Sunday, October 26, 2014

Semana de cincuenta y siete!

Week 57 of 101 (10/13-10/19)

Hello,

This week was rainy, muddy and so extremely beautiful and great. Elder Lee and I get along great and we get work done.

On Tuesday, we had a branch presidency meeting. Since the church hasn't been on the island for very long, the branch is still growing and learning. As part of that, we, as the missionaries have been told by the mission president that we function as counselors in the branch, which gives us a great opportunity to learn new things. To assist with the organization of the branch, we also work with Brother Alden. Brother Alden is one of the owners or something for Skull Candy. He has a condo here and has been asked by President Hintze to help the branch. We are learning a lot from him and it is great to see the branch progress. The rest of the day went really well and a lot of people were home.

On Wednesday, we left with Pablo, who is preparing to go on a mission. It is great to go with him because he really loves the gospel and it is helping prepare. We got to do a little bit of contacting with him because a appointment fell through, but afterwards he helped us find Jonathan, who had moved. We also got to visit Jackie, the reference from Omar. She is great. She reads just about everything we give her and has been able to recognize the hand of God in her life since we have begun to talk with her.

Thursday was zone meeting so we had to wake up at 5:00 AM to take the 6:00 o'clock boat back to Belize City. We got there early and went and got breakfast. We had a great district meeting about the importance of the Spirit in the conversion of someone and how we can help investigators feel the Spirit. Later, in the district meeting, Elder Kilifi and Elder Kapisi talked about how our area is a reflection of who we are as missionaries and our work effort and attitude. They also talked about how we should apply the gospel to ourselves as missionaries. It was a great meeting. Our zone is great! The orange chicken we ate afterwards was pretty good too. They don't have that in El Salvador.

Friday, Elder Lee and I started our work out regime. We wake up in the morning and we go run along the beach for about 20 minutes and then we go out on a dock and work out a little. It probably is more fun than productive. We were also able to have the opportunity to find three guys that were really prepared for us. Two of them said they are really interested in baptism. They definitely have to make some changes in their lives, but they are open to it.

Saturday, we went all out. We visited a lot of the less actives and we contacted a lot of people and found news. WE were feeling pretty good but then...

Sunday no one showed up to church! It was super frustrating considering how many people were committed to church and considering that they have both a morning and a night session to attend to. Anyways, we will go check up on everyone this week and see what we can do to help them make it. 

I have seen this week, maybe more than any other week the consequences of peoples sins. God gives us commandments to keep us safe, happy and peaceful. We may feel pleasure for a moment as we break those commandments, but in the end it just brings heartache and pain. I am so very grateful for the ooportunity as a missionary to help others to come unto Christ and learn the commandments of God and have the opportunity to access the healing power of the Atonement. It is never too late!

Elder Vierkant

Semana de cincuenta y seis!

Week 56 of 101 (10/06-10/12)

Dear Everyone,

Alright, so I didn't mention anything this last letter about conference, which I think might be a sin but I will have to check up on that in the scriptures :P

Conference was great! I love the power, clarity, and deep understanding that the prophets and apostles have. Their example to me of dedication, of obedience, of forethought and listening to the Spirit leaves me in awe every time I read or hear what they say. This conference was no exception. Everything was direct, but not rude. I especially liked the theme of listening to modern day prophets and other leaders, which people, often times, do not do. I also enjoyed the talks about the sacrament. I  have really began to understand its importance and the meaning of each line of the prayer over the course of the mission.

The rest of the week was great. We met some great people. We met someone who is named Elizabeth, who we met on Saturday and who came to church Sunday. She is incredibly prepared and open to the gospel. We also contacted the reference of a member, his name is Omar and he is sooo cool! They came to church and they both enjoyed it.

We had interviews with president. They were kind of short, but they were reassuring. President Hintze is one of the most loving people I have ever met. He is a great role model for me.

Anyway, it was another great week in the best two years! Take care of yourselves and please, read your Book of Mormon.

Elder Vierkant

Monday, October 6, 2014

Semana de cincuenta y cinco!

Week 55 of 101 (09/29-10/05)

Buite ganafe,

This week blew by like a gust of wind. Last week, after I finished writing, we went to President Hintze's house and we ate dinner. Then on a projector, his assistants showed us all off the areas that we, the missionaries going to Belize, would have. First of all I have to explain that when someone goes to Belize from El Salvador, it is like starting the mission over again. Basicly you have to get "Belize trained". Also, President only sends missionaries he trusts to Belize because it is so far away from where he is, so the majority here are qualified leaders. As such, I am no longer a District Leader, but my companion, Elder Lee is. Elder Lee is great. He is from Idaho and he has about 6 weeks more in the mission than I do. We actually started the mission in the same zone and we had been on interchanges twice before. I am super happy to be his companion.

Second, I found out that I have been assigned to serve in San Pedro. San Pedro is an Island that is an hour and a half boat ride off the coast of Belize. Missionaries have been here since 1996, so the church is young here and is a growing branch.  The people here are so kind and loving and I really love it here. The people here come from a wide range of background, as such they speak a wide range of languages: English, Spanish, and Belize Kriol are the main languages and Chinese, Arabic and Garifuna are also spoken. Most people here are bilingual or trilingual. It is an incredible place. I will explain a little more next week, but feel free to look it up for yourself.

For a quick summary of the week to finish up, I flew to Belize City and we got picked up by a senior couple and I got dropped off with my companion at the water taxi and we went to San Pedro. The next day I got to know my area a little bit and got to know the people here. Then, because we had to have a baptismal interviews and because it costs quite a bit of money to travel back and forth, I went to Belize City and worked there for two days while the zone leaders did interchanges with the two areas on San Pedro. I came back  for general conference. Between all of the sessions and looking for people to bring to the sessions, we didn't get a whole lot more done Saturday. Conference was really great, I learned a lot about the importance of following the prophet and receiving revelation, which is super important for our investigators.

Sunday, we had a baptism of Favi, Britanny, and Destiny. Family excluded, these are the three most awesome girls that exist in the world. Enough said! Anyway since the building in San Pedro does not have a font, we had to baptize in the ocean. It was incredible!

San Pedro is incredible! See you soon!

Elder Vierkant



Baptism of Rosa (she is in the middle in white)

A map to give you an idea of where I am.

A little bit of paradise!

Brittany getting baptised.

Faviola getting baptised.
Faviola, Brittany, and Destiny at their Baptism.
 
Our District.
Elder Lee (my new companion) and I at the docks in San Pedro.