Hey everyone! I hope you had a fantastic week and a start to the new year! Crazy to think that a week has already gone by in 2023. Here in Oaxaca we had a fantastic week full of craziness and miracles. The heat keeps being hot and the Lord’s work presses forward too!
*José Católico (Joseph Catholic)* This was a pretty good story. I was in exchanges with Elder Garcia (my old comp Elder Torres’ trainee) and we were having a great day. Even though Elder Garcia is new he seems like he’s already got the experience needed to be a powerful missionary.
The story about José Católico starts like this: we had just started a door knocking session when not evem three doors in, this mototaxi pulls up and this teenager gets out. He asks us a question about whether it is okay to have Imagines (Virgins and Saints) or not. We answer calmly stating that Jesus Christ is the only way back to Heavely Father, so we don’t have or use images. What followed then was a 1-hour long bash with this kid, José who was 14 and who nearly had the entire Bible memorized. It was kind of a waste of time and we touched on a lot of the topics and arguments that were super pointless, but we got to the end and invited him to pray about our message. The sad part is that José was so deep into catholic doctrine that even if he did pray and get and answer from God, he would probably think that it came from the devil. So that was the conversation and Elder Garcia’s first bash on the mission. Exchanges always go so crazy haha
*Día de los Reyes Magos* So in Mexico (and a lot of other Hispanic countries), there is a holiday on January 6 called Día de los Reyes Magos (Day of the Magi Kings), which is basically a day about the wise men who went to give gifts to Jesus. On this holiday, it is like a mini-Christmas with sometime families giving gifts. However, the big part of it is the bread. They make a special bread called Roska de Reyes (I’m sorry I don’t have a picture, go Google it if you want to see it). Everyone eats this bread at a party in the night, and if your slice happens to have this tiny plastic doll, you have to bring the tomales for the party on February 3rd. It is an interesting holiday but we didn’t so much as missionaries except for eat the Roska de Reyes for dinner.
*Miracle Family* A true miracle happened this week but first, a bit of context. A few months ago, this one member family gave us a referral of this inactive member who lived on this house by the freeway, so we went to check it out. We didn’t find the inactive member, but her family was there and told us she wasn’t home. We passed by a few more times with the same result. Then, early last week we passed by again and the house was abandoned. It even seemed like half of what was a small wooden shack had been disassemble. We assumed that the family had left town or moved somewhere else.
Then, on Saturday morning, these members that originally gave the referral gave us another referral, this time of a family with a bunch of kids who were ready to receive the Gospel. So we head over to this house that morning and come to find out it was *the same family*, only this time ready to receive the Gospel. We taguth then a little bit, then returned Sunday in the afternoon with the Primary President and her family to teach some more. Both lessons were incredible and we couldn’t believe how blessed it was. The family has 10 members, 6 of which are able to get baptized!
The sad thing is that I probably won’t be able to get to see these people baptized because transfers are coming up and it is an almost 100% chance that I’ll be leaving the area. However, I am so happy for Elder Tobler because he’ll probably get to see these baptisms come to pass. If there is something I’ve learned in the mission, it’s that the Lord will always do his work perfectly and we will act as instruments in His hands until our time is up and another has the chance. So even though I won’t get to be there at the end, I’m grateful that the Lord has allowed me to help start the journey of the gospel with this great family.
*Pictures!* -Exchanges with Elder Garicia! -Cute little dog named Princess -This really poorly named restaurant -Pizza after the Branch Sports night activity
Take care everyone! Have a great week! -Elder Ord
*José Católico (Joseph Catholic)* This was a pretty good story. I was in exchanges with Elder Garcia (my old comp Elder Torres’ trainee) and we were having a great day. Even though Elder Garcia is new he seems like he’s already got the experience needed to be a powerful missionary.
The story about José Católico starts like this: we had just started a door knocking session when not evem three doors in, this mototaxi pulls up and this teenager gets out. He asks us a question about whether it is okay to have Imagines (Virgins and Saints) or not. We answer calmly stating that Jesus Christ is the only way back to Heavely Father, so we don’t have or use images. What followed then was a 1-hour long bash with this kid, José who was 14 and who nearly had the entire Bible memorized. It was kind of a waste of time and we touched on a lot of the topics and arguments that were super pointless, but we got to the end and invited him to pray about our message. The sad part is that José was so deep into catholic doctrine that even if he did pray and get and answer from God, he would probably think that it came from the devil. So that was the conversation and Elder Garcia’s first bash on the mission. Exchanges always go so crazy haha
*Día de los Reyes Magos* So in Mexico (and a lot of other Hispanic countries), there is a holiday on January 6 called Día de los Reyes Magos (Day of the Magi Kings), which is basically a day about the wise men who went to give gifts to Jesus. On this holiday, it is like a mini-Christmas with sometime families giving gifts. However, the big part of it is the bread. They make a special bread called Roska de Reyes (I’m sorry I don’t have a picture, go Google it if you want to see it). Everyone eats this bread at a party in the night, and if your slice happens to have this tiny plastic doll, you have to bring the tomales for the party on February 3rd. It is an interesting holiday but we didn’t so much as missionaries except for eat the Roska de Reyes for dinner.
*Miracle Family* A true miracle happened this week but first, a bit of context. A few months ago, this one member family gave us a referral of this inactive member who lived on this house by the freeway, so we went to check it out. We didn’t find the inactive member, but her family was there and told us she wasn’t home. We passed by a few more times with the same result. Then, early last week we passed by again and the house was abandoned. It even seemed like half of what was a small wooden shack had been disassemble. We assumed that the family had left town or moved somewhere else.
Then, on Saturday morning, these members that originally gave the referral gave us another referral, this time of a family with a bunch of kids who were ready to receive the Gospel. So we head over to this house that morning and come to find out it was *the same family*, only this time ready to receive the Gospel. We taguth then a little bit, then returned Sunday in the afternoon with the Primary President and her family to teach some more. Both lessons were incredible and we couldn’t believe how blessed it was. The family has 10 members, 6 of which are able to get baptized!
The sad thing is that I probably won’t be able to get to see these people baptized because transfers are coming up and it is an almost 100% chance that I’ll be leaving the area. However, I am so happy for Elder Tobler because he’ll probably get to see these baptisms come to pass. If there is something I’ve learned in the mission, it’s that the Lord will always do his work perfectly and we will act as instruments in His hands until our time is up and another has the chance. So even though I won’t get to be there at the end, I’m grateful that the Lord has allowed me to help start the journey of the gospel with this great family.
*Pictures!* -Exchanges with Elder Garicia! -Cute little dog named Princess -This really poorly named restaurant -Pizza after the Branch Sports night activity
Take care everyone! Have a great week! -Elder Ord