Week 79 in the Field - Transfers, The Exact Opposite, and Hope

Weekly Letter April 18th 2016

Hey guys, I hope everyone has had a great week.

Well, we got information about transfers yesterday. Elder Garcia is going to Guatemala City and I am staying here in Teculutan to train a new zone leader, Elder Ruiz, from Mexico. Elder Ruiz entered the mission field at the same time I did and he's a cool guy; we'll get along well.

I feel like in many parts of the world missionary work struggles because of a general lack of religious conviction and widespread agnosticism. I feel like sometimes the work is difficult here in Guatemala from exactly the opposite reason. Every other person we talk to considers themself to also be a missionary and they thank us for spreading the word of God. We share the message of the restoration and they say they also have prophets in their church and that all churches are good because in the end we all worship the same God. They don't say this angrily or anything; they are super happy to talk to us but they don't understand our message despite how simply and clearly we teach it. These people literally go to church for two hours every single day, visit the sick to give them blessings, pray five times a day, fast once a week, etc. Thus, they don't understand the need to be baptized again and go to a church that only meets once a week. Certainly the adversary has different ways of confusing people. Fortunately, God is always preparing people to hear our message.

I love this quote by President Uchtdorf: "I wish to speak today of the hope that transcends the trivial and centers on the Hope of Israel - The Great Hope of Mankind - even our Redeemer Jesus Christ. Hope is not knowledge but rather the abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill his promise to us; it is confidence that if we live according to God's laws and the words of His prophets we will receive desired blessings in the future. It is believing and expecting that our prayers will be answered. It is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance."

The verb "Esperar" in Spanish is the translation for "To hope"; but Esperar also means to wait for and to expect.

The work is progressing slowly here in Teculutan but I can "esperar" that it will improve. That combination of hope, expectation, and waiting is something all of us need in our lives. "Be still, my soul: The Lord is on thy side; With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain. Leave to the God to order and provide; In every change he faithful will remain. Be still, my soul; Thy best, thy heav'nly Friend Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end."

I love you all; have a great week.

-Elder Dawson