Hello to everyone! Family and
friends who live in the United States... Canada… Chile… Italy…Spain… Japan…
Germany… and England… That should be just about everybody...right!?
So, the weather forecast here
in Spain... Slightly scorching hot with a little shade and a refreshing Mediterranean
breeze every once in a while. It is all good!
First off, I just want to
share how much I love my companion Hermana Asay! She is has been such a
dedicated missionary, and she has a strong testimony of our Savior Jesus
Christ. I am privileged to be serving beside her in this marvelous work that is
happening here in Spain. In preach my gospel explains the importance of
companionship unity. Well, we definitely had a bonding moment while we were
cooking last Wednesday as we both had tears in our eyes from cutting a Spanish onion
together surely strengthened our relationship and unity even more!! We couldn't
stop laughing as the odor of the it was so strong we both had tears coming
down our cheeks. We surely ate well though! By the way, Hermana Asay has so many good recipes that we
have been cooking as I am always excited when we have time to cook for each other!
We are being so blessed to
have Maxi in our lives (investigator). She is amazing, and just loves learning
more each day. Last week, we had an awesome appointment with her as we shared
and read from the Book of Mormon. We also had a lesson with Bako (another old
investigator) on Saturday night as well. It was such a sight to see that two
missionaries drenched from head to toe had smiles from eye to eye. I will
explain why....
When we left our apartment we
realized we probably should have brought umbrellas due to the dark grey clouds
that hung over us. But we pressed forward and continued to work hoping that the
rain would happen later. We set an appointment to meet with Bako. But you see,
he had sent us a message the other night saying that "… he always knew the
Book of Mormon was true but now he is sure." As missionaries…these are
precious words to our ears. We were so happy about the message we thought we'd
make an appointment to see what had changed in him. As we met, in a nearby park,
we sat down on the benches it sure enough began to drizzle a little but then pouring
rain. However, we were anxious to know about Bako’s story. We learned that he
started to translate the Spanish Book of Mormon in Bambara. You see, Bako is from
Mali, Africa and Bambara is his native language. So at first, he didn't
understand the book that well. He began to explain his feelings that he has received
from reading and understanding it. Hermana Asay and I were so touched to know his
best effort as he is trying to understand the Book of Mormon. As a matter of
fact, he even told us that he knows the Bible is the word of God in the past
and the Book of Mormon is a new witness in his life. --It translated over a lot
more beautifully in Spanish-- but it was so amazing.
To top the story off, Hermana
Asay had brought a hand-written letter to Bako from her Dad and so she gave it
to him to read. It was so sweet, even Bako couldn’t believe that so many people
were praying for him. By the end of our meeting we said goodbye and we were
drenched from head to toe. But it was so worth it! After having that lesson
with Bako, it certainly made our day. As some would have thought we were crazy
as two girls walking with huge smiles on in the cold rain at ten o'clock at
night. ¡Vale la Pena! --It's worth it!
Another great opportunity
that we had this past week to serve is a boy named Jorge. He is 20 years old
and he is studying English, so that he can take a proficiency test to live and
take college classes in the United States. He is super cool. We are teaching
him English and the gospel at the same time. We just recently taught him about
prophets and the Book of Mormon, it was just so incredible how we went form
like talking in English and when we started to talk about prophets the spirit
just flooded in! As it amazing it may sound, we taught Jorge in English but I
couldn’t do it as it was super hard. I kept coming in and out of Spanish as I
had to think harder in English. Everyone says that I talk faster than the
people here in Elche.... And I tell you, the people of Elche talk super-fast …I
can't help it. Our plans are to help Jorge prepare for his exam in July and
then help him have faith in Jesus Christ by reading the Book of Mormon. We gave
him 3 Nephi 11 to read in English but he's got his Spanish just in case he
doesn't understand. I just love helping people!
Keep watching the hands of
the Lord unfold.
Con mucho Amor,
Hermanita Arce
" if the water
tempture isn't right... It won't be a Baptism, is will be a human
sacrifice..."
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| President & Sister Deere in Alicante Zone Meeting |
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| President & Sister Deere. Their mission is ending end of June. |
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| Acueducto Vibora, Elche |
