Dear All,
This has been a great week. We had some hard work, and a lot of meetings, but we came out alright in the end.
The miracle of this week is that Roxana, who wanted to be baptized, had disappeared for a few days and we couldn't get a hold of her. We talked to her yesterday, and on Sunday, and we're teaching her the last few things she needs to know before being baptized. She doesn't live in our area, but a family member, who is also her close friend, is a member of the ward here, and has been helping us a ton. We always have the lessons in her house, and she's always there, so we get to have that visit with a member present, which is excellent.
Wherever you are, I exhort you to work with the missionaries. Having a member who isn't a missionary at the lesson makes a HUGE difference. You don't have to teach anything, you just have to share your testimony and let the missionaries teach what they have planned. It's not that hard, and it makes an enormous difference in the Lord's work.
When I was in Villa Hermosa, I arrived and met an investigator who had been making a lot of excuses to not go to church on Sunday. Then, we brought a member to go visit him. That Sunday, he already had plans, but the following Sunday, he attended church. That same Sunday, he said to my companion "When will there be baptisms? I want to be a part of this." The last I heard, he comes to Church every Sunday, and he's super active in the activities, and everything that has to do with the Gospel.
And it all happened because a member took a little time out of his afternoon to join us for a visit. So even though you think your testimony is weak and that you don't make a difference, YOU DO.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (see Matthew 5, 3 Nephi 12)
Yesterday we also had a great zone activity, in which we went to Antigua Guatemala for the second time. It's a great city with some great views, and it's one of the most famous places in Guatemala. It used to be the capital of Central America, and it's where you can buy all kinds of typical fabrics, and just about anything made out of such fabrics. It's really fun, and I bought some nice, unique things to enjoy when I'm back in the states. Antigua is also the place where there are more Gringos than any other place in Guatemala, both living there and tourists. Some of the elders spent a while talking to some guys from Canada, and there were just a TON of white people there. There are Guatemalans that have light skin and light eyes, but it was really weird to see so many "canchitos" (white people) in the same place. They're everywhere in Antigua! Imagine how weird it will be for me when I get home!
I leave you with my testimony in the form of 2 scriptures from the Book of Mormon that have helped me a ton. Alma 37:6-7, and Ether 12:27.
Alma reminds us that "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass," and in Ether, the Lord mentions that if we come unto him in our weaknesses in humility, he will make our weaknesses into strengths.
Recently, I have noticed some changes in myself. Changes with respect to challenges I have had for extended periods of time. And my faith really has grown, because little by little, by small and simple means, the Lord has changed me. I have tried to be humble and ask the Lord for his help to help me overcome my challenges (believe me, just being a member of the Church, getting baptized, going through the temple, or going on a mission doesn't eliminate the problems) and he has done so, little by little. I know that he has been listening to my prayers, and that he has been blessing me in his own time frame. And it works out better that way, because at the same time, he has helped me be more humble and patient, while waiting for him to help me. No, the challenges aren't over (far from it in fact), but I know that the Lord will strengthen me to be able to take it, and to overcome (see Mosiah 24).
I testify that the Lord does hear our prayers. He does bless us with miracles, and he does help us when it seems like there's nothing we can do. We just have to "Lift up our heads and be of good comfort" and have faith in him in keeping his commandments, and he will help us more than we can ever imagine. I have seen it, and I have lived it. "And Christ hath said: If ye have faith in me, ye shall have power to do WHATSOEVER THING is expedient in me." (Moroni 7:33) "And Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE to him that believeth."
I testify that these things are true. Jesus lives, and has done what no other man can do for each one of us. God has again called prophets to guide us in His ways, and that His church has been established once again upon the face of the Earth, all because of his love and concern for us.
And I testify these things in the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
I love you all.
Thank you for your prayers.
Have a great week.
Elder Banks
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
President Brough
Dear All,
I just wanted to let you all know how awesome my mission president, President Brough is. I love him so much, and he has helped me in so many ways.
I forgot to mention last week that today we had our district meeting in the mission home, or as everyone here calls it, "La Casa del Presidente Brough." Then, Sis. Brough made us lunch, and we got to eat and chat a little with President and Sister Brough while we ate.
And since the meeting was a district meeting, and not a zone meeting, it was really cool, because only 8 missionaries were there in the mission home with President and Sister Brough. And, since it was a district meeting, the District Leader is in charge of directing the meeting.
The District Leader of the Villa Nueva district is yours truly.
But, it went extremely well. We had a practice about teaching The Gospel of Jesus Christ (What we refer to as Lesson 3), and I chose Elder Mendoza and his "beloved son" (the new missionary he is training) Elder Parker to teach two very special investigators, "Brother" and Sister Brough. It was really cool. President and Sister Brough asked some great questions, and we were able to learn a lot from him about how we can improve the work in our zone.
I'll also get to see him Thursday, because there will be a meeting for all the District Leaders in the mission, and on Saturday, which will be a zone conference.
Whenever he teaches, the Spirit is always present, and several times he has changed the topic of a zone conference, a district meeting, or some other meeting to fit the actual needs of the missionaries present. So, basically, I'm always super excited to talk to him, and I don't like it when meetings are over, because he really helps me and gives me the drive and confidence to keep working hard and doing my best.
My companion is excellent. I love him so much. He knows how to work, he follows my example, and we have a good time working. Since Elder Gabriel is serving in his own country, it's really cool to see his love for his own people. I love him and pray for him daily, and I hope that you all join me in prayer for him, for me, for our mission, and for each of our investigators. I don't know that I've ever had a companion for whom I've cared for so deeply. Elder Muñoz and I were just about best friends, but this is a different type of relationship, and I'm honored that the Lord chose me to be Elder Gabriel's companion. He's helping me to do what the Lord instructs us in 3 Nephi 27:27 "Wherefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am."
Also, Elder Zavala, one of the elders in our district, who is in Villa Nueva 2, will be sent to a different area tomorrow, and his companion, Elder Ward, will be receiving a brand new missionary, meaning that there are a lot of new missionaries in our district!
Anyway, I just wanted to remind you all of a principle taught in numerous places in the Scriptures:
"I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say, but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." (D&C 82:10)
"If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15)
"Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ and shall endure to the end, thus saith the Father: 'Ye shall have eternal life.'" (2 Nephi 31:20)
The way in which we show our love to God and endure to the end is keeping his commandments, or obeying him. The first scripture in Spanish says "I the Lord am OBLIGATED when ye do what I say..." So really, we come to learn that he is completely obligated to fulfill the promises he has made us. If not, he would not be God. God is just, and he will give us whatever we deserve, both right now, and in the life to come.
May we all make an effort to be able to live more Christlike lives, and to be able to deserve the best that God has to offer us.
Without hard work, nothing grows but weeds.
"I know my Father lives, and loves me too.
The Spirit whispers this to me and tells me it is true,
He tells me it is true."
"He lives, all Glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior still the same!
Oh, sweet the Joy this sentence gives:
'I Know that my Redeemer lives!'"
This is my testimony to each of you, and I hope it helped at least one of you to come closer to God on this beautiful afternoon.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Sincerely,
Elder Banks
I just wanted to let you all know how awesome my mission president, President Brough is. I love him so much, and he has helped me in so many ways.
I forgot to mention last week that today we had our district meeting in the mission home, or as everyone here calls it, "La Casa del Presidente Brough." Then, Sis. Brough made us lunch, and we got to eat and chat a little with President and Sister Brough while we ate.
And since the meeting was a district meeting, and not a zone meeting, it was really cool, because only 8 missionaries were there in the mission home with President and Sister Brough. And, since it was a district meeting, the District Leader is in charge of directing the meeting.
The District Leader of the Villa Nueva district is yours truly.
But, it went extremely well. We had a practice about teaching The Gospel of Jesus Christ (What we refer to as Lesson 3), and I chose Elder Mendoza and his "beloved son" (the new missionary he is training) Elder Parker to teach two very special investigators, "Brother" and Sister Brough. It was really cool. President and Sister Brough asked some great questions, and we were able to learn a lot from him about how we can improve the work in our zone.
I'll also get to see him Thursday, because there will be a meeting for all the District Leaders in the mission, and on Saturday, which will be a zone conference.
Whenever he teaches, the Spirit is always present, and several times he has changed the topic of a zone conference, a district meeting, or some other meeting to fit the actual needs of the missionaries present. So, basically, I'm always super excited to talk to him, and I don't like it when meetings are over, because he really helps me and gives me the drive and confidence to keep working hard and doing my best.
My companion is excellent. I love him so much. He knows how to work, he follows my example, and we have a good time working. Since Elder Gabriel is serving in his own country, it's really cool to see his love for his own people. I love him and pray for him daily, and I hope that you all join me in prayer for him, for me, for our mission, and for each of our investigators. I don't know that I've ever had a companion for whom I've cared for so deeply. Elder Muñoz and I were just about best friends, but this is a different type of relationship, and I'm honored that the Lord chose me to be Elder Gabriel's companion. He's helping me to do what the Lord instructs us in 3 Nephi 27:27 "Wherefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am."
Also, Elder Zavala, one of the elders in our district, who is in Villa Nueva 2, will be sent to a different area tomorrow, and his companion, Elder Ward, will be receiving a brand new missionary, meaning that there are a lot of new missionaries in our district!
Anyway, I just wanted to remind you all of a principle taught in numerous places in the Scriptures:
"I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say, but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." (D&C 82:10)
"If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15)
"Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ and shall endure to the end, thus saith the Father: 'Ye shall have eternal life.'" (2 Nephi 31:20)
The way in which we show our love to God and endure to the end is keeping his commandments, or obeying him. The first scripture in Spanish says "I the Lord am OBLIGATED when ye do what I say..." So really, we come to learn that he is completely obligated to fulfill the promises he has made us. If not, he would not be God. God is just, and he will give us whatever we deserve, both right now, and in the life to come.
May we all make an effort to be able to live more Christlike lives, and to be able to deserve the best that God has to offer us.
Without hard work, nothing grows but weeds.
"I know my Father lives, and loves me too.
The Spirit whispers this to me and tells me it is true,
He tells me it is true."
"He lives, all Glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior still the same!
Oh, sweet the Joy this sentence gives:
'I Know that my Redeemer lives!'"
This is my testimony to each of you, and I hope it helped at least one of you to come closer to God on this beautiful afternoon.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Sincerely,
Elder Banks
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Another Week, Working Hard...
Dear All,
Thank you for your prayers, I can feel them, and I ask that you can please continue, because we have some high goals this month that we're trying to reach, and we need all the help and support we can get.
Apart from that, things have been pretty normal, not really much to report.
We're still working, and the people we have are progressing, though it's been hard to find new people to teach these weeks. People just haven't been opening doors as much as usual. But on Sunday, we found a great family, the Batres family. They're evangelicals, but they seem pretty interested. They all said they would pray to know if the message is true. I felt the spirit in their home, and it was really cool. I hope that they progress, and if we can get them to church, I know that they will.
As for the rest, we're just fine. There really aren't any major problems, we just need to keep working harder. My companion is funny, and a great person. I'm happy to be with him.
"...The right way is to believe in Christ and deny him not, and Christ is the Holy One of Israel, wherefore ye must bow down before him and worship him with all your heart, mind and strength, and with your whole soul, and if ye do this, ye shall in nowise be cast off." 2 Nephi 25:29
That's what we do as missionaries and as Latter-Day Saints. We worship him with everything. Worship is not just go to church, pray, and sing hymns, worship is the way you live. Dedicate your life to him, and do all you can to serve him. That's what it means to worship Christ.
And I will forever be grateful for these two years he has given me to worship him. I know this is His church, His work, and His will. I know that He has a living prophet to give us His counsels for today. I'm happy to be serving him, and bring his children, our brothers and sisters, back to the fold.
I love you all. Have a great week.
Endure to the end. Don't forget to pray.
Love,
Elder Banks
Thank you for your prayers, I can feel them, and I ask that you can please continue, because we have some high goals this month that we're trying to reach, and we need all the help and support we can get.
Apart from that, things have been pretty normal, not really much to report.
We're still working, and the people we have are progressing, though it's been hard to find new people to teach these weeks. People just haven't been opening doors as much as usual. But on Sunday, we found a great family, the Batres family. They're evangelicals, but they seem pretty interested. They all said they would pray to know if the message is true. I felt the spirit in their home, and it was really cool. I hope that they progress, and if we can get them to church, I know that they will.
As for the rest, we're just fine. There really aren't any major problems, we just need to keep working harder. My companion is funny, and a great person. I'm happy to be with him.
"...The right way is to believe in Christ and deny him not, and Christ is the Holy One of Israel, wherefore ye must bow down before him and worship him with all your heart, mind and strength, and with your whole soul, and if ye do this, ye shall in nowise be cast off." 2 Nephi 25:29
That's what we do as missionaries and as Latter-Day Saints. We worship him with everything. Worship is not just go to church, pray, and sing hymns, worship is the way you live. Dedicate your life to him, and do all you can to serve him. That's what it means to worship Christ.
And I will forever be grateful for these two years he has given me to worship him. I know this is His church, His work, and His will. I know that He has a living prophet to give us His counsels for today. I'm happy to be serving him, and bring his children, our brothers and sisters, back to the fold.
I love you all. Have a great week.
Endure to the end. Don't forget to pray.
Love,
Elder Banks
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Changes, Changes and More Changes!
Dear All,
We got some BIG news this week. As many of you may have read in the Church News, there will be a new mission formed in Guatemala: Guatemala Cobán Mission! This will be a division of existing missions in Guatemala, and will affect every mission except the Quetzaltenango mission. The Guatemala City North Mission will lose the part that is Cobán and other nearby areas, and be renamed the Guatemala City East Mission, because Cobán is the northern part. The rest of the changes involve the Central Mission: the Retalhuleu Mission will lose the Pueblo Nuevo Tiquisate zone, and it will be added to the Central Mission, along with the missionaries in the zone at the time of the change. The Central Mission will lose the Mariscal and Nimajuyu zones to the Guatemala City South Mission, along with the missionaries serving in those zones at the time of the change. The division will take place on June 29th, after the transfers here on June 26th. It'll be interesting to see who ends up where, and what ends up happening to all the missions! It brings a new meaning to "I'll go where you want me to go!"
Other than that, things are pretty normal. The only exception is that I spoke in church this Sunday, and we found out that this ward is chomping at the bit to do missionary work. We now have a list of 25 different members who are willing and available to go out and visit with us during the week, which is most excellent. I passed the list around in Relief Society and Priesthood meetings, and people just started writing their names down. It was awesome!
We also confirmed all 7 of the Yumán family this Sunday. It happens in Sacrament Meeting before the Sacrament is passed. The sacrement was passed at about 10:30 (church starts at 10) because there were so many confirmations! It was really cool, since they're not only a big family, but also an amazing, faithful, endure-to-the-end kind of family. They even went to Seminary yesterday at 5am of their own free will! We were going to tell them about it and go drop them off, but they went on their own! It was awesome! They've also been assigned to help with the church cleaning, and really want to serve. They're some of the most amazing people I've ever had the privilege of meeting, and I'm excited to help them keep progressing in the Gospel.
Also, I found out that the Samayoa family (the other awesome family I've been able to baptize) is doing great. Elder Gabriel, my companion, was there in Sonora 1 when I arrived, and I replaced him there in that moment. But the chapel that Sonora uses is being renovated because it wasn't big enough, so the Sonora Ward attends at the Amatitlan Stake Center, where the El Lago Ward also meets, which was the area of Elder Gabriel right before he came here, so he saw the Samayoas every Sunday! I talked to one of the missionaries in the area, and he said that they've been called as a fellowshipping family for missionary work, so they're basically super awesome!
In these days of accelerating missionary work, the words of a hymn come to mind:
"The time is far spent, there is little remaining
to publish glad tidings by sea and by land.
Then hasten, ye heralds, go forward proclaiming:
'Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven's at hand!
Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven's at hand!'
Be fixed in your purpose, for Satan will try you,
the weight of your calling he perfectly knows.
Press forward, my brothers, for Jesus is nigh you
His arm is sufficient, though demons oppose,
His arm is sufficient, though demons oppose."
I bear my solemn testimony that this is the Lord's work. We are all enlisted 'til the conflict is o'er, and Happy are we!
Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, because the Lord will always remember you, and the covenants you have made with him. And as long as you are faithful to him, he will bless you if you put your trust in him.
I love you all.
Your continued prayers and thoughts are and will be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Elder Banks
We got some BIG news this week. As many of you may have read in the Church News, there will be a new mission formed in Guatemala: Guatemala Cobán Mission! This will be a division of existing missions in Guatemala, and will affect every mission except the Quetzaltenango mission. The Guatemala City North Mission will lose the part that is Cobán and other nearby areas, and be renamed the Guatemala City East Mission, because Cobán is the northern part. The rest of the changes involve the Central Mission: the Retalhuleu Mission will lose the Pueblo Nuevo Tiquisate zone, and it will be added to the Central Mission, along with the missionaries in the zone at the time of the change. The Central Mission will lose the Mariscal and Nimajuyu zones to the Guatemala City South Mission, along with the missionaries serving in those zones at the time of the change. The division will take place on June 29th, after the transfers here on June 26th. It'll be interesting to see who ends up where, and what ends up happening to all the missions! It brings a new meaning to "I'll go where you want me to go!"
Other than that, things are pretty normal. The only exception is that I spoke in church this Sunday, and we found out that this ward is chomping at the bit to do missionary work. We now have a list of 25 different members who are willing and available to go out and visit with us during the week, which is most excellent. I passed the list around in Relief Society and Priesthood meetings, and people just started writing their names down. It was awesome!
We also confirmed all 7 of the Yumán family this Sunday. It happens in Sacrament Meeting before the Sacrament is passed. The sacrement was passed at about 10:30 (church starts at 10) because there were so many confirmations! It was really cool, since they're not only a big family, but also an amazing, faithful, endure-to-the-end kind of family. They even went to Seminary yesterday at 5am of their own free will! We were going to tell them about it and go drop them off, but they went on their own! It was awesome! They've also been assigned to help with the church cleaning, and really want to serve. They're some of the most amazing people I've ever had the privilege of meeting, and I'm excited to help them keep progressing in the Gospel.
Also, I found out that the Samayoa family (the other awesome family I've been able to baptize) is doing great. Elder Gabriel, my companion, was there in Sonora 1 when I arrived, and I replaced him there in that moment. But the chapel that Sonora uses is being renovated because it wasn't big enough, so the Sonora Ward attends at the Amatitlan Stake Center, where the El Lago Ward also meets, which was the area of Elder Gabriel right before he came here, so he saw the Samayoas every Sunday! I talked to one of the missionaries in the area, and he said that they've been called as a fellowshipping family for missionary work, so they're basically super awesome!
In these days of accelerating missionary work, the words of a hymn come to mind:
"The time is far spent, there is little remaining
to publish glad tidings by sea and by land.
Then hasten, ye heralds, go forward proclaiming:
'Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven's at hand!
Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven's at hand!'
Be fixed in your purpose, for Satan will try you,
the weight of your calling he perfectly knows.
Press forward, my brothers, for Jesus is nigh you
His arm is sufficient, though demons oppose,
His arm is sufficient, though demons oppose."
I bear my solemn testimony that this is the Lord's work. We are all enlisted 'til the conflict is o'er, and Happy are we!
Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, because the Lord will always remember you, and the covenants you have made with him. And as long as you are faithful to him, he will bless you if you put your trust in him.
I love you all.
Your continued prayers and thoughts are and will be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Elder Banks
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Baptizing a Future Bishop and his Family
Dear All,
This has been an absolutely fantastic week for the Central Mission, especially in Villa Nueva 1. We baptized the Yumán family! They overcame challenges of their son's accident, difficulties at work, and all kinds of things to be able to be baptized. They are probably the most faithful family I have ever had the privilege of meeting. I really feel that the dad, Edgar, will be a bishop, or have some other position in the fairly near future, due to his faith and diligence, and desire to serve and to follow Christ.
President Brough was at Stake Conference this weekend, and after the meeting, came up to meet their family. He shook their hands, counted the kids and said "1, 2, 3, 4 Missionaries!" (Not counting the little sisters). It was pretty cool. I had the privilege of baptizing Edgar: I baptized him, and he came up out of the water crying. He gave me a hug right there in the baptismal font. He was so happy! The next day, he told us that he felt in that moment the weight of responsibility fall on his shoulders, to endure to the end, and teach his family how to do so with him. The day after his baptism, people already started asking him questions about the Gospel, and he had some pretty good answers!
The kids also play games in their free time. They put on their ties, and they knock on the bedroom doors in their house and the other siblings answer, and they act like they are missionaries going to visit people! It's so cool! The Zone Leaders interviewed the family, and asked one of the kids what he wants to be when he grows up, and he said, "A missionary." Since they have to wait a year to be sealed in the temple, I'm planning on coming back to be there when they go through.
It was perfect timing for their baptism as well, because Elder Martinez left in the change meeting yesterday. He went to Mariscal, the same zone as my first area. Or, as we say it here, where I was "born." In other news, Elder Muñoz left Puerto San José, and opened an area and is TRAINING!!! He's parctically brand new, and he's training. I knew he would go far, because he's one of the better missionaries I know. Also, Elder Daniels, who entered with me, is training in the area where I was trained: Jerusalén.
My new companion is Elder Gabriel, from Huehuetenango, Guatemala, which is part of the Quetzaltenango mission. His native dialect is Mam, and he's had to learn Spanish here in the mission. He's doing pretty well, and he's a great Elder. He's also my first Chapín (that's what they call Guatemalans) companion. I'm excited to be able to work with him. It's weird though, because my last 2 companions have been from the USA, so I've gotten too used to speaking English with my companion! But there's no problem, because my Spanish is just fine.
I end my letter with a favor. The mission has set some big goals for March and April, to confirm 204 people in each of these months. We humbly ask for your support in the form of prayers. President Brough instructed us to pray as if it all depended on God, and to work as if it all depended on us. There are souls waiting to participate in this sweet salvation. Please help us find them.
I testify that Christ lives, and is our Savior and Redeemer. He and our Heavenly Father love us more than we could possibly imagine. And although Moses once said "Now I know that Man is nothing." (See Moses Chapter 1, the Pearl of Great Price), for our Heavenly Father, we are everything.
"Remember, the worth of Souls is great in the Sight of God.
And if it should be that ye should labor all your days, and bring save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the Kingdom of my Father!
And, if your joy should be great with soul that ye have brought unto me, how great shall be your joy if ye should bring many souls unto me!"
-Doctrine and Covenants 18:10,15-16
Thank you, I love you all!
Elder Banks
This has been an absolutely fantastic week for the Central Mission, especially in Villa Nueva 1. We baptized the Yumán family! They overcame challenges of their son's accident, difficulties at work, and all kinds of things to be able to be baptized. They are probably the most faithful family I have ever had the privilege of meeting. I really feel that the dad, Edgar, will be a bishop, or have some other position in the fairly near future, due to his faith and diligence, and desire to serve and to follow Christ.
President Brough was at Stake Conference this weekend, and after the meeting, came up to meet their family. He shook their hands, counted the kids and said "1, 2, 3, 4 Missionaries!" (Not counting the little sisters). It was pretty cool. I had the privilege of baptizing Edgar: I baptized him, and he came up out of the water crying. He gave me a hug right there in the baptismal font. He was so happy! The next day, he told us that he felt in that moment the weight of responsibility fall on his shoulders, to endure to the end, and teach his family how to do so with him. The day after his baptism, people already started asking him questions about the Gospel, and he had some pretty good answers!
The kids also play games in their free time. They put on their ties, and they knock on the bedroom doors in their house and the other siblings answer, and they act like they are missionaries going to visit people! It's so cool! The Zone Leaders interviewed the family, and asked one of the kids what he wants to be when he grows up, and he said, "A missionary." Since they have to wait a year to be sealed in the temple, I'm planning on coming back to be there when they go through.
It was perfect timing for their baptism as well, because Elder Martinez left in the change meeting yesterday. He went to Mariscal, the same zone as my first area. Or, as we say it here, where I was "born." In other news, Elder Muñoz left Puerto San José, and opened an area and is TRAINING!!! He's parctically brand new, and he's training. I knew he would go far, because he's one of the better missionaries I know. Also, Elder Daniels, who entered with me, is training in the area where I was trained: Jerusalén.
My new companion is Elder Gabriel, from Huehuetenango, Guatemala, which is part of the Quetzaltenango mission. His native dialect is Mam, and he's had to learn Spanish here in the mission. He's doing pretty well, and he's a great Elder. He's also my first Chapín (that's what they call Guatemalans) companion. I'm excited to be able to work with him. It's weird though, because my last 2 companions have been from the USA, so I've gotten too used to speaking English with my companion! But there's no problem, because my Spanish is just fine.
I end my letter with a favor. The mission has set some big goals for March and April, to confirm 204 people in each of these months. We humbly ask for your support in the form of prayers. President Brough instructed us to pray as if it all depended on God, and to work as if it all depended on us. There are souls waiting to participate in this sweet salvation. Please help us find them.
I testify that Christ lives, and is our Savior and Redeemer. He and our Heavenly Father love us more than we could possibly imagine. And although Moses once said "Now I know that Man is nothing." (See Moses Chapter 1, the Pearl of Great Price), for our Heavenly Father, we are everything.
"Remember, the worth of Souls is great in the Sight of God.
And if it should be that ye should labor all your days, and bring save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the Kingdom of my Father!
And, if your joy should be great with soul that ye have brought unto me, how great shall be your joy if ye should bring many souls unto me!"
-Doctrine and Covenants 18:10,15-16
Thank you, I love you all!
Elder Banks
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Another Week in Villa Nueva
Dear All,
It's been a good week. The family I talked a lot about last week is doing great. The members are helping them out a ton! They visit them a lot, and they like it. They already have some great friends in the ward, and they're really excited to all be baptized on Sunday. I'm just happy and humbled to be a part of it. They already told me that they want to serve in the church, even if it's just cleaning the building! They're probably the most amazing family I've ever met. Next week I'll be sure to send you the pictures of the baptism, and how everything turned out. We're going to have a combined baptismal service with the Zone Leaders, because this week is stake conference and we share a chapel, and therefore use the same baptismal font. What we're doing we call a "white day" ("Día blanco"), because everyone will be dressed in white. The family will be 7 baptisms, and the Zone Leaders will have 2 or 3, then the other area, Villa Nueva 2, will be having two baptisms in their own chapel later that evening, for a total of 11, possibly 12 baptisms this week in our district! I'm so excited! Now, all we have to do is find the next big family to be baptized!
In the month of January, the Villa Nueva zone won the most successful zone in the mission, and yesterday, we had our reward P-day with President and Sister Brough. We played some games and ate Little Caesar's pizza (yes, it exists here, along with Domino's, Pizza Hut, McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's and KFC.) We combined with the El Frutal zone to make it a little bigger, and it was fun. I got to see some of my best friends in the mission, like Elder Loayza from Peru, and Elder Snyder from Mapleton, UT, who are in that zone, and who I usually don't get to see, because they're not in my zone.
Speaking of zones, the Zone Leaders in both of the above zones are now training while being Zone Leaders, which is pretty crazy. They each have a "son," so there are now 2 more elders in my district, Elder Ellison frrom Utah, and Elder Parker from Chicago. They both came right to the mission from the Provo MTC because the CCM here in Guatemala was just too full to be able to fit them. It was pretty crazy. But they're both cool guys, and we're going to do great things here in the district, because now we basically have a whole other companionship, even though they all have the same area. They came in last Wednesday because there are changes in the MTC programs, like I told you, and that means there are a lot of missionaries entering the mission, and at different times. The change that is 9 weeks ends next week, in the "official" changes of the Central Mission, even though there have been 2 other change meetings in between this and the last "official" one. President will be calling all the trainers today or tomorrow, so they can attend the meeting for new trainers on Thursday morning. There will be over 30 missionaries entering, so there will be plenty of trainers.
This morning, I had a really cool revelation I would like to share with you. It happened while I was reading Alma chapter 50 in the Book of Mormon. In this story, Captain Moroni is preparing his people and his land to protect it from the Lamanites, who are coming to war against them. I'll only share part, because it's kind of long, but he dug up banks of earth around the city, upon which he put works of timbers, pickets, and watch towers. There's so much symbolism in this chapter, but I'll just go over a little bit about how we can protect ourselves and our families spiritually. The banks of earth represent our testimonies: firm and strong in the faith of Christ, and based upon the foundation of his teachings, and those of his prophets (both modern and ancient), for it is the same (see D&C 1:38). The works of timbers are our obedience, made strong little piece by little piece. The pickets are good works, adding another level of strength onto our obedience and testimonies. The watch towers represent the Holy Ghost, who will be with us when our testimonies, obedience, and good works are where they should be, to warn us of dangers both physical and spiritual. Then, as the Nephites did, we can build our own "City of Moroni," or rather, our own eternal life, and our eternal home, with our eternal family. Then we can truly say what a popular hymn in Spanish says: "Las huestes de oscuridad atacan con furor, mas la victoria es de Dios, el Rey y Redentor." In English: "The armies of darkness attack with fury, but victory is God's, the King and Redeemer."
I testify of the truth of these things, that if we are "True to the Faith" and obey the Lord, trusting in him constantly, he will protect us from the real dangers that lie in wait to deceive us (See Ephesians 4). Through our obedience and good works, we will see the miracles that God has prepared for us, both in this life, and in the life to come. No, it won't always be easy, but things that are too easy are rarely worth it. As the hymn teaches us, Keep the Commandments . . . In this there is Safety and Peace."
Take care. I love you all!
Until next week,
Elder Banks
It's been a good week. The family I talked a lot about last week is doing great. The members are helping them out a ton! They visit them a lot, and they like it. They already have some great friends in the ward, and they're really excited to all be baptized on Sunday. I'm just happy and humbled to be a part of it. They already told me that they want to serve in the church, even if it's just cleaning the building! They're probably the most amazing family I've ever met. Next week I'll be sure to send you the pictures of the baptism, and how everything turned out. We're going to have a combined baptismal service with the Zone Leaders, because this week is stake conference and we share a chapel, and therefore use the same baptismal font. What we're doing we call a "white day" ("Día blanco"), because everyone will be dressed in white. The family will be 7 baptisms, and the Zone Leaders will have 2 or 3, then the other area, Villa Nueva 2, will be having two baptisms in their own chapel later that evening, for a total of 11, possibly 12 baptisms this week in our district! I'm so excited! Now, all we have to do is find the next big family to be baptized!
In the month of January, the Villa Nueva zone won the most successful zone in the mission, and yesterday, we had our reward P-day with President and Sister Brough. We played some games and ate Little Caesar's pizza (yes, it exists here, along with Domino's, Pizza Hut, McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's and KFC.) We combined with the El Frutal zone to make it a little bigger, and it was fun. I got to see some of my best friends in the mission, like Elder Loayza from Peru, and Elder Snyder from Mapleton, UT, who are in that zone, and who I usually don't get to see, because they're not in my zone.
Speaking of zones, the Zone Leaders in both of the above zones are now training while being Zone Leaders, which is pretty crazy. They each have a "son," so there are now 2 more elders in my district, Elder Ellison frrom Utah, and Elder Parker from Chicago. They both came right to the mission from the Provo MTC because the CCM here in Guatemala was just too full to be able to fit them. It was pretty crazy. But they're both cool guys, and we're going to do great things here in the district, because now we basically have a whole other companionship, even though they all have the same area. They came in last Wednesday because there are changes in the MTC programs, like I told you, and that means there are a lot of missionaries entering the mission, and at different times. The change that is 9 weeks ends next week, in the "official" changes of the Central Mission, even though there have been 2 other change meetings in between this and the last "official" one. President will be calling all the trainers today or tomorrow, so they can attend the meeting for new trainers on Thursday morning. There will be over 30 missionaries entering, so there will be plenty of trainers.
This morning, I had a really cool revelation I would like to share with you. It happened while I was reading Alma chapter 50 in the Book of Mormon. In this story, Captain Moroni is preparing his people and his land to protect it from the Lamanites, who are coming to war against them. I'll only share part, because it's kind of long, but he dug up banks of earth around the city, upon which he put works of timbers, pickets, and watch towers. There's so much symbolism in this chapter, but I'll just go over a little bit about how we can protect ourselves and our families spiritually. The banks of earth represent our testimonies: firm and strong in the faith of Christ, and based upon the foundation of his teachings, and those of his prophets (both modern and ancient), for it is the same (see D&C 1:38). The works of timbers are our obedience, made strong little piece by little piece. The pickets are good works, adding another level of strength onto our obedience and testimonies. The watch towers represent the Holy Ghost, who will be with us when our testimonies, obedience, and good works are where they should be, to warn us of dangers both physical and spiritual. Then, as the Nephites did, we can build our own "City of Moroni," or rather, our own eternal life, and our eternal home, with our eternal family. Then we can truly say what a popular hymn in Spanish says: "Las huestes de oscuridad atacan con furor, mas la victoria es de Dios, el Rey y Redentor." In English: "The armies of darkness attack with fury, but victory is God's, the King and Redeemer."
I testify of the truth of these things, that if we are "True to the Faith" and obey the Lord, trusting in him constantly, he will protect us from the real dangers that lie in wait to deceive us (See Ephesians 4). Through our obedience and good works, we will see the miracles that God has prepared for us, both in this life, and in the life to come. No, it won't always be easy, but things that are too easy are rarely worth it. As the hymn teaches us, Keep the Commandments . . . In this there is Safety and Peace."
Take care. I love you all!
Until next week,
Elder Banks
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Miracles
Dear All,
This has been quite a week. The biggest events happened in the last couple of days.
On Sunday, for the first time the entire Yuman family came to church! They're a family of 8, with only one who's too young to be baptized. This was the first time for the mom, the rest had come at least once to church to see what it's all about. That means that we have officially set a date with all of them to be baptized on the 17th of February!
On Monday, we had a Family Home Evening with them in the home of Hno. Ramos, our ward mission leader. He's amazing, and their families get along really well. The lesson was really cool. We watched a video about the conversion of Wilford Woodruff, which is in the Doctrine and Covenants videos. It's really good, and you should all watch it. It's called "The Great Apostasy." The spirit was really strong. Hno. Ramos gave his testimony, and it was really powerful. Hno. Yuman told us that he'd started looking for a church to take his family to about 3 months before the Elders knocked on his door, and nobody from any other church had visited him. It was really cool.
Then, yesterday morning, Hno. Ramos called us. He told us that Fernando, one of the Yumans' children, had suffered an accident early that morning. The tire of a bus passed over his foot, and broke bones in his heel and his shin. Apparently, the family trusted Hno. Ramos enough to call him and tell him about what had happened, even before they called us. He told us to call them and to get some members to go and visit them. We called the Luna family, and they gave the young man a priesthood blessing and spent most of the afternoon with the family, laying aside their personal affairs.
We arrived to the Yumans' house about 5:30pm, and we had the most spiritual lesson I've had on my entire mission. We talked about being strong in our trials, and that the Lord strengthens us, and gives us trials to purify us. Talking about this, we usually use the analogy of Gold. To become beautiful, gold has to pass through a fiery furnace, and be hammered and polished with abrasive tools. The father of the family said "You mentioned that trials are what polish us and purify us like gold. Well, if we're going to be like Gold, we want to be 24-karat!" He cried during the lesson, out of joy. He also cried giving the closing prayer, which is rare for him. He's a very positive person, and he's already talking about the things the Lord wanted him to learn from this experience. He said it was so his wife could see the unity and love in the Church, because she had only attended once. I am so amazed by the faith, humility and love of this family. They are so united as a family, and it's fantastic. They are amazed with the love and unity in the ward, and I am sure that they will be a fantastic family, and do much good in the church. Their oldest child is 15, so they can all still serve missions. They are really what you call a tender mercy of the Lord. The thing that amazed me the most was what Fernando asked them while he was in the hospital. He asked 2 questions: "Oh no, how am I going to get to church this Sunday?" and "Will I still be able to be baptized?" My jaw almost hit the floor. It's the first thing that the family asked us when we entered their home yesterday. I love this family so much, and I admire them, that they are so strong and firm in the faith, even before becoming members of the Church! And, I know they have the faith to be able to receive miracles. I'll be talking to President Brough tomorrow to see if Fernando will still be able to be baptized with his cast on.
Aside from the miracle, it's been a pretty good week. Nothing much to report, really. We discovered a new neighborhood yesterday where we can go and contact today, and get the work moving along even more. This is such a fantastic area!
I love you all. Never forget the Lord. He never forgets you!
Sincerely,
Elder Banks
This has been quite a week. The biggest events happened in the last couple of days.
On Sunday, for the first time the entire Yuman family came to church! They're a family of 8, with only one who's too young to be baptized. This was the first time for the mom, the rest had come at least once to church to see what it's all about. That means that we have officially set a date with all of them to be baptized on the 17th of February!
On Monday, we had a Family Home Evening with them in the home of Hno. Ramos, our ward mission leader. He's amazing, and their families get along really well. The lesson was really cool. We watched a video about the conversion of Wilford Woodruff, which is in the Doctrine and Covenants videos. It's really good, and you should all watch it. It's called "The Great Apostasy." The spirit was really strong. Hno. Ramos gave his testimony, and it was really powerful. Hno. Yuman told us that he'd started looking for a church to take his family to about 3 months before the Elders knocked on his door, and nobody from any other church had visited him. It was really cool.
Then, yesterday morning, Hno. Ramos called us. He told us that Fernando, one of the Yumans' children, had suffered an accident early that morning. The tire of a bus passed over his foot, and broke bones in his heel and his shin. Apparently, the family trusted Hno. Ramos enough to call him and tell him about what had happened, even before they called us. He told us to call them and to get some members to go and visit them. We called the Luna family, and they gave the young man a priesthood blessing and spent most of the afternoon with the family, laying aside their personal affairs.
We arrived to the Yumans' house about 5:30pm, and we had the most spiritual lesson I've had on my entire mission. We talked about being strong in our trials, and that the Lord strengthens us, and gives us trials to purify us. Talking about this, we usually use the analogy of Gold. To become beautiful, gold has to pass through a fiery furnace, and be hammered and polished with abrasive tools. The father of the family said "You mentioned that trials are what polish us and purify us like gold. Well, if we're going to be like Gold, we want to be 24-karat!" He cried during the lesson, out of joy. He also cried giving the closing prayer, which is rare for him. He's a very positive person, and he's already talking about the things the Lord wanted him to learn from this experience. He said it was so his wife could see the unity and love in the Church, because she had only attended once. I am so amazed by the faith, humility and love of this family. They are so united as a family, and it's fantastic. They are amazed with the love and unity in the ward, and I am sure that they will be a fantastic family, and do much good in the church. Their oldest child is 15, so they can all still serve missions. They are really what you call a tender mercy of the Lord. The thing that amazed me the most was what Fernando asked them while he was in the hospital. He asked 2 questions: "Oh no, how am I going to get to church this Sunday?" and "Will I still be able to be baptized?" My jaw almost hit the floor. It's the first thing that the family asked us when we entered their home yesterday. I love this family so much, and I admire them, that they are so strong and firm in the faith, even before becoming members of the Church! And, I know they have the faith to be able to receive miracles. I'll be talking to President Brough tomorrow to see if Fernando will still be able to be baptized with his cast on.
Aside from the miracle, it's been a pretty good week. Nothing much to report, really. We discovered a new neighborhood yesterday where we can go and contact today, and get the work moving along even more. This is such a fantastic area!
I love you all. Never forget the Lord. He never forgets you!
Sincerely,
Elder Banks
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