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

Week 40 - Atacames - It's Gonna Be May

Those of you that were near me this last April/May will understand this joke. If not, I will send a link down below. 

This week has been an amazing week of many miracles. To put some short, one of our investigators can finally progress towards a baptismal date, we have seen many of the beauties of the Earth as we walk on the beach (from and to appointments of course), and all the amazing lessons we have had as we try to focus on blessings specific for people.

We also had some, interesting moments. The first happened this last Friday. We were sitting, studying and cooking that night, when we saw lights turn off in Atacames, then our street, then our house, then our fans, then our cooking unit (yes, not all at once). Everything was in complete darkness. We later heard that Esmeraldes was as well. We decided to go out on our balcony and look at the lightning that was coming towards us, as did many of our neighbors. I guess lightning isn't that common here, or in Peru as my companion has told me. It was actually kind of cool and my companion and I agreed we want it to happen again. 

The other interesting is when I was attacked by a bear. And it sounds cooler if I say bear but it was just a dog. There are no bears here. We were going to one of the houses we eat lunch at and this dog started barking at us. Here is where it turns funny. It was very aggressive and was starting to get closer to me. I tried to back up but ran into a pile of dirt and slipped onto my back as the dog jumped onto my leg. Other than a heart beating fast, nothing really happened. The sister that was there felt really sorry, but I informed her I thought it was funny. One of the sons, who didn't see anything, asked why I was dirty on my back. I can't help but laugh at just how funny everything turned out. 

I have started teaching an English class here in Atacames (with the hope to find more people to teach lessons, and baptize). It started out, okay. My english is no very good ;). That's what happens when someone speaks a different language for a lot of time (9 months and five days to be exact, but who's counting?). 

We had a special conference as the North West area of South America. We heard some people speak in spanish that I don't think we will ever hear speak spanish again (however Elder Ballard was translated). It Something that I liked is that Elder Ballard challenged everyone to read 3 Nephi (the entire book) and see just how many times it mentions minister or "one by one". I hope that you and I can join as we read and study the passages.

We saw a turtle as well. That was cool. 

I hope all are well and all of you are reading the Book of Mormon every day. I know that they focused on that as well during the conference. I liked how one sister said "When we think of the Book of Mormon, we should think of power" I have seen the power of the Book of Mormon as we have invited people to read it and to receive the blessings that come from it. I know that the Book or Mormon really does have power. Love you all!

p.s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQMlWwIXg3M  (It's Gonna Be Me- NSYNC)

 

Me, in a cave

A really cool picture

For those that think I am "tan"                                  We couldn't climb it.

 Finding the Nephite plates of the people here in Atacames

Another really cool picture

I try to be funny sometimes as well.

Week 39 - Atacames - Wow; Esta Muy Bonita

This week we got to explore a little bit more of our sector and the coast. I have to say, we live in a very beautiful area. We were out trying to see if there were houses nearby that we could knock on and I realized just how green everything was. Not only was everything green but all the flowers were beautiful and everything was so peaceful. It is like a tropical paradise! I'm sure that helps you not feel even more jealous :)

  Since we are literally on the coast, the majority of places have hotels. Well, that makes it difficult to knock on houses when there aren't that many (but I have thought many a time of the talk by Elder Uchtdorf "Fourth Floor, Last Door"). There is actually a street that leads to the grand Diamond Hotel which is five huge buildings that look really nice. For our P-Day, we played football on the beach right in front of these hotels. It is very nice. 

This week I also have interchanges with our district leader. I know it is really nice to have a latino companion, but it is awesome to have a gringo companion as well. We spent most of the time talking about food, but what more could you expect from two Mormon boys. We did have some fun as well. Since many people like to ask for money, or rob you, some of the kids have learned how to as well. We were out contacting when this little kid (of maybe 10 years) called out to us that we should give him ten cents. My gringo companion, Elder McKinnon, then replied "Me parezco Banco Pichincha" (Banco Pichincha is one of the biggest banks we have. It is named after a huge mountain, I think). The best part wasn't that two gringos outschooled a latino in Spanish, it was that his friend and some random guy passing by started laughing as well. We both looked at each other and started laughing as well. 

Well I hope that all of you have a good week. I can't believe how fast time is flying. It is crazy that soon we will be in May. 

Just some days on the beach.

My pineapple ice cream

Me and my companion at the beach

Our river

Our lizard friend. They are everywhere

Week 38 - Atacames - Dos Semana Carta :D

Lo siento muchísimo. This last week we had only thirty minutes to write, because we were late getting to the cyber. For that many of you did not receive a letter for this last week. My apologies. But, I am alive and am doing well. So this will be a much longer letter. Prepare yourself.

We had another baptism here! We helped Nixon Arce to make this important and sacred covenant with God. I had the great privilegde to baptize him. It was an interesting baptism. Due to the season that we are in, there isn't that much water that comes into the houses, or church buildings. Our Zone Leaders got there early to start filling up the font. However, after an hour and a half, there was barely enough water to cover the bottom. After fiddling with some more things, climbing onto the roof, and pushing buttons, we finally got the baptismal font filled up. I also had the honor of confirming Nixon a member and giving him the gift of the Holy Ghost. This was my first time I have ever given a confirmation, and honestly wasn't expecting it. It was a neat experience filling the Holy Ghost fill into my spirit and tell me what I needed to bless Nixon with. And yes, I followed the counsel of Pres. Nelson and blessed Nixon in the way priesthood holders should. Just incase anyone was wondering.

We also had a service the morning before the baptism. It was so awesome helping out the members with their project. We even got to play a little fútbol. However, if one looses monkey-in-the-middle, one has to dance. Due to rules of the mission, I informed them I would not be dancing. Guess I'll just be "forced" to come back to the coast.

Many people are very receptive here. We have been able to find many new people here with a lot of potential. But, of course, being obedient helps with that immensly. I know I have seen the blessings of when we are obedient and the consequences when we are not. That is one thing our mission wants to focus in from now on, being exactly obedient in the small things. Some small, but in reality major, things and praying and reading scriptures every day. If you aren't doing it, do it. That is when we invite revelation into our lives and can help better our families, wards, and communities. 

I had two experiences I want to share with you, one awesome and the other...well interesting. The first was during an appointment we had. The investigator we were with lives right next to the beach and, without a man older than 18, we teach outside. As we were teaching, our investigator looked out into the sea and exclaimed with enthusiams, Look! We looked and saw a dolphin (Nephi reference Chapters 11-19). It then appeared and disappeared again into the sea. It was a very cool thing to see, especially so close to us. The other was during our interviews with President Murphy. I don't know why, but he likes me to go first. I had gotten done when the Sister missionaries arrived. President had told us that the Sisters would need help bringing a microwave into their house. Since I was that first one to start, and finish, my interview, I would be the one to do it; during my companion's interview. It was the first, and probably the last, time I was alone with the Sister missionaries. We had President's permission, but I still felt pretty weird about it all. 

I hope you all have a great, safe week! If any of you are listening to the news of Ecuador, there are some crazy things going on. But, we are very safe here and I know that we are protected by the Lord. Love you all!

--Elder Ogden--

p.s. If you haven't been looking at the news of Ecuador, this isn't an invitation to start. It was just a help. :)

---No pictures this week. The computer wants to delete them all. Maybe next week!---

Week 37 - Atacames - Zone Conference

We did not receive an email this week, but pulled some pictures off of Facebook from zone conference that President Murphy posted that we thought you might like: