EMAIL... Week 77

Hola All!

Wonderful week here in Nicaragua! Last Sunday after the Sacrament and the first speaker in the Rosario Branch (due to the fact that they needed Elder K to help with the Sacrament and President Jeronimo ended up being the first speaker), we took President Jeronimo up to Condega for their Sunday Meetings, to meet the group up there, and to interview a recent convert to receive the Priesthood. He got to speak for a few minutes in their Sacrament Meeting as well. We then hustled home, made some sandwiches to add to the sack lunches for Elder Mendez and Hermana Rodríguez for their bus ride to Managua. Elder M is now an AP, and Hermana R completed her mission and is now home. We only had Elder Fankhauser for lunch, since Elder M was on his way to Managua, plus he needed Elder K to be his companion until the Condega Elders could come down. They had to pack up Elder Bassett for his change before they could leave Condega. We always miss the ones we lose, but learn to love the new ones! 

Tuesday we did our last Zone breakfast with egg casserole, pancakes, juice, and fruit. They were all so appreciative and had so much fun! Great missionaries, working hard, teaching wonderfully, and bringing the Light of Christ into many lives! Love them!

We loved our Family Home Evenings and visits this week, sharing the message of the purpose and true meaning of Christmas. The Church videos are powerful and we have been so blessed to be able to share them with the precious people here. The videos bring such a palpable spirit, and give us the opportunity to testify, and those we are visiting the opportunity to better understand and recognize the Spirit. We had many “hasta luego” experiences, because we don’t want to say “good-bye”.

Yesterday was truly a day of miracles! Our goal was to show the Hermanas, since they are new, where people live. Elder K had created a list of people needing visits, weekly, bi-monthly, and monthly, so they won’t be forgotten. We randomly saw people we haven’t been able to find at home for a long time, and either visit with them then or set up appointments. It was especially evident that Elder K was being directed by the spirit several times. One time he was prompted to drive out of our way back past a home as we were leaving another visit. Many of the grandchildren of the family were then outside, so Elder K stopped and greeted them. The Grandma and 19 year old Aunt came out. We visited with them and Elder K was able to peek inside. He started to get in the car to leave, and then he said that he thought they needed the box of food we had in the car. I nodded and he took it to them. They thanked us, and later that night he said that there were just a few scraps in their kitchen, and that’s what prompted him to give the box to them. As we were going to drop the Hermanas off at their appointment, Elder K took a huge detour out of our way, because there was roadwork on the main road and he did not’t want to have to deal with the delays. He was asking me about a woman who we used to visit, but who had moved to Guatemala. We had heard that she was back. He asked me if I remembered which house was hers, and as  I looked around, I saw her. We backed up and had a good visit with Iliana and introduced her to the Hermanas. 

Heavenly Father loves and knows each of His children personally. If we have the desire to help Him and our Savior with Their work here on the earth, They will direct and help us accomplish that work! As Elder K reflected on our experiences yesterday, he said, “Heavenly Father put people in our path!” I know that He also directed OUR path! 

We had a lovely dinner at Marvin and Blanca’s last night. She made tostones and chicken with rice smothered in a delicious cream sauce with onions, peppers, and jalapeños. Muy delicioso! We took Macadoches Cake (Texas Sheet Cake). She gifted me one of her Nicaraguan cook books. Look out Family!

Feliz Navidad y mucho amor de Nicaragua!

Love,

Elder and Hermana Koelliker