“Why couldn´t we have found each other sooner”

I´m glad you could have already guessed as to why you haven’t heard from me yet this week. I guess that in the long run I am thankful that things are going so great and that the work is still keeping me running because I really wouldn´t have it any other way. This past week has been something really special and I have really been able to see the Lord´s hand in this work and how he is directing us to those who need us most.

I feel as though I have found my purpose of being assigned here in Pucallpa especially here in Ucayli. We ran into a man by accident while we were looking for a reference. We found him while he was sitting alone with a bottle of alcohol by his side, as we walked by we hadn´t past more than three steps when we heard him shout to us “ELDERS, I´m a lost lamb, help me!”. Elder Rodriguez and I both turned around to found out how he knew the missionaries. His name is Areleo Alberti and has been inactive from the church for quite a few years. As we got to talking with him he told us about how he has his family and three kids but a few years ago his mother passed away and how it seemed to be an unbearable trial to overcome and in order to find peace he began drinking. We made an appointment to visit him in his house and on our next visit was when we could really see his true-self and his desires to change.

We began by making small goals or stepping stones to help him realize what he is losing and what he needs to do to get back on track. You could tell that he was looking for something more, someone to turn too. As I explained the process of putting behind his addiction, I told him that the first step was recognizing that things aren’t right and that a change needs to be done. He asked what the second step was and I told him “Realize that you can´t do it alone and ask for help”. He broke down in tears and gave me a hug, he said “Why couldn´t we have found each other sooner”. Before leaving his house we gave him a Priesthood Blessing asking for strength and the desires to lift himself up when he falls and to see it out till the end. He has a long road ahead but I know that he will see it out. Its experiences and opportunities like that just I don´t feel ready to give up quite yet.