Week 43 - Atacames - Me caí (dos veces)

This week went a little slow in missionary work. But, we continue on as does the work. We were really excited to have five investigators attend church on Sunday!

I ended up falling twice this week, both really funny. The first was just this last Monday. Due to the rain we received, everything was really wet and, with the majority of streets being dirt, muddy. As we were leaving an appointment, at night were there isn't a lot of light, I slipped down this little hill. I could feel myself sink right into the mud. Yes, a picture is included. The second time we had to hurtle over this rock wall. I really did not want to rip my pants, again, so I decided to not give it my all. From lack of thrust, my foot made it on top of the wall, and then slipped and hit my shin. My companion and I couldn't stop laughing from these two experiences.

We saw the awesome power of the priesthood. We were talking to one of our great investigators we have and decided to pass by here house to see why she hadn't attended these last two weeks. When we arrived, her eyes were really red, her face was really sad, and her voice was very damaged. She told us that she had received this flu virus that has been going around and that it had gotten worse and worse everyday. The sweet old lady we knew had completely changed due to this sickness. We explained about priesthood blessings and she wanted us to give her one. When we passed by just two days after, she looked like the sweet old lady we have come to love again. She told us that the night that we gave her the blessing was the first time she had gotten good sleep since contracting the sickness. Her headache had completely left. She, and we, knew that is was through the power of God she was able to get better health. The blessings of the priesthood is real.

Today we helped out an investigators sell fish to get enough money for her husband to be registered in the city system so that they can get married and he can get baptized. It was a crazy day of cleaning fish, cooking, and delivering. However, it was enjoyable to ride in our three-wheeled motor taxis here in Atacames.

I'll end with one last funny thing that happened this week. We were eating lunch with a member this last Wednesday and she had some family and friends over. As we sat and talked, one man observed that we were doing something that the world thinks would never happen. He (from Columbia), the member and her family (from Ecuador), my companion (from Peru), and me (from the States) were all having a meal together. I latter told my companion it could be the start of a bad joke. What do you call a Columbian, Ecuadorian, Peruvian, and Gringo? MISSIONARY WORK . Yeah, we haven't heard a good joke for a while.

Love you all! I hope that you enjoy the sun. Don't forget sunscreen!

Week 42 - Atacames - Examine Personal

This week, really not much happened. We did get to set up some more baptismal dates this week which we are super excited about. The best part, some of them attended Sunday!

We had a fun time watching the tide change during this week. However, one day, it got so close that there actually wasn't any sand for us to walk on. We stood on some stairs to watch and this huge wave came and splashed on us. Well, the people that were watching with us thought it was funny.

I don't know why, but we realized that a lot of the couples here are very strange. Girls (12-15) will leave school and their boyfriends (18-21) will be waiting outside for them. It is really really strange. It is such a big age gap. But, cultures are different in different parts of the world.

Our English class isn't going too great. We only had one sister in the ward show up, just because she likes learning. We ended up just talking the entire hour about our life and events going on in the ward. 

I had some time this week to do some personal reflextion. I am proud to report, I have grown a lot since beginning my mission, almost ten months ago. I also realized a lot of my weaknesses before aren't quite strengths. I'll have a lot more work to do. If you get the chance to look at the end of Chapter 6 in Preach My Gospel and do the self-evaluation test of Christlike attributes (and answer honestly) it'll help you see what you are good at and what to work on next. 

I love you all and hope that you have a great last, or second to last, week of school (if you are still in school). 

 --Elder Ogden--

1 Nefi 4:7 "No obstante, seguí adelante"

  

  

Picture of our Hotels

Study time

Our baptism!!!!

Week 41 - Atacames - Cambios de Compañeros

  This week was a little crazy as my companion needed to get his visa from Quito. I was paired up with Elder Delgado for three days. He is going to end his mission this next week. It was awesome as I got to have a change of pace and be with a missionary with a little bit (or a lot) of experience. We had a good time!

  This last Monday and Tuesday was Labor Day here. I don't know when it is in the States. We didn't have much work that happened these two days because everyone was outside of their house and on the beach. It made for a couple of slow days.

  We have this dog that is here in Atacames that we call Moroni (like Captain Moroni). I don't know why, but he always follows us to our lessons. In times past, he has usually left us before we get to an appointment. However, this last Friday was not the same. We went to a house that we had set up an appointment and Moroni just followed right behind us. The family tried to shew him out, but they had left the door open. Eventually Moroni just laid down and waited till we left. As we headed to another appointment, he continued to follow us. However, this other appointment had one of these small dogs that size doesn't matter. As the door opened, the smaller dog attacked Moroni. Well, Captain Moroni doesn't joy in bloodshed unless it is to defend lives. It is the same with the dog. This smaller dog attacked, and Moroni jumped on top of the smaller but didn't really do anything else. We, as elders, had to separate the two. It was a great way to start a lesson!

This upcoming Saturday we will hear about changes. The most likely possibility is that I am here for at least one more change. But, I could leave as well. I'll let you all know this next Monday. Maybe this time I will be an assistant 

I just get better and better at taking photos

El Perro Moroni

Our P-Days

Musica