Working in the Lords work sure makes time go by fast. This week was another week full of work for us here in Manco Capac. Practically a year without a Bishop in the Ward has taken a huge toll on the Ward but for us as missionaries it has been an opportunity like no other to serve in ways that we ever imagined we would. When there are only 30 people who attend the Ward each week when you first arrive to an Area you are Re-opening, it really makes you wonder as a missionary where to begin to help the members. After more than 6 months in this area, this past Sunday with the help of the Lord we were able to double that number to 60 in attendance! It truly is a blessing to see the work of the Lord progress, especially in an area that has faced so many difficulties. The mantle we hold as missionaries here is so much more than just finding and teaching investigators, it is about truly establishing the church amongst the members while at the same time converting new members of the Church so that they can someday be the future leaders of the area as well. I am grateful for the things that I have learned here and for the way I have personally been able to grow at the same time.
This week we found an awesome new investigator name Karina. She is 19 and has a lot of questions about the Church and life. We invited her to attend Church and this past Sunday she came! We have another lesson planned for tomorrow night (Tuesday) to continue to teach her and hopefully establish a goal of baptism with her. Despite being rejected nonstop most days, it is truly a miracle how the Lord will really guide you to those who really are ready and willing to listen to the message of his Restored Gospel. We are constantly trying to be guided to those who are ready for the Gospel and although at times it is incredibly difficult, I have learned that the Lord will really put you in the right place and at the right time to meet those who he has prepared to receive his Gospel.
Along with Karina, we have been working hard with our converts in the Ward as well. Russell is currently the 1st Assistant in the Priest´s Quorum (although there is no Bishop). He is doing very well and has had his share of difficulties with being a new member. Marcia is going to receive a calling this week to be a leader in the Young Women´s organization as well. We have been working hard with them on their family history as well and have got both of them up to at least their 4th generation or further. It’s amazing how big of an impact the conversion of one person can have on lives of so many other people! Edwin is doing well also. He seems to be really busy with his studies in the University (which I am sure I will understand well here in a few months). Basically the problem with him lately is the lack of time due to exams, studies, etc. We are trying to be patient and hope that we can continue to teach him and help him achieve his goal of getting to baptism.
This week we have a cool activity planned in the Ward called, “Esto es Guerra Familia” (this is war families). It is based off of a TV game show here in Perú which basically consists of teams competing in various different competitions. We have been planning it for a while and have decided to make it more of a minute to win it style game. The plan is the have every family in the Ward compete against other families (those who are the only members or investigators, etc. are being placed with families to even the teams and help them meet Ward members) in various games in order to win a prize which we have decided will be a year subscription to the Churches Liahona Magazine. We hope it will be a good activity for the Ward members along with recent converts and investigators that we are teaching.
In closing, this week I just want to state how grateful I am to have the knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. There are so many people confused, and not aware of who they are and who they can become. The Church of Jesus Christ contains all of the answers we need for us to become who our Heavenly Father wants us to be. I am grateful to share that knowledge with the people here each and every single day. People that don’t even believe in him or have any sort of knowledge about a Supreme Being. The greatest blessing is to see them develop that belief and begin to rely on their Heavenly Father and his plan that will someday bring them more happiness than they can even comprehend. I love you all, have a great week!
Love,
Elder Fawcett
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