Get Out of the Way

In a final attempt to shine a light as to what it is that we do as missionaries, I will try to detail a few experiences I have seen along my mission. I especially dedicate this email to those who are hesitant in their decision as to whether or not they should serve a mission.

Starting the mission I had no idea what to expect. For one reason or another I quickly realized I had no idea what being a missionary was really like. As I started the mission and had sensed my neglect of asking about the missions of my brothers, brothers-in-law, father, grandparents, cousins, and just about everyone else. It started to hit me as my oldest brother William asked me a week before leaving on the mission on a road trip from his home in Arkansas towards New Orleans. He turned to me and asked, "So, what are your expectations for your mission." I was caught off-guard. I had absolutely no idea what to respond. After thinking a bit, I responded, "Well, if nothing else, I'll come back learning Spanish." I could tell he wasn't too impressed with my answer, but it was the only thing I could muster out at the time.

Not only until I got to Mexico did I read in the beginning of the Missionary Handbook a quote from Brigham Young that said, "If you go on a mission to preach the Gospel with lightness and frivolity in your hearts, looking for this and that, and to learn what is in the world, you will go and return in vain..." I didn't feel like I was there for the wrong reasons, but what exactly was I looking for? Baptisms? People to teach? As I looked outside I could see there were plenty of seemingly uninterested people all around me. How was I to know what to do?

Take a few moments to think of what you think a missionary does. What kind of things fill up your day? I thought, eat, walk, preach, repeat. What else is there? I felt kind of like Prince Derek frm the Swan Princess and getting the same reaction from the princess, saying, "What do you mean what else is there? Of course there is more!" If you look very superficially you will see the boring routine, but the magic is is the moment. From outside you will never feel the same as you do within.

I still remember the blind Elder that showed up to the MTC that Elder Milovidov helped get around and that did everything that was required of him and accepted things as they were. I remember several of my companions helping me when I was myself helpless. The mission is about helping others and forgetting about yourself. In my first interview with my Branch President in the MTC I hardly remember what was said. But one thing I do remember. He told me as I walked in, "Elder, these next two years aren't about you." He continued to explain that if I could focus on others I would never have a personal problem for the next two years. Shortly after, just leaving the MTC, I turned to a good friend of mine who was a teacher there at the time, Pat Matherson, and he gave me what he said the best advice he ever got, "Just get out of the way."

What do you mean get out of the way? I didn't even know I was blocking anything. What do you mean, Pat? He wouldn't tell me.

As time has gone on, it would seem that all has worked together to help me lay aside some of my own personal cares to help someone else. That the mission makes you yourself much more humble that you have a higher capacity to serve others. As we put our will with the Lord's, miracles can occur. Each day as we become more like Christ, we will better serve the people around us. I hesitate to use myself as an example, but if you can see anything of good report in what I have done; may it bless you. May my example be joined with those of many others, and with that of our Savior, Jesus Christ, to benefit every person in partaking of the many blessings of this gospel.

"Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father, because of his imperfection, neither them who have written before him; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been." Mormon 9:31

"wherefore, I conclude this record, declaring that I have written according to the best of my knowledge, by saying that the time passed away with us, and also our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream" Jacob 7:26

For the last time,
Elder Andrews

P.S. Last week was Elder Hernandez' birthday. The mission forget to put his name in the announcements and he got really sad. But here it is tradition to throw flour and eggs and confetti at the birthday kid, so, with him right next to me as always I was able to help organize 4 different surprise parties with the help of the members, and he said it was his best birthday ever. Enjoy the picture after we got back from playing soccer in the morning.

Elder Hernadez covered with flour, eggs, and confetti for his birthday!

Elder Andrews enjoying the view after a morning of soccer.

Extra Innings

News is, yes, the earthquake did hit the mission this morning at 6:20 AM, and it was pretty big. Good news is that we were playing soccer so we didn't feel a thing and there was nothing to fall on us while on a field (nothing fell down anyway). But, really only the people that were standing still felt it. So, even if I would have been asleep, you don't feel those things in your hammock. :)

So, this week I'll just mention what has gone on with Jorge, one of our latest miracles--the one we invited to Stake Conference and showed up all by himself. We went back to visit him to follow up on his prayer (we had just invited him to pray to know if what we were teaching him was true or not). He told us he found it hard to pray every morning and night, and I thought, "Great! He's already trying to say his prayers and we just told him to pray once." Keep in mind that this is the man who until last week had not entered into any church whatsoever. But then it got better. He said, "so, if I feel like if I'm going to forget, I just do them in the afternoon." ... Is there really not someone with a hidden camera fiming this? Sometimes in my mission the responses come too perfect, or the ridiculous situations just too unreal to be true.

We also had a bittersweet ending with another investigator named Daniel. He is 16 years old and the brother of Lucía one of the people that have been baptized in my time here. They've had some huge family struggles, and Daniel came here to find work, but to no avail. So, he was going to go back to the small town and get what work he could to help support his other 5 younger siblings. We had just gotten him adjusted to Allende and the church. When he got here he didn't believe in God. But he left with a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon and prayer. We were able to take him for a walk on the beach and we taught him what little we could the night before he very abruptly left to go home. As we were leaving him, he turned to me and said, "You know, ever since I met you guys, I kinda thought it would be cool to be a missionary." What do you say to a teenager like that? I tried to do all I could for him, but there was nothing I could do for him, as much as I would have wished for him to stay. Seeing him leave without getting baptized, and not knowing when or if he would ever make it back leaves you wondering if things really can be ok for a person like that. Especially when you know the nearest church is 2 hours away from his house and he already doesn't have money. So, I looked and Elder Hernandez, then to Daniel, and we said, "Well, today you are going to be a missionary." And he went out his last day with us to teach the gospel.

Can we always be sure that it really is going to be alright? You can't really say that it will, unless you have a firm faith in Christ; if you have a bright hope that His promises will be fulfilled. That we may each do our part, so that everything will be alright.

Elder Andrews

Note: The subject of this e-mail likely stems from the fact that Elder Andrews is now serving beyond the expected 24 months.

A Small Invitation

This week ended quickly as we had a Zone Conference with the Mission President and all of Coatzacoalcos as well as Stake Conference right afterward. So, really the week just got a little shorter. It was odd to hear the Mission President speak in Stake Conference about Marriage. I guess the rumors that when you finish your mission all you hear is about is marriage have proven true. But, it would have been nice to ride out a few more weeks to finish first.

We have been looking for new investigators as always. I will share the story of just one. We often contact the taxi drivers as they transport us across Allende. They are among the friendliest and quickest to give their address seeing as they are never home to tell us no either. But, we do the best we can. One day we went at the appointed time to look for one taxi driver we had met, but no one seemed to know him. Oops. So, we kept asking. The good news is that taxi drivers know the city as well and so they are precise with giving directions. So, we knew we were in the right spot, but he was clearly not there. So, we asked and asked and one man even ran inside his house. I turned to Elder Hernandez a bit perplexed and wondered if we should just leave. We decided to stay and wait for him to appear again in his doorway on the second story of his apartment complex. He came out with his light bill. "I was just checking to see what number my house was to help you, I'm new here and I don't know anyone." Wow, what a helpful person we thought. And he just moved here, what a better opportunity to invite him to get to know the church and the members. So, we passed into his apartment where he lives with a few other friends (all grown men that work in projects in the oil refineries here nearby).

We began explaining the Book of Mormon and a few other things to him and eventually invited him to the Stake Conference in Coatza two days later. He said he'd like that and even promised himself he would go before we could even commit him. It was not very likely he would show up since he hardly knew Allende, less so was he going to know his way around a bigger city like Coatza. Nonetheless, we got him all the information he would need to arrive as we would still be in Coatza ourselves and therefore unable to pass by for him. And so we waited, greeting every single person that entered, waiting for him as we had promised. We greeted every single person, and the meeting started. So, we had to go inside to be with the members and converts from our ward that had arrived. About 15 minutes into the program a bishop of another ward helped a man towards the front of the chapel. That was our contact! He showed up! Upon speaking with [him] afterward he told us that because of his job and a little bit of disinterest, he had never entered inside of any church before. He said he showed up to the church and just felt terrible. He had a huge weight on his shoulders. But when he listened to the messages and was sitting in the church he felt a great relief (maybe because his wife died a while back).

The Lord puts people in front of us each day that we can bless by simply sharing something simple or a small invitation. How many more people would be blessed in the world if each of us shared the gospel with one person each day? It is my prayer that we can always look for these opportunities in our own lives to be instruments in our Savior's hands.

Elder Andrews

Notes:

The Mission President is the leader of the missionaries within the mission boundaries.
Stake Conference is a semi-annual meeting of multiple congregations (Wards and sometimes Branches) that constitute a larger organizational unit called a "Stake."

Letter #92 from Mexico

So, this week was interesting. Serbando was ordained a deacon yesterday. He has already accompanied us 3 full Saturdays to teach the gospel. He's really come a long way, and his parents are somewhat helpful. We have a good relation with them although their busy schedule does not permit them to talk with us too much or be involved in the Church. His mom even bought him some dress pants. So, we're going well. 

We had an interesting week. We were trying to leave Aristeo behind since he has showed little progress in the past weeks, but when we went out with the recently released Bishop Carrasco (way cool, 70 years old) to teach we were teaching him how to contact people. We were going with Aristeo's neighbor and he wasn't there so he contacted Aristeo! Haha. About 30 minutes after sharing their life stories he realized that we had already been teaching him. Haha. I tried to whisper it in his ear when he started to talk to him, but I guess it didn't stick. It brought me back good old memories of home teaching with my dad. Some times old people can talk a lot! As to not be rude we tried to sit through it, but it was an extra effort to let them make their connections for more than an hour. 

Aside from that, we have been talking to everyone we can see. We started teaching Mario--a man who is half blind. He recognizes us because we show up glowing he says (for our white shirts, mine is more yellow though). For the same, he is unable to read. But, he likes that we visit him, because no one else does. 

We found another family that are Pentecostés. We introduced everything in the first lesson and they decided that Joseph Smith did talk to God but that the Book of Mormon was not true and not necessary. I wanted to shout "What!?!" It has always been the other way around, but there is a first for everything. I just don't know how they got to that conclusion, but we convinced them to let us go one more time today and so we'll see how things go. 

On the brigther side we found A&W Root Beer one day when we crossed to Coatza and Elder Hernandez was always told it was sin because it said Beer. So, he hs a new addiction.

Take care of yourselves,

Elder Andrews

Translation:

Pentecostés = Pentecostals

Elder Hernandez learns the joy of A&W Root Beer from Elder Andrews.

Waiting

Another week of work. We kept on going with Serbando Vicente, the young teenager that has gone out to preach with us twice now. It is quite the surprise that he could be so involved already, but he has made quite a few changes since we had met him. He is yet another example of the people that are waiting to hear the gospel message. During General Conference last April we contacted him in the street. And now he is another future missionary we have. He even walks around with us all day in a shirt and tie!

As for Aristeo, his desire to stay in his personal situation has impeded him from living up to what he knows to be true. It is always easier to just decide not to. And that is the path he has chosen up to this point. So, there is less and less we can do for him.

As for me, just got informed of a meeting to get to tomorrow, so I'll be off to prepare everything to be off and running bright and early in the morning!

Just keep in mind that what you choose to do in a day really can affect the life of another.

Love you all,
Elder Andrews

Elder Andrews, Serbando Vicente (?), and Elder Hernandez.

Decisions to Destiny

A full week of work ending in the new realization that I am at last the of the oldest in the mission. Yesterday we had to leave our services early to drop of one of the missionries [sic] that was serving here in Allende at the bus station in Coatza. By no [sic] he is home to Honduras.

As for Aristeo, another creative and hard week at work. Although his testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel is ever incresing [sic], his conversion hs [sic] been dwindling in the dumps. This week we had two very direct lessons where he understood very well that he was living in sin and needed to do something about it. I felt a bit like a lawyer presenting a case. One day we taught him all the reasons why he needed to leave his "partner" right now. He knew that he had to stop certain parts of his relationship, but we showed him the effect that the other woman had on his children. It came down to him picking between his children or second wife. He said he couldn't make that decision, which, ironically is choosing to stay the same with the second wife. Still funny to me that sometimes we say we can't decide, but already saying that is your decision! He said he would leave it to God and if God didn't want them to be togther [sic] then the relationship would magically just take its separate way. When he said that, I couldn't help but think of 2 Nephi 2:14 "both things to act and things to be acted upon." When you "decide" not to act, you are really deciding that someone else will decide for you. Do you want to take control of your own life? Man up! We made it somewhat clear to him, but the large desire he has had of staying with his girlfriend has kept him from obeying the commandments.

A few days later we went with him to explain to him that we were not there to make his decisions, but that we would explain to him the doctrine in a way that he would be able to know what is right and how to put his life in order and fulfill the commandments of God. We went and shared a general conference talk given by Russell M. Nelson titled Celestial Marriage that talks about his parable of the shoplifter. We helped him to realize that if he really loved his partner, he would show the proper care to love her correctly and give her all she is worth. We left the talk and he agreed to keep praying about it.

After all that hard work, he skipped English Class (he is our best student) and still has not come to Church! So, not much more we can do for him until he decides to quit condemning himself. But its [sic] okay, the Law of Chastity is always a fun one to teach too. For all of you I would advise this simple proverb: "25 Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
 26 For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life." Proverbs 6:25-26. Learn from Aristeo and see that it is the ONLY thing standing between him and his eternal salvation.

As for other news, another investigator we have, Serbando (13), has been pretty active with us, but has had little support from the ward. How do we fix that? No one goes to visit him, and he lives right next to the church! So, I got a tie, Elder Hernandez grabbed a white shirt and we got him to go out with us all Saturday to preach with us. We took him to go preach to the members and that turned out well. He will be getting baptized this Saturday. We found him because we said hello to him twice in one day on our way to and from General Conference. So, always be looking for the people placed in your path.

Every member a missionary.

Your decisions will always affect another's.

Elder Andrews

A Lack of Interest

Due to various circumstances, we were not able to pass by with Aristeo or really any other intvestigator much this week. We had interviews with President Morales which took up almost an entire day although he had very little questions for me or my companion. We sat and watched as several companionships took quite a bit of time in the office with him. So, we waited our turn, as we listened to Sister Morales speak about all the various rules we needed to remember. Then it was our turn, we both passed first and he asked how we felt being companions, asked Elder Hernandez to step outside and he asked me all the worthiness questions in about 30 seconds. I stepped outside a few moments later and one of the Assistants to the President, who was on the plane with me here, said, "Wow, you repented fast." Haha. But, a few moments later and my companion had gone through his interview just as fast. So, I assume we don't have many problems and we will finish how we are.

That's good because a couple of weeks ago we got attacked by dogs at 9 PM. I knew it was coming so I took a big stick going in, but while we were there our youth convert took it to play air guitar and forgot to bring it with him on the way out. So, him and Elder Hernandez rushed back and I put myself as a bear and roared. Didn't work too much, and right as too dogs were about to bite me, Elder Hernandez threw water at them. Imagine that, I didn't even get mad at him for getting me wet!

Anyway, due to the lack of time we were able to put in with Aristeo, he was affected greatly by no one and everyone. He said he had a "lack of interest" in the Book of Mormon.

Interest -- the feeling of a person whose attention, concern, or curiosity is particularly engaged by something.

Trying to stay as patient as possible, inside I was screaming, "Lack of interest, what do you mean a lack of interest! You were the one that wanted the book in the first place!" But, as we kept our cool we were able to realize that he had just forgotten his interest becuase he was the only one who had it. Being surrounded by people who don't share your beliefs can be costly on your own testimony, especially as you have your own doubts. We were able to establish that he knew that it was important but that he just didn't know how important, or why it was so important. So, we helped him on that one as well in 2 Nephi 29, as teaching the Book of Mormon is also one of my favorite principles to repeatedly teach. The next day we went back and his life had changed once again. "No, I was wrong, it is important," he said.

All this to an outside viewer could make a person say, "Just make up your mind already!" But what made the change? What made him accept, reject, and then accept again? How could someone change so much. The answer is that, he read! He reads anything we specifically assign him, and he reads it well! But when we tried to get him to read from the beginning, he "lost interest". So, we are working towards the day that he can gain the courage to take control of the situation, but his marital situation makes it near impossible for us to continue much farther.

A similar situation happened a few weeks ago when we had another convert. She had been attending Church on and off for 3 years. As she started she was not married until about 5 months ago. I had taught her before with Elder Smiley, but she didn't want much to do with us. One day we decided to stop by and talk. We challenged her to get baptized again. She accepted. I couldn't believe it. We put a date for a week. She accepted. I couldn't believe it. We prepared her for a week. She kept saying yes. I couldn't believe it. She passed her interview. I couldn't believe it. Elder Hernandez baptized her. I couldn't believe it. She got confirmed. I couldn't believe it. She came to church again. I couldn't believe it.

It has taught me once more that in my two years I have not converted anyone. I have simply been placed in the places I have and done the best I could to help the people I should to continue on with their righteous desires. It sounds almost, in an odd but real way, that I have done nothing for these past 2 years, because I haven't. Were they wasted? I would say no. Because I have learned so much more of what I have to do and who I need to be. If I hadn't been in the places I have been, could it be that all these people would have made the choices they have? I would say, no. I wouldn't trade what I have learned for any other experience. I have had a front row seat to see the hand of God in the lives of others as well as my own.

Could your example change the interests of another? I would say yes. As I said in my farewell talk in La Place, Louisiana, "Many people are willing to change the world, but few are willing to change themselves."

Are you?

Be more Christ-like.

Elder Andrews

Notes:

This excerpt from the Missionary Handbook will help explain a bit about Assistants to the President, baptismal interviews, and the like.

Words of Wisdom

As I'm sure many of you would like to know, Aristeo is doing alright. His progress has slowed a little as he has realized all it takes for him to actually get baptized -- getting divorced from his former wife, and married to the one he is currently with. The major problem here in Mexico is that when people get fed up with each other one just leaves, and that's what happened to Aristeo. Which complicates his situation to get remarried and the baptized. So, we try to focus on what we can change for the moment. As many Mexicans he has an addiction to coffee. He only drinks it every day. So, we put his testimony to the test once more. We shared the story of Daniel (Daniel 1) and shared the blessings that would come to his life if he would obey the Word of Wisdom to help him feel anxious to life this commandment. Do you understand how hard it is to explain health to a doctor? Especially one that has justified their own habits with studies of who knows what from who knows where? When you think about health, would you go to a missionary? Or would you go to a doctor? Good thing that we were on the topic of spiritual health and that gave us the edge. It didn't help that our Elder's Quorum President told him that Jesus drank grape juice...

So, we gave him all the points he thought he could take from the Bible and, seeing as it was Elder Hernandez's first time teaching the Word of Wisdom, it was time to get a little creative. Instead of using what he thought he knew, we used what the Spirit had taught him. We asked him, "Do you believe in prophets and in modern day revelation?" To which he promptly responded yes. "Do you have faith that if we follow the counsel of a prophet, even when we may not know why, that we will be blessed?" "Yes," he replied again. "Do you have the faith sufficient to obey the Word of Wisdom and get rid of all your coffee?" To this one he could not respond. So, we invited him to pray in that instant with his children by his side (Pablo 16, Carrie 19). Finishing the prayer he lead us to his coffee and let us throw it away.

How can someone give up a habit they have had for 50 years? Forget that he had just bought a brand new large bottle of coffee the previous day. Forget that he knows of the pains that follow leaving behind an addiction? What makes the change? I love what Mormon comments when a situation a little more serious is presented. He states, "And thus we see that, when these Lamanites were brought to believe and to know the truth, they were firm, and would suffer even unto death rather than commit sin; and thus we see that they buried their weapons of peace, or they buried the weapons of war, for peace" (Alma 24:19).

I woke up the other morning reflecting a lot on all that I had learned in my mission; what would I leave to help Elder Hernandez go on and understand fully what we do as missionaries. I thought for a few moments and decided that I had learned that it is better to suffer whatever cost -- even until death -- than to give up. I told him, I would rather die doing what I know is right, than live in shame. After all, that is what it took for the Savior.

But, could you say the same for yourself?

May the Lord guide us always,
Elder Andrews

And the Book?

This week I went on divisions with another Elder (my Zone Leader), one who was actually with me on the plane when we first got here to México. It was strange preaching with him and seeing how far we both had come. We walked back to the house after crossing the rivier and, due to the increased amount of sun, I was feeling a little bit dehydrated, so I went to buy a suero, an electrolyte drink common to Mexico, to keep myself going (it's like a Gatorade with less sugar). So, we went to the only farmacy I have ever seen here in Allende and bought it and started talking to the doctors there. One was very direct and even more blunt in letting us know he really didn't care, but the other seemed to be more care free and open. We ended with an open invitation to our English class we teach to which he agreed and set up plans to meet him there, but as we left he asked, "And the Book?" Caught a bit off guard I told him we didn't use a book, we just taught basic grammar and pronunciation. But he quickly referred us back to our mentioning of The Book of Mormon. So we ran to the house and went back later that day to leave him with a Book of Mormon that he could read. Seeing the power of the Spirit of his conversion brings a new testimony to the truthfulness of it's teachings.

Once we taught him (his name is Aristeo) about the Restoration of the Gospel through Joseph Smith, it was simple with his foundation in the Book of Mormon. As we went on explaining, he exclaimed, "It just makes sense!" Haha. You could see the figurative light bulb in his head turn on and his understanding increase. As he continues to read the Book of Mormon, his testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel and the need for his obedience to it's principles and commandments grows. It is great, and could be for some, confusing as to how a Book could cause a 53 year old doctor change his life so drastically. His faith conquers anything that is put in his path and my companion and I are surprised each time he chooses to overcome another one of his trials.

So, all is good. My companion decided after the divisions that we needed to start to exercise, since the other Zone Leader did it with him (the only day they really did, thanks...) and decided we should wake up earlier to exercise. Oops. But, although I wasn't excited, we are taking advantage of the opportunity to change the ward. Everyone is...willing to lose a few pounds, so we have the Bishop, the two Secretaries, the Elder's Quorum President, Aristeo, and a few youth of the ward all ready to play soccer with us every morning at 6 AM. Can you believe that Allende would have a turf field open to the public? Maybe someone does want me to exercise, so we've been just running for a week as we were lacking a soccer ball, but today we should have that all figured out. I have noticed that the type of person you are today is the person you are. Imagine that? So, stop seeing the future, and change the present. Are you happy with who you were today? Change it tomorrow.
May God bless you in your efforts.

Elder Andrews

Elders Andrews and Hernandez with the head of a statue of Christ.

The arm of a large statue of Christ.

A Day in the Life of a Missionary

As requested by my mother, I will take this time to let you in on some more details of what it is really like to be a missionary with simple experiences during the day with your companion.

So, here goes:

Elder Hernandez and I get up. It's still dark out. Still hot. Get ready. Study. Gets more hot. Perfect. Go outside. Sun. Walk to lessons saying hi to everyone and stopping people as much as possible and talking to them.

That is a bit of a weeding out process to try to find people that are willing to at least do a little bit of what you ask them to do (read the scriptures, pray, go to church). Eventually you find someone who at least says they might. Go to their house. Three examples from this week.

Eulalia (Lala). Mother of 3 teenage girls. Catholic Primary teacher. "I believe in the Bible nothing else, but talk to me." We talk to her quite a bit and she almost denies just about everything. We repeat everything EXTRA slow and get her to agree that, yes, indeed, prophets are important. We read from the Bible a bit, she says, "Oh, that's neat." We say the same thing even more clearly and more dircect from the Book of Mormon..."I don't get it." Not the first person to act dumb... Wrote in my journal, "Ignorance is one of Satan's strongest links to hell." She ended up denying it all and told us she would never ask God about our church in prayer. To top it off she is the first person to tell me that Joseph Smith was actually an apostate Catholic...

Paulino. 60 year old man. Retired Presbyterian Missionary/Singer. Stroke affected his throat. Now converted Dentist without patients. Said hi to him and he seemed to not have anyone else to talk to. Said he already had a Book of Mormon. Randomly stops our conversation to sing a worldly song he wrote about Jesus as everyone passes by on the main road. We try to talk more so he doesn't try to sing again. He sings again. Leave him some reading assignments in the Book of Mormon and go back the next day. He read! He said he believes it! We challenge him to follow his testimony and get baptized. He stops us and tells us in a slow stern tone: "I will never change my religion." We ask, "Not even if God told you that what we are saying to you is true?" With a blank stare he replies, "No." So, before he starts singing again, we try to get out and not waste too much more time.

Janet and Eduardo. Recently married. Daughter of 2 months. Leave a Family Proclamation to the World with her and set an appointment to go back to her house when her husband is home. Go back the next day. Get chairs out. Sit down. The husband says: "I have nothing to say to you. I recieve you as human beings with the education that my parents taught me, but I will hear nothing about your religion." Ok... Well, "Is there anything we can do for you?" To which he replies, "I think it's better if you just leave."

And, so now I would assume you know why I don't share many stories of what we do. But when you do find someone that is interested and willing like we have with two others, there is nothing better than seeing them excell and seeing the power of God work in them and their families.

I think the best think that we can learn from this is to see that if God really did tell you to change something, would you do it? Would you be willing to follow? I will say one thing, if you do not read the scriptures, you are not a follower of Christ, you are a follower of someone else. Trust not what you may hear, trust rather what you know and what you have felt.

"Don't compare yourself with other christians, compare yourself with Christ; he is the only one you follow."

So, take the time in your life to let the Lord soften your hearts that you may be willing always to do all that he would ask of you. Only then can you be confident that the Lord is on your side.

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31

Elder Andrews

Meet the Family

So, I'm off quick to set the example to my son, but here's the family:

Elder Rime to the left.
Me in middle and,
Elder Hernandez on the right.

He is from Cancún. Wow! He is already a better missionary than I am, but I still try to teach him things here and there. He is way excited and is learning Spanish fast! :P

I learn things every day from him and realize that everything I do bad he tends to copy. It's funny how you learn more while teaching, but its a higher responsibility and I wouldn't have it any other way. I honestly do love it when if something goes wrong it is my fault, cause that means it's always up to me to help make it better as well.

As I went to pick up my new son, I saw 2 more missionaries get sent home early. There is absolutely nothing I detest more than having to see a missionary go home early. It is THE worst thing that has happened to me in the mission. Above all else. In that moment you wish there is something that you could do, but many times it is left to the fact that they didn't help themselves. So I would invite each one of us to always seek to progress; that we may never fall behind. May we each be obedient to all the Lord's commandments and search diligently the scriptures to be able to follow the path ahead of us.

With love and prisa,
Elder Andrews

Notes:

"Son" refers to a missionary that an elder trains. Elder Rime and Elder Hernandez are Elder Andrews' "sons" in this way.

Translation:

prisa = hurry, rush

Elder Rime, Elder Andrews, and Elder Hernandez.

Message from Elder Andrews

Dear Friends and Family

This was one of the very brief messages I received from Elder Andrews today:

"Tell everyone I am staying in my area and I'm training a Mexican. I'll know who tomorrow."

Thanks for your love and support!

Katherine Andrews <3, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, Sister-in law, etc. 

Faith, Consistency, Leadership

In my personal study this morning I opened up to D&C 42 and began to read where I had left off in my studies. I read on to see many types of miracles that are wrought by faith and the priesthood, but what seemed even more miraculous to me, is what comes after:

52 And they who have not faith to do these things, but believe in me, have power to become my sons; and inasmuch as they break not my laws thou shalt bear their infirmities.

53 Thou shalt stand in the place of thy stewardship.

Too often do we work at something for a while and after not seeing the desired results, we give up. I have found this to be true in my short service to the Lord, and so I would offer this thought from the Lord.

Let us not be worn down by those who just can't seem to get things right, lest we ourselves become like unto them. But rather, may we stand firm in the place the Lord has appointed us and reflect his light onto those who need His help.

Elder Andrews

A Week of Water

I hope you all liked last week's email. And to follow it up I would just ask that all read:

Lucas 14:27-35

27 And whosoever doth not bear his across, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?

35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

This week was an interesting one. Lots of run around with the district. 

We have to cross a river to get to our area, and this week we did divisions. It just so happened that it was one of the windiest days here in Coatza, which means waves on the river. Since we cross in a little boat, it makes it a bit more interesting and this time was the first time they required us to wear the life jackets. Not many times will you see a missionary in a life jacket. We cross the river at least once a week. 

We went with the Elder's Quorum President to have him accompany us to a lesson after we had been calling him all day to no avail. He was just relaxing in front of his house with his year and a half old daughter. He found it odd as well that his phone wasn't working either so I handed him our phone for a bit to figure out the problem by calling himself a few times. All while we practice our Zapoteco (a dialect from Oaxaca) with his mom. So, after playing with the phones for a bit he left us to go get ready so we could leave. After a few moments he came back and gasped. His daughter had snuck around the corner with our phone and his and was dunking them in a bucket of water. Oops. Haha.

Zapoteco (spelled ready for you to pronounce it right)

N-eye Shelly (Naixiele) -- I love you, I care for you

Daw arÉ -- Da ´arí -- come here

Bee saw naw -- Bisanáh -- My brother

Elder Andrews

Elders Smiley and Andrews crossing the river.

Heart, Might, Mind, and Strength

Today I wish to add my voice to those whom we heard just a few days ago as we heard the Prophet as well as others call for higher dedication to our Lord's work. We live in a time where we must not be passive stand-byers. But rather, we must play an active part in the hastening of the work. So, how can we dedicate or consecrate ourselves more to the work? Must we promise something more to the Lord? As I learned over a year ago in the Villahermosa Temple, we must not make another covenant with the Lord, we just need to be true to what we have already promised.

It is what we have promised at baptism and what we reaffirm in the temple.

"...and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people,and are willing to...stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God,and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—" (Mosiah 18:8-9)

"Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day."  (D&C 4:2)

Maybe it's because I'm a missionary and I recite this every week, or maybe because it is my newest study activity to look for and see the influence of every time these elements appear in the Book of Mormon and New Testament (heart, might, mind, and strength). Since before any of us were born, since before Joseph Smith, since the beginning of time, this work has always required our all. So how do we dedicate all? How can we give all of our heart, might, mind, and strength and consecrate ourselves unto the Lord? It takes a conscious and constant effort. I hope that each one of us can comtemplate [sic] our efforts in the Lord's work and see in what way to improve.

Heart. 

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:21)

The heart is often used in scripture as a figurative place where resides our deepest desires; the things we most want. 

My sister Allyson this week shared how our deepest desires are often distracted by other things and sometimes we lose track of what is most important to us. She shares: "The other day I went to the temple and I realized how easy it is to take the gospel for granted. Life can be so busy and weigh you down that you can slowly be desensitized. I realized that I slowly forgot what the gospel of Jesus Christ was all about and the blessing it is to me and my family. Life can be hard, but it doesn't have to be. As we strive to do our best we can find the peace and happiness that our hearts desire."

Might.

This might is not a might of just "maybe". It is a might of all that you have. It's not a maybe I'll do it, it's a yes, and I'll give it my all. The most well known example of this is Christ's observance of a widow paying her offerings at the temple. 

(Mark 12:41-44)

The translation into Spanish uses "alma" or, in English, more commonly known as "soul". Therefore, this type of might refers to giving our entire soul to the Lord. 

Mind.

"But behold, I, Jacob, would speak unto you that are pure in heart. Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions,and he will plead your cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction. O all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love; for ye may, if your minds are firm, forever." (Jacob 3:1-2 Lisa's Favorite Scripture).

What should our thoughts be then? I have learned that we are not just shooting to be good. The telestial kingdom is good, but that's not where we want to be. We cannot focus on just not having bad thoughts, but having our thoughts also consecrated to God and His purposes. 

So what then should you think? I'd advise you to take the counsel of two Book of Mormon prophets:

Jacob:

"Wherefore, we would to God that we could persuade all men not to rebel against God, to provoke him to anger, but that all men would believe in Christ, and view his death, and suffer his cross and bear the shame of the world; wherefore, I, Jacob, take it upon me to fulfil the commandment of my brother Nephi." (Jacob 1:8)

Mormon:

"My son, be faithful in Christ; and may not the things which I have written grieve thee, to weigh thee down unto death; but may Christ lift thee up, and may his sufferings and death, and the showing his body unto our fathers, and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever." (Moroni 9:25)

Also, 

"Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven." (D&C 121:45)

Strength.

 "Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions." (2 Nehpi [sic] 4:29)

We will always have forces against us, but that does not mean that we need not try harder. May we always pray to have the strngth [sic] of the Lord with us.

"But in this thing they were disappointed, for the Nephites did not fear them; but they did fear their God and did supplicate him for protection; therefore, when the armies of Giddianhi did rush upon them they were prepared to meet them; yea, in the strength of the Lord they did receive them." (3 Nephi 4:10)

So, if there are changes to be made, how then, can we make them?

"Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength,then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God." (Moroni 10:32)

I testify that the Atonement of Christ can change us, and that His grace is sufficient for those who permit His sacrifice to touch our heart, might, mind, and strength, and convert us into what He wants us to be. This is my prayer, and the desire of my heart for each one of you. God bless us in our efforts to give ourselves unto Him. 

Elder Andrews

Funny Tag Along Story: President Morales came last week and video recorded our teaching. I was sharing the story of Daniel and the Word of Wisdom and it was the lead in story of describing everything and so the lesson just seemed SUPER boring. And then they jumped ahead and our investigator (a real one who has a date for the 26th) said "I testify that all you have told me is true. When I first met you I knew nothing but now I know everything." And so everyone made fun of us that our investigator taught better than us, but it was nice to see that the Spirit made the connection with her--the point being emphasized. 

Dear Family

Sorry for the short notice, it seems that we have so much time here that it just flys right by us. Must be the wind off the shore. Elder Smiley and I are doing very well although the people in Veracruz usually tell you more about what they think of you -- which is nice that you cut out the small talk that never leads you to much, but that also hs its consequences when people let you know they don't want to hear about it. The few times people hve denied to pray with someone from another religion have been here in Veracruz. But the members, and the investigtors that do want to learn are as great as ever. The ward is up and running. 

One of our investigators, Christina (18), ran into another man that just decided to enter a church and made herself a missionary telling him all about everything we do. Very exciting coming from a girl you were questioning if she was truly capturing the message to its fullest. 

Well, gotta run again. Take care.

Elder Andrews

Coatzacoalcos

The sun hits hard, but the ocean breeze takes off the kick. It's a really nice place to be.  I told Elder Smiley that every time we step outside I feel like we are going swiming because it just has that smell in the air. Although no one really swims on this part, it still holds true to its smell. 

My area may be one of the coolest in the mission seeing as you can't get to it unless you cross the river by boat. About 7 minute travel. The small boats make windy days interesting, but thankfully I only have Colitis, and it does not appear that I am as sea sick as I once thought I was. It was interesting to get in what seems to be a tiny boat with all of your suitcases and cross a giant river, but it is even cooler than it sounds. I have since crossed a few more times for other missionary matters which makes it so I can now say I am experienced in my river crossing. 

Aside from the usual, the members here are more than great. Many of them have told me I look very serious, but its mainly because compared to Candelaria, this little village of Allende seems like a ginormous city, and so I'm still a bit lost trying to figure out where I am. You'd think it would be easy since 2 of my limits are water and the other one is just until you stop seeing houses and so I just have to remember practically one street. But its the getting around inside my area that is what gets me. So, I am a bit more quiet just as you would expect any rural boy to act when placed in a city. But, I like it a lot.

I cut Elder Smiley's hair today. The Bishop must have known from the way that I asked him what he thought that I had cut it, seeing as he replied: "It reminds me of when I lived on a ranch. It looks like a donkey ate his head." Haha. The good news is that Elder Smiley said I at least cut it way better than the sister that cut it for him previously, so I figure that's a plus. I still can't get over that his name is :) 

The Bishop's jokes make me wonder about Mexican sarcasm seeing as I was always told it doesn't exsist. But it most definitely does, although it is true that they are not quite used to Andrews humor. The fact that they think I'm very serious and that I tell jokes with a straight face just makes them laugh more. 

On a more spiritual note, the area is great. The members really work dilligently and we are in store for some great things. I can say as Ammon said: Yea, I desire to dwell among this people for a time; yea, and perhaps until the day I die (Alma 17:23).

I am loving the work here. Find joy in what you do, and try to do it well.

Take care of yourselves,

Elder Andrews

Notes:

When he talks about "limits" he means the boundaries of his area.

Coatzacoalcos

Transfers. I'm headed to area Río in Coatzacoalcos. If you look on a map it is right on the Gulf of Mexico and on the bank of a river as well in a small town called Allende. It should be a good change to end my mission well, especially since my new companion's name is Elder Smiley. 

As for other news, I'm short for time. So you guys lose to Brando as I prepare some pictures for him and his Line of Authority. 

Love you all,

Caleb

Oh, also, I have now finished all the Standard Works in Spanish. Cool stuff.

Teach to Improve

I must have just realized that I am the American missionary with the most time in the mission. And it's been that way for 3 months now. An interesting thought. How time passes and the mission gets passed into new hands. But, I'm still alive and kicking. :P Although sometimes you do start to feel like a very old man. But I help where I can. Life in a small branch does get tiring, and sometimes the success seems low, but we always try to look instead for something that we can improve. I still lead the hymns, but maybe this week we'll teach someone how to do it. We worked on teaching Maribel (Brando's mom) to cut hair today. I felt, maybe just a little bit, the satisfaction that God must have when he teaches us to do something. Maribel cut the hair of 3 of us and it was like I did it, without hands! But that Maribel had taken what she had learned from me and had been able to do something productive. 

Sorry, kinda ran out of time. We went to a wedding of one of our investigators. Brando's cousin. She is 16. And we randomly ran into a domestic squirrel. But, we keep on working.

Teach someone something this week.

Love you all,

Elder Andrews

Maribel (Brando's mom) cutting Elder Andrews' hair. 

Elder Andrews with a domesticated squirrel.

The Busy Life of a Missionary

So, I would tell you a lot of details in this email, but, there won't be much time because you'll be too busy. This week we went to Villahermosa to visit a General Authority (he is a 70 in the Presidency of Mexico...of the Church). We had to leave an entire day early as to make sure that we would get there on time. Let me describe my travels for you.

Wednesday. 10 AM convey (a bus that is a bit bigger than a mini van kinda thing with seats all along the walls of the car) leaves Candelaria to Tenosique (where our Zone Leaders are). We arrive at 1:30 PM. Work with the Zone Leaders for a few hours. At 5 PM we leave Tenosique to Villahermosa and arrive around 8:30. In Villahermosa Elder Rangel (my former companion) is waiting for us and takes us to his house for the night. 

Thursday. 9 AM we are in our places waiting for the General Authority. 10 AM Meeting starts. 10:10 AM President Morales asks me to start translating to all the new missionaries. 10:12 AM Only 2 sister missionaries want me to translate. 10:13 I'm speaking English. 10:14 Isn't it kind of rude to talk while he is talking? (Just kidding, but I found out I love translating.) 1:30 PM Finish translation. From then on I work in Elder Rangel's area with him and another elder waiting until 6:30 PM we are waiting for another meeting for leaders of the mission to start. 6:45 PM I see Obispo Chablé--the man who might not have really done anything, but the only reason I really stayed in the mission. 7 PM Meeting starts. 9 PM Meeting ends. 10 PM Three other missionaries and I in the Zone get together and are on our way out with leaders of the District (almost like they were Stake Leaders). 10:30 PM They took us to eat tacos. 11:15 PM we are leaving Villahermosa. 2:10 AM we make it to the Elder's house in Balancan. 

Friday. 9 AM looking for a way out of Balancan to Candelaria. 10:35 AM Find convey to El Triunfo. 12 PM Arrive in El Triunfo. Take taxi to Candelaria. Arrive at 1:30 PM. 1:32 PM a member happens to drive next to the taxi and takes us to our house. We go to work.

Saturday. 12:30 Recieve a call saying we need to be in a meeting in Emiliano Zapata. Cancel all our appointments. 3 PM Looking for a way out of Candelaria. All the buses leave in the morning. 3:30 PM Take a bus leaving the mission to Campehce. Get off halway. Wait on the highway trying to catch something going back the other way. (See picture) Many drunk ranchers stop. We teach them on the side of the highway (See other picture). 5:30 Another bus passes. Get on bus. Make it to Villa Chable at 7 PM. Get in taxi. Arrive at the chapel in Zapata at 7:20 PM. The meeting starts late at 7:25 PM. Meeting ends at 9 PM. 10 PM I am in the trunk of a CR-V heading towards Candelaria. 12 AM Arrive in El Triunfo and spend the night with the Elders there.

Sunday. 5 AM Wake up. 5:30 Get on the ONLY convey to Candelaria. 6:30 AM Arrive in Candelaria. 7 AM Get home. 7:20 AM Shower. 8 AM Prepare my class. 10 AM Go to Church. 5;30 PM Elder Segura and Elder Lott (the fat companions that couldn't fit in the trunk) show up to Candelaria.

Monday. Wash my clothes and put everything back where it belongs. 10:11 AM Get a call. Zone Class tomorrow in Tenosique at 9 AM... 4 PM Call saying I am teaching Zone Class here in Candelaria to fewer Elders. 

All in the busy week of a Mormon Missionary. Good news is I'm not sick.

Love you all,
Elder Andrews

Waiting on the highway.

Teaching drunk ranchers on the side of the highway.