EMAIL... Week 36

Hola All!

Our weeks are always busy, but rewarding! Elder Koelliker's first week in charge was great! He welcomed everyone warmly and we sustained the first Mission Leader the branch has ever had. José Antonio has been a member a year this month and has had his ups and downs with activity. He came out of his interview with Elder K BEAMING and bouncing all over the place. During this past year he has baptized, spoken at baptisms, worked with the Hermanas, and even conducted a baptism, but had never had a calling. He is sooo excited to serve and has already met with the Hermanas and been out on appointments with them this week. The testimony meeting was powerful and many bore testimony of the temple, even though only 9 have their endowments, 3 couples of those are sealed, and 4 others have done baptisms. Poco poco.

Elder K called the new Relief Society Presidency this week and they all accepted, but know that there are changes needed to be made to build unity, reverence, love, and greater commitment to each other and to Heavenly Father and the Savior. These 3 can do it! I'm excited to help train and encourage them! All 3 are single and preparing to go to the temple! Elder K turned in the name for an Executive Secretary and the District President agreed that he would be good. Waiting to hear that he's been called. Still in need of an Elders Quorum President, so if one of you Elders want to move down and serve with us, that would be great! Sorry. Patience! 

Scary moment of the week...went to see Alfredo and as we drove up, his sister Tomasa was standing at the door very frantic! She hurried us in and through their house to the back yard where Alfredo was flat on the ground covered in soot. He had fallen on their outdoor cement barbecue-like stove, which by tender mercy was not being used at the time, and then to the ground. He was conscious and said he had little pain, but couldn't move. We called an ambulance and while we were waiting for them to arrive, Elder K gave him a blessing. They came and checked him out, and said that he had a fever and that he was severely dehydrated. He is quite emaciated, but his sister insists that he eats plenty. He refused to go to the hospital and we assured the medics that we would check on him as they have no phone to call for help.  Got him into bed and sang and prayed with him. He asked for 10 pesos to get a cold drink...the Hermanas couldn't get him to drink much water. We ran over to the tienda across the street and got Gatorade and juice to rehydrate him. I made him drink about a fourth cup of the Gatorade then and told him he had to drink the whole thing that day. We went back the next day and he was out walking around. The big juice was also halfway gone. We reminded them of the great need to drink plenty of water every day. Tomasa said it was a miracle that he was up and about so fast. Tender mercies!

We had an awesome Multi-Zone Conference yesterday. The spirit was strong as President and Sister Poncio spoke. They truly love their missionaries and I know it hurts their hearts, when the missionaries are disobedient and/or aren't doing their very best. The emphasis on numbers is being refocused to baptizing converts...making sure they more fully understand the gospel, are truly prepared to make the covenant of baptism, and are focused on making greater covenants in the temple. The worth of souls is great in the eyes of the Lord! At the conference we also enjoyed some fun companionship and zone building activities....and we missionaries enjoyed a Subway lunch....here in Nicaragua! Of course we brought cookies. These Latinos are getting used to Galletas Americanas. I am repeatedly grateful that I brought 2 of my big cookie sheets from home, and that I have access to chocolate chips.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth! We are blessed to have its fullness in our lives! We are grateful for the opportunity we have right now and right here to help spread the good news of our loving Heavenly Father and His Plan for us, and of His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of His Gospel and the Atonement. We recognize that their temporal needs are a HUGE challenge for them, and detract from their spiritual progress, but that is why we're here. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers! We truly feel them and they give us added strength and courage to do what we're here to do. We love and appreciate you all!

Love,

Elder and Hermana Koelliker

New Address:

Nicaragua Managua Norte Misión 

La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días 

Antigua Shell Waspan

25 vrs al Sur

Managua, Nicaragua 11084