Week 87 - March 25, 2019

Dear Family,

Another week down here in Ecuador.  They are just going faster and faster.  This week was a great week for us in Atacames.  Starting off, all of our investigators passed their interview this week, and we should be having four baptisms this next coming week! 

Our first investigator that is going to be baptized is William Poso.  I've explained a little about him before.  The guy is just hilarious.  He has about two or three teeth and always has got a hat on.  We were able to visit him this week and it went super well.  He truly has progressed a lot and is excited for his baptism this next coming week. That's basically all he talks to us about is his baptism!

As well, we have Antonio Bautista and his two kids, Abraham and Juan. They honestly are so amazing and so humble. The dad barely has work, but he told us that the first dollar that he makes he saves it so that they can come to church.  But, they are doing great.  They all are super excited for their baptism this next coming week!  We were able to visit them with a member this week and during the lesson Antonio received a call from his friend telling him that he was going to give him a job, and Antonio just started tearing up the Spirit was so strong.  Such a special experience.

I'm loving it here in Atacames.  It truly is a special place. The people here honestly are super, super poor.  It kind of makes me feel bad because I would love to be able to help them out financially, but I kind of have to sit back and wait for them to receive the blessings from God.  Basically, all the houses are made of wood sticks and don't have a water flow most of the week.  And if the don't have water flow, a water truck comes and feels up buckets for them so that they can clean clothes, wash dishes, bathe, and drink water.  They truly are people that need our Lord's blessings.  It reminds me a lot of Nicaragua, to be honest.  But, I'm super excited to be here.

This week, we had a day of Ministering in a place called Muisne.  Muisne is a part of the branch an hour and a half away from here.  It's a little island that has about 35 members and has it's own little chapel for the group.  But, we went as a branch to go and minister to the less-actives and it was awesome.  It's such a cool little island that has an amazing beach and a lot of people that need the gospel in their life. There is a lot of work to do down there, so it was fun to be able to help out a little with the less-actives.  But, to get to the island, you have to cross a little bridge that is only the size to allow motorcycles to pass.  It's so beautiful over there, to be honest!

I've been reading in "Come, Follow Me" and it has been such a blessing for me.  I love the New Testament and have been learning so much from it.  I love the story when the fisherman left their nets immediately and followed Him.  Also, when they lowered the paralytic down to Christ so that he could heal him.  The faith of the poor and the doubts of the rich.  I sure hope everyone is following "Come, Follow Me."  It teaches us so much about what we need to do here on earth and how we can become true disciples of Christ.

But, it was a great week here!  We are hoping that this next week will be even better!

Love, Elder Copeland