The Week Full of Surprises

Well this week was a little crazy. So I guess the biggest news is that I'm no longer in Los Andes. There was an elder in Santiago that had to go home for an illness, and because we were a trio, I was chosen to replace him there. President called us on Tuesday and asked me to be in the office on Wednesday at 2:00 to make the change. So I had to pack my bags that night and leave the next day. I didn't quite have time to say goodbye to everyone.

So now I'm in Independencia, in the ward Vivaceta. My new companion is Elder Keck, but he has been in this ward for about 7 months, so he'll probably be leaving when we have changes next week. So I've got to learn this sector really fast. 

The second surprise was the phone call I recieved on Saturday, telling me that they would be baptizing in Centenario. I recieved permission from President to go back to Los Andes yesterday for the baptism, and if the rest of the family gets baptized this week, I can go back a second time. So in the end I got to say goodbye to almost everyone. It was a wonderful baptismal service and was a very spiritual experience for everyone. 

The 10 year old who got baptized is named Michael. On Saturday he told Elder Glazner and Elder Alvarez that he was ready to get baptized. He surprised even his family. They asked him if he was sure, and he persistently said that yes, he was ready to do it. The elders told me he was on the verge of crying as they continued asking if he was sure and telling him how big of a change it would be, but he was sure. That morning he had been reading the Book of Mormon, and he prayed to know if it was true. The next part that he read told him that he needed to do it. I'm not sure what part it was but he felt something, and wouldn't back down when his family asked if he was sure. He was sure.

Due to a slight error in planning, the water ended up being a little cold, so he looked a little nervous when he got in the font. But when he came out of the water he had the biggest smile on his face and he said he just felt really happy. He says he wants to be a missionary in 8 years. 

I really enjoyed my time in Los Andes and I really loved the people, so it was a little rough of an abrupt change, but I'm adapting to my new sector. From what I've seen, there are some really great members here, and we have found some really great people to teach. 

About the time I arrived in Santiago, a family from Bolivia also arrived. They were looking for work. They were a reference from other missionaries. One of the brothers is a return missionary. We are working with his aunt and his brother. We talked to the bishop about their situation and the bishop showed up with members of the ward with beds and blankets to help them out. I was surprised at their fast and generous response to other people's problems. 

This week was a little rough, but in my mission I've learned that in hard times we wonder where God is and why He's not helping, but in the end if we look back we can see that His hand was in everything and that He was probably holding our hand the whole time. This week I have seen the hand of God in my life and in the lives of the people I know and love so many times I can't even think of all of them. Quite often, if we are willing to see them, God gives us a tender mercy. 

I guess that's about it. I'll send pictures next week of the baptism and everything.  

Elder Garrett