Paita Life

 Buenos días familia y todos!! Sad to think I'm heading into my last week as a missionary in Paita, nothing's official yet but transfers are next week and I'm probably leaving. Glad to say that this last week was productive and a memorable one to say the least. Our district kicks off our week with district councils and an Elder gave us a great lesson on the power of the spirit in our everyday lives as missionaries. 

I pray to remember these experiences beyond the mission because I know it won't be the same, the spirit with a servant of the Lord is truly special. Some lessons early in the week that stand out in my memory are with Marlon and Segundo. Marlon's family members are members and he has been learning for a while, he attends church and understands a lot of the doctrine, just not his time yet. We shared the story of the tree of life in Nephi 8 and the symbolism we can apply to our lives. His family desires him to partake of the fruit just like Lehi desires his wife and children to come to the tree. 

With a new investigator, Segundo, it was hard to stay on track with a principle but that made us flow with the spirit and teach him what he needed to hear. We love to share and explain parables from the bible as many are very acquainted with the book, and it is a great way to understand their ability to read scriptures. Again we had the chance to share the amazing Ask of God video and this time it was with the Marchena family. It brings the spirit strongly and explains the power of prayer, and hearing the father of the family's testimony about the restoration was amazing. The kids look up to him and are learning great gospel principles early on. 

Interviews with President Salinas were an awesome boost in the middle of the week as he identified and proposed a plan to my current difficulties. I noticed how after I said some things he paused and took time to listen and give the answer that God wanted me to hear. Friday we deep cleaned the church in preparation for ward conference which had a great turnout thanks to some administering we did together as a zone. We split and conquered the whole area in one night finding and inviting all to the conference. President Martinez of the stake spoke about acts of faith and the wonderful examples we have in the Puerto Paita ward. A great week in all, memories made work done. Chao!