Ive got a lot to learn!
Two weeks ago I was moved over to the other ward in Apizaco, with a new companion and a new area. Elder Ortiz teaches with the spirit. He has a sincere desire to help the people, and he knows his purpose. He's also very helpful with my sub-par spanish. We're both on our own now without a trainer for the first time and there have been some growing pains. We're learning to do some basic things that our trainers always did for us, but we've still made a lot of progress with the people in the area, and have frequently witnessed the hand of God in the work.
One thing I do know how to do is contact people. We almost always do the same thing when contacting people. It starts with a simple question, "Do you like to read?" Then, we briefly introduce the Book of Mormon and invite them to "borrow" a Book of Mormon and read 3 Nephi 11, and we note down their information to be in contact. Sometimes we knock doors, sometimes we contact in the park or street, and sometimes we talk to people in public transport, but it's always this method.
One day we were knocking doors, and I let my companion have a go at initiating the contacts, and we began to knock every door in a row. the spirit nudged me to make a recommendation to my compainion. I said, "Usually what I like to do is *not* knock every door. It's better to follow the Spirit and choose a door." My companion immediately pointed to a house across the street, and we went to see if anyone was home. When we knocked, we were met by a man in his thirties with a warm personality. When I asked him if he had heard of the Book of Mormon, he said that he had! In fact, he had met with missionaries some years ago when he lived in the United States. We immediately set up an appointment, and when we visited him we had a great first lesson. He was busy this sunday, so he didn't come to church, but we've only had one lesson so we'll see where things go!
We are teaching an 11-year-old named Rafael who has a rather short attention span. In my first lesson with him I realized that just talking to him wasn't gonna work. Thankfully, there is a brother in the ward called brother Serrano (Hermano Serrano), who is very involved in the missionary work, and he frequently gives us advice and is willing to go to lessons with us. He offered to go to a lesson with Rafael, and it was an absolute miracle. He was able to firmly grab Rafael's attention by using pictures, asking him questions, and by using clear, engaging language.
We've also been teaching some people over the phone, Sergio Corona and Carlos Fernandez, because they live far away. They both are very engaged in coming closer to God and learning about him, and they both have a baptismal date. Unfortunately, Sergio Corona still hasn't come to church on sunday because he travels a lot with work, so it may be a while before he gets baptized. Carlos Fernandez is a 22-year-old guy who came for the first time yesterday! He had a great experience in Sacrament Meeting, and after, Hermano Serrano made a class for him and another person who is new, and he gave a beautiful, clear, and engaging explanation of the atonement of Christ and his doctrine. He explained that Christ was baptized by immersion and that babies do not need baptism, and invited them to be baptized. They both agreed to a baptismal date!
We've placed a lot of Book of Mormons. Every time that we contact, we ask for the spirit to guide us, and we quickly find people who are willing to learn his word. Now we just have to find which of those people are willing to repent and work towards making covenants with God. The work is difficult, but I wouldn't rather do anything else with this time of my life.
Gotta go, love yall.
Please feel free to respond with how lifes going and with any advice!
Mail:
Calle 25 Sur N° 907
Col. La Paz
72160 Puebla, Puebla
Mexico
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