Week 32 - Atacames - Why does this keep happening!?!?

We had another baptism this last Saturday! It was awesome. It was the man, Julio Martinez is his name, that got married my first week here in the coast. He is such an awesome guy and is truly converted to the gospel. He was sharing his testimony and how he met the missionaries. I want to share it with you all. He said that he had been through some tough times and confusion in his life. He decided to pray and ask God to send servants of the Lord to his house. That's when he heard the knock and saw a Gringo and a Latino in white shirts standing outside of his door. As soon as he heard the knock, he said his soul was filled with an immense joy. It was a very sweet, spiritual testimony. I hope that, as members, we are expecting and making miracles as with this brother of ours.

I also learned the meaning of Ether 12:27, turning weaknesses into strengths. Many of you can recall that I like music. Correction, love music. It is my passion. I'm sure some of you won't be surprised to hear that I'll have random songs come into my head that doesn't help focus on the work of the Lord. Also, I have had ideas of songs I can make after my mission, that doesn't help either. However, I saw the promise of Mormon (written in Ether) be fulfilled this week. I was presenting myself to an investigator that my companion and his companion before had already been teaching. I mentioned that my passion is music and she asked if I can sing. I said yes, knowing not very good. She than asked me to sing for her. Luckily, me and my companion had our hymn books in our bags. We sang to her Nearer My God to Thee. I realized that music has become a weakness of mine in the mission field. However, God helped me turn it into a strength. She then mentioned to us that she also likes to sing and she actually tried to sing with us. It was amazing. Use your talents for good!

Now, to answer the title of this email. Many of you might remember a time when I had food poisioning in the MTC. Well, that same sickness decided to hit me hard this last week, during our conferences. I'm all good now, but that sickness is a nightmare. Another reason for this title is that I ran into another Gringo missionary. I believe that is the 8th time I've talked to a gringo missionary and the 20th time I have talked to a gringo in general. It was one of the better ones I've had. He asked some questions and I, paciently and calmly, replied using scriptures. He understood my answers and we now respect the other. It was a good lesson for me to learn: look at others as Children of God and the scriptures can teach better than we can.

I love you all and hope you all are enjoying to cold! Due to rain these past few days it has been chillier and it has felt great!

--Elder Ogden--

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