Hey everyone, I wanted to write a short letter to let you all know that I am doing well… yes, that ungrateful Elder who doesn´t write to family members like he should, is doing great. I wanted to take a Little time to thank you all and tell you how great a differance, your Little sacrifices have made. But let me, first, tell you a Little bit about Ecuador.
Ecuador has approximately 13,000,000 people in such a small country. The Ecuadorian people are good, but a very passionate people. I´ve been in many small arguments with people who are convinced that we, the missionaries, are FBI spies sent to exploit the Ecuadorian people.
It is a rich country. Rich in plant and animal life, with an atmosphere second only to the polynesian islands (my very biased opinión).
Ecuador is rich in every sense of the Word, except in Governmental Justice and in economy. With time the Ecuadorian Sucre, which was the old Money system until the late 90´s, became very inflated, and the Government saw fit to change the Money system to a more stable one. They changed the Sucre Money system to the Dollar Money system. About 25,000 sucres = 1 american Dollar. That sudden change caused a drastic increase in the poverty of this country. And an even larger rift between upper class ecuadorians and the poorer ones. Slowly the economy is growing and it is interesting to note, that ever since the church entered the country, the poverty has slightly decreased, although still very high. Now the ecuadorian literacy rate is still very low, and people are still very ignorant and passionate or hot headed. Who do you think the Ecuadorian people blamed for the sudden increased poverty that hit this country? The falty Ecuadorian government? Nope, they blame the Gringos, or the north americans.
This has posed quite a struggle for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in the begining years; being declared by others as an American Church, or american sect (Secta Norteamericana), whose missionaries are usually White Utahns. But now there is a temple here, there are thousands of members here (around 10,000) and the work rolls forth bringing the truth to many.
I am so thankful for the oppritunity that you have given me. And for the changes that you have been a part of. Because of your support, over 70 children of our Father in heaven have been able to recieve a true baptism. I have seen the changes in many families that I have taught. The drunken Fathers who have been known to beat their children, have changed their lives completely. I have seen the tears that fall from the eyes of a repented soul. Woman have recieved the forgiveness of their many sins, and have cleaned themselves through the atonement of Christ. Together we have sewed seeds of faith, reaped a bountiful harvest, and at times, cried when the seeds have fallen by the wayside. I have seen miracles everyday, I have seen the hand of my God in his work. But I wish to share with you the greatest miracle that I have seen, the greatest change of heart that I have witnessed… mine.
About two and a half years ago, was when I had my miracle, and made my decision. A Little before that, I found myself in an uncertain place. I didn´t get along too well with my parents, and even worse with myself. It´s hard to decide what you want in life, if you consider yourself a failure. I always had a good example in my Uncles, who always seemed to mention there missions in our family get togethers. I owe alot, also, to Young mens leaders who talked about their missions often. That was key. I realize that I was alot more interested in music and other things, then I was in Jesus Christ. I remeber one time, we were camping around a fire in Zions National Park, and they told me of their experiances in the misión field. They spoke so foundly of the memories, testifying at just the right time, in such a way that I wanted to have those too. I remember when some family members talked of their children serving missions, I remember seeing how proud they were of them, and I wanted that too. I saw the change in the faces of returned missionaries, and how they seemed to shine as they spoke of the families that they baptized. I wanted that too.
I thought of all this one night in particular. Earlier that evening, I had had an arguement with my parents. Feeling bad, I decided to leave the house and hang out with some friends who didn´t go on missions. My parents didn´t know that I left (this will probably come as a shock to my mother who will read this and find out, but she can´t hit me… Im in EcuadorJ). I came home, and sat on the couch in my room. That whole night while I was out I tried to forget all my problems and just do something to occupy myself, but when I came home, they all came back. I thought the whole rest of that night, about what I should do with myself. I was going nowhere fast, and figured that I needed to go somewhere, quick. I thought to myself,”Hey, I could go on a misión.” But came to the realization that, I can´t teach something that I don´t know is true. So my first step was to find out. In that moment that night I kneeled by my bed, to plead to God to know if the church was true. I explained that I thought it was true, but I didn´t know… I explained if it was as true as everyone said that it was, I would go and serve wherever. I knew that the blessings would come, and that I had a chance to try and pay back God for what he has given me. I prayed three times that night. I must have prayed for hours, until I found that small confirmation that these things were true.
I started to fill out my papers with the help of my Bishop, and I was ready to go. So you see, you helped my mission be what it is, even before I became a missionary. And for that I am very thankful. Now I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true church on the face of the Earth. I know that Lord loves us, he has an endless mercy and love that we can´t even comprehend. Don´t you think that we should share, even the slightest fraction of that love, and God-like forgiveness with others? I know that this work is the reason why we exist, and I am ashamed that I didn´t realize it earlier. I think of the many friends I had the oppritunity to help and ,in those times, I did nothing. God is our loving Father in Heaven, and He loves me, just as much as He loves you.
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