Tuesday, October 18, 2011

A very special Sunday!

The story about safety is different for missionaries. We are promised protection as angels are constantly surrounding us. This protection comes through our obedience, and the Lord promises us that he watches over his missionaries.

We have worked very hard this week, going to Brava at the last minute and then going straight to Cova Figueira afterwards to take care of Baptismal interviews. We are trying to get this investigator prepared for baptism this coming Saturday, but she has a heart problem, and she faints often, which often makes her have to cancel appointments. I know, however, that she has a desire to be baptized, as she has shown up already for many church services. The Lord will guide us in her preparation.

We found an investigator that we were not been able to find for quite some time. He’s back on track, and we’re preparing him for baptism. His name is Leridiu.
In his first lesson, we felt some strong spiritual impressions - things that we have never felt before. We felt that the spirit was revealing sad truths to us about his past, but at the same time, these impressions are going to help us in the questions that we make, so that we can address his needs and help him receive the cure of the atonement of Jesus Christ.

This Sunday as well, we found 4 new investigators, one is a man who will be a future Melchezidek priesthood holder - we're ecstatic!

Also, this week my companion and I grew closer and stronger. Elder Weiss and I have already been really close these past two transfers, but this week, we felt the spirit so strong, especially on Sunday. I feel that we have never wanted success so bad as now, and we have been working harder than ever before in obedience, study, and diligence.

We have so much more to learn about teaching, finding, and preparing people, but we took this moment on Sunday to thank the Lord for how far he has taken us, and how much he has trusted us, and how much success he has led us to have through his Holy Spirit. These are turning points I’ve reached through the Lord that I never dreamed that I could obtain on the mission. I can’t believe how much the Lord loves us for working so hard to understand him and understand how to do his work.

Some of the investigators that I’m eager about are the mother of two recent converts that were baptized in August. That family has had some big health challenges. One of the converts has a crooked leg making her walk in an awkward way, and extremely slow. The mother we started teaching is extremely obese, and we could feel in her spirit, how she yearns for some hope. Another is Leridiu himself. I know he has a lot to open up to us and that it may take some time, but I’m confident that if he keeps his appointments and let us into his life, we can help him.

I have never loved the people of this country so much as I do now. So much that their afflictions are mine. Their joys are mine. Nothing gives Elder Weiss and I more joy than being with our recent converts, investigators, and members and partaking of their warm spirit.

Elder Cuestas

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Third Transfer with Elder Weiss!

The week was very busy, as we had to go to Brava to do some baptismal interviews for the elders there. We had the baptism this week of Kader, Melanie, and Sandro. Tereza had a small problem, and she has to wait a bit longer. However, I have faith that she is going to progress this week and would be baptized soon.

I will go back to Praia in about three weeks for Zone Leaders council.

So Transfers came and went, and elder Weiss and I are staying together one more. This is the first time that we have three transfers, and I remain with the same companion.. I’m glad that it’s Elder Weiss. We know each other and understand each other very well. We have been through a lot together. I feel that he has helped me grow in areas that I have needed growth for a long time. This is great stuff. I love being Zone leader and all the responsibilities that I have. I’m so grateful to the Lord for all that he has blessed me with. He has blessed me with a better mission than I could ever hope for. I’m so eternally grateful for elder Weiss. I have gotten to know him quite well, and I cannot even pay him back one single percentage for all that he has given me.

Two weeks and I have been on the mission a year. My trainer Elder Rodrigues went home today. He is done with his mission. Wow! It seems like it was yesterday that we were just starting out, he and I. I love what the Second Counselor in the Sunday School Presidency said in his talk, don’t look for how far you have to go, but look for how far you have come. I try to do that and look for ways that I can continue to improve.

We have a new investigator and her name is Manuella. She is Incredible!!! I cannot even describe the gratitude I have that the Lord led us to her. She’s gold. She opens up to us and tells us her feelings, her doubts, and she speaks with confidence. She loves what she is learning, and she said that she felt very comfortable and happy with her experience this Sunday at church. We integrated a recent convert, Cleusa, to help us with the teaching, and they’re becoming best friends.

It shows me how important the members are in the work, and really, it is a miracle that we found her and that the Lord is giving us minute by minute inspiration by scripture, by thought, and by listening as we’re teaching her the lessons.

Elder Cuestas

Monday, October 3, 2011

General Conference

This weekend was one of the best in my mission. I was spiritually fed by every single talk of the apostles and prophets. I loved all of them. It was an incredible experience. President Monson gave one of my favorite talks during priesthood about sharing the Gospel. Another one that touched my heart was the one by Elder Quentin L. Cook on Sunday afternoon, along with the one given by President Uchtdorf on Saturday morning. They talk about the things that we can do to recognize more the presence of the Lord’s blessings and love for us as we pass through afflictions and trials.

Something leaped in my heart to see the faith that our new investigators have – they’ll be getting baptized in a couple of weeks. They showed true desire as they came to watch General Conference. Kader, who will be baptized this weekend, came early at 8 a.m. to priesthood session. Tereza came for the Sunday morning session, and Melanie came and stayed all Sunday for the two sessions. I love these people so much, and I’m so amazed by the changes they have made.

Melanie was a girl so shy that every time we asked her a question, she would literally throw her face in her hands and cover her eyes. Now she gives her honest opinion and asks us questions. She has changed the way she dresses after one invite to do so, and is now socializing full time with the other members. You’d think she has been a member for a long time. This to me is true conversion. She knows what she’s doing, and the Lord has blessed her to know these things for herself. The Lord has also blessed us to be the ones to work with her.

Taresa had trouble coming to church at first, and we felt impressed to talk about the atonement and blessings of the Book of Mormon. Now she’s reading it by herself and is coming to church, too. She’s such a lively person with a lot courage in her heart. Her love for God is strong, and her fire for the gospel is growing. Sometimes she makes us laugh pretty hard before we start the lesson.

I love the people here and the investigators. I know this is possible because the Lord give us the ability and power to do so. I feel his presence guiding me. I feel his comfort, and I feel that I’m worthy, yet constantly needing to repent and be better.

The desire to be better will never, never stops in me. A talk that impressed my heart by the second counselor in the Sunday School presidency when he said "don’t look how far you have to go, but look how far you’ve come".

Elder Cuestas