Huaquillas-Utah (False Deserts)

Well you all know how everyone says that Utah is a desert but it ends up snowing every year and we always have water so no one really knows why we call it a desert. Well Huaquillas is the same. I heard from other elders before I got here "The Sun just burns you!!" Well right now I have only seen clouds, haha.

Well here I am happy as ever! My companion is learning so fast to the point that he tells me, "Elder Alder shouldn´t we do this" The reality is that I am learning more than he is learning. What gives me joy is that he is so willing to invite people to do things. "Will you pray? Will you read the book of mormon? Will you be baptized this day? Will you learn to be patient?" It`s really quite great! 

We were blessed this last Saturday to have an interview with our new President Moreno and his wife. His wife is super energetic and loves the missionaries and it is really cool that they have children that can be fine on their own and the two can travel together. President Moreno sure has a different look on missionary work and wants us to work hard but not get caught up in numbers or measure our success with numbers, that sure hit the mission hard, haha. 

But now we are enjoying the wonderful oportunity to be here in Huaquillas. Best part about being on the Boarder with Peru is that there are a few members from there that make us some pretty good food! But the best spiritual part about being here is that the church has about a year and a half here and we have many people who need to hear the gospel that the Lord has chosen! WE just have to have the faith to find them. Alma 32:21, we might not know where they are but we have faith that we will find them!

Love you all and hope the best for each and everyone!

Happy Pioneer Day!

Elder Alder

Two Weeks changes Everything

Well it´s been quite a while hasn´t it! I really can´t remember where I left off so if I forget something, that´s the way the cookie crumbles. 

Well let´s go back to MAchala. That monday night two weeks ago, we got a call from our zone leaders (which we knew was coming because Elder Bischel was headed home) And one my one, Elder you have transfers. They shut down the sectors just like that. We may have had a baptism but I won´t ask the Lord why, just do it (nike symbol) So they sent me the next morning to a place I have heard a lot about: Huaquillas (Pronounced: Wuaquiyas) Welcome to the boarder of Peru and Ecuador. Just cross a little ramp and hello peru! And my companion that you see in the first picture is elder Ward from Pennslyvannia. We had some fun and we get to reading your letters last monday and we get a call. "Elder Alder and Elder Ward, you need to  be back in the house right now" Elder Ward and I had pack up and head to Guayquil. We are now training the two elders that got here that tuesday. I´M A FATHER. You can see my son in the next picture. He is 24 years old from Otavalo Ecuador. His story is amazing. Shared a little bit of it his story in my talk Sunday, and it made me cry. He never knew his dad. His mom died 6 years ago. He is a two year convert to the church and he is praying (with me) so that his only sister will accept the gospel. He did the temple work for his mom and is so excited to be a missionary. 

He has no idea that while I am training, he is teaching me more than I could ever teach him. But I can teach him to not be scared! (Singing in buses, talking with every mototaxi that we see, singing more while we contact) I am just really good at embarssing myself so wish my son good luck! 

Love you all and hope you can just learn to love the hard times because you know that in the end you will be made stronger! "Learn to love the Process!" -Elder Humble (Zone leader that lives with us)

Elder Alder (Father)hehe

Father and his son...Elder Salazar

Elder Alder & Elder Ward visiting the temple

Teaching Primary

How to Celebrate a Holiday

Well looks like today is some great day... haha. Not much more to do except eat a hot dog, sing the national anthem and get to work, haha (Oh the mission)

Well super exciting this week! Lots of things are happening and I am not sure if I can keep up with everything! First of on Wednesday we got to meet Presidente Moreno (President Brown hehe) with all his family! They are some pretty tall Colombians. They are so excited to be here! We had about 2 hours between the time we got there and when they got there. So The assistants, Elder Smith and Elder Cordero asked me to do a musical number. So I was praticing most of the time and had time to one of my greatest mentors here in the mission: Elder Smith. He was my Zone leader for 3 months and taught me a lot. He helped me understand a little big more God´s will for me. Why I am here and what I should be doing. I will always be very greatful for the leaders who push for greatness and achieve miracles! 

One miracle for us this week is the up coming baptism! His name is Victor Tinoco if you could keep him in your prayers. He is the father of our bishop has 88 years old, a little crazy, but with a desire so strong to be part of this church. Everytime he prays, he says "Help me to learn more about this church that WE are apart of" It is so great! 

We are really working a lot more with the people that the members know this week. So we decided to start an English class in the Church and (see picture) these are the invitationes that a member made to help us! Super cool and super helpful to contact in the streets. "Hey you! Do like English? Do you go to Church? Will you be baptized?" (Something like that, hehe) 

Well the scripture of the week has to go to Acts 13 or 15 and which ever chapter has a verse 52. Because it says that disciples of Jesus Christ have joy and the Spirit. So if you have the spirit, SMILE 

Love you all! Work hard, play hard, and now smile hard

Elder Alder :)