Experience in Guatemala

Hi Family,

Jessie's mission presidents wife, Sister Brough has a blog. When I checked it there was a very inspiring story that I will put in my next letter to Jessie that I thought you would all like also. Perhaps Eric, you will have had similar experiences in Tijuana and can comment on this. I would like to read your thoughts. I was very touched by it and it gave me a lot of comfort that Jessie will be protected and will an angel (especially as a sister missionary) in the midst of the Guatemalan people. Here is her blog post:

Every day we see miracles in the mission field. Every missionary experiences these miracles during their service. What is really a great blessing for President is that when he reads the weekly letters of the missionaries he hears about these miracles. Some are very sacred that we could never fully explain adequately and some are just everyday occurances in the lives of obedient missionaries. One of the focuses we have had is "Abrir su boca", open your mouth. We have set some very high goals in our mission for contacting every single day. Some missionaries are great and attack the goal with complete obedience, faith and diligence. While others are not so believing....'it is to hard, what purpose does it serve, etc.... Of course as the missionaries obey other areas that they have goals in begin to happen and the faith begins to grow. Many miracles that happen are in the lives of members and especially in the lives of the investigators. I want to share one such story about the miracles of missionaries opening their mouths and doing what the Lord has asked. Being robbed here is a very common thing. The way of travel for all the missionaries is by 'chicken buses'. These buses are very very crowded and many times robbers come onto the bus and rob everyone including the driver. There is nothing they can do but give the men what they want because they are always armed and they travel in groups. Sometimes the miracles from being obedient are never seen by the missionary but they are always noticed by someone.

This experience was told to us by Elder Euteneier: "We have an investigator that was going on a bus to Escuintla one day. Four gang armed members entered the bus and everyone on the bus knew them and knew that they were going to assault the bus. Two of them stayed up front and sat down, two others went to the back of the bus. Everyone on the bus, including the investigators were all nervous and anxious when eight of our missionaries entered the bus. They began to contact the bus. Four Elders took the front of the bus and four Elders took the back of the bus. Unbeknowest to the missionaries they contacted all four of the gang members at the same time and gave them pamphlets. At the next stop, all four of the gang members got off the bus without a single threat. Our investigator told me that we are definitely sent by God to guide and protect the people here. So not only does contacting buses rid us of fear, help us find chosen people and spread the good word but it protects agains Satan's agents as well."

Jessie's will hopefully like this experience too. I hope it won't scare her but give her faith in the power of her call and that the Lord is with his missionaries. Love you all

Mom

Jessie's First Day as a Missionary

Dear Family,

I wanted to share with you all a little bit about yesterday as we took Jessie to get set apart by President Hamblin. I truly know the Lord knows his servants and He certainly knows Jessie. President Hamblin doesn't really know Jessie at all. Other than interviewing her for her Temple Recommend he hasn't had much contact with her, but he gave her the most beautiful blessing as he set her apart to be a missionary yesterday. The first words after he set her apart to be a missionary were the things that she has been most worried about the past few months. He told her that her that her worrys and anxiety would go away and she would be calm. I don't remember the exact wording but that was the feeling.

Then he told her that she would have a strong testimony and ability to communicate and have confidence in herself and in the Lord. I'm not giving the right wording, but this is what Jessie has been so worried about - that her testimony is not strong enough, that she can't explain things clearly, and that she knows she doesn't have the confidence necessary. All these things were addressed. He then told her very forcefully that she would have a "strong and immediate grasp of the language". I do believe those were pretty close to his exact words because it struck me pretty forcfully how he said it. Jessie's Patriarchal blessing says she has the gift of tongues and it reminded me of this. He also told her that she would be easily understood, both in word and in spirit. He also said something I thought was interesting right at the end - that she should speak loudly and clearly as she taught and testified.

He promised her that she would be a calming, peaceful influence in her district and zone and that she would be an example both to those she taught and to the other missionaries in her district and zone. He said something that I can't quite put into words about her relationship and testimony of the Savior and how it would be strengthened. She would have the ability to work without tiring, to be strong in mind and body and she will touch many people. She should be grateful for this opportunity. He also promised her that the Lord would grant her other blessings known only to her. He said the Lord was very pleased with her.

I wish you could have all been there. I'm not doing this justice by any means. It was a powerful blessing and I believe it was a comfort to her and did allievate her nervousness and fear and gave her confidence that she will have the words she needs. It was a testimony to me of how much the Lord knows each of us individually and is aware of us. President Hamblin couldn't have known all the fears of Jessie's heart, but the Lord sure did. As soon as he began to speak I felt the spirit in the room and the first words out of Pres. Hamblins mouth were all the things Jessie has been worried about. It was a great experience.

Love you all lots.

Mom