WEEK 74: 21 AND LOVING IT!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELDER SOLARI!!

 Companions

1-9-17 LETTER

Thanks for the birthday wishes guys it means a lot. And sorry if this email looks boring its just that the exclamation point doesnt work on this keyboard hahaha. I passed the day pretty well dont worry I ate a super good lunch and even some cake at night. For lunch the mamita made us un parrillada which is like a bunch of grilled meats with rice and beans and patacones. Its probably my favorite plate here in Ecuador. I ate so much...and then we went on divisions with some of the leaders and the YSA. After that we went to visit the Rodriguez family and they invited us to dinner and made me a little cake that was super good.

And one of the members took a ton of photos that he sent me so you guys can see them all. 

Ask far as the work and the sector it has been good this last week. I am finally getting to know our sector because its honestly super huge. Theres a big populated downtown part, and then a part thats out in the country where everyone lives in houses made out of sticks and branches that all look like they are going to fall over. But I like being able to have a diversity of neighborhoods. And the majority is dirt roads and it has been raining a ton so they are all filled of water...and there are also a ton of stray dogs that like to bark at us and chase us so thats been pretty cool as well hahaha. A lot of the people are very humble and receptive to our message so it has been good. We brought 12 investigators to church yesterday so we are working with the ones that have real interests in the church. 

So my companion ELDER SALVATIERRA has 20 months in the mission. We also lived together when I was in Amazonas Centenario, and he also served in the same zone when I was in 25 de Julio so we already know eachother super well. He is from Cochabamba Bolivia. And for these next couple of weeks the APs have put us in another trio...so my other companion is Elder Gomez and he is from Peru and has 16 months in the mission. He is waiting for his companion to get here because he will be training. But I do have some experience in the trio in the MTC and in Cisne so no worries. The members here are great too...we had 152 in church yesterday so we started out the year strong here in Machala Central.

  

In other news this last week we had Mission Leadership Council and we got to take a bus to Guayaquil at 5 in the morning to get there by 9..and we were in the training all day and got back to Machala at 11 that night. But they made us a little booklet with information for the Zone Leaders and focused on how we can be Leaders just like Jesus Christ was during his ministry in Jerusalem. I enjoyed it a lot. It talked about how we need to believe in our missionaries..not just for who they are but for who they can become. Missionarys consecrated and dedicated to this work. It helped me a lot to see leadership from the Saviors aspect..it was a talk from President Spencer W. Kimball titled, Jesus, the perfect leader...I invite all of you to be able to read it and study it. And dont forget to keep going with your new years goals. I love you guys...until next week

WEEK 73: MACHALA, MACHALA, MACHALA!

1-2-17 LETTER

The last couple of days in San Cristobal were interesting....because Sunday I shared my testimony in the ward like we always do when we have changes. And then Monday-Thursday everyone was telling me it was going to be difficult to get a flight back to Guayaquil in this time. And then Thursday in the morning they call me and tell me that Friday I was going to leave. So my last two days all I ate was lobster because it was going to be the last time to eat it here in the mission. Literally all of the members offered us Lobster because in the next couple of weeks they arent going to be able to fish it anymore. 

Yeah so Friday was my flight to Guayaquil. I got in Guayaquil at about 3:30, and then we went to the bus terminal and I got on a bus with another missionary at 5pm, and we got to Machala at 9:30pm. I travelled almost all day and was tired of sitting down for so much time it made my back a little sore. So my new companion is Elder Salvatierra and he is from Bolivia and we are the ZLs here in Machala. So it is one big stake with 10 wards and 1 branch, but 2 zones. Our ward is called Machala Central and its a good sized ward. So far we have had a bunch of help from the members with references and them bringing friends to church so that has been nice. I do feel kind of weird being in a ward again and not having to worry if one of the people assigned to give a talk shows up or not hahaha. So Machala is actually a lot nicer than Guayaquil, and its not as dangerous. A lot of people here work in shrimp farms or fishing, but there are also a lot of factories and businesses. And everywhere you look there are banana plants, the whole 4 hour bus ride all I saw out the window was bananas. So Friday I didnt get to work here in the sector at all..and Saturday either. The 31st and 1st they had us in our houses at 7pm.

So Saturday was cool though. Theres a sector in the mission called Huaquillas, which is one of the best sectors in the mission that isnt Galapagos. So Saturday I got to go with one of the Elders in our zone to Huaquillas because he just had transfers and was going back to baptise one of his investigators. It is right on the border with Peru and the church is super new there as well, it has 4 years and is already a super huge branch. Literally EVERY ELDER wants to serve there so I was super pumped to be able to spend a day and work a little bit. So if I dont get to serve there later I wont be upset because Ive already been there haha. So we ended up getting back to our houses at 9pm because its another 2 hour bus ride. The 31st we didnt sleep a wink because outside everyone was blowing up their new yearsa character. Here they make like a cardboard cut out of their favorite super hero or cartoon character and they fill them with fireworks and blow them up in front of their houses at 12am. Its a super cool tradition I want to bring back to the united states. They also make a mannequin¿ of someone they know and they also blow it up as well. The person they pick to blow up means this next year they are going to have good luck, its like theyre throwing away all the bad and starting their new year clean hahaha but they put so much detail in them and paint them so they look like their family member or friend or whoever it is. 

So Machala is almost as hot as Guayaquil..and it has been raining a lot so this week ill take a bunch of pictures to send you guys. 

These last couple of days I have been reading conference talks from this last General conference. For the spiritual thought I want to invite you guys to read President Utchdorfs talks in the first session of conference. He talks a lot about how we need to appreciate what we have, not take anything for granted and the Plan of Salvation. Anyways thats all the time I have I love you guys! Happy New Year and dont forget to put your goals for this year!!

WEEK 72: SO FUN TO SKYPE!

CHRISTMAS DAY - Elder Solari was able to Skype with his family in Washington!!

 I spy _____ Iguanas!

 Blue footed boobie

 Christmas Tree

Church building

11-26-16 LETTER

As far as a letter i will not be going to Machala yet. The APs called me last night and told me they forgot to buy my ticket...and that now there arent any for another couple of days so I dont know when Ill be going back yet. So Im sure the Lord needs me here for a few more days..theres another family or two we need to find before I go. They said I might be going Thursday or I might have to wait until after new years..it just depends on when theres a seat available. Something cool that happened I forgot to tell you guys...We ran into members from Singapore the 24th and they bought us ice cream to celebrate Christmas! It was super cool because theyre both recent converts too. I love being able to meet and see members of the Church from all over the world. I love you guys a ton and dont forget to write down your goals for this coming year 2017!! 

WEEK 71: IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS!

12-19-16 LETTER

Well this last week was fantastic!!! Were still working with Jimmy, and he is progressing just he works in the airport and its hard for him to get a Sunday off. But he knows he wants to be baptised and has his testimony so we just have to wait until he can come to church. As of right now hes our only rock solid investigators...we have quite a few other but theyre not keeping with a lot of the committments so we are looking for new investigators! This Friday we are going to have our Group San Cristobal Christmas activity. Were going to cook arroz con pollo and have juice and toys for the little kids and bags of candy so its going to be a great experience for the church here. 

As far as the weather...is has started to heat up. January is when it is supposed to get hot..and in Guayaquil its when the rainy season starts. So since the government only lets us stay out here for 60 days...my 60 days ends January 4th so Ill only be out here for maybe 2 more weeks. It would be great to be able to stay longer so we will have to see what happens. 

In other news...I got a copy of my Priesthood line of authority to be able to share with the people here. Its honestly great being in an area where the church is so new!

As far as the skype I am going to be calling at 4pm San Cristobal time. So 2pm your time. I hope thats already so you can open presents and eat and then ill be ready to talk to you guys! But keep your skype open the whole time you guys are home so its up and ready when im on.

So these last few weeks I have been studying the New Testament and am in Hebrews chapter 5

8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

I love these two verses. They talk about Christ and the importance of our obedience to Him and Heavenly Father. He is the author of our eternal salvation ONLY if we are obedient. Its honestly something so important I have learned here in the mission. Obedience to Christ and His gospel should always be first in our lives. I know the Lord blesses us as we are faithful and serve others.   

Anyways thats all the time ive got but ill talk to you guys soon!! And i couldnt send any pictures so ill try again next week! Love you all! Merry Christmas!!!🎅

WEEK 70: I WENT INTO THE OCEAN

Nancie baptism

 Charging sea lion

Huge iguana

12-12-16 LETTER

Yeah so I am sure you guys are all thinking that for my subject in the email Im a disobedient missionary and I went swimming in the ocean. So what really happened is that Nancy was baptised and she picked me to baptise her!! So we had the baptism service Saturday at 6:30am. We had to do it before all of the tourists got out there to go swimming. We do the baptisms in a beach called the Loberia. And it was full of sea lions sleeping in the sun and the ocean was super cold! But we were successful and it was a simple baptism, but the one where I have felt the spirit the strongest. We took a ton of pictures but the cyber where we usually go was closed and we are in a super slow one right now....so Ill try to see if I can get atleast a few sent today. A big sea lion almost attacked Brother Tarquino so that was pretty cool to see. It straight up charged him and then chickened out last minute. I got a photo of the mad sea lion haha.

But the baptism went great and even her family came out to support as well! And we did not get permission to change houses so we are going to be staying where we live right now. Also today we ended up not going to the Waterfalls, so we stayed down in the port and went and played Monopoly with Bro San Andres and his family instead.

OH GUESS WHAT!! Jimmy, the guy we were teaching in jail got out last week! And he is going to be getting baptised in the next couple of weeks. We had a super great lesson with him yesterday and his wife is now listening to us! Theyre the family so if you guys could pray for them that would be great. 

In other new...we did some service this last week! Painted some rooms in members houses and helped a church member make corviches and muchines to sell in her restaurant!

Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

One of my favorite scriptures in the Bible. Christ tells us what we need to do to really follow Him. I was able to give a talk yesterday in church about this scripture and what He is telling us..we have to reject the worldy things and our own will, and adopt His will. I know that as we follow Christ, he blessed us and gives us strength to overcome all trials in this life. I know that Christ lives, that He is the Redeemer of all mankind and that on the 3rd day he resurrected.

Anyways I love you guys!!! Merry almost Christmas!!

ELDER SOLARI

WEEK 69: DECEMBER

 LightTHEWorld package from mission home

The Island and Ocean

Apartment

12-5-16 LETTER

Well theres a new rule in the mission. I think some Elders were abusing their P day writing time...We can only write for 30 minutes now. So Im going to try to write the letter as fast as I can and with everything that has happened this last week!

SO we found someone who has been going to church for over a month and my last companion told me she was a member..but turns out she isnt!! So her name is Nancy and she is going to get baptised this weekend. And her parents gave us permission so everything is going to be great! Her name is Nancy Lucitena pray for her please so everything goes well with her baptism. We have also found some other families to work with this week, but none of them went to church yesterday so we are going to keep looking. Yesterday we also put the Christmas Devotional in the church with a projector and a bunch of the members came out to support and see it with us.  

Also I got to preside and conduct the fast and testimony meeting yesterday!! It was a great learning experience and I enjoyed it! Sure I was a little nervous beforehand but it went very well! Also there was a family of members from Canada that came yesterday and the father is a great great great great grandkid of Wilford Woodruff and he even had the huge beard to prove it so that was pretty cool too.

So this next week Hno. Gary told us that he is going to take us hiking to some waterfalls next P day so that should be a cool experience too. 

DYC 108.7 Therefore, strengthen your brethren in all your conversation, in all your prayers, in all your exhortations, and in all your doings.

This is a scripture super important for us. Its something that really has stood out to me being here on an island where the church is new and the members dont know a ton because everyone is a recent convert. We need to strengthen the testimony of everyone around us and we can do it through the example we show. Every day, every hour, every minute even every second we have these chances to serve and be a light to someone else. We need to take advantage of every one of these opportunities that the Lord gives us, and if we do it, the Lord will forgive our sins continually. Mosiah 4.26 

Anyways I love you guys thats all the time ive got!!!

WEEK 68: THANKSGIVING IN GALAPAGOS = LOBSTER

 Where the ship arrives with seafood

 Two giant turtles

 Will & new companion

Making Corviche

11-28-16 LETTER

Well it was great being back in the island this week. I feel grateful to serve the Lord in such a beautiful and blessed place. I know the Lord needed me here for a reason and I am able to find out every single day as we meet and find new people to teach here on the island. It has definitely been a huge change from Guayaquil...here the pace of life is slower and more peaceful. Its also a lot more secure and the people here are friendly as well. As far as new things this last week we have been looking for a new apartment to change where we live. Theres nothing wrong with where we live but the island has been having some problems with water rationing because it hasnt rained in almost a year. So we are searching and we have found some cool apartments..just theyre all too expensive for the budget they have given us. And we are looking for one furnished because the only things the mission owns in our apartment is a table, 4 chairs and an iron and ironing board..the rest is from our landlord here. 

So something funny...I had forgotten about Thanksgiving completely this last week, until our mamita reminded us Thursday..and she had prepared Lobster for us! With rice, of course and patacones which is fried platano. Theres also a recent convert who sells corviche..which is fried platano filled with albacore fish, so yesterday we learned how to make them..which includes grating platano. But they are super good so Ill be sure to make them for you guys someday. The fish here on the island is super good, the fishermen bring it to shore every morning and my companion likes to go down to the pier and buy and look at the fish. Another cool thing here is that we live 1 minute from a park where we go play basketball every morning as our exercise time!

This last week they also sent us new pass along cards for the new Christmas video of the church.. I think its called Light the World, Ilumina el Mundo so we have been giving out tons of those everyday, and we write on the back the direction of the church and the hour so people can come find out more about our church! Its interesting here because the church only has 3 years..so a lot of people dont know anything about the church. We have been doing a lot of contacting and knocking some doors this week and it has been fun. Just last night we were knocking doors in a part of the island where the missionaries havent gone before and we were able to find a new family to teach! La familia Torres and it was a powerful lesson. They had been having some family problems in the home and we talked a lot about the Holy Ghost and why it is so important to have in the home and the family. They should be coming to church this next week so Ill keep you guys posted on them! As far as Jimmy he is still listening to us..but we meet with him in the jail..the police guys let us pass to teach him the word of God so its going well he is reading and praying. We also met another family, the Pisha family and theyre from northern Ecuador so my companion and them get along super well. and we are teaching their family they are some new investigators as well. 

3 NEFI 12.48

Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.

One of my favorite scriptures...Christ is telling us what we need to strive for day to day. That we can become more like him..and through our faith and our prayers and our efforts we can do it and achieve everything. I love you guys!!