This week I realized, and learned, a lot and hope I can share some of this knowledge with you in this brief email. The first is personal to this area more than anything. In 2016, there was a massive earthquake (7.2 if I understand correctly) here in the coast. I hear about it almost every day. We always pass by cracked buildings and sometimes the remnants of buildings, but I never understood how devestating it was until we talked with a future investigator yesterday. She was telling us how her faith had grown in God and our Savior. She said that the walls of her house had almost fallen on her and her (at this time) four kids and that water had damaged everything in their house. She told us this story as we sat in a makeshift one-roomed house. She then showed us the remnants of her house just outside of where we were teaching her. She also pleaded to us to have the Book of Mormon. This earthquake really tested a lot of people and a lot of people, thankfully, were able to come out on top. I feel this is why many people are open about our lessons and message.
We also had a very hesitant yet persistent investigator. He wanted to know why he should trust young adults such as ourselves. He wanted to know of our life stories. My companion and I both shared stories of how we fell a little from the church and, at a point in our lives, attended because our parents, families, friends, etc. were attending. However, we both testified of the power of the Book of Mormon and shared what we know. It was a very powerful lesson.
The last thing is in my reading of the great, inspired book, Jesus the Christ. I have just finished the part about the Atonement and death of Jesus Christ. He really did die for our sins. He knows exactly what we are going through. He experience pain, suffering, and (the one tool of Satan that is hard for me to fight through) the dreaded "If". However tragic and agonizing his mortal ministry was, I testify that He Lives. He is the Christ resurrected and we can receive this same blessing. I know he is guiding his church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, through called prophets. I hope all of you can look to Him, have faith in and on Him, and watch and prepare for the day of his coming when we all can be reunited as friends and family.
I love you all and pray that this week will be a spiritually filled week!
--Elder Ogden--
Yes. There is a KFC here in Ecuador. I felt at home as it is just like fast food. My companion didn't like coleslaw (ensalada de cole).
My weird gift I got in a sweet a bought. Hey, that rhymed.
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