GOD IS A GOD OF MIRACLES

August 30, 2017

[Week of August 21-29]

Well, this week's letter is gonna be a little bit different. The week was pretty much the same as usual. We saw a lot of success through the members and we are seeing tons of success in general as a companionship right now. I have absolutely been loving my time here with Elder Erickson.

THE LORD PROVIDES A WAY

So there were some major highlights this week and that's why this email is gonna be a little different. We set a weekly goal of finding 3 new investigators this week and it happened. It was really cool to see how the Lord provided us with  the means to meet these people and begin teaching them. As well, as a mission we had set a goal of 25 baptisms for the month of August. The whole mission had this goal and we were working really hard to accomplish it. That's one reason why it was such a bummer for us to lose Fatima and Edison. They were really solid investigators and really looked good for an August baptismal date. Well, as a mission we achieved those 25 through a miracle weekend where we actually had 11 baptisms. Now here's the crazy part, we didn't just get 25, we got 26. Now, why could that be such a big miracle for us? Well, my companion and I had a baptism on Sunday. We were the miracle baptism of the transfer that pushed us over and made us get to 26. Now who is this baptism? Where did we find him?

FINDING ANGEL

Well, on Saturday we got a phone call from a member named Nilo, telling us that a couple had just returned from Bolivia and that the husband of the couple wanted to get baptized on Sunday. Well, we ran to there house to try and meet with him, we missed him by like 10 minutes because he had to to to work. We thought oh well, maybe next week we'll just have two baptisms. Well, anyways this guy is named Ángel. His wife was baptized about a year ago and basically all of he rest of his family are members. He's been coming to church for about 6 or 7 years now and he's probably been to church 200+ times!

Well, we really thought we weren't gonna be able to do it on Sunday. We got to church and there he was with his wife waiting for the meeting to start. We tried to talk with him but he was busy. Then the bishop walked in and Ángel ran to ask him if he was gonna get baptized that night. The bishop didn't know so he called us over. We said well, it's really hard to get baptized when we've never taught the investigator before. The bishop said well hey I know this man and he's ready to get baptized and he's got a great testimony. So during second hour we decided to do a practice baptismal interview with him and he did a great job. We called the AP'S and they told us that he could get baptized, but, he would  have to be interviewed by President Calderón (He's in the mission presidency). Well, President Calderón interviewed him and things were a set. We had his baptism that night at 7pm.

ANGEL'S BAPTISM: Elder Erickson, Angel, Ward Mission President(?), Elder Harris

This was a great miracle for us and for the entire mission to see the Lord blessing us. It was actually really amazing to us to see this success in our own ward. I love the mission and the answer to prayers that it brings and I know that God is a God of miracles. He is the same today as he was yesterday and will always be the same.

We are gonna have another baptism on September 2nd and we are really excited for it. It's our investigator Leidy and she is so excited for her baptism. It's been really amazing to see her make changes in her life to prepare her for this change. She actually asked me to baptize her which was a big surprise for me. But I'm super pumped!

Miracle #2

Well, this one is really awesome too.

As you know the mission I am serving in has tablets. Well, my mission is about to experience a lot of changes. Why? Well, not only are we going to have tablets but in two weeks we are getting smart phones and our mission is going to be one of 7 missions in the world to have Facebook, Instagram, Google Hangouts, and an app called WhatsApp which is incredibly huge here in Spain. We are also going to be testing the new area Book app that the church has been working on. One reason I think this has happened is because our mission is obedient, we are diligent and we are willing to make sacrifices. I love the new opportunities this is going to open for us. The Lord is truly hastening his work and we are a part of that!

Well, I don't have much more time to write but, I love you guys so much.

Love,

Elder Harris

P.S. I invite you guys to read the president’s message in the boletín. It's pretty awesome. It may or may not talk about my companionship. Haha!

SERVICE and Cerro' de Los Angeles

August 21, 2017

[Week of August 14-20]

Monday - Toledo. It was a good day. [See last post.]

Tuesday - Today we had zone conference. It was really good. The morning was taught by President Pack and the AP'S. Then in the afternoon we taught our portion which was about the Christ like attribute of Diligence. It was so good Elder Taylor told us, "this was the first time during the zone leaders part when I haven't wanted to cut my wrists because it was so boring." So that means it was pretty good! After zone conference we did an intercambio with the Elders from Aranjuez. It was fun. I went with Elder Strong. He's gonna be finishing in two weeks with my companion.

Wednesday - This morning we did some pass-bys and then we had an eating appointment with a guy named Yuri and his wife. Then we did our studies. Then we had English class at the Chapel. Then we had a small lesson with Gabi. Then that was the day.

Thursday - This morning we did some pass-bys then we went to a Member named Daguimar's house. She's awesome. She was actually baptized by my good friend Elder Boyd basically two years ago now. Then we picked up Gabi and took her to Daniel and Yemile's house for a lesson. We taught the plan of Salvation and she had a ton of questions. It went really well though. Then we went to our normal Fútbol activity.

Elders Erickson & Harris with Daguimar's family:
Daniela, ?, Anada, Daguimar, Bruno, Bautista

Friday - This morning we did service helping to sand down some walls. Then we had a lesson with a new investigator named Daniela. It went pretty well. 

BEFORE Service

DURING Service

AFTER Service

Then we had lunch with a Member named Jesus and his wife. Then after lunch we had a lesson with our friend, Leidy, who is going to be getting baptized on September 2nd. We are pumped for her. Sadly this week we seemed to lose contact with Edison and Fatima. They also blocked our numbers on their phones so we would like to see if we can meet and talk about what happened sometime soon.

Saturday - This morning we did our weekly planning. Then we ate lunch. Then we visited some less actives. Then we had a lesson with our friend Arelis. She is so awesome. She just doesn't want to come to church yet. We'll see if we can get that to change.

Sunday - Today church was pretty good. After church we ate with a member named Nelly from Bolivia. Then we went to a meeting in Pavones where the temple is. The zone leaders here in Madrid met with the Stake Presidents to talk about the work here. It was a cool meeting.

Monday - Today we went to visit a place called, Cerró de Los Angeles. It was pretty fun. There was a huge Jesus statue. It was a pretty good day. 

Statue of Jesus Christ at Cerro de Los Angeles

Elders Pollard & Harris at the foot of the statue

Elders Chandler, Harris, Pollard, and Erickson

Awesome NAME BADGE Shot!

Love you guys all a ton!

Love,
Elder Harris

DyC 4:3

Loving Life in Barrio 3

August 14, 2017

[Week of August 7 - 13]

Monday - Today  was a lot of fun. We played basketball in Pavones for like three hours and we were super exhausted afterwards. Then we met with a less active guy from our ward named Bolivar. After that I started to have a really bad headache so we went in for the last hour of the day.

Tuesday - Today we were inside for most of the day because I was struggling with migraine symptoms and Yea...it was a long day.

Wednesday - Today was a pretty good day. This morning I got up and was feeling better so we did weekly planning this morning. After Medio día we did some pass-bys, then we had English class. After English class we did a lot more pass-bys. It was a pretty good day.

Thursday - So today we did District meeting because yesterday one of the missionaries was sick that was supposed to do a big part in the Meeting. But anyways we had to travel to Toledo to visit the meeting. It was really good and afterwards we kinda had to hurry back because we had some lessons set up. We met with a lady named Rosa today. She's from the Dominican Republic and she's pretty awesome. She's a very smart person and so when we teach her we have to go pretty prepared with scriptures and such. Then we met with some members, Daniel and Yemile. They are really great and they told us that every Thursday at 6 they want to have a lesson there in their home and they want us to bring investigators. Then we met with Edison and Fatima. They are doing really well and seem to be progressing towards their baptism on the 25th. Then after that we went to play Fútbol and we took Edison with us and we played for about an hour. It was really fun because we play on a turf field so, that's way easier on the knees than playing on cement. Then we went home.

Friday - So this morning we went ahead and did all of our studies because our afternoon was gonna be pretty packed with lessons. So after we ate lunch we went ahead and went to our first lesson with Leidy who is doing super well. She's really looking great for her baptism on the 1st of September. Then we were supposed to have like 3 more lessons today but they all ended up failing. But, we had some good back up plans set. We went to this little Shop where one of our investigators live but she wasn't there. It's fine though because her son was there and we got to know him. He's a super good guy. His name is Alejandro and we hope to be seeing him again soon. Then we had a ward activity of a family home evening. After the activity we played fútbol with the jóvenes and our team actually won even though we were wearing proselyting clothes. Haha!

Saturday - This morning we did pass bys for basically the whole time. We ended up meeting with a less active and his wife. Their names are Daniel and Fatima. We taught a good lesson about the Book of Mormon. They made a commitment to read everyday as a family. Then we ate lunch. Then after that we did pass-bys for most of the afternoon. It seems that here in Spain, on Saturdays you just don't live at your house. Nobody was home, but, after we had stopped by like 10 different places we got a phone call from a girl named Gabi. She was found about a month ago when she was going through a really hard time. Then we haven't been able to be in contact for a long time. Then she called us today and asked it was, we said the missionaries and she like yelled and was like "oh my gosh I thought I lost your number, I've been looking for you guys for like 2 weeks. I love this book that you gave me. Can we meet sometime to talk about it." So my companion and I did a little happy dance and then we went and met with here. We went out to a 'bar' and got a couple of drinks and taught her the restoration. It was really awesome.

Sunday - Today church was good. We had a couple of investigators there. Gabi came and we think that she has a lot of potential and we are gonna meet with her on Tuesday. Then after church we met with the Sister Training Leaders to talk about what we are gonna do this upcoming Tuesday on the 15th for zone conference. Then we had our activities for the YSA group here in Barrio 3. B3 is great! There are probably about 130 people at church and that's awesome. I really like this ward a lot. There's some people here that I have met before at other times during the mission so it's really cool to see them again.

Monday - Today we went to Toledo again, except this time to do fun stuff. We did a hike and we also bought some swords for the guys that are going home soon. It was pretty chill. We'll be going to the temple in two weeks so I'm excited for that as well. It'll be the first time I've gone in almost a year.

Elders Chandler, Harris, Pollard, and Erickson

Love you all,
Elder Harris

DyC 4:3

BUSES, BUSES, & MLC

August 7, 2017

[Week of July 31 - August 6]

Well my companion has 29 days left. You could say he's dead....jk he's doing great!

Monday - So today we played a lot of sports and it was a really good day. I got to see a bunch of people from Alcorcon too. After P-day ended we went home and then had a lesson with Fatima and Edison. They are so awesome. We taught them lesson 2 or the Plan of Salvation and they loved it. We put them on date for the 26th of August so we are pretty pumped for them. Then we hung out with Saul for his birthday. We took him to McDonald's and let him get whatever ice cream he wanted and we paid for it. He's a super cool guy.

Tuesday - So today we had Missionary Leadership Council (MLC). It was a really great meeting and honestly it was a spiritual feast. We had to get up at five to be able to get to the mission home on time but it was worth it. We were there until like 5 at night and then we waited for the bus to come and take us back to our area. 

Photos from MLC

After returning our lesson failed so we decided to play some ball with a bunch of these Dominican guys. It was pretty fun. Luckily none of them were very good so our team usually won. Haha!

Wednesday - So this morning we went to Aranjuez for District meeting. We as zone leaders go and visit all of the districts in our zone to see how they are doing in their district meetings. It was great to finally go back to years after leaving my first area. The memories were strong and it was really good to be home. Following the District meeting we were on the bus home when there was a wreck in front of us. So, normally that wouldn't be a big deal because we are on a nice big air conditioned bus right? Well, our air conditioning was broken and we were on that bus for about 2 hours in 100 degree weather. I was so sweaty. Haha! Then we had English class. It actually went pretty well, we have a good size class. Then, we met with our new friend Marcos. He lives with a member family so the previous missionaries have just always thought he was less active. But, he's actually a really good guy, we taught him the Restoration and he seems like he's gonna progress pretty well.

Thursday - This morning we did weekly planning. Then we ate lunch with some members from Arequipa, Peru. They thought it was pretty awesome that dad had served there. After that I went on an intercambio with Elder Lowden. He's from Rigby, Idaho. He's been out for basically a year. We had a really good intercambio. We went to a less actives house and talked about the Restoration. Then we ate dinner with them. Then we went to play some fútbol. We had a really fun intercambio.

Friday - This morning we had a couple of lessons. They were both with some less actives here in the ward. We had some really spiritual lessons. Then I got back with Elder Erickson for lunch. Then we did some pass-bys in the afternoon. Then we had Correlation and then we had a ward family home evening. We shared the message and then afterwards we played fútbol with the young men. Then we went and visited a part member family, their name is the Madrid family. They are super awesome. We read the Book of Mormon with them and made the commitment for them to come to church.

Saturday - This morning we did a ton of pass-bys. We ended up finding this super less active family and the ended up coming to church on Sunday. It was Awesome! Then in the evening basically all of our lessons failed us. We taught a lady named Maira but she kinda just wanted to Bible bash the whole time.

Sunday -  Church was really great today. We had some investigators there and our people that are progressing towards baptism were all there. We are seeing so much success right now it's amazing! So tonight we had a pancakes activity that we helped to start this week and we had a great turnout. We shared a simple message and then we got to know people. We played games and it was really great.

Monday - Today we played bball in Pavones. It was really fun!

Love,
Elder Harris

DyC 4:3