Called to serve in the Guatemala Quetzaltenango mission

Monday, December 22, 2014

Feliz Navidad a todos!


Feliz Navidad a todos!  I cant believe we are just 3 days away from Christmas.  Last Christmas was quite a bit different haha but Im excited and ready for the 25th.  

This week Elder Duncan, the area president of central america, came and spoke to the mission.  He taught us a lot of really cool and useful things.  We talked a lot of how our mission could improve and babtize more people.  One thing he taught was to only have 25 minute lessons so we can teach more people.  Ha it was so funny, right after he said this he asked an Elder if he had an appointment that night.  The elder said yes, then Elder Duncan asked how long the appointment would be.  The elder said "An hour and a half?" haha and our mission president just shook his head and Elder Duncan had to be more clear with this elder.  I really liked another thing he said: "Lo minimo o lo maximo?  El senor quiere misioneros sin limites."  The Lord wants our best!  After the meeting they gave us some honey glazed ham... that is some good stuff.

When I got here to San Mateo, there werent any investigators.  I kind of figured that the other elders werent really doing too much and, after talking to a few of them at the meeting with Elder Duncan, I figured correctly... At least now we have a few investigators, we are even teaching two families.  Work ethic is a problem in our mission and Elder Duncan made sure everybody knew it.  Nevertheless, I feel like my companion and I are doing the best we can with what we have got. Everyday we are learning more, getting better, growing, and doing our best.  

Final thing... Christmas is coming!  There have been a lot of concerts, parades, and parties all week here, its kind of crazy.  My companion tells me the 24th at midnight everyone goes into the street and lights firecrackers... yay!  Its kind of different being away from home but Im excited.  Ive been reading a lot in the New Testament this past week and challenge you all to do the same.  Remember why we have Christmas, have a good week!  

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

5 months in Guate!

Hey guys, this week I will have been here in Guatemala for 5 months.  Crazy how fast the time goes!

This was a pretty good week.  We taught quite a bit and looked for new investigators.  Mission work is, well, a lot of work!  I enjoy every day and love being here.  San Mateo is a beautiful area with amazing members.  Its tough to find investigators but there are quite a few people here and I love talking to everyone.  

This week we taught 7th Day Adventists and Jehovahs Witnesses.  These people are usuallly really nice but, whew, though!  Through being friends with them, regardless of what happens, we can plant a lot of seeds for future misisonaries and, hopefully, help some come to the Gospel. 

This Sunday was the Christmas Devotional, but the internet in the Chapel died half way through.  I feel kind of bad for the sisters because they had an investigator with them and once the interenet died he wanted to leave!  We had a less active member with us and, even though the internet went out, we still had a really good time.

Ive been reading from the New Testament a lot lately.  Its really cool to learn about the life of Christ and all the things He did.  A lot of people called Him crazy and possessed, but He only ever tried to help people.  As missionaries, some of the people make fun of us or say bad things but we are just trying to helpe the people here.  I love being here in San Mateo, the members are super awesome and always help us out.  Adios!

Monday, December 1, 2014

Hello San Mateo!!

Hey guys!  Well, this week was absolutely insane!  I had my first change this week.  We woke up at 330 to catch a bus to the changes so we got there a little tired.  Anyway, my old companion went to open an area in Huehuetenango in a super far away aldea haha poor guy...  My new area is called San Mateo and, well, lets just say its a huge improvement haha.  We are about 15 minutes from the temple, we are just a little sub urb of Xela.  

I like it here a lot!  The members here are really, really nice.  This area is one of the more wealthier areas in the mission, so we have a lunch schedule for every single day which is super awesome.  We share this area with two sisters which... well... yeah   Just kidding, they are both from Mexico and they help us a little and we help them a little.  Oh, this area is pretty much the evangalist capital of the world.  These guys, what the, only one word... duro!  They go to church 5, yes, 5 days a week.  And a lot even go 6.  That will definitely be a challenge for us here, these guys are something else I tell you what...

Nevertheless, Im doing a lot better here.  Our house is super nice and Ive been eating healthier and better food.  A lot of these guys here in Xela dont know how nice they have it.  My companion, Elder Yataco, does because he has been in 4 of the hardest, most mountainous areas in the mission!  He is 25, from Peru, and knows a TON of scriptures.  I like him a lot better than my other comp, hes a lot nicer and will actually listen to me.

The other day we were at an investigators house to show them a video.  Near the end, they handed both of us a huge cup of coffee... Oh geez haha we just put it on the floor and after the prayer quickly left.  Thats about it from here, we are working a lot more here but its going to be hard.  Im ready to get stuff done!
Attachments area

Heading out of Choqui in the back of a truck!!  This is how you travel in the moutains! 

Guatemalan Fish Fry!


My bed on the left


A map of San Mateo


My house is the pink one on the left-really nice place!


My street




The bus to ride around town


I opened my Christmas package early-love it!!