New Missionaries

This week was different.  Like I said last week,  I didn’t really know how I felt about the whole office thing.  It takes up a lot of time, and to be honest, I felt like I was missing out on a ton of opportunities.  I mean, in my old area in Bellavista, we had so much success.  We saw and performed miracles, we saw people change their lives and I thought being in the office I would miss out on a lot of those opportunities.

But.. to be honest, I’ve grown up a lot this week.  I realized that never again in my life will I have a better opportunity to serve so many people.  All day, every day I help missionaries.  I help President Rowley.  I spend all my time giving, and there’s no glory in it.  Just the way Christ would do it.  What a great opportunity that I have to become more like my Savior.

We work hard here.  We wake up earlier than usual, and go to bed late just because were so busy.  2 nights ago, we didn’t finish until 10:30 but then again, it is the first week out of transfers so it’s always hectic.  We usually get about 3 hours every day to work out in the field.  

Last Tuesday was super fun.. we got to go to the airport to pick up the new missionaries.. oh man.. they look so young. CHURRESS.  We got to welcome them to the mission and give them a little presentation.  We also got to eat lasagna after so #booyah.  

Wednesday the package you sent me arrived... THANK YOU. Seriously I was so happy when I saw it :)   The new camera works great. :)

Friday was dope.. so we had some BUSINESS we needed to do, so Elder Nosa and I went into downtown Piura.  Being dressed up in a white shirt and tie in a big city.. we felt like bosses.  It was really, really pretty.  It felt a lot like the States.

The ward here is amazing. I told you last time but I’m in an area called Ignacio Merino, Algarrobos.  The ward is pretty big.. we have about 110 - 120 members.  There are 2 sister missionaries that also attend our ward.. there super cool.  Yesterday in church, they talked a lot about having and keeping a vision and that sometimes we lose them for what we want in the moment.  I thought that was quite interesting... anyways, DONT LOSE THE VISION.

Our area is doing well considering how much time we have to work.  We have this family we are working with and they are AMAZING.  Seriously, some of the nicest people I’ve ever met.  They have a baptismal date for the end of June but they’re not married so... yeah that’s a problem. As always, stay tuned.

But for real, it was a great week.  Definitely stressful, but amazing.  Thanks for everything. I love you guys!

- Elder Harris

BIG Transfer News

This week was great.. a little strange none the less.  I guess I’ll start by saying that I got transferred... it was an unknown transfer is what they told me... they just said that I have to be in Piura at 8 am for an interview with President Rowley.  I guess I’m the new secretary in the mission... for the new president that is coming next transfer.  It caught me a little bit off guard, but hey... I’m here to do Gods will, right? :) So of course, I accepted... gladly :) 

My new companion is Elder Nosa from Columbia..  and my ¨trainer¨ or the  2 or 3 weeks is named Elder Clawson from Maple Mountain haha.  They’re both really sharp guys.. we are in an area called Ignacio Marino or something like that... to be honest, I’ve been up since 5 and running around all day... I’m exhausted.

As for Sullana, it about ripped my heart out when I heard the transfers.  To be honest, I thought they were kidding. I thought for sure that Elder Rengifo and I would stay another transfer together... but like I said, I guess God has a different plan for me.  It was really hard to leave everyone behind on such short notice.  So many good friends I made back in Bellavista.   I truly am going to miss that place.  

It was actually super cool.. so one of my best friends.. our mission leader, was in Lima all week and he wasn’t going to be able to make it back in time to see me.. so I was super bummed out about that.. BUT, this morning when we were in Piura waiting at the bus stop... guess who showed up? Abner Ruiz! ah it was so good to see him. 

Anyways, I’m kind of in a hurry. Sorry there’s not much information about my week.  Hope you guys have a great week.. love and miss you!

- Elder Harris

A Covenant with God

Family!

Well as you know, this week we had a baptism. :)   Her name is Michel  and it was a day that I will never forget.  The significance of helping someone make an everlasting covenant with God is truly something special.

We started the program at 10:00 in the morning but of course we’re talking about Peruvians so we didn’t actually start until 11.  While I was putting on my white clothes, I had a super cool experience.  I was alone in the bathroom getting mentally prepared for what was about to happen and I was looking at myself in the mirror.  I felt a peace and the love of God more powerfully than any other time in my life.. I felt Him tell me that he was proud of me. 

We started the program and a couple of my missionary buddies showed up to support us.  We sang a musical number, "When I am Baptized", the best part was that we sang in English! Haha!  After we heard a couple talks and we were ready for the baptism.

I walked in the bathroom, washed my hands, said a quick prayer, took a deep breath and took my first step into the baptismal font.  I helped Hermana Michel down and as we were standing there together..  I could just feel that she trusted me.  I asked her if she was ready, put my arm to the square and said "habiendo sido comisionado por Jesus Cristo, yo te bautizo en el nombre del Padre, y del Hijo, y del Espiritu Santo. Amen"  

Sadly, the first time, her dress came up out of the water... her dress was HUGE!  So I did it again... and again, her dress came up.   I was standing there a little clueless what to do next, so I took my tie off, wrapped it around her legs so the dress wouldn’t come up. Haha!

Once it was wrapped, I took another deep breath, put my arm to the square, looked into the crowd and it was crazy... almost as if time had stopped.  I saw you guys.. my family, standing on the back wall. You guys were smiling at me, and mom, well you were crying :)  I saw Elder Soto with a big smile on his face.  Again, put my arm to a square, said amen, and baptized Michel as a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 

I’ll never forget her face coming out of the water.. realizing that all of her sins had been washed away.  The feelings of peace and joy were indescribable - my love for her and her family.  I wish you guys could have been there to hear her bear her testimony after the baptism.  She was so happy, mom :) 

Sunday she was confirmed a member of the church and given the Holy Ghost.  The Bishop helped us out on that one.  It truly was one of the most powerful weekends of my life.. never have I felt the spirit so strong, for so long. I just wish you guys could have been here to see it :) 

As for the rest of my week, always great :)  Last Monday was great. Michel has like 4 little siblings and they LOVE the Liahonas from the church so we dropped off a huge back full of them.. oh my word it was like Christmas.  You should have  seen them mom!

Tuesday I went to Cerro Mocho with Elder Spencer.  During the night, we walked like 40 minutes into the boonies, ended up finding this family of investigators that they have, and had a great lesson with them. The best part was there was like 11 of them!  Just picture 2 gringos sitting in a circle talking about God to this huge family of Peruvians. Haha! 

Wednesday.. well one of the members we have got sick with a bad stomach infection and so he was in the hospital.  Not only does he have a stomach infection, but also a hernia, AND A LEGIT HOLE IN HIS FOOT. Not kidding. So we gave him a blessing and turns out he’s doing a lot better!  He even attended church yesterday.  :)

That’s about it for me.  A great week.  I’m never going forget it.

love ya! miss ya!

saludos a la famila

- Elder Harris