Service Week

This week a foundation for Ecuador came to do service here in Guayaquil, and it happened to be in my new zone! The foundation has the initials ECY if I remember right. If I understand it, it is a foundation set up by return missionaries who served here in Ecuador 20 years ago to help the people here. There was a free dental clinic set up for some 4 days in the stake center with return missionary dentists, etc. They also were doing many other things that I didn´t catch exactly what they were. They built a few houses for some members here that really needed it. We got to help them as missionaries which was awesome! We also got to help them in the dental clinic teaching dental hygeine and the Word of Wisdom while filling out patient forms with the people that came.

   At the end they had an event in which many people came to recognize their help, with a dance afterwards. 3 other missionaries and I went to recognize their service and present them with the pins of Ecuador Guayaquil Sur Mission that we all wear. They had to invite us to be baptized in a mini practice lesson to recieve them! It surprised me to see they remembered how to do it in spanish! We then got of there quickly before the dance. 

   We are at the moment teaching some investigators preparing for baptism. One is a 19 year old taller than me which is a first. They call him "robofoco" here, which means lightbulb theif. (because he can easily reach up and steal the porch lightbulbs) Another is a mom of a few kids who were baptized a few months ago. She came to church and is excited! Another is a christian lady who has come to church a few times already and is also preparing for baptism. 

   I´m loving the mission life and helping people come unto Christ! Very happy to be here, and inspired by the large group that came with the foundation who came to Ecuador. They have had a big impact here! There are some 5 teenagers who will be leaving on their missions soon. Something way awesome the foundation did was provide brand new suitcases with a TON of ties, nice white shirts, pants, and basically everything they need to be set for their missions and many other future missionaries nearby. They are super excited to be set for their missions! I´m grateful for this chance to be serving here in Ecuador. Hope you all have a good week!

Elder Pollock

 

(This was an e-mail from the guy that came from the foundation ECY)

Had a great day yesterday working along side this amazing group of Elders.. Our group is in the middle of building a poor family a new house, these elders showed up yesterday to lift the load.. Thank you for having them here and engaged in the Lords work!
Dan

Back to Guayaquil!

This Saturday was the baptism of Melissa, a girl we`ve been teaching who lives with her aunts that are members and hadn´t been baptized yet. The baptism was awesome! Her aunts, cousins and even her sister who isn´t a member came! The young women of the ward sang a musical number in the baptism as well. We were a little nervous as at the hour of the baptism she hadn´t gotten home yet and the aunt who she lives with didn´t know where she was at! It has happened to me before where an investigator at the last moment decides not to get baptized so that was going through my head as we waited outside the house with the aunts. To everyones relief she ended up getting home some 10 minutes after baptism was supposed to start and so we started a little late. She had gone to eat with her freinds and lost track of time! She was very happy and excited for the baptism.

   Today I was changed to back to Guayaquil, back in the Guasmo! My new companion is Elder Betanco, a missionary from Nicaragua who I met around the beginning of my mission. He has 1 or 2 months less than me in the mission. The zone I`m in is Puerto Nuevo, sector La Toma. That`s the same zone I was in with Elder Chandler in January, but in a different sector. Back to a few familiar sights and places but with new faces. I love being here in the mission. I know this is the work of the Lord, and I`m grateful to be part of it. 

Elder Justyn Pollock

PS I recieved a package at home!!!! The contents of which I am currently enjoying. It`s definitely a booster to get that beef jerky, candy, church music and other things i love. Thanks family!!! Love you!

 

 

PS This week we had the baptism of Paola, a ten year old girl who is here for a few months from Italy. Her Mom didn`t want her to get baptized there because she wanted the grandpa of the girl to baptize her, and he lives here! Sorry missionaries in Italy! haha. Her grandpa is a convert who has baptized his whole family, kids, grandkids, and everyone. The baptism was awesome with the whole big family, cake, a musical number by the grandpa and his grandsons, and it was the grandpas birthday the day of the baptism as well!

Leadership Council

Highlight: Today we had a mision leadership council, which we have every month. I always love the mission leadership councils, as I always leave with much revelation on what I need to do to improve and better serve others: the missionaries, investigators, and members. I also have grown to like traveling in the mission (I can´t complain about a 4 hour bus ride to guayaquil every once in a while in an airconditioned bus with comfortable seats). The temple hotel is also airconditioned, which translates to sleeping like a rock which is very enjoyable. Also, the council takes place in an airconditioned building. I´m very grateful for airconditioning. Haha but the real blessing is to hear from our mission president, who always has topics and teachings very inspired for what we need to hear.
    In terms of proselyting, we didn´t have as much success as we did last week, but I am always grateful to God for any blessing he gives us. Our Branch changed schedule from 9:00 to 3:00PM. It´s a change that we have to get used to, as never in my life have I had a church schedule so late! A few couldn´t come because they went to the city and didn´t come back in time to go to church (those preparing for baptism specifically: a single Mom, Rosa, with her 2 kids, and another family of 4, Carlos, Carlos, Mercedes y Anita ). Some that are preparing for baptism did come however and for that I am grateful: a cousin of a family of church members, Melisa, and two teenagers Raul and Gabriel who came with their freinds and whos parents commited to coming next week.
    I love the mission. I learn and improve myself everyday. I love the opportunity to serve others in their lives to be happier and to trust in God. I know this is the Church of Jesus Christ. I love you all and wish you all the best.
Love,
Elder Justyn Pollock
Santa Rosa 1st Branch
7 July 2014

My companion is Elder Gomez from Nicaragua