that this week has been a bit rough.  We had two baptisms lined up for this weekend but, unfortunately neither came to church... Satan is just attacking the heck out of this area.  But it is alright because I know that they will come this week and everything will pull together.... It always does.  It's just like Hermana Haymond and I always used to say

" WE DON'T GOT THIS! BUT JESUS DOES SO EVERYTHING IS OKAY!"

That is the truth, people.

It is super weird to see Hermana Haymond and Hermana Godfrey in my house with my family and my smelly dog... But cool.  I hope you guys had a great visit.

Honestly, I don't really have much to write this week.  It was a fairly typical week filled with work, walking, and trying to find some traction here in our area.  I threw up lunch in the street one day, but that is also completely normal.  Just drank some Gatorade and got on with my life.

Really, I love this place.  I love Guatemala.  I love being a missionary.  I am just living the dream (shout out to Hermana Godfrey).  It really is the truth though.  People keep asking me how I feel now that I have completed a year.  Truthfully? I just feel sad.  I cannot explain how much I love the mission.  Guatemala changed me, and I am not even talking about the weight I have gained or the fact that I am not grotesquely white anymore... I love this place and I love what I am doing.  For the past week I have just been praying with all my might that President Monson will announce that women can now serve for 2 years.  If it happens I am staying here.... No doubt about it.  Start praying now, folks!

This place has changed me forever.  Here is my list of 12 things I have learned in 12 months. 

1.  God loves his children.  God loves us, I have no doubt about it.  He loves us infinitely and individually.  He desires to help us and He will according to our obedience.

2.  The Gospel is true.  I testify and know of surety that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the same church established by Jesus Christ himself during his mortal life.  I know that, in reality, God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith.  This event catalyzed the restoration of the Gospel and changed history forever. I wasn't there, but I know without a doubt that it happened.  I know because I prayed, and through the Holy Ghost, God blessed me with an answer. 

3.  Obedience with exactness brings miracles.  I have never in my mission slept past 6:30... Not even for just a few minutes.  Is that crazy? Maybe.  But if we want blessings we will be obedient, but if we want miracles we must be obedient with exactness.

4.  You can eat tortillas with EVERYTHING.  For reals.

5.  It is possible to suffer more than you ever have before and be the happiest in your whole life.  (Try going to the hospital in Guatemala....)

6.  Everything happens for a reason.  Everything here in the mission is so inspired! Companions, areas, everything.  (Shout out to Hermana Haymond... Thanks for being my mom).

7.  I can now tell the difference between gunfire and firecrackers.

8.  The Atonement works.  Not just for our sins, but also for our heartaches, weaknesses, and everything else.

9.  We need to repent EVERY DAY! I did not understand this before the mission, but every day we need to repent and be a little more like Jesus.

10.  No matter how rough of a day you have, it's okay... Because at least you aren't a dog living on the streets of Guatemala.

11.  Spanish... And the Gift of Tongues is real.

12.  The mission is the greatest blessing.  I love it.  It has been a great 12 months and I know it will be a great 6 months to come! (OR 12!!! I HAVE FAITH)

Thanks for all the love and support! I truly feel it. 

Praying for you always!

Hermana Wise