Week 14 "This is Hector"

"Hector is a 16 year old young man that we have been teaching.  We actually have been teaching him and his family.  Hector has decided that he wants to be baptized on his birthday which is October 14th.  He says that he wants to go on a mission in one year.  His family is not quite where Hector is, but they are really nice and they let us teach him." 

***Hector's mom, Maribel, messaged James and I Sunday night on Facebook.  She said that they love Elijah and thanked us for having such a nice son.  She sent us this picture:

Elijah also sent us a picture of his cook.  Her and her family were able to go to the temple and be sealed together.

***Elijah finally received two packages that we mailed to him.  He was so excited!  He told us that he wasn't going to lie, he cried a little when he got it.  Inside were some of the things that he misses so much about home.  His favorites included Hershey Bars, and Hot Fries.  He said that when he went home that night he planned on buying some milk and eating hot fries!  

Week 13 "I was on the News"

Elijah had a good week.  He was a little discouraged because all the investigators that he and his companion have had, all need to get married.  It is really expensive to get married in Costa Rica and many people just don't have the money to do it.  He said many of them were ready to get baptized if only they had money to get married.  We will be praying for all of them.

He had a really cool experience.  He said:

     "I had one cool experience, I closed my eyes and said a prayer and asked Heavenly Father to send me where he wanted us to go.  I felt go three more streets and then turn left and contact this little street, so we did.  We got to the last house without anything and I knocked on the door and a 45 year old man came out.  He said Elders how are you doing????  We said good and asked him what his name was.  I then got the strongest impression that someone was waiting for him across the veil.  He said my name is Alfredo!  We asked how do you know the missionaries?  He said my Dad was a member that went to church and the temple and everything, but he passed away 9 years ago, but I'm not a member.  And then he asked when we could come by and teach him!"

He also told me that he was on the news.  He said:

     "We were contacting in the park and one of the News Men came up to me and started talking to me!  I was all Soy un missionary de La Iglesias de Jesus Cristo de Los Santos de Las Ultimas Dias (I am a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints)!!!  And then he asked me if I like Costa Rica and stuff like that and at the end he said Pura Vida Champion and I said Pura Vida!"

Week 12 "We hiked a mountain!"

Elijah had 10 investigators come to church this last week, he was so excited.  He appreciates every one's prayers and feels that they have really helped him this last week.  His excited for all the work that is ahead for him and his companion.   

Week 11 "It's tough"

Elijah had a pretty tough week this week.  He said that all of the people that he and his companion have been teaching have all decided to not continue.  He seemed very discouraged, but promised that he will continue to work hard and find some new investigators.  He told us that his zone has only had two baptisms in the last two months.  We look forward to praying and fasting for Elijah to find success in Costa Rica.