Another week has come and
gone! Each week I get more and more accustomed to the way of life here
in Iquitos. It is surreal at times but I always remember what Elder
Jeffrey R. Holland has said about the mission--this is REAL life!!
Iquitos is too funny--For example, Chickens. Almost everyone owns
chickens here, rich and poor. They walk around in people`s houses like
it`s nothing. Where we live, the sister of our pensionista has two
little pollos. They are named Kentucky (after Kentucky Fried Chicken).
They seem to like us sisters as almost everyday they walk into our
little apartment just chirpping away while we study. It is the funniest
thing.
Here in Iquitos the defiinition of the
weekend is party. Music is blasting in many of the houses, and boy do
many people get drunk. This past Sunday was elections so we weren`t able
to watch conference as there was no church. We were out proselyting
instead which was a little tricky as many people were glued to the tv
looking for results. Yesterday, we taught Elard--who is set to be
baptized on the 1st of November. As we started teaching about the plan
of salvation, a man came up--totally wasted (we were out teaching on the
front porch). In Spanish they`re called borrachos. Anyways, he came
over without a shirt on and started dancing to the music next to Hermana
Arone. Her face was priceless as he shook his hips. He then proceeded
to sit down and ask what we were teaching. Hermana Arone shared her
scripture about the Spirit World and then he asked her how she felt in
her heart. He then blew her a kiss, asked me the same question and did
the same. It was hilariously--I couldn`t stop laughing. We eventually
had to move inside and Elard held him off as we picked up our things and
went into his house. As we left the teaching appointment, he was still
there but now passed out on the ground. Oh Iquitos. We get some good
laughs everyday.
Currently, we have 10
baptisimal dates. It`s tricky to balance them, our progressing
investigators, less actives, and recent converts. But who wouldn`t want
this problem. We are working away! Zipping up and down the street in a
motorcar from one appointment to the next. This week we set a date for
Johan (12). He has a smile just like Alvin. When we asked him his little
face just lit up. For the past several months he`s been attending
church ALONE. He is so excited to get baptised. They youth here are just
solid. It is always so fun to work with them! Our closet date is on
the 18th with Junior. It`s been tricky finding him--he has a lot of
issues at home, but we have faith that the Lord will help us . Step by
Step!
This week I had a great experience with
Hermana Navvy (25). Her and her husband were recently baptized several
months ago. Her faith is firm--it is beautiful to see. I loved what
Hermana Arone told me. When we were evaluating our ability to be
effective during district meeting she said that she feels like our plans
are effective when we can see if the fruits of our labors are firm in
the faith. It`s true! Anyways. Hermana Navy shared how her mother
passed away when she was 21 and how it`s been difficult. Her older
sister is currently in the hospital, pregnant with twins and it`s not
looking to good. I felt prompted to share D&C 84:88. I bore
testimony that those angels are our family. That her mother is there
with her and her family everystep of the way and how if we want help
from the other side, we need to help them by doing Family History. I
bore testimony of how I`ve felt my family on the other side. Both of us
wept and after I felt the sustaining power of the Lord in that home. It
was powerful.
The Lord is our strength. I can
feel it everyday. Some days are great and some days are not so great.
But if we will turn to the Lord we will always find strength. Right now
I`ve been studying the doctrine of the Resurrection and life on earth in
Preach my Gospel. This life really is the time to prepare for eternity.
Only through the gospel can we find peace and solace. Our burdens won`t
be taken away, rather we will be given the capacity to handle them.
I`m
realizing more this week that my mission is a Journey. The Lord knows
of my desires just to share and share some more about the gospel but at
the moment I am limited with my abiilty to communicate. And that`s ok.
I`ve learned how to say si with like 20 different intonations of my
voice. That`s ok. I am on a journey and I am just learning to enjoy it
all. To work hard--give my best effors, make mistakes with the language,
and just accept that with time it will all work out. Nothing is a
surprise to the Lord. What a blessing it is to be here on this earth
with a purpose to grow. To become better, to learn how to cling to our
covenants and draw upon the strength of the Lord. We must not get lazy
with the basics because Satan is definitely not lazy!!
I love you all. Keep pressing forward. Stay true to the faith! True to the faith that our parents have cherished!!!
Love love
Hermana Jackson
