So many things happen in just one week! It is impossible to account for everything.
I'll start off with the missionary work in mine and Hermana Chipunavi's sector of Puno. We had a really slow start last week because our area book of investigators was not really well-kept, but we set out to call of the people we have numbers for and tract them down. (Actually, Hermana did the phone calling. It would have been hilarious if I would have even attempted to talk Spanish over the phone!) We've also had a lot of support from the ward members in helping teach lessons, which has been a tremendous blessing because the natives aren't always trusting of newbies. Needless to say, we've have double, maybe tripple the number of appointments this week than the last, which we know has come about because of prayer, faith, and hard work. We owe alll of our blessings to Heavenly Father.
I'll tell you a little about some lessons that we've had. In one with a less active family, the boyfriend of the daughter expressed some doubts about live after death and the work that is done in temples. Never in my life have I been so excited and full of conviction to testify that there is life after death, and those who do not recieve the blessing of knowing God or experience the blessings of the gospel in this life will have the opportunity to do so in the life hereafter. The Spirit was so thick in that room, and it was because Heavenly Father wanted one of His sons to know the truth. I know without a doubt that there is life after death, and we can be reunited with our loved ones for eternity through the blessings of the Restored Gospel.
We also have another investigator, Mirian, who reminds me a lot of the way I first reacted the missionaries when they contacted me. But she is so much more prepared than I was! We met Mirian in a park one day, and we left her with a pamphlet about the Restoration. She seemed really unreluctant to meet with us, (as is often the case with lots of people here at first-encounter) but when we followed up with her, Mirian had read the whole pamplet! AND she had QUESTIONS! What's more, she committed to be baptized. Hermana and I will be meeting with her this week in order to discuss a date, and to make sure it'd okay with her mom since Mirian is under 18.
Another great thing happened this week as we were contacting in our sector. As Hermana and I stopped to check for directions in a certain street, an overwhelming feeling came over me. I couldn't help but feel that we needed to find out who we needed to visit on that street! We knocked on several doors before one opened, but we were so surprised when it did. We met Kathy who just radiated with light! For once, someone wanted to hear our message as well! What's more, we found out that Kathy has nephews and neices who are members, and she is familiar with the Book of Mormon. I have no doubt that Kathy's family members have been praying for her, because the Spirit was so strong before and during the time we were talking to her. We later found out that Kathy actually isn't in our sector, but this experience has been a reminder that Heavenly Father desires His children to know Him, His Son, and to experience the blessings of the Gospel so that they can return to live with Him after this life.
This gospel is true, everyone!
Thank you for all of your prayers, support, and love. Know that I love you, but most importantly, that God loves you and you are a son or daughter of His.
Until next week!
Hermana Arroyo
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