Weekly Letter 78
How have you all been? I'm just glad to be able to report... the pain in my sciatic nerve is gone! Hahaha.
We have been seeing a lot miracles, and it is all thanks to the love that the Lord has for His children. There is a very interesting geographic in Zacapa, Guatemala, where I am serving, and it is the following: almost everyone here is either a member of the Lord's church, or a member of the family of a member of the Church. What does that mean? The Lord has already taught many of His children here, and has blessed them very generously. There are many who are ready to open their hearts. And it is amazing.
Our very neighbors have opened their hearts in such a manner. We have had lots of opportunities to serve our friends Jorge and Sandra who live right in our callejon (it's like a little street that stems off of a big street...). They have expressed to us such a great desire to know the truth, as they have many friends who go to many different churches, and even live right behind one, and yet just don't sit well with their questions. We introduced them to the Book of Mormon, and they are more spiritual than ever.
We also have other neighbors, who live right in front of us, who have always kept in very good contact with us. Now their situation is a bit more tragic, as they are a young couple who have a little baby, the wife being an inactive member for a long time, and the wife and the mother of the husband are divided against the husband for the things that he is doing, and it is very sad. We very innocently entered the store of the mother of the husband, who is also our houseowner, and there was a very heavy argument in the store. We were completely silent, even though we wanted to help. Nevertheless, we didn't want to correct the problems right then and there, because we wanted to minister to the issues in a more personal manner with the husband, who has gained lots of confidence with us. We are just astounded with the love and wisdom of God, and how he has brought this family to this very crucial point. And how humbled I feel to be His representative, and the confidence He has put in us to help others in their most devastating family circumstances.
As I think about these things now, I have learned many special lessons about the family these past 6 weeks. I have learned in my companionship with Elder Bonett the importance of loving someone who thinks very different from me - and this is a lesson that has repeated many times for me during the mission. And I am happy to know that, even though Elder Bonett will be leaving Zacapa, off to the capital in Zone 18, we have reached a point where we can call ourselves brothers. He has helped me to be more conscious of my health and my strength, as I have helped him to be more productive and official than he already was. And I have felt the love of my Heavenly Father in a very tender way, as He has witnessed unto me that my mother is doing okay and is happy and working hard on the other side.
I am so grateful for the plan that our Father has for us, and I have a testimony of its truthfulness. There are no coincidences, just miracles. And I am thankful that He sent His Son, and that He has called prophets to guide us these latter days to help us in the hardest of trials. I know that He has done so, because His Spirit has spoken peace unto my heart concerning these things. I know that families were meant to be forever, and I know that I will see mine again after this short life is over. I know that everyone can have this wonderful knowledge if they just keep the commandments and make the covenants necessary with Heavenly Father. I leave these things with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Elder Braden K. Dredge
Guatemala Guatemala City East Mission
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