Hey everyone! Here’s to another week! I hope you all are doing well. This week (and transfer) flew by, and based on the patterns of other nes missionaries, it is crazy that I probably only have a week left here in Valle de Etla. But anyway, this week was really great and the next is sure to be just as busy! And it has been awesome. I know 100% that this is where the Lord wants me to be, and how great of a blessing it is.
P-Day Activities Last p-day, the district took a trip to the Nacho Libre Church because they all wanted to go. So we took a short walk though some bushes and had a fun time exploring it. (Pictures below) Today in the morning, the district headed to the zone leaders area to play basketball and fútbol with the other missionaries and a few members. And we had a blast! And the team of Gringos (my team) actually won a game, believe it or not!
Exchanges Galore! We had exchanges with both an area in our district (Telix) and the zone leaders, for two consecutive days! So after they ended on Saturday, we were absolutely drained. My companion, Elder Licona, did all the traveling this week and I stayed here in Valle de Etla, but it was still a lot of work. 1. First was the exchanges with Telix, and Elder Torres (who is still in training but a native so he speaks perfect Spanish) came to my area. We had a ton planned and had to ride the bikes a lot, something that other missionaries think is fun until they actually try it, haha. Funny enough, not even 5 minutes after starting, Elder Torres hit a speed bump and totally wiped out on the bike. Fortunately, he was protected and didn’t get hurt to badly, but it was a little funny to watch and tell the other Elders about. In all, it was a busy but good day and a little strange because it was my first time being Senior Comp for a day, so all the introductions and chatting were initiated by me. And it actually went super well! My Spanish has definitely improved. 2. The second exchange (that started the same day the other ended) was with the zone leaders and was pretty great. Elder Rodriguez came to Valle de Etla and we had a crazy productive day of finding possible people because he actually was in my area for a span of 4 months before me and my trainer arrived. Which makes him super knowledgeable about the area, the members, and the trails that I didn’t even know existed. It was a long day of visiting members and contacting in the street, but he has a hilarious sense of humor so it made the day super fun nonetheless.
The Work This week the work has been a bit crazy because of all the exchanges and moving around, but it still pressed forward. We have been hitting it super hard with Davy and taught her nearly ever lesson this week. It is amazing to see someone so prepared to receive the gospel and with such a powerful testimony, especially at the age of 15! Both my companion and I are like, “wow, wish we had a testimony that strong at age 15”, haha. And we have made a pretty good relationship with her mom as well, so I think that has helped us with the whole situation. Apart from Davy, there are a few others like Santiago, Martin, and Zereth that we are working with strongly but unfortunately they still have plenty of obstacles in their way. But I have hope! One day will be their day!
Pictures! Some pictures of the Nacho Libre Church, one of exchanges with Elder Torres, and another of exchanges with Elder Rodriguez.
Thank you all for the prayers and hope! Take care!
Elder Ord
