Santa Rosa

This week we had the baptism of a 17 year old teenager we`ve been teaching. He has 3 uncles that are members in the ward, one of who is the 1st counsler in the branch presidency. It was a special baptism; Many of his family members who are members of the branch attended, including his 3 uncles and many cousins! He studys, and works with his Dad selling Ceviche (a South American dish with shrimp, onion, tomato, lemon juice, etc.) Way excited that he got baptized.

   We are teaching a few other investigators, including a guy who works in the mines, a lady that has a cool parakeet or whatever you call that, and a few others.

   I was way happy that this Sunday the two men of the family we recently baptized recieved the priesthood, the same day my brother recieved the priesthood as well! They came with white shirt and tie which was awesome. I`m loving being here in the mission! I love this gospel and know the hapiness it brings. 

Just keep swimming,

Elder Pollock

Family Complete

This week we had transfers! I am still here in Santa Rosa North but I have a new companion, Elder Roa. He is from the Dominican Republic and has 18 months in the mission. The big highlight from this week was that we had the baptism of Mayner! That completes the family we`ve been teaching here since I got here (They are all members now!) We have set a goal with them to go to the temple all together the 14th of June which they are now saving up for, as the trip is 4 hours to Guayaquil. They are excited to go and are excited to be able to be sealed as a family in a year! I´m super grateful that I can be here and to be a part of their conversion as an awesome family like them is like the Holy Grail of missionary work.

   In other news, I found a Subway today in Ecuador! I didn`t buy from it though as we cant eat the raw vegetables here in Ecuador (lettuce, tomato, etc) which is necessary for a good subway sandwhich. Plus if I did buy it, a footlong without a drink or anything was $9.25! I guess I`m getting really used to Ecuador prices (like $2.50 for a good lunch).

   The investigators we are mostly teaching right now are a 17 year old teenager who will be baptized soon and a 30 year old guy who works in gold mines. 

  Loving the missionary work! It`s awesome to be here and see the progress of the people I get to teach. I sent a photo of this weeks baptism in another email!

Love,

Elder Pollock

Importance of Family

 First off, Happy Mothers Day! This has been an excellent weekend! We have been teaching a very humble and kind family for the last month I have been here. It is a family of 5, a son and 2 daughters. The Mom and 2 daughters were baptized not long before I got here a month ago. They are a very inspiring family and I get excited to go teach them when we go there. On Sundays without fail they are always halfway to the church when we arrive at their house to take them there. That is so awesome to see as a missionary, as sometimes we are giving the investigators a little push and encouragement to get them to church, while this whole family gets there very 20 minutes before it starts. This Saturday, the husband of the family was baptized! It was a great baptismal service with much support from his family and the branch. His 9 year old recent convert daughter even offered the opening prayer in front of everyone! The Dad works Monday to Saturday in banana crops (usual for Santa Rosa/El Oro, probably the biggest source of bananas in the world). The Mom quit her work which was on Sundays in order to obey the sabbath day when she was taught it.

   Earlier in the week, we did a 1 day companion interexchange with a companionship in my zone. We do that constantly in order to help the other Elders and provide a little training. In this instance there had been 2 young teenage investigators of the other Elders´ that had gone to church on Sunday and we were going to help the Elders in putting a baptismal date and getting permission from the parents. When we got there, instead of teaching the teenagers quickly and getting baptismal permission, we called all of the family and insisted to the Dad of the family to come listen. When the family of 7 were all gathered outside, I felt strongly not to teach lesson 3  (which is the lesson the includes baptism) to but Baptismal dates for the teenagers, and instead teach sabbath day (Sunday, going to church). 

    I started off showing a picture of my family and the importance of the family. They were in grand economic need and felt the need to work all day on Sundays. It took until the whole lesson, but at the end when it was getting late and we had to get going home, the Dad finally accepted not to work and come to church on Sunday. The family then accepted to as well. We set up another visit for the next day, did some practices with the Elders of lesson 3 in the morning, and the Elders in that sector put baptismal dates to the whole family of 7! Yesterday, the whole family went to the church together and are very excited! I`m very grateful for that opportunity to help the other Elders and that family, and for the guidance of The Spirit in that moment, as it was all thanks to that.

   Yesterday I had the awesome opportunity to skype my family I haven`t seen in about 5 months. I don`t remember much what we talked about but it was a very happy moment. I got to see my brother before he heads out for the mission as well in a month! 

   I love being a missioanry and the hapiness that comes from teaching other the restored gospel. The families are central in the plan of God, and I saw evidence of that very much this week. I hope all had a good Mother`s Day! 

Love

Elder Pollock

To All

Hey everyone!

    Well this email will be a little short as I´m currently in Guayaquil and we have to take a 4 hour bus ride back to Santa Rosa soon. We´re here for a council of leaders again. We were able to learn many things that will be of use as missionaries! Yesterday we had a good day. We were able to bring many investigators to church who are progressing well. Inlcuding we brought an awesome part-member family! I believe I talked about them last week. The father will be baptized this Saturday! Then his son is the next week, and the whole family will be baptized.

    They are an awesome family and way fun to teach! They invited to dinner on Saturday night and we had chicken, rice and plantains (The best example of Ecuatorian food I can think of) We have already taught them all of the lessons and they are very excited to be part of the church!

  I love being a missionary in this work! Keep up everything you do! and Happy Mother´s Day (to come) to all Mom´s reading this!

Love

Elder Pollock