Well it looks like things are starting to get normal
around here in Colombia, finally we will get to have a normal and full
week of work! This past week we were told to jump up to Pasto as quick
as we could before the roads closed up again in order to get to Cali for
Elder Waddell. It ended up being a huge blessing because we got to work
in Pasto for 2 days and I had the marvelous opportunity to work with 2
former companions! My son Elder Celaya and el gran Elder Aldunate my
first comp in Buenaventura who now is ZL in Pasto. It was such a great
experience being with old comps. It was great for remembering good times
and seeing how each missionary has changed and progressed over time. It
was cool to be in teaching situations remembering the old teaching ways
that I had been used to in the past! It wasn't hard to pick up right
where we left off as a companionship, such a treat!
We also spent a while at the bus terminal each day
looking for bus routes to Cali but there was nothing safe that opened
up, we all prayed and fasted so that we would be able to see Elder
Waddell in Cali but nothing resulted. I have come to understand on the
mission the attitude of "let thy will be done." It wasn't the Lord's
will that we would go to Cali this week, why? No idea, but like Nephi "I
know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the
meaning of all things." When we develop faith in Jesus Christ we know He
loves us and wants the best for us, no matter what. Prayers are
always answered but according to the will who knows it all. I was
grateful to help out this week in Pasto and also to have the rare
experience to reunite with companions!
And we are now here in Ipiales super anxious to get
back to work full throttle! It has been a bit frustrating not being able
to work a full week in our area for about 3 weeks, but all the smoke
has cleared and miracles are on the way. I feel like the opposition we
have faced has worked as a refiner's fire and we are now refined and
more excited to work than at any part of my mission!
I also learned so much from the instruction of Elder
Waddell from the webcast we had here in Ipiales! He talked about a huge
problem there is in the Area right now... last year the South America
Northeast Area baptized about 36,000 people. That is great.. but the attendance in the area only improved by about 9,000. That is to say that
a lot of converts are being lost, and that is a big problem.
Elder
Waddell spoke about how sometimes in missions where the people have
really believing hearts and baptize a lot, we can focus too much in reaching
numbers of baptisms instead of working towards the actual conversion of
the people. Baptism is the beginning, not the end. What is the good of
"gathering the sheaves" if they are not "gathered into the garners."
(Alma 26:5) Sometimes we are too focused on our goals to baptize that we
forget the real conversion. This often leads to missionaries thinking
they can still have success without teaching by the Spirit, using the
Book of Mormon and having the investigators pray at the end of lessons, etc.
So
obedience is not a priority thinking that we can still have success
baptizing. But the reality is, is that if we are not converted there is
no way we will lead these people down the path to conversion. We may
lead them to the font, but the conversion is superficial and won't last
"the heat of the sun" that will come after baptism. In this mission and
this area you can baptize without the Spirit, without the Book of Mormon and
without prayer. But without all of these things, conversion is not
possible.
I am grateful for the wonderful counsel of Elder
Waddell. It has sparked a fire in my personal study this week too. I
tried to understand more the process of conversion, in order to
understand what we must feel, do, and be to help these people to real
conversion! I read in 1 Nephi 8:11-12:
11 And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen.
12 And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit.
I find it interesting that only when Lehi got to the
actual tree, and had eaten the fruit that he desired that his family
also could partake of it, and signaled the way to help them get there.
We as missionaries cannot be in the "forbidden paths" and expect to help
people to the strait and narrow one, the tree of life is not the
baptismal font, it is Eternal Life and true conversion. We must desire
to help these people not just say that we do. I have learned a lot and
will change a lot in my mission because of what I have learned!
Well next week's letter should be a lot better, now that we have a full week we are pumped to get at it!
Well, until next week!
Keep the thumbs up, (and hook em horns) maybe I'll make that my new "trademark" haha
Elder Eliason
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