Elder Jakob Lutze: Semana 30 (A Yellow Watermelon and a Bappy)

I am very happy to say that we got a new phone! Missionary work is a million times easier with a phone that's for sure!

This week we also had Zone Conference! What an amazing experience honestly. This mission has great plans. I love our mission president so much, and he is such an inspired man. Zone Conference is always just free revelation. This time all the talk was about having faith and being obedient. Essentially the goal is to get 150 baptisms in the month of April. We have been averaging about 100 baptisms a month which is super good! But if everyone has faith, works hard, and is obedient this mission will take off even more.

Clemira gave us yellow watermelon this week. It was really good! I didn't know yellow watermelon existed, but it does! It was hilarious, because the power went out that night, we didn't have a phone, no water, and we couldn't cook any food. We just enjoyed the hot night eating yellow watermelon, playing and singing songs on the Uke, and watching a massive lightning storm! It was so cool!

We had exchanges this week with the zone leaders. I went with Elder Heap in David. Wow their area is blessed! Elder Heap and I had a really good time! He is super cool! And he is an absolutely amazing missionary. We had a lot of good lessons, and he said some very nice things to me on our exchange. I'm so happy to have great leaders in this mission, and that I can make good friendships!

We also found the hideout of all the teenagers in San Felix! It was actually such a big win! Our goal is to befriend them, and hopefully start teaching some of them soon! We at least now know there are teenagers in San Felix!

Then of course the highlight of this week... CLEMIRA'S BAPTISM!! After almost a year of no baptisms in San Felix, Clemira got baptized this week! It was such an amazing experience. There may not be a lot of members here, but they all showed up and there was so much love. I am always amazed at the faith and love I see from these members. Afterwards, Clemira was crying, and explaining how she just felt free. So, so amazing! I love this work so much. It's the most amazing thing to see someone progress and change in such a short time.

This week's spiritual thought came from Elder Heap. In the morning before we went back to the terminal, he shared some thoughts with me. He started off by saying he was proud of me and Elder Benitez. That we are in a really hard area, but we always stay positive. And then he went on saying that sometimes we are put in hard situations as tests, and to build character. He said that in the Book of Mormon obstacles are always seen as opportunities. He used the example of the brother of Jared. The problem was that there was no light in the ship, and the brother of Jared had to do all he could think of, and ask God to do the rest. He gathered rocks, and God touched them one by one to make them glow. The same is with us. We have lots of "opportunities" in life. But, we can't just expect God to fix everything for us. Instead, we have to think and do all we can, and then rely on God to do the rest. That is when we see miracles. And that is when we begin to reach our potential.

I know lots of people are struggling with things. But I challenge you all to take the time to stop and think, how is this making me stronger? How is this bringing me closer to my Savior? I truly testify that our trials and experiences are for our good. But, only if we allow the Savior to help us see how.

Love you all! Thank you so much for the prayers! I truly see miracles here. Keep praying for my people here! This gospel is true. There is no greater gift. Until next week!

-Elder Lutze