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| Wilfredo "Miguel" Valdez |
It was one of the most powerful testimonies I have heard in a long time. He has been truly converted. He's read the Bood of Mormon and testified of it's truth . He also testified of the restoration and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. He testified of the truthfulness of the gospel today and of President Monson's divine calling. The spirit was so strong. I knew how much he wanted to be baptized because I've never seen anyone so excited for it. It was a very rewarding experience for us to witness.
While there, another student of ours came in holding a large white envelope. Mariely Howley, a convert of one year, had received her mission call. I'll never forget the day she and her boyfriend (a member) came into our office and he told me that she wanted to join Pathway, but wasn't a member. I told them she needed to be a member and she said she would be soon.
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| Mariely Howley Gomez |
She joined the church shortly after that and registered for Pathway the next semester. She started to come to English class and her boyfriend, Jose Luis, came with her until he left for his mission. She is now in her third and last semester of Pathway. Last night before we left to go home, I asked her if there was somewhere that she'd like to go on her mission. She said she'd be happy with anywhere, but she would really like to go to Chili. Well, guess where she got called....Chile! The Lord blesses these faithful young people, who are strengthening the membership of the Church here.
Today, we attended the Independencia Ward Sacrament meeting. Mariely bore a powerful testimony. She has such a strong foundation and is definitely ready to share with others. We are excited for her.
Ian Gomez, another young woman from the Institute, who will serve a mission to Chile also, came in a couple of minutes late and sat next to me. Then, our sweet Nelly bore her testimony for her last time before she leaves on Wednesday to enter the CCM here, waiting for her visa to Lima, Peru.
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| Nellly Luciano |
Wilfredo offered the closing pray for the meeting. We were so surprised that the ward has grown so much since we had visited in August to invite students to attend Institute. We now have so many friends in that ward, many of whom attend Institute. What a beautiful meeting with such a wonderful spirit. People lined up on the front row of the chapel to bear beautiful testimonies. There was never a break in between testimonies, just one after another.
After we left the Independencia Ward, we went to the LaPaz Ward, where we have a former student, Fabio, that is investigating the church attends. He had been coming into the Institute to visit us and has come to have us help him with his English. One night he came in and asked if one of us would read the Book of Mormon with him.
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| Anabel Luciano,, Ian Gomez and Nelly Luciano |
He is such a sweet young man. We hadn't seen him in awhile, so we asked some of our students from the same class if they knew him and two of them did know him. They told us that he comes to the activities in their ward, but hasn't been attending church. So Elder Park called the missionaries and asked about him. Elder Emery said, "We had a miracle this week. Fabio called us and asked to meet with him and he committed to attend church this Sunday." That is why we went there. To check on him and re-establish our relationlship with him. When we talked after Gospel Essentials class, he told us that he had a job and wasn't able to come to class anymore but that he would come to the Institute after work and we could visit and read together again. He has enrolled in an English class two nights a week (this would be a 'real' English class at a University). He is driving for the power company, but wants to learn English so he can get a better job. He hates driving in the bumper-car atmosphere here. We were excited to hear he is moving forward in his life. It makes such a difference in their lives if they are making progress in becoming self-reliant. They are happier and more likely to feel the spirit because they are happier.
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| Us with President Julio Ogando |
We also drove out to Valiente Branch and visited President Julio Ogando, our dear friend forever. His branch is growing, with three baptisms today and three scheduled for next week.
It was a great Sabbath day! We feel so blessed to know these wonderful, faithful people.
We love you all and miss you.
Peggy
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