Hola-
Crazy week this week. Good to hear the new changes in the
ward. I thought for sure the bishopric would be people from our ward but
I guess not. It’s all good though.
I had 4 days of divisions with other Elders in the district this week.
I learned a lot and saw a lot of different missionaries too. With
Elder Newell we worked all day and didn’t stop until 9 at night. With the
others we worked okay and returned home super earlier at like 7:30. There
are a lot of missionaries that don’t do a thing here and it makes me sick
honestly. They no lie sit in the house all day and are miserable. I
don’t know how or why they waste their time and money like that but it’s out of
my control and I am still the greeny fresh out of the MTC. I did have
some great experiences this week though.
On Saturday we hit up the Sobres or swap meet in English. Always a blast and there are great
deals! I bought my first 2 Sobres
ties...see the pics...for 20 pesos or like $1.50! Sweet huh? Afterwards
I went to Casablanca with Elder Duarte to work with him for the day. We
had a cleaning assignment to help an elderly lady clean her house. She is
blind, isn’t a member and has little to nothing to eat better yet to do.
Her house was honestly the worst condition of a house I have ever seen
and it smelt even worse. Her family won’t help her for who knows why and
all she could do was cry to us. She didn’t have any cleaning supplies so
we moved her bed around for her and swept the floor and that was all we could do.
I wanted to do so much more but we didn’t have the supplies or time.
I felt terrible for her but at the same time I felt the love that God has
for his children. No matter who we are or where we come from, God always
loves us. I think I felt just a tiny bit of this love as we were sweeping
her house. Powerful experience.
I had always wondered when this would happen, but yesterday the
speakers just decided to not show up to Sacrament and ditch their talks.
It has happened the past two weeks in the ward. Just shows the
different lifestyles of American members and Mexican members. I was up
front at the Sacrament table because there is only one Priest when the one of
the bishopric members asked if Elder Castelan and I could give a talk each of
us......yes - in Spanish...yes - without
any preparation! We gladly accepted.
Elder Castelan said that he had always seen the missionaries speak in his
home ward about the work. And now it was our turn. I spoke,,,yes - in
Spanish....on 3 Nephi 11 specifically the last verse. It’s when Christ
comes to the Americas and establishes His doctrine. The last verse is
very interesting because it says in Spanish,,id a este pueblo...I can’t
remember it in English. He is inviting the people to teach and spread the
word. He isn’t just talking to the missionaries or the prophets and
apostles, He is talking to the whole multitude - better yet because the Book of
Mormon is for our time, He is talking to us. If we are to live the
Doctrine of Christ in our lives, we are to spread the word as Christ says.
Something interesting I have found in my studies of the Book of Mormon on
the mission.
Another cool experience I had yesterday was while we were with an
investigator. Her name is Mirtha and looks a lot like and reminds me so
much of Jenny’s mom-Nancy. She is a great...wants to wait to be baptized
for a bit...but she is downright honest in everything she says and the type of
person she is. She was asking us about our missions and how we can give
up 2 years to work for the Lord and all those questions. She then told us
something very, very special. She said, “Geez when I see you guys walking
down the street, it’s like I am seeing Christ. You are in your nice clothes
and want nothing other than to help people.” My jaw dropped when she said
that and is maybe the best compliment I have had while on the mission.
Granted we aren’t Christ, nor will we ever be but, we are His
missionaries and His representatives to bring the world His Truth. Cool
huh?
It was a great week! I still haven’t gotten the package...I
think it just takes time. I have received 2 letters...one from Sam Staker
and the other from Makayla Sharpe. I want to write back but don’t have
any stamps so in whatever package you send next could you get me some stamps please?
There are many members here that work in the States so they can mail my
letters I just need stamps.
To answer Dad's question we have a washer. It’s not much but
it sure beats having to pay for washing machines.
We haven’t had anymore baptisms sadly. I am dying for the next
one. It’s a good thing success isn’t measured by baptisms though.
We will watch conference here in the chapel. I think from the
church website. I hope they have it in English so I can get something out
of it. Thanks for all the sports updates..they keep me sane.
Well, I hope you are all doing good. I have heard the sisters
are getting transferred here in the middle of April with transfers so I am sure
I will be transferred here in a bit but who knows? I am doing great and
loving the mission. I pray for a great companion in the future that wants
to work hard all day. I go nuts when we don’t do anything!
Well take care and I will hear from you next week!
Elder Roper
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