Wednesday, March 10, 2010 -- Message from President Mendoza

In my email last week, I made brief mention of the things that are going on here in Mexico. Yesterday, President Mendoza sent an email to all the parents of missionaries in our mission explaining what is happening and explaining that we are safe and protected.

I recieved permission to send you the email today. . . .

[Editors' note: What immediately follows is a translation of the original message, generated with the help of Google Translate. The original Spanish version appears after the translation.]

The Mexico Monterrey East Mission is divided into two major population centers. Half of the missionaries serve in the metropolitan area of Monterrey and the other half on the border with the southern part of Texas, USA, in the vicinity of the Gulf of Mexico. [In this border area,] we serve the stakes of Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa, Rio Bravo, Matamoros, and Valle Hermoso, all of these in the state of Tamaulipas.

During the past three weeks we have witnessed what is said in Matthew 24:6. ["And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet."] Our missionaries in the border have literally heard the thunder of gunfire and heard plenty of voices with true and false data. I have said they have a right to feel afraid because in addition to the struggle that Paul describes in Ephesians 6:12 ["For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places . . . ,"] now we are also spectators of a war between two groups of offenders with one another and the Mexican army as a third contender.

The little information that appears in the media does not report the magnitude of what is happening and much of what circulates on the Internet is not quite real. But the purpose of this letter is so you know that this “war” is between two rival groups that meet in public places [and] has caused harm to innocent people who, by accident or circumstantially, have been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The same occurs when some members of these groups are confronted by members of the Mexican army patrolling the city to ensure the safety of public.

The attacks are not directed at civilians and I am happy to report that none of our missionaries has witnessed a situation of this kind.

None of our missionaries has been injured in these violent acts because the Lord protects them according to the promise of D&C 84:88 ["And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up"] and by the prayers of every member of the church family that includes us in your prayers. Thank you very much for that. It is noteworthy that on Monday, March 8, four of our missionaries were attacked and robbed while they slept. This happened in the morning. Fortunately, they only lament the theft of valuables.

We are in constant communication with the stake presidents and leaders of area home missionaries. We direct that the missionaries:

1. Stay away from any place that might pose a danger.
2. Upon identifying a place of conflict, move away in the opposite direction.
3. Follow the recommendations of the bishops, stake presidents, and civil authorities.
4. Stay tuned to the promptings of the Spirit to walk in safe places.
5. They should return home [no?] later than 7:30 pm.
6. They must also report any situation that affects or involves risk.
   

We have faith that the Lord will protect us, but we remain cautious in fulfilling our mission work.

* * *


“La misión México Monterrey Este se distribuye en dos grandes núcleos de población. La mitad de los misioneros sirve en la zona metropolitana de la ciudad de Monterrey y la otra mitad en la frontera con la parte sur de Texas, E.U, en la cercanía del Golfo de México. Servimos a las estacas de Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa, Río Bravo, Matamoros y Valle Hermoso, todas estas en el estado de Tamaulipas”.

“Durante las últimas 3 semanas hemos sido testigos de lo que dice Mateo 24:6. Nuestros misioneros en la frontera han escuchado literalmente el trueno de los disparos y han escuchado un sinfín de voces con datos ciertos y datos falsos. He dicho que tienen derecho a sentir temor porque además de la lucha que describe Pablo en Efesios 6:12, ahora también somos espectadores de una guerra entre 2 grupos de delincuentes entre si y el ejército mexicano como tercer contendiente”.

“La poca información que aparece en los medios de comunicación no refieren la magnitud de lo que sucede y mucho de lo que circula en internet no es del todo real. Pero el objetivo de esta carta es que usted sepa que ésta “guerra” es entre dos grupos rivales que al enfrentarse en lugares públicos han causado daño a personas inocentes que por accidente o circunstancialmente han estado en el lugar equivocado en el momento inoportuno.”

“Lo mismo ocurre cuando algunos integrantes de esos grupos son enfrentados por miembros del ejército mexicano que patrullan las ciudades para garantizar la seguridad de la población”

“Los ataques no están dirigidos a la población civil y me alegra informar que ninguno de nuestros misioneros ha sido testigo presencial de una situación de éste tipo”.

“Ninguno de nuestros misioneros ha sido lastimado en estos actos violentos gracias a que el Señor les protege según la promesa de DyC 84:88 y por las oraciones de cada familia miembro de la iglesia que nos incluye en sus plegarias, muchas gracias por eso. Cabe mencionar que el lunes 8 de marzo 4 de nuestros misioneros sufrieron un ataque y robo mientras dormían. Esto sucedió en la madrugada. Afortunadamente solo lamentamos el robo de sus objetos de valor”.

“Estamos en comunicación constante con los Presidentes de Estaca y los líderes de casa Zona de misioneros. Hemos dado instrucciones a los misioneros de que:

1. Se alejen de cualquier lugar que pueda representar un peligro.
2. Al identificar un lugar de conflicto, se alejen en dirección contraria.
3. Sigan las recomendaciones de los Obispos, Presidentes de estaca y autoridades civiles.
4. Estén atentos a las impresiones del Espíritu para caminar por lugares seguros.
5. Deben regresar a casa a más tardar a las 7:30 de la noche.
6. También deben reportar cualquier situación que les afecte o implique peligro”.
   

Tenemos fe en que el Señor nos protegerá, pero estamos siendo prudentes al cumplir nuestra labor misional.

* * *

Friday, March 5, 2010 -- En las mañanitas cantaba el Rey David; hoy, por ser tu cumpleaños, te los cantamos a ti

[Translation: In the early mornings, King David sang; today, on your birthday, I sing it to you.]

[Editors' note: This is the second of two postings for Friday, March 10. The first appears below.]

Before all else, I want to wish [my little brother] Benson a happy birthday. Here in Mexico, the traditional birthday song is called “Las Mañanitas” ["The Early Morning,"] and it is usually sung very early in the morning to wake up the special birthday boy or girl. Unfortunately, I couldn’t wake you up singing on your birthday, but I did think about you.

You have now reached the age of accountability, and are starting it well, using your agency to chose to follow Jesus's example and be baptized. Everything that I do as a missionary is centered on helping people understand how important it is to make that same decision. Congratulations! I am sure it will be a very special day. I always tell people that they will feel a happiness and joy that they have never felt before, and I know that you will as well. . . .

As Benson competes eight years of life, I complete 21 months as a missionary. It is hard to believe--in fact, I don’t like thinking about it. But it has also been a time to evaualte myself and think about where I am, how far I have come, and how much further I have to go.

As I told (and showed) you in my other emails, today we went to some caves. I truly stand all amazed not only at the love Jesus offers me, but also at the beauty of His creation.

Ever since last week’s opportunity to attend the sealing of Eddy and Olga, I have been more excited to work with families than ever. My companion and I are teaching several families, including three part-member families. It is wonderful to teach families.

Last Sunday, the Lord blessed us with a "tender mercy" in church. The teen-age cousin of one of our ward members has come to stay with them for a few months to study and work. He came to church with them that day and that evening we taught him in their home. In the first lesson he accepted a baptismal date. His name is Jesus Chaides and is a good guy. He wants to come with us one day next week to see us work, and wants to go on a mission when he finishes high school. What a blessing!

Mom asked me in her email if there is something that I would like you to fast for. In the missionary handbook, it suggests that we not ask our families at home to join us in special fasts for investigators. But since you offer, I think it would be great for you all to fast for something that the Area Presidency asked all the members in Mexico to fast for as part of a quest to re-dedicate ourselves to the Lord:

1. That the government leaders throughout all the world can make good decisions that protect their people and help the gospel to grow, and
2. That the members of the Church throughout the world have the desire to be obedient to God's commandments.

In the months of November, December, and January, all the members of the Church in Mexico fasted together for those purposes, and I can see the wisdom in that fast as well as the other things that the Area presidency has asked us to do.

I don’t know how much you hear about what is going on here in Mexico. But I imagine that it is quite a bit. Just know this: I am fine, as are all the missionaries here. The Lord protects us when we are obedient, and as Joseph Smith said, “No unhallowed hand shall stop this work.” When I get home I’ll have some stories to tell, but for now, just know that I am well and am protected as are all missionaries.

I truly appreciate your prayers and fasts and thoughts and love.

Friday, March 5, 2010 -- Preparation Day

[Editors' note: This is the second of two posts for March 5, 2010. The first appears immediately above.]


Today President Mendoza gave us permision to have an excursion. . . .

We had to drive about 1.5 hours to arrive to the mountains where our final destination was.


As we got closer, we enjoyed the view even more. We drove there in missionary attire, then changed into normal clothes in the car. I no longer have normal clothes, so I wore my exercise pants and a soccer jersey I bought here.


The place where we were going was called Grutas de Garcia or, being translated, Garcia's Caves.


From left to right: Elder Lopez (records secretary), Elder Castillo (financial secretary), Elder Christosomo (my companion), Elder Dudley (assistant, but not currently my companion), Elder Larsen (executive secretary), and me.

To get to the caves, we had to go up in a ski-lift sort of thing.

It was fun with four of us in the car.

The view from the top was also amazing.


In the caves, there were many beautiful things to see. We moved in and around and over and under the formations.


It was truly incredible! According to the guide, it took 50 million years to form it (wow!).




Several of the formations had man-given names for their shapes, such as . . .

the gorilla (el gorila),


hell (el infierno) (made more scary by the red-lighting),


the donkey's head (la cabeza del burro),


and the dead man's hand (la mano del muerto).

Friday, February 26, 2010 -- The Most Beautiful Day of My Mission

This week was amazing. It was home to some of the best experiences of my life, but also some of the most intense stress I have ever delt with.

Let's start with the good news. You will remember the Montoya Leal family, who were baptized December 28 2008 in Juarez. From the moment that Elder Zamudio and I began to teach them, we had the vision of them becoming an eternal family. I think that vision helped us defeat the challenges that came up during their conversion and stick with them.

That same vision helped us write to them from time to time after being transferred to encourage them and to remind them of the feelings that they experienced when they first got to know the gospel.

That vision has become a reality. Edy and Olga and two of their children were sealed for time and all eternity in the Monterrey Mexico Temple last Wednesday. It was incredible.

It felt so great to see them after so long. But it felt as if it had been only yesterday that I was with them in the Ranchito. They have progressed immensely.

As I sat with them in the endowment session, a multitude of thoughts and feelings struck me. Only months ago I was teaching them the basic principles of the gospel, so simple yet so foreign to them, and now they were learning with me, being taught from on high. I remembered how I felt when I went to the temple for the first time—the feelings I had, the questions that came to my mind, how I was so extremely nervous at first, but ended with the greatest peace that I had felt in all my life. . . .

I learned a lot in that session. I learned that I, as a missionary, am a true messenger of Jesus Christ sent to help people prepare to return to the presence of God. I also learned more about the importance of the family in God's eternal plan.

I had the blessing and privilege of being a witness in their sealing. This was the second time that I had seen the sealing ordinance (the first being when I participated in vicarious sealings in the Provo Temple during my stay in the MTC). I said then and I repeat that the sealing ordinance is the most beautiful thing I have seen on this earth. In fact, it is what this earth is all about.

Tears came to my eyes as I they were sealed, first to each other, then to their children, for time and all eternity. Such joy filled my heart as I saw them hug each other with a love that was truly eternal. Nothing can compare.

If every day of my mission was full of rejections and hardships and trials (and many are), it would be worth every minute of it for that moment in the temple.

Another special part of Wednesday’s experience was seeing many of the members from Juarez, with whom I had worked when I was in that area. The Gomez family, who were the Montoyas’ fellowshippers even before they were baptized, were by their side every minute in the temple. What a great day!

As I mentioned, today we had a zone leader council with Elder Benjamin De Hoyos of the 70 and the Mexico Area Presidency. It was also a wonderful moment. He spoke mainly of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and its importance and relation to missionary work. He also talked about the importance of good questions as part of our teaching with our investigators, and he talked about our future. He spoke for about three hours, and then gave us time to have our council as we usually do. I was very nervous, but had the opportunity of leading a discussion in front of Elder de Hoyos. It went well. In fact, he complimented us on our council, and taught us about the importance of councils in church organization and government.

Tomorrow we have another meeting with Elder De Hoyos. I’m excited.

Now you are probably wondering why this week was also so stressful. Many of the reasons were for normal duties of an assistant to the President, which I will tell you more about later. But the main reason was all the preparation that we had to do for Elder De Hoyos. We cleaned the offices from floor to ceiling. The truth is, I have never seen the offices so clean as they are now. And several things went wrong. The dryer broke and we didn’t have a way to wash the tablecloths. We brought them to a landromat, but they came out wrinkled, and we spent hours trying to iron them, but never could figure out how. But in all this, there is another lesson to be learnt, one which President Mendoza has taught us several times: don’t let the details take away the Spirit. Or don’t stress so much about the little things that you can’t enjoy the spiritual moment when it comes.

But despite the stress, it was a great experience.

I am well and happy. This work is the Lord's work, and nothing can get in the way.

* * *

[In answer to questions about culture in Mexico:]

There are all sorts of Mexican Music. Mariachi is one, ranchera, grupoer, cumbia, salsa, and much more. There is Mexican rock, Mexican pop, even Mexican country. One of the most common among today's youth is regeton, but it is the equivalent of rap: there is nothing good about it.

* * *
One of the most famous parts of Mexican culture is the food. And not just tacos and burritos. Every region has a traditional dish with a rich taste and a richer history. Probably the best part about Mexican food is how willing the Mexican people are to share it.

Friday, February 19, 2010 -- La Caja Chica

This has been a great week, both in the offices and in the area.

The Zone Leaders, Assistants, and Executive Secretary in our mission all have something called the “caja chica.” Literally translated, it means “small box,” but it isn’t a box. Usually, it is a bag or a purse or a wallet to store money used for purposes of the mission, or for reimbursing missionaries who paid for things that aren’t included in their monthly allowance, such as electricity bills.

Tuesday night, we had 34 missionaries staying here in the mission offices. They came from the frontera (border) to go to the temple Wednesday morning. So Tuesday night we had to buy food for them. We went to the local supermarket (H-E-B) and bought 10 sandwich trays and several gallons of orange drink, filling 3 carts. We paid with money from the caja chica and went to load the van. After putting the food in the van, one of the missionaries who was with us put the three carts next to another car. I knew that they didn’t belong there, but we were in a hurry, so I didn’t say anything and we left.

When we arrived and unloaded the van, I felt like something was missing: la caja chica. We searched and searched, but it was not to be found. I was worried, very worried. There were 2,000 pesos in the caja (about 200 dollars), which is a large sum for a missionary. At 10:15 I called President Mendoza to explain what had happened and to ask for permission to return to HEB to look for it. President Mendoza, after telling me not to worry, told us to go, and we did so.

We parked exactly where we had parked the last time. And to our great surprise, the carts were still there where we had left them! We got out of the car and looked in the carts, and there was la caja chica, in plain sight. It had been there for over an hour, and no one had touched it. The first thing we did was say a prayer of gratitude, for it was truly a miracle.

That experience helped me learn to be more responsible and careful with what I am entrusted with. It also helped me be more grateful for the tender mercies of the Lord. What a blessing! It was truly a miracle.

This week my companion, Elder Crisostomo, and I have thought of a new way of finding and teaching. We have started to contact the streets close to our church building and offer tours. We have also made a plan for the tours, teaching a principle of the first lesson in each room, culminating with a baptismal challenge in front of the font. Yesterday we had our first experience.

We have been working with Moises Flores, a less active future missionary. He told us that his girlfriend, Jazmir, was interested in learning about the Church, so we invited him to invite her to a tour. Last night it was cold and rainy and muddy, but we had faith that they would arrive. And they did. It really was a beautiful sight see a couple of 20-year-olds walking together in the rain to go to the church.

There was a special feeling throughout the tour. We taught the principle of the earthly ministry and Atonement of the Savior in the chapel, and talked about the sacrament. We taught about prophets, families, God, and the restoration each in a different room while explaining what we do in the church. We taught the Book of Mormon in front of the baptismal font, mentioning that the ancient in habitants of this continent practiced baptism. Then we taught briefly the doctrine of baptism and invited her to follow the Savoir’s example. She didn’t except a specific date, but expressed a desire to do so after having learned more and received a testimony. This Sunday she and Moises will come to church with us.

I love missionary work.

Thanks for you love and prayers.

* * *
P.S. Edy and Olga will be sealed this next Wednesday. I am very excited.

Friday, February 12, 2010 -- Big News

[This is the second of two posts for February 12. The next post below is the first to be received on February 12. -- Eds.]

This has been a busy preparation day. Today we drove to Chipinque, a mountain peak here in Monterrey, with a beautiful view. (I will send pictures next week.)

I love nature and I love the tops of the mountains.

This has been a week of . . . big news. . . .

[One] piece of very big and very good news was a phone call that I received last week. Do you remember Edy and Olga, from the Ranchito? Well, this next Wednesday, February 17, they are going to the temple! They will be sealed for time and all eternity, and I will be there! . . .

This week we also found out that in two weeks a member of the Area Presidency will be here with us in our mission and will preside over a zone leader conference.

I had a great birthday. The other missionaries here in the mission offices spoiled me with service. They cooked me breakfast, ironed my shirt, polished my shoes, and even knotted my tie! There is also an office tradition of buying a cake and “surprising” the birthday boy. They bought me a delicious cheese cake. President Mendoza invited us to his house on my birthday. It wasn’t specifically for my birthday, but it felt good to go. Usually the only times we go there are for
the "Goodbye, Heroes" dinners and the "Welcome, Valiants" dinners.

* * *

I have to tell you that my release date will probably change to July
21, because of a change of transfer procedure, a change that the Area Presidency
has suggested. . . .

* * *

My companion and I continue having lots of work to do. We are always looking for ways to make things better. This week we have been preparing a new packet for the new missionaries, and next week we will be revising the now outdated zone leader manual, in addition to our weekly duties of supervising the zones and reporting the numbers to Salt Lake and President Mendoza.

In our area, the Lord continues to bless us. Yesterday, Eloy and Griselda, the couple who were looking for a church to attend together, accepted baptismal dates. We are working with several families and I love every minute of it.

I love you all and appreciate your prayers. Thoughts of you inspire me to be better.

* * *

P.S. President Mendoza will go to the P.O. box this next Thursday, February 18.

Friday, February 12, 2010 -- RE: Happy Birthday

[This is the first of the two posts received on February 12. This one was received after the one posted above. -- Eds.]

Thank you for the happy birthday wishes! It is hard to belive that I am 21 years old.

Thanks for letting me know that you didn't get my letter last week [on February 5]. I
don't know what happened. Yes, I was really busy, but I did write you a letter and I don't know why it didn't arrive. This [comes from] the letter I wrote last week:

This has been the most intense week of my mission. I have literally been busy every waking minute.

Monday [February 1] was transfer day, and included picking up 14 Mexican missionaries in the airport, coordinating the transfer devotional, beginning the new missionary seminar, and picking up the only new American missionary, who arrived at 10:00 PM instead of 4:00 PM.

Tuesday [February 2] we went to the temple with the new missionaries and their companions, and then were in training with them all day long. As soon as they left, the zone leaders arrived for Wednesday´s zone leader conference.

Between all that, we have made some changes in the way of doing things in the mission, changes that will bring us lots of success, and my companions and I have been very busy preparing for those changes.

Even my preparation day time is cut short today [February 5]. And when my time is
short, my letters are too.

I am doing very well. As you know, part of my motto is giving 100% of my effort 100% of the time, and this week I have truly achieved that. It is a good feeling.

Things in our area are going well as well. We have several families who we are teaching, as I talked about last week.

Last night, Elder Crisostomo and I went to an appointment (Elder Dudley [the third companion] was with a missionary who is in the offices because he is sick.) The appointment was with Carolina, a 24-year-old single mother of two children.

When we arrived, she answered and began to say that she was busy and didn’t have time for us, but I felt the need to enter her house, so I asked if we could just enter and sing a himn and say a prayer and leave. She somewhat grudgily allowed us to enter.

As we sang “Lead Kindly Light,” the atmosphere changed, and Carolina´s mother, Irma, also a single mom, came close. After the hymn, we explained how to pray, and knelt down and said a prayer. As we finished, Irma had a tear in her eyes and mother and daughter embraced each other. We left quickly, but before leaving, they excitedly accepted a return appointment.

Good news! I received a letter from Johana, one of my converts from Juarez this week! She and her husband are doing well. Johana is expecting a fourth child, due in August. (I am going to write them and invite them to make it their goal that their new addition be born into the covenant.) She also told me that her uncle-in-law, Eddy, also my convert, was recently called to be the ward mission leader!

Please congratulate [my friend who just received a mission call]. The other missionaries in the offices asked me what was wrong because I yelled out loud (“yes!”) when I read your email. I am very happy for [my friend], and am sure that she will be a great missionary.