Another Great Week in Villa Nueva

Dear All,

It's been another great week here in the work. Last week I wrote so fast that I forgot to mention what we learned from Elder Christofferson! Silly me! So many things have been happening that it's just overwhelming. We learned a lot about how we are to preach repentance by preaching the gospel, because it is by the Gospel that people repent. He also taught us about the fact that only about 9% of investigators are listening for a doctrinal interest. The rest think it can improve their life in one way or another and they're right! So, our job as missionaries is to help them see HOW the Restored Gospel can bless their life. As the statistic shows, almost nobody cares about the actual doctrine, they're just looking for the blessings.

It was a great meeting, and really funny at the beginning, because as missionaries, we are taught to stand up when the presiding officer in a meeting (the leader highest in the church in the meeting) walks in. We were waiting for an apostle of the Lord to come in, the missionaries from the Central, South and North missions, and President Brough walked in. He arrived before Elder Christofferson, who is one of the Apostles of the Lord. When President Brough walked in, there must have been some missionaries from the Central Mission sitting in front, because everyone stood up when he walked in, because we were all waiting for Elder Christofferson, and we thought it was him! Then we all laughed and sat down again.

This week we had 4 confirmations, of the people in the attached baptismal photos. The family is Arturo and Graciela, and their son Randy, and the little girl is Debby, the daughter of an inactive member. They also asked me to give the closing prayer in sacrament meeting this week, which was cool. Now, to wait for the talk! ( I love speaking in Sacrament Meeting!)
Anyway, I'm a little short on time, but I just wanted to testify that I know that the Book of Mormon is true. It is another testament of Jesus Christ. If you haven't read it and you don't think it talks about Christ, read the following chapters therein: 2 Nephi 25, 2 Nephi 31, Alma 7, and 3 Nephi 11-29. Then pray about it. Then you'll know the truth about the Book of Mormon, the Prophet Joseph Smith, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You'll know of the truth of these things as I have come to know. don't wait. Do it now.

"Do not weary by the way, Whatever be thy lot.
There awaits a brighter day to all, to all who weary not."
(See the hymn "If the Way be full of trial, weary not, from the Sunday Afternoon session of October's general conference.)

I love you all.
Sincerely,
Elder Banks

Back to Villa Nueva...

Dear All,

After the transfer, here I am, back in the city of Villa Nueva. This is my 3rd area within this big city, my first being Jerusalén, in Zone 7, then Sonora 1 in Zones 3 and 4, and now Villa Nueva 1 in Zones 1 and 6. It's a great area. There's a lot of potential here to be able to take advantage of. I feel that we'll have many baptisms here.

I am still a District Leader and in the district are my companion Elder Martinez and I, Elder Medina and Elder Zavala in Villa Nueva 2 aka "Tabacal," and Elder Mendoza and Elder Barahona, the Zone Leaders of the zone Villa Nueva, in the area "La Unión." This part of the vineyard needs some work, but we'll be doing that work, so there is no problem. We will be working even harder than we ever have.

My companion, Elder Martinez, is in the same group as Elder Muñoz. They were companions in the Provo MTC. So, it's kind of cool to be able to see how they've been doing. Elder Martinez is very energetic, and cool. It was funny when he entered the mission, because he looks the part of a Central American, and Elder Israelsen, the AP who was reading the changes said his name with a good Spanish accent, when presenting the new missionaries. After the new missionaries' names are called in a change meeting, they stand up and say where they're from. After that from Elder Israelsen, Elder Martinez stood up, and in his good North American accent, said where he was from: "Ogden, Utah." Overall, we're doing great, there are just a few things we're working on.

One tradition we have here in the mission is to call your trainer your "papá" or your "dad." Your 2nd companion is then your "padrastro" or "step-dad." This is my first time being a step-dad, and it's kind of funny, because Elder Martinez' dad is Elder Krantz, who came in with me to the mission.

This is the most city area I've ever had. We're basically in the center of Villa Nueva. There's an enormous city park, and a couple of malls and everything, all in our area. It's nice and big. The streets are pretty narrow, and there are a LOT of cars. The ward is pretty good, too, we have some great members, and a fantastic ward mission leader. This Sunday, we actually had 4 baptisms: a family, and another girl. I would love to have attached the pictures, but this computer doesn't have a functioning USB port I can get to, so it'll have to wait until next week.

We just had a great district meeting about the Book of Mormon. It really is the key to our religion, and it really is another testament of Jesus Christ. If you have not read it, I exhort you to do so. If you have read it, I would exhort you to do so again. I am now reading it for the 7th time in my life, and I always find something new that I can use in my teaching, or that I can apply to my life. The Book of Mormon is the evidence of everything I'm here for. I read it, I prayed about it, and I found out that it's true, directly from our Father in Heaven. And I know that he will answer you with the same process, no matter how many times you may have done it before.

I love you all. Please keep praying for us.

Sincerely,
Elder Banks

Surprises, Surprises.

Dear All,

Well it happened. Yesterday, the Assistants called me, and told me that I have a change (transfer) tomorrow. Today is my last day in Puerto San José. I'm really sad, especially because I love the members, the Branch President, and my companion. He's my favorite companion so far, and I absolutely love Elder Muñoz. They say you have a lot of companions in the mission, but only a few friends, and he's definitely one of the friends. I've never been able to teach with such unity with any of my companions. He literally knows what I want him to say about 95% of the time, and just says it. He's not afraid, and he'll become a great missionary. He already is one.

Since this isn't a normal transfer, they already told me where I'll be going, and who will be my companion, as well as who will be coming to finish the training of my companion. I'll be going to the area Villa Nueva 1 in the Villa Nueva zone, back in the capital. My companion will be Elder Martinez, who was Elder Muñoz' MTC companion! His companion right now is Elder Krantz, who came in with me to the mission. Elder Pierce, one of my friends here, will be coming to finish training Elder Muñoz, and to be the new District Leader here. I will continue as District Leader in Villa Nueva, but in a bigger district this time. So, I'll be back in the "cold" of the capital. I'm also pretty sure that Elder Tillman, who was in the district here, will be in the district again in Villa Nueva, but we'll see.

As for Puerto, I feel like I'm going out with a bang, even though this week hasn't been the most productive, because we got the branch president and his counselor working. As missionaries, we can separate from our companions if we're with another responsible Melchizedek priesthood holder (typically a male member of the church of 18 years or older), so on Sundays we do divisions with President Barrera, and Hno. Alonzo. One companion goes to visit less-active families, and the other goes to the appointments we had set previously. It's worked out pretty well. We also eat lunch in the chapel before going out to visit.

Overall, I'll miss Puerto San José, but I'll do the Lord's will. My will really doesn't matter, but if I do his, everything will be alright, and I will receive many blessings.

I love you all. Thank you for your prayers, because they really do make a big difference.

Keep the faith. Endure to the end. Love the Lord, do what He says, and everything will work out alright.

Take care,
Elder Banks

Another Fantastic Week in the Work!

Dear All,

I know I'm going to freeze when I get home. Today we had a meeting in a chapel that has air conditioning, and I was FREEZING during the entire meeting. I hope that the winter isn't too cold when I get home.

As for winter here, "winter" is rainy season. Right now, summer is starting and it's HOT. But you all already knew that, so let's move on with things.

My companion and I have the best relationship I've had with any of my companions until now, and it really shows. We're really having some good progress in the branch here. We've got the leaders out working with us, we're activating people, and also baptizing. This Sunday we had our 3rd baptism here in Puerto. Her name is Silvia, and she's one of the coolest people I've met. She's super humble, and she stood up in testimony meeting and told her conversion story. She's one who will be enduring to the end, I can feel it! She loves the Lord so much, and loves the Church. She already has several friends here as well. She bore her testimony about keeping the Sabbath Day holy, and it really helped some of our investigators who were in attendance.

The cool thing about such a tiny branch is that it feels just like a family in many ways. Everyone knows each other pretty well, and it's fantastic. We've got a missionary activity this month to be able to get people out and bring us investigators and less-actives to teach. This branch is on the verge of huge success, we just have to give it a push, and then we can watch it fly! I couldn't be happier to be here at this time.

And yes, it's true, I am now 21 years old. No, I don't believe it either. But attached is the photo of my birthday party. The branch president and his wife found out, and gave me the piece of cake and the bottle of cologne that you see right there by me (his wife sells cologne and beauty products) and my companion bought the pizza! It was super fun! But there's nothing I would rather have done on my birthday than preach the Gospel. There's nothing that makes me happier than to be able to see someone change their life through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

This Sunday we also had a miracle. We had about 13 investigators in Church!!!!!! That's the highest I've had in any of my areas, ever! We'll be working super hard to get all of these people baptized this month, because the Lord expects 8 baptisms of Puerto San José this month. We received that as revelation. We have one, and three more great possiblities for this Sunday, and it'll be a great thing. Like I said, we just have to give this branch a push, and watch it fly.

As we start out this new year, remember our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Don't let a single day go by without thinking about him, and without praying to our Heavenly Father in his name. Your prayers will be heard, and you will feel their love and know of their reality as I have. I have never seen either the Father nor the Son, but I am certain that they live and love us. Being good and right before their eyes is the most important thing any of us will ever do in this life. "For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God. Yea, the day of this life is the time for men to perform their labors." (Alma 34:32) We must perform our labors in this life: Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End, including magnifying your calling. I'm helping people do it here. If you haven't done it, there's a missionary near where you live who is anxious to help you. If you need to (and we all do), repent, and keep on pressing forward. In Spanish, "Endure to the End" is "Perseverar hasta el Fin." This is the phrase we use. "Perseverar" directly translates to "persevere" in English, which has a lot more meaning. So, my dear friends and family, I exhort you to persevere until the end.

I love you all. Please keep your thoughts and prayers with us during this special time in the work.

Sincerely,
Elder Banks

¡Feliz Año Nuevo!

Dear All,

It's been another great week in the work of the Lord.

First of all, the picture. This is Maricruz. She's probably the most humble person I know. She's passed through so many trials in her life, and she was really ready to accept the gospel. When she arrived at church a few weeks ago, we discovered that the branch president's counselor's wife has known her for a long time. This sister spoke at her baptismal service, and it was probably the most meaningful talk at a baptismal service I've ever heard. Maricruz was pretty much crying during it. She's just so full of love! I wish I could be so humble and full of love, because people like her are those who will enter into the kingdom of God (see Mosiah 3:19).

Other than that, it's been a great week. Guatemalans LOVE fireworks. The bigger, the better. And the more money you have, the bigger fireworks you can buy. And that's what our rich neighbors did last night. They started at about 10pm, and lit one off every couple minutes until 12am. They had some really big mortar fireworks, and at midnight, it felt like our house was under attack. And my companion slept right through it! I couldn't get to sleep. But that's alright, it was just one night. And it was fun.

Other than that, things have been pretty normal here in Puerto. We're getting into summer here, so it'll be even hotter than it was when I got here. We're just finishing up the cool season. And we're doing it with some fantastic work. We've got so many people who are prepared, we just have to get them to church so they can be baptized. Here, someone has to attend sacrament meeting 3 times before being baptized. We have SO many people right now who will for sure be baptized once they come to church 3 times. They already have testimonies and everything, they just need to come, and we'll get them baptized. We're going to do it. I finally feel that I'm finding myself as Elder Banks, and learning how to do this work.

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. We need them.

Sincerely,
Elder Banks

Another Week in the Work

Dear All,

It's Christmas Eve! And what a great time to be a missionary! There are people all around who have turned their minds and hearts to Christ, and here we are to teach them more about him, and about his plan!

The other night, we contacted a home where we had visited someone before. The mom, whom we had talked to, wasn't home, but her 18 year old son was. His name is Daniel, and he is amazing. He's pretty humble, and willing to listen. We always ask "Do you attend a church?" to be able to get a feel for their spiritual life, but I also felt to ask him "Why do you go to church? What is it that you are looking for?" He responded "Well, I'm looking for answers." I asked him "What kind of answers?" "And he said "I need to know the purpose of life. I need to know why I'm here." We then talked for a few more minutes, and started in on the Plan of Salvation. He loved it, and committed to pray to know if it's true. We have another appointment this week to teach him more about the Restoration of the Gospel, and the Book of Mormon, and then he goes off to Las Delicias, which is a place (and an area!) in Santa Lucia, which is one of the zones of our mission! So, I'm going to hand off his phone number to the Elders in Las Delicias to be able to teach him, because he's almost a sure baptism. He's amazing! He asked so many good questions that we have all the answers to as part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It just goes to show that there are a LOT of people that God is preparing to be able to join his true church, and accept his Gospel.

Here in Guatemala, today is the big day for Christmas. Tomorrow is kind of like new year's day in the states: Everyone's still together having a good time, but the real party is over. This year, we have permission to stay out late with members, under certain conditions, with which we are complying. At midnight, they light more fireworks than we do on the fourth of July. It's crazy, and awesome. Last year, (man, I'm old!) I was on the side of the valley, and I could see the whole valley at 12am, but by about 12:15, there was so much smoke that it was impossible to see the other side. It's fantastic! I'm excited, we're just going to be TIRED tomorrow! We've been getting up early every day this week for one reason or another, because there just isn't enough time to be able to get everything done! This is an urgent work, and the Lord will not have any delays. We have to do what we're told, when we're told, and it's a great feeling when you do so. You know the Lord is happy, and you know you will be blessed for having helped his work move forward.

But most of all, I encourage each of you to remember the reason why we're all doing what we're doing today. Today we remember the beginning of the greatest life ever lived. The only perfect life this world has ever seen. Remember Jesus Christ, and all he did for you, and his love for you, and the Father's love in sending him here to Earth for you.

I love you all.
Merry CHRISTmas.

Sincerely,
Elder Banks

Another Week

Dear All,

First of all, I'm going to tell you about the big news that's happening in the Central Mission tomorrow. Tomorrow are the changes. My companion and I will be staying together, but we received permission to go, because this will be a historic change meeting. We will be receiving more than 30 new missionaries, and the mission will open about 5 or 6 new areas, including two here in my zone, Escuintla. And due to the fact that three of the stakes in the capital were shuffled around a couple of months ago, we will be creating a new zone. Areas (wards and branches) were taken from the Villa Nueva, Villa Hermosa, and Amatitlan stakes, to create a new stake called El Frutal. So, the mission will have 10 zones, and will get a lot bigger tomorrow. And I'll get to be there to see it all happen!

As for the mission, we have some high goals we're working for. In November we had the goal of 50 families baptized. In September we had the goal of 300 baptisms, and we accomplished 314, with much thanks to our Heavenly Father for helping and allowing us to do so. This all started this January with the goal of 204 baptisms. This coming year, the January goal will be 350 baptisms. In my area, we should be having at least 8 baptisms during the month of January here in Puerto San José. It's really an exciting time to be participating in the Lord's work.

Also, on Saturday, all the future missionaries and returned missionaries from the Escuintla district came to contact people in our area. We split up to be able to work a little harder and find some new people. It was a really cool activity and we have about 48 references to contact now, to find some great new investigators.

They also told us today that Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will be coming to speak to the missionaries here in Guatemala in January, and our zone will be allowed to participate!!! I'm SO excited!

The thing we really need to have to be able to accomplish any good thing is faith, and exact obedience to God's commandments. The Lord has made several promises about these things:

"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)

"I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say, but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." (Doctrine and Covenants 82:10)

In other words, if we have faith and obedience, we can do whatever we want, which is right, and according to the will of the Lord. Even when it's hard, we have to keep the faith in him, and he will ever help us.

I love you all. I know that this is the Lord's work, and I love it, and I love him.

Take care,
Elder Banks