A Testimony Of Fasting And Prayer

¡Hola!

Well, I'm here in Santiago de María for at least another 6 weeks, yeah! Elder Aldridge said that I might be the successor for the area when he leaves, so I might be here for a while!

This week we had the opportunity to give service for an organization that does eye exams. It was a great experience being able to help people get glasses and be able to see. To relate it to the Gospel, Christ is like our pair of glasses. Without Him, it's hard to focus and see, but with His light everything becomes clear.

Two of our investigators are really close to baptism. One of them is a nine-year-old named Alex Araujo. He's progressing so much! From the lesson that we taught the Word of Wisdom, he has already left coffee. He's also reading the Book of Mormon and every time we go to have a lesson with him he always has a question about what he read. Also, at the end of every lesson, he's always excited to say the prayer. We just need to teach him the rest of the lessons and he has to go to church five more times. When the time comes, I know he'll be ready for his baptism in January. Our other investigator is a man named Edgar Antonio. He has all the lessons and only needs to attend church one more time. He's nervous about baptism because it's such a big commitment and he doesn't want to get baptized and then make a mistake. Elder Aldridge and I are going to visit him our Branch President so we can clear up any of his doubts and fears.

Yesterday was one of the best days at church. My testimony of fasting and prayer have grown. Our branch has been struggling. Attendance has been lower, and our Branch President wasn't helping too much. He worked a difficult work schedule, and he felt like he wasn't doing a good job. Elder Aldridge and I have prayed and fasted for him and our branch, and our prayers have been answered. Recently, he got a break off work for a month. While we had a meeting to discuss the goals for the next three months, we talked to him and let him know that he's not doing a bad job and that he can do it. Yesterday, he bore his testimony and told everyone that he knows that he's not perfect, but it's all of our responsibility to work together as a branch to reach the goals that we set. As he spoke, I could feel the Spirit in the power of his words. I know that from now on, things are going to get better here in Santiago de María, and that together as a branch we're going to reactivate our members and baptize!

¡Levantate! ¡Podemos hacerlo ahora!

Love,

Elder San Diego

Some bear-like animal

Actually it's a Coatimundi!