April 21, 2014

Hola family and friends!

This week was...amaazing!

We entered with kind of low expectations. I was sure that we would not be able to do ANYTHING on account of it being something called Semana Santa. The vast majority of the population is Catholic (or was) so there's one week before Easter where almost no one works and they all go to the beach. The streets were barren, and a few days we found the street marked with squares of a carpet of wood chips and seeds in designs for a parade that would pass by. (We never saw the parade, although I was equipped and ready with my camera.)

We accomplished a lot this week despite the lack of people working. We set baptismal dates with 9 people this week. First, we are teaching a man who distanced himself from all churches after his wife left him for a pastor. It's something that cut him really deep, but he's learning to overcome it. He accepted a date, although we have to work with him to help him see the blessings of going to church.

Another is a family that has been preparing, but have not been going to church. Blanca and her two kids, Estefania and Estrella. Once again they accepted a new date to work towards. They too, have difficulties in attending church.

Challenged two kids of a less active family to be baptised. One of them, Jeferson (10) is super excited about it. The other, Abraham (13) is still a tad unsure. But, I know he will be baptized too. The parents, Flor and Gustavo also came to church this week! Yes!

We found a young woman, Mirna, who we always greet in the street and started teaching her. She wants to know if the church is true. She is preparing to be baptized as well.

Then...a family Luis and Dinora with whom we need to work a lot, but who accepted the date before they knew what we were asking. "We were thinking of a date..." " We accept!" Haha, love it.

It has been a miracle this week. Truly, it has. We have also found new areas where we should go look to find people. We taught a member who lives in something like a small Laguna Seca in the midst of the city! Hna Zelaya loved being there as much as I did! We decided we need to visit these areas more. I love the communities here. Not the neighborhoods of fenced houses and white houses....but of grey cement buildings, one room homes where a family of five or more live together and their neighbor's front door is two feet beside theirs. The streets are narrow, the youth generally delinquient. But the families are close knit. The neighbors know each other. And they rely on God. I love these places more than I love a comfy couch and tile floors. I feel like it's easier for them to understand what is important in life. 

That's all I have time for today! I have to get going, but know that I am so happy to be here. Love the new experiences that we have every day. Take care! Love you all!

-Hna Schultz