...testimony of Church and feelings about his mission

 

So, these are the final days of my mission. Today we had the mission Christmas party which was amazing because we got to go to Xetulul again, the Central American version of Disney land, to have the activities which was amazing!!!

It was really cool, there was one sister that was from a native tribe and she brought out her tribal clothing and did some really cool native American dancing that was just amazing, then there were a few others that were singing the HUH, if they went on American Idol they would easily win, lol...don't know if that is still going or not, lol.

And then we finished it off with the Tongans doing the traditional haka, that is always amazing to see. Most of all it was really cool because I had the chance to see all of my buddies that I've come really close to before I head off...Everyone was like, "The mission just isn't going to be the same when you're gone", lol, it's so weird to think that one day I'm going to have to leave the country, the people, and the culture that I've come to call home...


The other night we were hitching a ride on the back of one of the coca cola trucks, heading back to Peru from Champerico, and it finally started to get to me a little bit that one day, I won't be doing this anymore....I honestly could not have asked for a better night. I have never seen so many stars, literally there must have been millions...and it got me thinking, I love Guatemala. Diseased dogs, breast feeding women, the crazy drunk always asking for a quetz...I'm really going to miss this place.

It kills me to think that for the past two years the only thoughts that have been running through my mind are how I can become more like the Savior, what would Christ do in this situation, learning a new language and only being able to speak that language...entering into the homes of these loving people and into their lives...I seriously CAN'T believe that in 2 short weeks all of that is going to be taken from me...I can't say that I'm coming home, one..because I know nothing about this new place and TWO, because this is my home..These people are my family.

I have never in my ENTIRE life had a connection to a group of people like I have with the people of Guatemala...These people would literally give you the shirt off of their backs, if they knew that it would help you...This culture is so open and honest....there is no sugar coating, there's no need for lies, there's only love and truth. These are the children of Lehi. I've seen it. I can't even begin to tell you of the countless times that I have contacted someone and they have shared with me their dreams, when in reality they aren't dreams but visions.

These people have a faith in Christ that is undeniable, they love Christ, they live for Christ, they want nothing more than to do what Christ asks of them.


I cannot tell how I truly feel through this letter, it's impossible..Because what I feel for these people, for this country, for the traditions that I've come to accept, go much further than just words. I can't begin to tell you how conflicting my thoughts and feelings are right now...I can't wait to return and to see everyone of you and to start the next chapter of my life, but I honestly feel like a HUGE part of my life is getting ripped out of me.

I wish that I could always serve these people. To always be welcomed into their homes as a servant of the Lord. To always be constantly bothered at 11:30 in the night to go and give a blessing. But little by little I know that those two weeks are closing in and one day I'm going to have to leave my family. Further more I love my mission President. If the love of our Father in Heaven is anywhere close to that that I have seen and felt from President Maravilla, then we truly are a loved children. And I know the love He has for us is much greater. I don't want to ever forget these people. Many missionaries say that they have had the best missions, but I truly can claim that sentence...these are the children of which the resurrected Christ himself came to teach and now he has given me that great opportunity.

I love these people, and I don't want to leave them....they have refined me into the man I am today, and have helped correct my path to become the man I will be.

If there is anything more that I can say about my mission it is that I know this is the church of Jesus Christ, the only one the He directs. He loves us enough that He has given us a living prophet to guide us. That through repentance all men can return to the Father. Above all I know that we are His children and as such are entitled to the eternities, if we so choose to receive them.

I love these people. I love Jesus Christ. And I hope that I can always be a useful instrument in His hands, in the mission or as a normal disciple of Him.


I love you all and will talk to you Sunday,
Elder Marquis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...we had another baptism this week...

Dear Family and Friends:

We're coming down to the final weeks of my mission now huh?
So weird.... all day long, I can say that I only have 24 more days left of my mission, but it still doesn't feel like that. I feel like I always have been a missionary and that I always will be. It's a little hard for me to get a grip that I'm almost finished here...it doesn't really seem real. But I guess we'll see how I feel when that final day comes, lol.

Just wanted to let you all know that this past Friday, Dery Amabilia De Leon, was baptised. We had the baptism planned for Saturday, but with the Xela Temple being dedicated and everything it was just easier to move it to Friday.

It was so funny, before we went to into the font she got SUPER nervous and was like acting all goofy and laughing for no reason...when we told her that she needed to take off her ankle braclets she was like, "ok, yeah sure", but then took off for the pila and walked into the water, which scared her a little bit, and then came back and took it off, laughing hysterically, which was funny...overall it was one of the most memorable baptisms that I've had yet.


So yeah, this past week the Xela Temple was finally dedicated, and Saturday it was the cultural presentation...which was AMAZING! All the youth from each stake from all of Guatemala, got to do like an act and dance!!! It was so cool....I hope that I can get a copy of that to show you guys, lol.

Then Sunday was the dedication and only the members could come and see that so all the work we did during the week isn't going to be seen until next week....hopefully.

You gotta love ol Elder Uchtdorf...lol...he just started going at it, making jokes, and talking to everyone in English, lol, as if they understood him, lol...then after like 5 minutes of talking he was like "Oh!, and pulled over the translator and was like...this might work a little better if you said it, lol". Such a funny guy, lol!! There's rumor that maybe he is coming to the mission to talk a little with us...since this is a new misión and we've never had an general authority talk with us.

Anyways, I'll tell Hna. Flor to make the scripture covers then, HAH!...you guys are going to flip when you see them, they really are suuuuuuuuuuuuper cool!!! (We are having leather scripture covers handmade and customized for us! Excited!)

Anyways, for this week no baptism...going strong in this area with one every other week, but we'll see what happens.

Love you all tons,
Elder Marquis

Dear Friends and Family:

Well I ain't gunna kid ya either....I'm pretty excited! Everyone is like so....you baggy...you baggy....and I just play it off...no, why would I be baggy...it's not like I go home in 30 days or anything, lol!!

It's true like we were talking about before I left...about the 2 year mark you pretty much master the whole being a missionary thing and then when you're are at the top of your game, BOOM it's time to go home!!

Time really has just flown by over these past 2 years. It's so crazy...And it's not so much that I'm nervous to come home as much as it is that I know I'm going to be feeling really confused for a little while. Like my schedule is pretty set and I know exactly what it is that I'm going to be doing every minute of every day in the mission...but back home...I don't have anything, really....like, prepared..I'm sure it won't take me too long to find a job and a calling in the church though...but we'll see, lol.

As far as calling goes for Christmas I can call whenever it's best for you guys really...I usually call in the night time just out of habit...but if you guys want to get together and choose the best time for everyone to be there that'd be fine with me.

I'm not too big a fan of the cold anymore anyways, lol, I can barely sleep with the fan on these days, lol....you remember before I left how I always had those heater blankets running, lol, just like Guate, lol!!!

I'll tell you about one of our adventures this week. So, with Dady, the lady we're baptising this weekend...we
went to her house this past Saturday to help her get some wood from the forest so her family could cook a little bit...To start off, we needed to walk to Aiyutia to where she lives, which is always a fun little walk. Then we started off through the sugar cane fields, which smelt a little funny because right now is cane season and they're burning it all to cut it down. Then we got to Ocosito...the river that passes through the middle of the trail and headed across... luckily the water wasn't too high this time, just up to the knees. We contiuned on the other side of the bank through the Hule "rubber" trees to get to where the wood patches were, took out our machetes and gathered up the wood, then walked back. One of the best parts was when we were sitting on the other side of the bank putting our shoes back on there came a couple of little boys with their ropes of wood on their heads, LOL, but the best part...they didn't want to get their pants wet...so...they came across the
river with just their shirts on, LOL, gotta love Guatemala, no matter where you go, you're sure to see some lady breast feeding or the little naked kids running around, lol!! Over all, I got some pretty good stories out of that trip to share with you all when I get back, but thought I'd just give you all a little taste, lol!!

Love you all so much, take care!!
Elder Marquis