Elder Jackson Call: Semana de Patalup

Hola! This has been a pretty eventful week. After a district meeting, my companion and I headed up to Choqui, packed our bags, and made the trip to our second area called Patalup. Haha that was fun! Imagine hiking straight up to the Y in Provo with about 70 pounds, that´s about what it was like. BUT we made it in good time and quickly started exploring the area. Apparently my companions companion had health issues so he didn´t know the area too well.

This whole week has been walking and looking for those who could become investigators. I was a little frustrated the beginning of the week because we weren´t really getting anywhere. Thankfully my prayers were answered as we found about 5 or 6 people who have a lot of potential. One of them is a girl named Angelica. We showed her a video of the First Vision and right when it ended tears just started rolling down her face. I don´t think I´ve ever felt the spirit more strongly as both my companion and I gave testimony of Joseph Smith. I had prayed that whole day for a miracle and up until 5, nothing had happened that day. Heavenly Father always gives to those who have faith and I consider finding and teaching Angelica a miracle.

This week we did a lot of service. Moving bricks, hauling corn up a mountain, teaching seminary, the whole shebang! Serving is an awesome way to reach out to the people and make a difference. Service is great and though sometimes it´s hard, it´s helped me be a lot more humble and loving.

I never thought I´d have very many meals in my area, but this week alone we´ve had probably 6 or 7! The food is really simple and really good. Eggs, beans, rice, corn tortillas. The people don´t have very much but they are extremely generous. You have to be a little bit careful as far as cleanliness goes haha but I haven´t been sick or had any problems so I consider that a huge blessing.

The other day in Church, with about 8 minutes until church started, Bishop pulls me aside and told me to give a talk about prayer. Talk giver, piano player, and lesson teacher haha. I feel really comfortable with all these things now and I´m glad to help the ward out.

There have been a few really tough days this week but I keep learning a lot of awesome things. Patience and humility have been hard at times for me in the past, but I´ve become so much more patient and truly humbled. Heavenly Father has a plan for everyone and he loves us more than we can imagine. The Church is true. The Holy Ghost can always be with us if we will let Him. I love everyone back home, I love this country, and I love being a missionary. Adios!