Elder James in Montreal : Zarahemla Week 48

El Barrio Zarahemla

Family,

I can't believe that two years have passed, and I am heading home. And when I say I can't believe it, I literally mean I don't feel like it's over yet! I'm in 100% denial! It's an interesting feeling, but I'll try to have a good concluding letter.

Saying goodbye to Edis and his family

We had an amazing week; full of crazy miracles and very interesting experiences! Luckily, there are lots of people who are preparing to be baptized next transfer, who have lots of promise! Armando and Luis continue to surprise us; every lesson we have with them shows us how solid they actually are. They have not gained a strong testimony that what we teach is true quite yet, but they are putting in the efforts necessary to receive one. They are willing to be baptized when they know! They have started reading and praying consistently, and have even been inviting their roommates to church! They are awesome!

Zarahemla District

We also have started teaching these two men who moved from Mexico a couple of weeks ago, Pedro and Domingo. They are super cool! Although they are very busy looking for work and a place to stay and everything, they have allowed us to meet with them consistently! Just last night we were teaching them about the Book of Mormon, and they understood it so very well. Everything made sense to them, and they made the connection between the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon to the truthfulness of the restored church of Christ. That was a miracle; that doesn't happen very often! It was amazing to see how the Spirit helped them learn and understand, and most of all feel of the truth. They were so excited to read it!

Saying goodbye to Elder Toledo

On Sunday, to my surprise, the entire ward threw a going away party after the services! It was so much fun, and I was very touched and felt their love tremendously. There was lots of my favorite food, and tons of families and people that I have grown to love immensely after serving in this ward for an entire year. We took lots of pictures (attached!), and said lots of goodbyes. I'm going to miss serving with them so much!

La Familia Cosme

It has been an honor to serve, and although I still refuse to realize that it's over, I know I am going to miss being a full time missionary. I'm going to miss talking to people on the busses and metros, teaching people sitting down on their floors, having absolutely insane people approach us and tell us the craziest things, having every single person on the street stare at us and our nametags as we walk by... but, most of all, I will miss testifying of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, of His love for us, and of the blessings of His Atonement. I will miss watching closely as the Gospel changes people's lives and being a small part of it. I will miss watching people I love with all my heart enter into the waters of baptism and make covenants with their Heavenly Father. I will miss being a representative of Christ, and being able to share a portion of His love for each person I have met. I will miss participating in this labor of love.

Hermana Guerra

Although my mission is coming to a close, I know that I don't have to miss these things. Each one of us can participate actively in missionary work. When I go home, I will still be able to testify to those around me of Christ and His gospel. I will still be able to participate in the conversion process of other people. I will still be able to stand out and be an example to those around me. All of these things don't have to come to an end once a missionary goes home, and they shouldn't end. It is the responsibility of each one of us to preach the gospel and share the blessings we enjoy with those around us. When I go home, my purpose will not change. My purpose as a returned missionary will be "Iviter les gens à venir au Christ, en les aidant à recevoir l'Évangile rétabli par la foi en Jésus-Christ et en son expiation, par le repentir, par le baptême, la réception du don du Saint-Esprit, et par le percévérence jusqu'à la fin." How great is our calling!

La Familia Lemus

I would like to end by sharing my testimony of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior. As a missionary, not only have I been able to see that testimony grow drastically in myself, but I have had the wonderful opportunity to see it grow in others as well. I know that the Atonement of Jesus Christ changes lives. I have strongly felt the cleansing and freeing power it can have in our lives as we live worthy for it. I know that it is available to everyone, as I have seen time and time again on my mission. I have seen its power change lives; lives who seemed "unchangeable." I know that the Book of Mormon is true. It, with the Bible, allows us to come closer to our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is the keystone of my testimony that the Church of Christ, His Gospel, and the Priesthood Authority have been restored in these latter days. I know that anyone can truly know for themselves if they will simply read, ponder, and pray about what is on its pages. I know through my testimony of the Book of Mormon that Joseph Smith truly was a prophet of God, and that through him, these things have been restored. I know that we, as those who have taken upon ourselves the name of Christ, are responsible for sharing this precious knowledge to those around us. And I know that, by doing so, our lives will be filled with joy, love, and peace, and that we will see the hand of God daily in our lives. I bear my witness that I have seen the hand in the work that I have done as a missionary. I know that it is His work, and that He guides it. And I know that He does so because he dearly loves His children. I bear my witness of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.

Elder James