Working Together and Working Hard

This past week was nothing short of a huge spiritual boost for me. It all started with a work visit that I did with Elder Ortega (MY SON). I don´t think I told you this last change but Elder Ortega has been here in Tarapoto with me these last two changes and what a strength it is to have him. Even though I was his trainer, I feel as though he taught me much more. This last week I got to work with him for the day and everytime we work together amazing things happen. I don´t know what it is but we just seem to be on the same page and our love for the work just goes together and we seem to always have such a strong spirit with us when we teach. As we were walking in the street to an appointment I mentioned to him of what its like when we get to teach and work together. He told me that he felt the same and that he had actually thought alot about why it was that way. He shared with me something really special, he said “I really believe that we work so well together here in the field because we also fought along the side of each other before this life”. I couldn´t ask for a better friend than Elder Ortega or for a better example that I find in him. I might be his DAD but I still look up to him in so many ways.

We finished the week with two very neat converts whose lives have already taken a huge 360 degree turn. Pedro Fababa is thirty four and for the longest time had a huge drinking problem but always knew that there was something more for him. Seeing him now and knowing him before, is a strong testimony of the way the Lord helps to give his children the strength to over any obstacle or challenge in order to go back home. After his baptism, never have I heard a more pure and sincere testimony from a new convert. It was so simple but OH so TRUE . The other baptism was of Lusis Flores. Luis was actually the very first lesson that Elder Vasquez and I taught together here in Tarapoto and in the first lesson we left with a Baptismal Date. It has since been a wild roller-coaster ride with him but he finally received his answer and knew what we taught was true. But two and a half months later he was able to enter the waters of baptism. It was such a special weekend I can´t really describe it. Things here in Tarapoto are going so great and this part of Zion is getting stronger and growing every day.