Happy Families

Family,

 

This week was full of work, miracles and happy families.

 

The new missionaries got here on Tuesday! They are great. I love being with them. They are always so excited, willing, and ready to work. Elder Santos and I were able to eat lunch with them, help them with a few practices, training situations, and we were there with them in their first family home evening. On Wednesday President put us in charge of the transfers in the Trompillo Chapel and then we went with the trainers to help them a little. The trainers are always the best missionaries. They all were so excited to meet their new companions. We helped them and trained the trainers a little in the Training Model of 

                      1. Explain 2. Demonstrate 3. Practice 4. Evaluate 5. Re-practice 

The new missionaries then joined us. We ate lunch together and then with the new missionaries and their trainers we practiced, practiced, and practiced some more. The first thing we focus on is the baptismal invitation as outlined in Preach My Gospel. We always always always invite EVERYONE to be baptized in the first lesson. Sí o Sí. We practiced inviting as it says in Preach My Gospel. We practiced facing our fears, overcoming the language barriers, etc. It was a wonderful experience. We then practiced asking for referrals which we do with every person we meet too. The newbies are wonderful missionaries. I wish I could start all over again like them. Its the best.

Then President got there and he kind of took over. We were there to help explain a few things too. I am amazed by the ability President has to teach a group of people but at the same time personally teach gospel principles to each missionary individually. Well at least he did with me. He asked each trainer to share their testimony in the native language of their companion. Some of the Latin trainers had to speak in English which was hard for some. Then he got to Elder Santos and I and asked us to share our testimonies too. Elder Santos (from Brazil) shared his testimony in Portuguese because there was one Brazilian missionary who is new. Then President asked me to share my testimony. I stood up and then he said ''In Portuguese'' I thought he was joking! So I stood up and looked at him. He looked at me and I realized he was very serious. I started to share what I could in Portuguese. I was so nervous and scared. I tripped again and again over my words but as I came to what I made to be the end of my testimony an overwhelming feeling of love and comfort rushed through my body. I couldn't hold back my tears as President thanked me for my testimony. I don't know what I said and I don't even know if anyone understood me. But I do know that I needed the simple lesson taught by a Mission President called of God. I felt like a new missionary. I was scared, I didn't speak the language and I couldn't say but just a few words. President stood and said to us all ''Great missionaries can do great things but God can do miracles''. I realized how prideful I had been. No one else saw that but I felt it. I think I have relied on my own words more than one during my mission and I learned that as I trust in God, He works the miracles in my life.

 

The rest of the week was full of trials and laughing. Miracles and sadness. And lots and lots of prayers. The mission is baptizing more which is great but we still have a ways to go before meeting the year goal of having 2037 baptisms and rescues. As I study DyC 20:37 I have opened my eyes about the simplicity but importance of the ordinances of salvation. Our goal is baptize families. Families that can in one year go to the temple and be sealed together forever. Families + Ordinances = Eternal Happiness. That's all I want in my life!! A family united with ordinances! 

We found this week in our area several families who are ready to receive ordinances. As we searched member referrals, talked to people in the street, visited less active members, and prayed a lot we were able to find 2 families who have previously had some kind of contact with members of the church. One sister who now has her husband and kids was filled with joy as we contacted her as we looked for a referral from a member. She had gone to the church many times before she was married and now we have the opportunity to teach her and her family. We also met Wilbur. He lives with his wife and kids. He too attended the church several times and is now excited to receive the missionaries in his home. I love being a missionary!!! And I love that I have a family with ordinances! 

Hurrah for Israel!

Lots of Love,

Elder Gehring

 

Happy Halloween!

Dear Family,

As many have asked, Bolivians don't celebrate Halloween like we in the EEUU do. They celebrate El día de los muertos which for them simply means going to the cemetery all day on Sunday to visit their loved ones who are passed on. They also take a 3 day weekend. Saturday, Sunday and today Monday are holidays when no one works. We left this morning to go to the offices and report the mission numbers and there was no one in the streets. 

Other than the weekend with lots of parties and people leaving to go to the ''campo'' (which is just a term the people use to say they wont be home. Sometimes it means that they leave the city) its been a great week. I just want to tell you about 1 family and 1 brother.

Anselmo Coca Guzmán is his name. One day we were crossing a field and he was sitting on a rock. We talked to him and he told us he got baptized in 2008. We looked on our membership record list and he was there!! There previously was no address, no phone number, nothing. He was filled with joy as we explained to him that he still was a member. We are the only church here that actually keeps records of the members!! He was so happy! We have taught him almost every day this week and yesterday he came to church for the first time in 7 years. The most wonderful thing about him is that he knows it all!! He likes to memorize. Hes 69 years old and has a tiny booklet where he writes phrases and quotes he likes. Then he reads them and reads them and reads them. On top of all of that, he has the Gospel Principles books and reads and reads and reads it. For these 7 years, he has read it a million times and can teach any principle of the Gospel. He made me a booklet like his. He sews it in the middle and he signed it for me. He not only memorizes everything, he actually understands the doctrine. We recently taught him the Plan of Salvation. We just had to remind him about the pre-mortal life and a switch turned on in his brain and he remembered it all!! He was so happy to hear again that he lived with God and that God knows Him. What a wonderful man. He came to church and fully understand the importance of the Sacrament. I want to be like him. 

The Cabrera Family. The story is a little long of how we met them. We talked to a lady (Lizet) and her kids in a park, she told us her husband wasnt home at the time but that we could come back. We then for several weeks called, called, and passed by their house and called some more but we never could find her and her husband again. We went back one more time this past week with a lot of faith. Brother Cabrera (Leoncio) opened the door and immediately let us in. Turns out he is Lizet's dad! We sat down, got to know him, taught what we felt he and his wife (Aida) needed, and in the end they accepted to be baptized, he said the last prayer in the end of the lesson and we went back the next day. In the 2nd visit they had read all about the Restoration and Leoncio was excited to finally find what to him seemed like the true church. We asked him to pray and he did it!! Hes still looking and trying to recognize his answer with Aida but they both accepted a baptismal date for the 28 of November. Pray for them. They are wonderful people. The lessons we have with them are so funny! They have been married for 45 years and they argue sometimes! Sometimes we teach them something and one doesn't understand but the other does. They one who understood starts to complain at the one who didn't understand and they just go off right in front of us. Its the funniest thing I've ever seen! But I love them so much. 

I know without a doubt that, as the Lord reveled to the Prophet Joseph Smith, ''... the gospel (shall) roll forth unto the ends of the earth, as the stone which is cut out of the mountain without hands shall roll forth, until it has filled the whole earth.'' D&C 65:2 

Hurrah for Israel!

Elder Gehring

Here is my Halloween picture. A shifter in a micro.

Also here is the book that Anselmo made and signed for me :)

The Language of Faith

Dear family,

I thought a lot about what to write today. I've learned so much and I'm having a hard time figuring out what it is that I want to share. As I pondered this morning about this week, the things I did better, the things I still am not great at and what others have taught me, my mind repeatedly was directed to the lesson that President taught me yesterday morning. He simply corrected me on a phone call I made to a few contacts we made in the street. I wasn't very persuasive as I invited them to church and President with much love, corrected me and gave me tips to do it better. But what I learned immediately changed the way I talk, think, and am. It has to do with another language that I yet do not speak. I'm great at English, and I have a good hold on Spanish. But what I still have not learned is the language of Faith. President told me to speak more of this language as I called people on the phone. I thought he simply was referring to phone calls but It wasn't until later in the day that I realized that there was much more there for me to learn.

The language of Faith is not a way to speak, it is more than using a large vocabulary, its more than teaching a lesson, it is more than just opening the mouth. The language of Faith is a way of being, of believing, a way of making others truly believe what you say and do is for their good. That is why it is so important that we speak this way with the investigators. When I made that phone call, I didn't let him feel that I believe what I say. It reflects in everything we do. We act differently if we speak the language of faith. We believe all things, hope all things... like the 13th Article of Faith says. 

The most personal example I have seen and experienced is when I had the privilege of working a little with Elder Uceda. He fluently spoke English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Faith. He didn't use any new words that we didn't know, he didn't teach a new Gospel, and he didn't just teach lessons. He arrived at every meeting showing love towards his wife, he showed humility, he greeted us with happiness and joy, he talked and acted in such a way that we wanted to do what he invited us to do. Its not that what he promised and said is written in stone, its that he spoke so fluently the language of faith, that we know without a doubt that if we do what he showed us, his promise is fulfilled. This language is a Godly attribute. Our living prophets and apostles are experts in this language. They speak in such a way that we know what they say is true. The Spirit testifies of truth spoken in the language of Faith. 

Its really hard to explain my feelings and thoughts about what happened yesterday morning but I just wanted to share a few thoughts I had. I understand now a little better what it is God wanted me to learn in this opportunity. I didn't realize all this until about 5:00 pm yesterday. 

We realized as a companionship what it was that Language of Faith means and we immediately prayed. I think it was one of the most sincere prayers I've said in a while. I asked God to help us learn this language and help others understand it as we spoke to them. From 5 until 9 our vision changed. We acted the language of faith, we spoke the language of faith, and we prayed with the language of faith many times during these few hours. We found 2 new families, 6 new investigators. 4 of which now have a baptismal date. They understood the language we spoke and we felt their happiness. 

We still have a lot to learn. I feel like its my second day in the MTC and still don't speak anything of the new language but my faith has grown more than ever.

I hope each of you will practice daily this language of happiness and joy. Speak it often, study the scriptures often which are like dictionaries to better learn this language, and listen to the chosen Prophets and Apostles who give such a wonderful example. 

Hurrah for Israel!!

Love,

Elder Gehring

 

 



Mc Tona is Mc Donalds with a bolivian accent.

Also there is an elevator selfi of the pants we bought on Monday.

This is one of me doing pushups with a 70 year old bolivian who doesnt eat meat or dairy products. I almost started a vegan diet.

 

Fotos and Stories

Hi there family,

Here are some fotos from this week. Ill tell the stories for each one.

-The Bowl

     This week we went bowling on monday. I'd been before so it wasn't too exciting. We had to buy some food so we didn't actually stay the whole time. I've lost a lot of my bowling skills now that I don't practice so much. I think I'm going to get back in to it when I come home. 

- For Rent

     In Bolivia you can find just about anywhere to live. If  your're alone that is. Just about every street  you walk down there are signs that say ''Cuartos en Alquiler'' or ''Rooms for Rent''. They usually vary from 300 bs. monthly to 1000 bs monthly depending on the size of the room(s). They usually do not have private bathrooms, usually dont have kitchens, just rooms. It works for most people. I've learned that all I need is one room when I go back to school. 1 Room with a bed and a small dresser! The rest is just extra. Bolivians are very smart livers. Anyway, we saw this sign and it made us laugh so hard. The owners of the homes always ask if you have kids before letting you move in but it looks like this owner made up his mind about families!!

 

- Lote

      Lote is a word that means lot. Sometimes they call it terreno also which simply means a piece of land usually before there is a house on it. People here loooove buying and selling their land. Heres a picture of a typical ''lote''. This one would probably be sold for 15.000 dollars. I think.. Maybe less.

- Bolivian Road Work

      Road work is very behind here in bolivia. Heres a picture of a road that had really bad mud holes. They filled it with broken bricks and cement hahahaha 

- Watermelon

      One week ago we went to the market to buy a watermelon. We were so so excited. Neither of us had bought a watermelon before so we had no idea what to pay. We weren't thinking and the lady charged us 40bs. Of course there is no set price so she took advantage and won this one. We asked the members later how much they would have paid. They said the maximum would be 20. Oh well. We are going to go back to day and by a waaay cheaper one from the same lady. We took it home and ate it on our picnic style rug thing.

 

This week in our area we met a ton of new people. The ward is really excited to have 2 sisters and 2 elders. We are starting to see progress with the church attendance. There were 132 people who came to our ward on sunday which was great! The primary has about 20 kids I would say. A lot of the families just leave after the first hour. YM and YW have probably 10 each maximum and the elders quorum and Relief Society have probably 20-40 who actually come to church. I think. Its a pretty small ward but I love it. The bishop is a convert, the only member of his family, and very very young. He is 30 I think. 

We had a hard week with people accepting our baptism invitation. We invited everyone to be baptized but no one has accepted. We have been practicing how to teach better. I lack a lot of work still to become a missionary like Preach My Gospel but my companion is helping a lot with the progress. 

This week we met Faustino too. He is a less active member who hasn't come to church in 4 years or so. We found him on the list of memebrs and we looked for his house. We found it and he let us in!! We offered service and helped him put a wire screen on his window. We then talked about the importance of prayer and sabbath day observance. He came to church yesterday and has never been happier. Hes 48 and works with a Tow Truck Company. He still has a lot of goals but hes progressed more in 3 days than he has in these past 4 years. We are super excited for him. We also met these families who are now investigating the church. Dos Santos Familia, Rivera Family, Fernando and his wife and kids, Juan and Carmen, Claudia and Jaime, Joselyn and Rodrigo, Nestor Lovera, Joselyn and Sirilo, Sonia and her husband, Waldo Rojas, Reynaldo Vargas, Marta and her family, And the Rivero Family. Pray for them all!!

Love you all lots,

Elder Gehring

Elder Santos

Elevator Selfie

HUUUGE donuts



My view in a Micro (pubic bus)

My bedstand photo

Selfie with a drunk guy

Small ugly chicken

 

Flotas

Hi there family,

I think I would win a competition for the best companion. Elder Santos is the best. This week as we traveled to VillaMontes and Yacuiba I saw how hard he works even when not in our area. He always has ideas of how to be better and he easily makes any missionary laugh. It could be the worst day in the whole world and Elder Santos will be smiling and laughing about something. He is reverent though when he needs to be. He listens to me and to our investigators. He teaches me how to pray with real intent and I feel the spirit in his words as he teaches. We have similar ideas usually which helps us be more united. He works well with the members and makes them feel important. More than anything, Elder Santos knows who his Savior is and testifies of Him often. He understands his role and purpose as a missionary and he actively helps other missionaries understand the same. He loves his family at home and understands why he is here in Bolivia. He is obedient and obeys Gods will. 

This week we also went to Villa Montes and to Yacuiba. We went in what is called a Flota. A large charter bus that has 2 levels. On the way there it was really really hot but they turned off the a/c and I have no idea why!! Its about an 9 hour drive and we left at 9 pm and got there really early in the morning. We went to their district meeting and Elder Santos demonstrated in the both meetings how to direct a district council. I learned a lot from him and from the Elderes in villa montes. I then went with 2 Elderes. I learned a lot from them. It was super super hot. Like 40-41 degrees and really really humid. We walked a ton and had a great day. We taught a ton of lessons. That night we took a small trufi (like a minivan) on a 1 hr ride to the city of Yacuiba where we met up with the Zone Leaders. We then slept there. It was staring to rain when we got there but it was still super hot. We were sweating as we went to bed but the ZL told us it would get cold. I didnt believe them so about 2 hrs after going to be I opened the door to let it some air. I woke up freezing cold. From super hot it got super cold. The whole day it was rainy and wet and cold. A big climate change. We had a great zone meeting there too.

Then I went with Elder Evanson. I learned so much from him. He truly is a persuasive teacher. He showed with so much love to each investigator how to pray, read, fulfill their commitments. I was impressed. I tried to apply what I learned in our area when we got home and it went really well. We came home on a flota too. But this time it was super cold and never once turned the A/C off. I was soo cold. I couldnt sleep at all. We got home about 5 am and then we slept until 6:30. 

On friday when we got home, it was good to be back in our area. We worked like crazy and that night we had correlation meeting with the ward mission leader. We now have sisters in the ward too. Before, it was just us two. We divided the areas and the sisters are now where we were mostly working and focusing our efforts in (by the chapel). I feel good about it, just its been a rough weekend. All of our investigators are now the sisters. In ward council almost all of our families on the progress record were assigned by the bishop to the sisters. We moved over all the teaching records of our area book to their area book and we are left with just a couple records. It'll be a hard week where we need to find a ton of new families to be baptized in the area that's on the other side of the ward. Its going well though. We are excited to work with the ward even more.  I just wanted to be completely honest, its been rough these last 2 days. Elder Santos and I have been humbled by the experience and we are going to baptize every week in our area! 

This past week as I studied Alma 7:12 I learned a lot about Christ and His role in the life of all mankind. It is interesting how it says he will loose the bands of death. Not just one band but several. I thought about the reality of the Atonement and that He saves us not only from physical but spiritual death too. We were bound by the spiritual death that came as a result of the Fall of Adam and Eve. We weren't able to go back to the presence of God. We were also bound by the chains of physical death and could never have resurrected that came as a result of the fall of Adam and Eve. But He came. He took upon Himself death. He died to loose the bands that before held us captive. He knows our pains, weaknesses, desires, temptations, everything! He knows how to succor me and I feel my Saviors love as I teach, preach, and testify of Him. I also learned from Romans 6:8 about the symbol of His death and our death in baptism, I learned in 2 Nefi 2:8 about the power He has to free us from death, I learned about the meaning of mercy and grace and succor from Isa. 25:8, and I learned with more clarity that Christ is my Savior. My ponderizing scripture for this week is 2 Nefi 9:14. It talks about the judgement. I thought it would be a good follow up because I learned about how we return to the presence of God because of Him and now I am going to learn about how that moment will be. 

Hurrah for Israel!! 

Love you all lots,

Elder Gehring

 

Mi compañero y yo