Hey Everone,
So first thing, thanks Aunt Brenda and Uncle Scott for the package!
i Just got it this last week and its really been helpful. I really
appreciate it!
Second, this has probably been one of the most eventful weeks we
have had in Morrope. This week we had the first two baptisms EVER in
Morrope!!!!! AAAAAaaAAAAaaAAaaAAAaaaaaHHH!!
We will probably have 3 baptisms this next month as well!! a friend
of alex named Jose accepted a baptismal date this next month, and 2
sisters, Julisa and Josaline also accepted a baptismal date. they all
attended the baptismal service we had for Juli and Magali, the spirit
was really strong and we were all touched. (it touched on of the
investigators from another area. She has been putting off baptism for a
while because she has a fear of failing after, but when she attended the
baptism she had a strong desire to be baptized herself, her and her son
will be baptized this weekend!)
One thing that we are really excited about for Morrope are all the
members we have found. We visit a little village about half an hour from
Morrope every week called Caracucho and we found 3 less active families
there! (there are about 30 people in total) we have a goal now to
reactivate all of them, and help them teach their kids the gospel.
(Morrope would about double with the reactivation of all those families)
By the end of the year Morrope could form their own branch the way it
is growing right now. I want to come back to visit in future years to
see the fruits here.
One thing that has really been on my mind for a while is the
importance of families. we have been able to baptize a few people here
in the mission but only individuals. As much as i love seeing people
taking that step i feel sad because they have to take it alone. I am
praying to find a family to teach and baptize. A family with a Father,
Mother, and children who are all in need of the gospel.
Sometimes its hard here because many of the families we find either
the father or the mother dont want to change (usually its the father,
and many times he doesnt want to give up drinking) and its a huge road
block. The biggest problem we have in Morrope is that many people arent
married. and even though someone is ready for the gospel they cant be
baptized because they formed a family without being married. We never
ask people to split up because we dont want to break apart families but
sometimes its hard to convince both people that marriage is an important
part to their family or that its worth the sacrifice to pay a marriage
fine.
What we have found though is that there are "Massive Marrages" here
in Morrope twice a year, and it just so happens that the next Massive
Marraige is 14 of february. I am hoping we can help a few people take
that step, but its going to be a challenge to convince all parties its a
good idea haha.
right now we are teaching a family really big. The mother,
Alejandrina, has 7 kids, and each of those kids have their own kids, but
none of them (including alejandrina) are married. we are teaching one
of her daughters named Maritza. Maritza is a young mother of 3 kids who
are "terrremotos" or earthquakes. full of energy. but she likes
listening to us because she feels more peaceful when we come. and she
has a testimony of everything we have taught her.
The Family of Alejandrina is a beautiful family. and they nee the
gospel more than anything. The hardest part though is that the men have
hardened their hearts against our message (or at least some of them,
havent met all yet). I hope we can help this family they really are the
greatest. and in many ways they remind me of schellenberg reunions
because there are so many kids who are crammed into the same house.
haha.
anyway, so there are the majority of my thoughts this week. we
really have 2 main goals here in morrope right now. 1. Reactivate the
less actives, and 2. Convince every couple we are teaching that they
should get married, and they should get married the 14 of february
because if not i dont know when it will be haha.
its so weird to think that a year ago from today, i began to wait
for my mission call. a lot has happened in what seems to be such a short
time.
I am hoping that is all is going well at home, I hear about half
the population of BYU (the girls) are leaving on missions. the work is
going forth and it will be really cool to see the mission grow this
summer when all the new missionaries arrive. Presidente will have to
open a lot of new areas... areas like Morrope! haha or at least put more
missionaries in the areas that already exist.
I look forward to hearing from everyone. (if you have gotten a mission call let me know!)
Always turn outward and keep smiling!
Elder Bunker
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