January 1st, 1995 – Sunday 11:45am
It’s tough to believe that it is 1995! Time flies quick. Next year at this time I’ll be winding down the mission! Well, we just got back from Banos. We didn’t leave until like 9:00am. My comp was stalling for time and in his bed. Today he’s normal, talking to me and things. He’s always joking so it’s hard to tell if some of his comments are serious. So he’s all excited because we’re going to have a contest with Elder Hirst and Sampson. Whoever has the best “logros” (goals attained) in January, the losers have to buy pizza. It’ll hopefully get my man going. He’s going to call President tonight to find out if he can go home 2 weeks early. I think I might talk to President for some advice. Last night I had a dream. I was dreaming that I was packing groceries for a store. I remember that I packed for 6 months and it seemed rough and tough. Then, the next year and a half was superfast. In my dream, I compared this to my mission. I’m at the 6 month point, and the rest will go by fast. In the dream, I went to mom (Meredith was in the room) and told her about this grocery store thing. I started crying because I didn’t want my mission to end and because I missed the people of Ecuador. I also felt inside that I didn’t do all that I could’ve and I felt that my work was unfinished. Well, now as I think about this cream, I think the Lord is telling me to love the people, do all that I can so I’ll have no regrets, and to work hard because my time will fly by. I also was relating the 1st 6 months as being tests and burdens and big time learning experiences. And that the next 1 ½ years will be more of joy, and it’ll go by fast. I don’t know. That was the 1st dream I’ve dreamt here in Ecuador that I’ve remembered. I just don’t want to come home with that feeling of “unaccomplishment” inside! 10:00pm – We just got back from the Mamitas house eating. She’s so kind to us. She doesn’t have $$ but she feeds us anyway! Church was good today. We had Albelardo in church and I think he had a good time (spiritually). After church, with Cesar we went to “Las Isla” and showed a film. It took like 45 minutes to set up because the guy helping us was drunk. We showed “Leon’s Truck” which is about the Word of Wisdom. The funny thing was that a bunch of kids and a bunch of drunk people were watching. The drunk ones were talking about how bad Alcohol is. Wonder if they were serious. This month we have 9 potential baptisms. If the Lord wants ‘em baptized, it’d be my pleasure to perform the ordinance! 🙂
January 2nd, 1995 – Monday
Today was P-day. I got up at 6:30am and felt sick (feel a little now too). We studied as comps at 7:00am for an hour & a half. We talked about a ton of things to improve. To have an understanding of how we’re going to count points in our program. We were having a “program of air”, or better said we don’t have much. We were lying to ourselves of our achievements. We also talked on how we were going to even out our program. I’m glad my comp is helping me out now. I hope this continues. Today I wrote the fam and Cristianne Morris. We played some basketball. The Mamita was ticked at me because we weren’t going to pass by. Man, she always wants us over there! Tonight we had our district meeting. I learned about the importance of planning. Also we talked about personal revelation. We need to practice recognizing it. We need to learn to recognize exactly when we receive personal revelation because at times we get the revelation, then Satan enters thoughts, and this is when we’re too late. We have a decision to make and Satan will do all he can so that we make his decision. We need to act right away. When we get a thought we need to quickly think – Good or Bad?? If it’s good, act on it. Bad, don’t. It sounds simple but is tough. I need to apply this in my life. Man, I want to have more success here in Puyo. I need more faith and need to follow the Spirit more. I’m not “as in tune” as I thought. I need to be more humble. Man, the natural man annoys!
January 3rd, 1995 – Tuesday
Today I felt good about what we did but I still couldn’t see it in logros. We visited Enriketa and told her to pray about being baptized on the 22 of January. My companion & I talked about her date being the 15th, but right when we began to ask her I didn’t feel good about the 15th and I felt good about the 22nd. She’s going to pray about it. We went to Damaris’ and Jorges’s house. Man, they complained for like an hour to us. I felt like telling them that it was them who needed to change but they’d go in active if I said that. This whole Branch is like that. It’s tough here. This Branch has a lot of problems with gossip & pride. Tonight the Mamita called Elder Folster yelling at him because he stuck up for isabell. This branch is missing the gospel principles: Love, Service, Charity. Satan works hard here. Today we spent a lot of time with members. I don’t like that but it was necessary. Tonight we talked to Magdelene and Angel and taught the 2nd discussion. They are going to pray tonight to see if they need to be baptized. They’ll receive their answer. All day I’ve been drowsy, sneezing, and with a runny nose. It seems that the medicine from U.S.A. isn’t helping me too much. I want to do better as a missionary. I don’t know. I’m wondering if I’m doing all I can. I realize quite a bit that for all these months I’ve been doing something not too good. There are a lot of things (they have to do with the program, my way of thinking, etc). I know I’m learning and I’m thankful for it but I just want all knowledge now so that I can be an effective instrument in the Lord’s hands! I just want to be valiant AND successful.
January 4, 1995 – Wednesday
Today was sweet. 1st of all we went to the Safari- about 5 kilometers outside of Puyo. We went there and I taught a class of English. I taught them how to pray in Spanish and English. It was pretty fun. They each had a lot of questions. We came back and ate at Jannette’s house. Man, I really feel uncomfortable at her house. It’s just her manner to talk & dress. My comp tells me I need to remember that she’s a child of God. I do need to look at her differently but she has said a lot of improper things in the past. Well, she gave me some medicine before this English class. I asked her if it’s make me sleepy. She said no. Then at lunch she was laughing saying they were supposed to make me sleepy. Grow up! So my comp & I went home & slept for 2 hours. We got up. I didn’t feel too bad sleeping because it was necessary. We went looking for inactives and we took out 6 references. Each one of them are excellent, or at least I felt really good talking to them. We watched a video at the house of Damaris with Enriketa. Enriketa seems bothered or seems to have a doubt. I wish she’d tell us. We’re going to have to discover it and help her. We then went to the house of Albelardo and he was tough. I don’t think he listens too well because anyone who listens and understands the charlas will have no problem accepting this as the true church. After him, we taught Jaime. It was a good charla. He had a lot of questions and wants to see proof in the Bible? We came home big time worried because we had a family home evening with Mamita, but we didn’t want to go. The Lord answers prayers because Elder Folster and Flores went there. Phew!! I’m excited. Our program is looking great. My comp is excited too about the program. I just pray we can have patience and the Spirit so that we can guide each investigator to Baptism!!
January 5th, 1995 – Thursday
Today we found a couple more excellent investigators. The Lord has blessed us this week to find investigators that really want to listen. I pray we can help them with any problems that they might have with the charlas so that they can be baptized. This afternoon we were on all sides of Puyo. Tonight we taught Angel Coronel the 3rd charla. I don’t know what happened to me but I did not feel the Spirit. My mind was very cloudy and muggy, and I couldn’t think straight or talk well. I felt really weird. It was good that my comp took over because I was mixed up. Man, Satan is always messing with me. My comp told me it was my lack of patience and experience. Maybe so. I always feel like my comp is criticizing me when I teach. That’s OK. I just need to follow the Spirit and only worry about how I feel. We went to the Flores’ house and talked about the Plan of Salvation and the Pre-existence. The Spirit was really strong. All in all, the day was sweet. I’m dead tired! I wanted to be the one running my comp around but he’s doing it to me!! That’s good. I need to be more humble so I can always have the Spirit. It is very important!
January 6th, 1995 – Friday
Today has been a rush rush day! This morning we went to the Safari and taught English. They wanted us to talk on Spiritual Beings and they said a few comments like they had Spirits there. Yikes! We got home from the Safari and I was soooo tired! I didn’t have any energy! I slept for a half hour. This afternoon we were packed with appointments. Maria Santi was big time excited to go to church and continue with the charlas. Enriketa doesn’t want to be baptized for 2 months. There is something definitely that is impeding her! We need to find it out. We had 2 Open Houses last night – one at the Teran house. We showed a film on alcohol (Brother Teran drinks like Crazy 🙂 ) We then went to Sister Belin’s house with the Corronel Family. We watched “Juntos Para Siempre” (Together Forever). The Spirit was very strong. Today I learned that I will learn a lot! I need to be patient, open to comments, and need to study the charlas. I’ve realized – once again – how important the Spirit is. Satan is all around me attacking. It is a spiritual war here on the earth. I just need to keep walking steadfast through the clouds, swamps, deserts, storms and over the mountains that I’ll face in my mission.
January 7th, 1995 – Saturday
Wow. Today we did a lot! I woke up sick but took a ton of drugs and felt better. We did a lot of presentations today. I guess the highlight would be that we taught a charla to a guy smoking. His mom came out & basically told us to give up, to quit coming by. We found a few inactives, and this morning we talked to Washington. The Spirit was felt with him and he told us that he wanted his friend to be baptized. Ok! Tonight we were showing a film to about 40 people. It started to rain and a drop hit the light bulb and “POP”!!! It broke! Man, and it isn’t ours! It belongs to a member! We need to find a way to replace it! I hate borrowing things. I knew something would happen sometime! After this “film” we went to Magdalene’s house. She said she prayed and that after she prayed she saw Jesus Christ with His arms open to her. I explained to her what I thought, that it was Christ telling her to come to Him, to be baptized Magdelene is very special. She is very in tune with the Spirit. Missions are great. I get so tired and at times sick, but if I just keep on moving! I learn so much. I need to learn to order my thoughts. I need to rely on the Spirit.
January 8th, 1995 – Sunday
Today I was sick, but I made it through the day. This morning we tried visiting Fransisco but he wasn’t there. On the way to his house I was super thirsty, I was going to buy something but instead said a prayer that I’d get something to quench my thirst. Well, at Fransisco’s house his wife gave us something to drink and eat! ENERGY!! It was sweet! We feel something about this family of Fransisco! Afterwards we visited Hermano Flores. He wants me to be a lawyer. Church was great! Angel Coronel’s family came, and so did Maria Santi!! It was sweet! After church we visited Washington to see why he didn’t come to church. We watched more Conan than we did talking. We went to Coronel’s house and talked about Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. It Was great and they feel very good and we need to get a baptismal date with them. Tonight we went to the Mamitas house for Danny’s Birthday. It was cool. We were walking home and I told my comp I would NEVER do a big sin or sin a lot etc on my mission because it would be so serious. He told me to never say never because he said he was just like that but did get tempted and……well, that’s good advice, but I’ve made my decision. NEVER WILL I DO SOMETHING VERY SINFUL ON MY MISSION. If I continue with this attitude. It’ll help me more than hurt me.
January 9th, 1995 – Monday
Today was alright. We got up, studied, and I wrote a couple of letters. We left to Pelileo at 12:00pm. I had problems controlling my thoughts and it ticks me off. Especially when I’m trying to be 100% obedient so I can bound the Lord for baptisms. I ask for forgiveness but it still makes me mad that I can’t control my thoughts. Satan is a PUNK!! After Pelileo I got a haircut and it’s one of the worst I’ve had. She was cutting it real short and I felt the razor up on top of my head. I told her to not cut it so short up top. She was planning on cutting the top – super short! Well, so now I get to meet an Apostle with my hair like GI JOE. I got to Banos and I had a package with gifts! I got a Spanish – English Calculator (Translator) (AND I BROKE IT JUMPING OVER FOLSTER – STUPID!!) So I’ve got to send it back. I got a ton of letters. It was good to hear from everyone. We then had our District Meeting and Zone Noche de Hogar. I found out they’re dropping a program in Puyo. I hope Elder Delgado & Zambrano leave. That would make Elder Dickman & I comps. That’d be sweet & we’d rock. My man is being his old self – once again! Man, he needs to wake up. Better said – I need to wake up! I need to worry about myself. I’ve got to improve a lot. I got a letter from Justin Spencer. He’s baptizing every week. That’s what I’d like to do. I need to improve.
January 10th, 1995 – Tuesday
This morning we left Banos pretty late. My comp was saying he wasn’t going to work hard. Well, I think I’ve only got 2 more weeks with him. I’m sure something will happen on the 18th. We got home (Puyo) and I organized a few letters while my comp played checkers. I sent 2 packages to Mom & Dad. THey should get them in like 8 days. I hope they send my translator back – Quick! Today we worked pretty hard. My comp was complaining about his physical pains, then about me! We had good presentations with Enriketa, Gonsalo, Angel & Magdelene, and Jaime Ruis. Tonight I really started to follow the Spirit. I answered a lot of questions and said a lot of good things. I pray that the Spirit guides me always. Today my comp and I talked a lot. We actually talked serious. He’s a pretty neat guy when he’s serious. He’s got a few things he just needs to give up to improve spiritually. I’m sure he’s saying the same of me. I’m thankful to be a missionary and I’m grateful for the opportunity to make myself better each day. I pray I can recognize my faults and errors, and improve them. This church is so true. I just wish everyone could realize it. I’ll do my best to have the Spirit so that I can help others to realize it. I spent 20 mil on this (10 bucks). I figure I’ve got 1 ½ years left to write my return address so being my lazy self I decided to buy a stamp so I won’t have to write so much. Lazy Bum! 🙂 (I stamped my journal with the address)
January 11th, 1995 – Wednesday
This morning we got up early & left for Ambato at 6:00am. I was excited to hear President talk but he couldn’t come. We talked about Finding Investigators through members. We came home and I was dead tired & in a zone because of the shaky bus rides. We went out and had an open house, and visited Washington and a few others. I was very tired getting home. I hope Elder Dickman and I can be comps. I’ve been feeling the Spirit a lot lately. I need to keep a Christ-like mentality.
January 12th, 1995 – Thursday
Today was a pretty good day. I was feeling a little contention this morning thanks to the little man Delgado again. He kept telling me I was going to sleep in La Bota. He knows I want to sleep with Goettsche but he keeps bugging me saying I’m not going there. He’s an evil little bug. He’s talking to my comp right now, and I just know he’s talking to him trying to convince him of some evil things. Today we went to the Coronel’s house and the spirit was very strong! Today I made a step closer of having pure love. I need to keep my mentality in looking at each person as a Child of God who needs to be baptized. I need to have this attitude. I need to get better because our whole program is full of potential baptisms.
January 13th, 1995 – Friday
This morning Elder Delgado got a change…my comp was mad. He told me he wasn’t going to work. We did get out finally and did a little bit. We came home, then went to the Mamitaas. My comp was saying Delgado was changed because people talked bad of him. Man, at times I just want to call President and end it all. He hasn’t talked to me all day and in the bus he and Delgado were talking like they were going to do a split etc, and were going to call President, etc. Give it up.If my comp keeps it up – I’m talking face to face. If he won’t change – to the President. I hate being like that but the work is too important. I’m realizing that talking with Goettsche. We waited an hour & a half for him and it’s freezing cold.
January 14th, 1995 – Saturday
Today was a sweeeeeet day! This morning we ate some good donuts that my buddy Carlos brought here. He told me last night that we know each other from the pre-existence. We went to the Conference and I saw everyone from the MTC. It was pretty neat to see how everyone was doing. I saw Elder Ashworth, and what I would give to be his compa again! After, we all went to the chapel and we waited for Jeffrey R. Holland. He came in and it was a great feeling to be in his presence. During his talk his personality really showed. He has a great sense of humor. One time he went and kissed the translator on the cheek because he could not translate because the spirit was so strong. I had the opportunity to shake his hand which I’ll never forget. I also realized that the 12 Apostles love us. Elder Holland called President Hunter to tell him what he was going to do here in Quito. President Hunter told him to tell the missionaries that he loved them so much. I realized how much love the Savior has for me. I also realized that we have Angels all around us helping us and protecting us. They might even be our deceased loved ones. Elder Holland told us he is normal. The only thing that separates us from him is his calling as an Apostle. He said the missionaries and the General Authorities are the only ones that can preach the gospel 24 hours a day, and be a witness of Jesus Christ. I realized how powerful we can be, and the importance of our calling to bring Souls to Christ. By way of his words, I know he has seen Jesus Christ. I know Jesus Christ lives and directs this work. It’s wonderful to think of the love that Jesus and God has for us. Without missionaries, God’s work could not continue. He needs us to be instruments. I learned of the importance of obedience. He talked about the creation and pointed out that nothing progressed until the things were obedient. I’ll never forget that. I feel that is why Puyo has not progressed very fast. Disobedience. When I’m not progressing, I will re-evaluate my obedience. He told us to have a “Red Sea” experience. If we have the spirit, and just test God we can have much better experiences. He said we just need to go out and do it, to go to the edge and we will have unbelievable experiences. He reminded us to keep studying hard because one day we will be in his place. (Some of us) We need to be prepared. He compared our gathering (bringing souls to the Gospel) to the gathering in Egypt with Moses. Our work is just as, if not more, important as Moses’ work. I cried a lot, realizing how special we are as missionaries. How much power we have and how much love people have for us. It’s incredible. They respect us for our sacrifice. Elder Holland told us that we don’t realize our sacrifice, but we will. His love for us was so obvious. It was an incredible experience and I left filled with the Spirit. We took a picture with him and he left. It was such an honor to be in his presence, and also of Elder Jay E. Jenson and Elder Ayala. I shook all of their hands. Their talks were excellent. Elder (President) Jenson told us not to take the gospel lightly. Just read the scriptures to know when there are debates. Elder Ayala told us he is trying to have his Second Witness (see Jesus Christ) so that he can kiss His feet. That would be unbelievable to be able to receive Jesus Christ as a 2nd Witness (the Holy Ghost is the 1st). After the conference, my companion & I had a little argument. It’s sad to see that my companion wasn’t very uplifted after this conference. At least it seemed like it. We got our shots (didn’t hurt 🙂 ) and I talked a bit at the office. We came back to La Florida and Elder Goettsche and I worked together in a split. Man, we had a lot of time to talk and there is no doubt that we knew each other in the pre-existence. We were close friends then and I know we begged Heavenly Father to meet up on earth. We did, and he’s a stud. We gave a few presentations and sang at about every house. It just feels good to be able to sing with someone who is on key! We were walking in between appointments and a drunk called us from behind. I didn’t feel good about the situation and I told Goettsche “Let’s go.” But he started talking to the drunk. The drunk started saying we didn’t like him, and that we didn’t want to help him. He looked at me and told me to speak Spanish (which I was). He then asked me if I knew how to fight. He started coming at me waving his hands like he knew Karate or Kung-fu. I started laughing because I knew I was protected by the Lord and also because the guy was so small. He started pushing me, and then me & Goettsche. I couldn’t help from laughing. He then asked us if we wanted a little juice. I didn’t know what he meant by that until he unzipped his zipper on his pants. I left and finally Goettsche left and the guy was using the bathroom telling us to stay. Yeah right, who knows if he could’ve pulled out a knife. We ate pizza and got home at like 10:00pm. It was a great day thatI’ll never forget!
January 15th, 1995 – Sunday
Today I got up freezing again! It’s cold in Quito! We went to the Coliseo to listen to Elder Jeffrey R. Holland speak again. It was good to talk to all the Elders & Sisters from the MTC. The place wasn’t really filled up but the thing that touched me was all of the Saints from Otavalo. They wear hats with robes. The women wear things over their heads and gold necklaces. They’re pure Indians. I love the people of Ecuador and I just loved seeing their faces as they anxiously waited. When Elder Holland came in everyone stood-up. It was a special feeling. The sounds system was very cheap and it was hard to understand Elder Ayala’s, President Jenson’s, and President Farnsworth (& their wives) talked. I said a prayer that the Apostle’s message could be heard because all the people came to hear him speak. He left an Apostolic blessing and blessed Ecuador, and the members financially and spiritually. He blessed the missionaries too. It was special. After the conference the President stressed more on obedience. It’s super important. I talked to him after and asked him where do I draw the line with my companion. He told me to have patience and love and let my man know about the obedience. If I’ll have problems, I just call him and they’ll talk. My companion left me and I couldn’t find him after the interview. That’s my comp for you – an illegal split. I think Elder Folster went and told President. Well we got our stuff from Goettsche’s and 7 ½ hours later we’re here in puyo. (I hate those bus rides) My comp didn’t talk to me at all. He’s tried calling President tonight. I’m just relaxing and trying to follow the spirit. I pray I do. I left my camera in the Coliseo and the police bugged me at the Shell checkpoint! Well, I’m tired. We’ll see how things go with my comp and I!
January 16th, 1995 – Monday
Today we had P-day. Last night, I asked my comp to pray but he wouldn’t. He told me he didn’t want to. Well, I basically told him the truth and tried finding out reasons he had to not pray but he wouldn’t talk to me. We basically had a good argument. I woke up this morning feeling bad. I felt like crying a few times. Well, he found out he was leaving on the 22nd of February and was really happy. I went in & apologized. He told me not to worry about it because I couldn’t understand. That’s for sure! Today I wrote 3 letters, talked a lot. We went to downtown and ate at Sister Belins (she cooked me rice with eggs because I like it) We tried playing soccer but it was raining. It seems to always rain on P-day. Tonight we had District Meeting & talked about living in a clean house so the Spirit can dwell. We did a practice and cleaned the house! Tonight Elder Zambrano was always trying to put me down. He seems to always have something negative to say against me. He really tries hard to put me on a lower level than him. I talked with Elder Folster and he reminded me to keep patience. We talked about some of the comps he has had in the past & I know he understands. I think my comp doesn’t like to see me being obedient! I think he feels on a very low level because he is very disobedient and doesn’t even pray!!! (2 Nephi 32:8) He feels unworthy, and so he always puts me down or tries to make me look bad. I just need to let him feel loved. I pray the Lord will bless me with ideas on how to help my comp. I really want to change his course in life toward exaltation. Because right now his attitude & actions aren’t pointed that way. And my helping him will help me to discover things of me that I can make better. That’s life. To Change for the better until we are perfect.
- A POEM THAT JEFFREY R. HOLLAND SHARED WITH US ON JANUARY 14TH:
- Come to the edge.
- No, we’ll fall!
- Come to the edge.
- No, we’ll fall!
- Come to the edge
- So we went to the edge
- And he pushed us.
- He pushed us
- And we flew!
- I need to preach without fear. I need to have more faith, and just take my chances. The Lord is there to help us gain more knowledge, have more experiences. I need to go to the edge.
January 17th, 1995 – Tuesday
Today was a great day. We compromised (meant to say committed) 5 people to be baptized. Our whole program is full of baptisms, I pray the Lord will direct our words so that we can safely guide them to their baptism. Man, it is so fragile and Satan works so hard. Today I realized how much my comp likes to cut me down & critique me. He told me that I think I know everything. I told him that I thought the same of him. He always seems to be pointing out the picky things that do. Today I realized I need to quit worrying during the charlas what Zambrano is thinking of me. I need to just follow the Spirit and teach with confidence. I need to just take the things that my comp says. Just apply the good critiques and have patience with the other critiques! Today I felt the spirit a lot! I pray the Lord will bless Elder Zambrano & I with success.
January 18, 1995 – Wednesday
Today was a tough one. Every single appointment that we had “fallo” (failed). We did a lot of walking. We went to the Safari and taught some English there. I can’t think of anything else to say. It was just a day full of walking. Jannette is mad at the Elders. She’s just a big soap opera!
January 19, 1995 – Thursday
Today was pretty sweet. This morning we had district meeting and we talked about the Branch. We talked about doing activities to exciten the place up. I tell you, Satan has tricked me for 4 months here in Puyo. I came here to Puyo with the excitement & enthusiasm to change this place. I was wondering why there weren’t activities and things for the Branch. The other missionaries always told me that it was because the members don’t do a thing. Maybe true. The Elders sit here and wait for the members to do everything. The thing is that the members don’t know what to do etc. Man, I’ve been tricked! I Realize now how important it is to organize activities for this branch. Always the Elders say _ we do everything, or the members should do it. Wrong. The Thing I’ve realized is that they’re only a branch. They just are young & don’t know anything. We have to show them & teach them. We’re going to start doing activities with the Branch (classes of English; Sport night; FHE with them, etc) I know that this is right – this branch is dead in enthusiasm. We can forget about them and keep baptizing, but the people will see this attitude the branch has, and they’ll be converted to it. If we do activities and sacrifice a bit of time each week for the members, our investigators will attend the same activities and socially be converted. The Branch will have more excitement and the members will help the missionary work much more. Our investigators will know members & at the activities will surely talk a bit about the gospel. By doing these activities we will make our program much better, even though it may seem we are spending a lot of time with members. To take out 6 hours for the branch we will have much more success and EXCITEMENT here in Puyo. Satan works hard, but can’t win. I want to be here to see Puyo turn around and overcome Satan. Toda my comp & I had a bunch of success. I pray the Lord blesses us with baptisms – IT’S 10:30PM!!
January 20th, 1995 – Friday
MAN!!! Today I got some eye disease called Patadachina!! My eye hurts bad, and I guess it’s super contagious! Elder Dickman had it 1st, then my comp & now me. I hope we can proselyte. Today was alright. The night was messed. We had like 6 to 10 people invited to see a video at Damaris’ house but no one could go. Today I realized how great the battle is between us and Satan. We commit someone to be baptized and that’s War time! Satan puts obstacles etc. It’s going to be a relief when I see all of those people being baptized. I pray the Lord will bless me to be able to and learn.
January 21st, 1995 – Saturday 8:40am
I woke up and I’ve never felt pain in my eye like this. Man, it was shut closed with mucus and felt like it was full of sand. It’s all red. Well, I know it is 100% Satan. He doesn’t want us out working in our program. My comp has the same thing. I got a priesthood blessing and I know I’ll be healed. This is the Lord’s work! Why wouldn’t he heal me so I can work? My eye feels better. It’ll be fine soon.
January 21st, 1995 – Saturday 10:00pm
Well, today was tough. More because of my eyes than anything else. Man, this patadachina burns. Plus my eyes water like crazy! They say this is a new sickness here in Ecuador & that it’s from Japan (China). Today we did a few appointments. A lot weren’t in house. We committed Maria Santi to be baptized. The spiritual war begins. Tonight we had an Open House at Sister Velin’s house! We had the Flores family bring the Coronels to the house. We watched the Prodigal son. It was good! Sister Velin after talked to us awhile. Her husband’s a tough one. I pray this eye cures! Jannette put some cream in our eyes. It was funny watching Elder Zambrano get it put in. I was thinking it would have adverse effects with the eyedrops, but it actually helped. I’m going to put more in tomorrow & tonight. My stomach hurts & don’t have an appetite! This work is a war with Satan. It’s getting realer and realer each day.
January 22nd, 1995 – Sunday
Today was tough! I woke up with my left eye shut good with mucus. I couldn’t sleep at all last night because my eyes felt like they were going to fall out! Well, I pulled my eyelid apart & there was an air bubble in my eye almost covering the colored part. It was very ugly & scary to see. All day today my eyes itched like crazy and during church I could only keep them shut. I fell asleep a few times. I bought some medicine that didn’t feel as if it was working, but I have faith. My eyes felt like needles were poking them, plus like there was sand in the, and itched! None of our investigators went to church. It was a little depressing being that we worked so hard with them and we have about 12 committed to be baptized. Tonight we visited Coronel’s house. It was tough. They want to wait to be baptized in the chapel. I pray tomorrow my eyes feel better. The blessing helped a lot! Today we were teaching Fransisco & the Spirit was really strong. He all of a sudden yelled “ouch” and grabbed his eye! We gave him the patadachina!!! Ooops!! Also, this morning I was at Jannette’s place. There were a group of drunks there. I was walking out & one grabbed me by the tie. I tried ripping his hand off of it. I guess later in the day one tried messing with Elder Tomala who’s about 4 foot 10 inches, 70 lbs. Elder Folster told me we could hit someone if they hit us. I always wonder what I’d do if someone started hitting me. I don’t think it’ll happen.
January 23rd, 1995 – Monday P-day
Today was ‘aight. Wrote 6 letters, cleaned the bathroom, ate at Belin’s house, played some indoor, put some cream in my eye, got our district T-shirts, my eye bugged me, went to District meeting, talked of Book of Mormon, came home. Nothing great. My comp is acting up again. He needs to get a vision and act like a servant of God. Good night.
January 24th, 1995 – Tuesday
Today we didn’t do much. My comp slept an hour & a half in the afternoon. I wanted to do more, but we didn’t. I’m not talking Spanish good anymore b/c we talk too much English. I got to stop that trash. At times English is necessary but is the base, I feel, of all contention between the Latinos & North Americans. I had a family home evening. It was alright.
January 25th, 1995 – Wednesday
Today was weird. 1st of all, in the morning we had a meeting with the President of Branch. Talked about inactives. We next went to Shell to look for someone we never found. The Shell military base is getting all ready because I guess Peru and Ecuador are getting a little serious about this war thing! I slept a bit after lunch, then we went out. We taught 5 charlas today, and had 7 presentations. Satan has worked so hard on us ever since we’ve had all of these baptismal dates. He’s such a punk. I seriously do not know if I can baptize. I know I can but I just don’t have experiences with it. Well, we visited Hermana Flores’ house (lawyer) and I put drops of lemon juice in my eye……OUCH!!! Man, it stung so bad and hurt for like 5 minutes. But man I’ll do anything because this Patadachina bugs big time. My eye is still big time red! But it feels much better. Tonight Elder Folster told us that the Mamita is talking about going to Germany to work, leaving her kids. Man, Puyo is messed. This is real life things, and it’s sad because we as Elders can’t do a thing!! I know she wants us to. Also this leader of the Safari hit some people with his car, and I guess I probably shouldn’t write this because he’ll kill anyone who turns him in. Nice huh? Well, this mission is tough. I’m learning a lot. I’m going to bed..
January 26th, 1995 – Thursday
Today was an alright day. This morning we went to the Puyo Hospital and we visited patients. A lot of women had had babies, but I didn’t see their husbands there. Seems like a lot of kids here are born without the support of their fathers. A little kid had fallen two stories and landed on his head, but he seemed OK. We tried getting a lot done. Today Jovani and Margot committed to be baptized the 5th of February. They’re a cool couple who are serious. I like them. We visited Magdalena & she told us not to come back because she had heard some ugly things about when we baptized people. She wouldn’t tell us so we just said we’ let her see a baptism. We talked with Jaime Ruis about the war. The people are saying that 10 Ecuadorians and 15 Peruvians have died. Also that they’re giving male soldiers a day to spend with their families before being sent off to the front lines! Scary stuff! The war is pretty close to Puyo and we’ll see w’sup.
January 27th, 1995 – Friday – 11:00am
Right now we’re in Banos Ecuador. Last night I woke up because I heard the phone ringing and I heard Elder Folster’s feet running. I went out to see what was up, and the Mamita called us almost crying, screaming saying we need to pack our bags. She said an ambulance went around saying the ward was now red alert, and that we should get packed ready to leave. What!!?? Well, we checked with the police & they said it was true. Also cars & people were all over (it was 3:00am in the morning) the place, especially downtown. Well, we called President & he told us to pack up and leave (to Quito, but then to Banos). So we packed up QUICK and we got a taxi to go to Banos. President told us to take a helicopter or plane if we had to! The 3 North Americans were to leave, and the 3 Latinos stay. It’s because they just grab the Latinos from the buses or streets and send them to war. Nice huh? I guess 55 people have died and a group of troops went in and haven’t come out yet. So we took off to here, Me, Folster & Dickman scrunched up for 1 ½ hours and now being here President said the reason for all the commotion was because a helicopter crashed on the Peru-Ecuador border. Well, we did what we had to. I think the Mamita overreacted but we did what we had to. Satan sure does get his way sometimes. Or, this might be a way that the Lord is going to help our programs out. He does work in mysterious ways. Elder Moore called me & told me I needed to go to Ambato because they were going to teach me a program for the Inactives. It looks like for Elder Zambrano’s last few weeks that the President wants us to give the other Elders our program and just dedicate our time to Inactives. It’s funny, I had the same thought the other day when I was reviewing ALL of the inactives (like 260 of them) in the Branch. So it looks like I’ll be out of puyo along with Zambrano. We’ll see w’sup. I’ll be comps with Dickman for like 2 days. Pretty sweet! Allright, it’s now 8:45pm and we just got off the phone with Zambrano. He told us not to go to puyo because it was bad down there. He said the Peruvians are moving forward and that they’re taking people from Guayaquil and Esmeraldas to the war, just grabbing them off the streets! Crazy! Well today we hung out at the Moore’s house all afternoon. Elder Dickman & I watched videos, talked with them a bit. They showed me how they wanted the Inactive program done. They want ALL members located. We are to do that 1st. Then we go & visit them all to see why they haven’t assisted (attended church), if records are right, how many members, etc. It’ll be good. Right now I’m talking with Elder De La Vera about Ecuador military. They’re pretty tough here and beat their men. Every young man has to serve in the military. Well, I don’t think anything bad will happen because Jeffrey R. Holland said the land, people, and economy of Ecuador will be blessed.
January 28, 1995 – Saturday (10:43am)
Well, what else could go wrong? Last night I didn’t sleep til like 4:00am. I had diarrhea and was burping up a horrid taste. There was a big bloat in between my stomach & chest. Finally I just went in and threw up in the shower. I hate throwing up, but I felt much better! So I finally got some sleep. I’m hanging out here at home because I didn’t get any sleep at all! The Latinos down in Puyo can’t leave and I guess Elder Zambrano is sick. Also, Puyo announced that they were going to have a practice evacuation. But we feel that that is just to get the young men together to send them to war. Here they just grab them and shave their heads and send them to war. Even missionaries. Anyone who is from Ecuador. In Pelileo they’re grabbing men off the streets. Here in Banos it’s peaceful because there are a lot of tourists here. President told all North Americans to pack their bags and be ready to leave the country. Well, I hope everything settles down. I just want to apply this inactives program in Puyo. No latinos are to leave the houses in all of the mission. 2:55pm – Well, it’s for real. There are helicopters headed toward Puyo. The people of Puyo are blocked in, and the radio says the Peruvians are headed to Puyo. I guess the U. S. are going to send troops down too. Also, Elder Webb called from the office and said that those born from 1971 to 1975 have to present themselves to the military. Elder Zambrano and De La Vera have to go. Elder Zambrano is scared, and I love that guy. Even though it was tough being with him at times, I feel bad because he’s probably headed to war. It’s for real. I don’t know what’ll happen. I’m doing a lot of thinking plus re-evaluating of my life. Things like this make you feel how real and bad the Latter Days are. The 2nd coming is so close, and I know it. My problem is I still do things that just aren’t right. I’m so stupid and I need to repent and NEVER return to my sins.
January 29th, 1995 – Sunday (7 Months as a missionary)
This morning we didn’t do much. Just sat around. Last night Elder Folster, Hirst and I left & visited some people. We got some haircuts too. Last night I threw up again. I made myself because my stomach hurt & I was tired. Today Elder De La Vera and Jimenez went to Ambato to present themselves. They came back during sacrament meeting, all ok! Also, Elder Zambrano went and presented himself in Shell. The person that he talked to was Vega Valencia (our old investigator). Man, the Lord knows how to help us out. Zambrano was fine. All day today Folster, Dickman, and I hung out talking. I got two packages from mom. Also Puyo is a place of confusion. Elder Zambrano has decided to go to war. He only has 22 more days left and he wants to leave. I feel bad for him and his decision. I hope he prays about it tonight. The people here in Banos were driving around, honking their horns, waving Ecuador flags, and yelling Ecuador plust burning things in the street with rallies. Man, the people here don’t want to fight but the Peru president keeps attacking. They have to defend themselves. Now no one can leave the house. Great.
January 30th, 1995 – Monday
Today was ‘aight. It was P-day “In da house”. We woke up, wrote letters, played Ping Pong (I was undefeated until Dickman beat me). Then Elder Folster & I played baseball downstairs in the chapel. We started a world series and Folster is up 2 – 0. We played Dickman and Hirst, were down 10 in the last inning, and we used the paddle (instead of a little stick) and…..we won. We had District Meeting and we learned about taking references. We ate some good pizza, and President called saying that we are back to Puyo tomorrow. WAR TIME. I guess things are going better. I hope Zambrano is OK because today he called Folster all mad. I bet they’re talking like “Gringos got to leave, but Latinos didn’t.” The thing is, it was Zambrano’s decision. I bought some sweet things from Otavalo (a member here in Banos).
January 31st, 1995 – Tuesday
Today, I slept in a bit and had a dream that we were bombed by Peruvians. Nice huh. I went to Ambato with Dickman and got some cash out of the bank. There were a bunch of demonstrations in Ambato & Pelileo. The school kids were marching & chanting things to get the people excited for war. We got here to Puyo at like 3 or 4pm. The Latinos were saying we went running off like chickens while they valiantly stood in Puyo. So they are always saying smart aleck things. I unpacked & then we went out a bit. We had an FHE in the Rodriguez house. They’ve got family problems. The Latinos were ripping the way I did it. Well, my companion doesn’t really like this Inactive program. Man, I need some more patience. I need to repent and get a clue. Satan blinds people quick & easy.