Pamplona, A Series of Fortunate Events

Dear Family,

Oh I love being a missionary.

We are having so much progress here in our program. Things were slowing down there for a little bit but I can't wait to get these people baptized and saved.

The ward here is good and there is a lot of people but the leaders are few and a lot are recent converts. We are trying to organize a mission team but the bad part is that we don't have ward missionaries. Right now our mission team consists of the recently released second counselor, YSA leader, a guy assigned to help baptisms and the crazy gospel principles teacher. Pray for us.

I am pretty sure I talked about Diomedez last week but I cannot explain how much this guys has changed. Every single day we would pass by him and he was drunk as all get out. This last Friday we passed by him and he is completely different and he gives us way too much credit than we deserve. The only thing we did was invite him to Alcoholics Anonymous.   Thought I could share a cool experience this week. After a regular day of teaching we came off the mountain down by a park to contact people at about 9 at night. We were thinking of where we should go and who we should visit and I was going over in my head the usual's and the thought just came as naturally as it usually does to visit Alexander.  So we went, knocked on the door and 30 seconds later we were giving a blessing of health and strength because Shasira had just gone into labor. Oh boy was she balling. I cannot explain it but the spirit was so strong even though everyone was so stressed including myself. 

I am lucky I got picked to be a trainer. It is such a good life its like having a little Elder Craythorne who teaches the same way I do except he is Peruvian. We get along super well and he fits really well into the mission work.

I wish you guys the best week. I read one of my favorite chapters in the scriptures this week in John 15. That's not necessarily a reading assignment but it is a strong suggestion.

Love, 

Elder Craythorne

Pamplona and I am training

Dear Family and Friends,

Well, not quite sure who thought it would be a good idea but I started training Elder Huanca yesterday. He is from Trujillo Peru and he is just as excited to work as excited can get. I remember exactly how it was for me my first days and I had no clue what was happening. I hope I can give him the training he deserves because I know he can be a good missionary.

Yesterday, was the training for the trainers while the new missionaries were upstairs being trained by the president. It was cool to see the Elders and Sisters who are training, I feel out of place but I sure like the company.  There are a lot of good missionaries and I am learning a lot from them.  I guess the Lord trusts us because I know that a big part of the mission is based off of your trainer.

I just hope I do a good job.

The good news is, is that I am not district leader anymore so I can focus a little more on Elder Huanca's training.

Elder Infante went home this week and we said goodbye to a lot of people. I have no doubt he was a good missionary, based off of the people's opinion of him I know he did a good job.

We have really good investigators who are progressing but once again we have found the problem that none of them are married. It is a little weird I have asked so many people to get married, and it is even more strange that I am 18 and they are 30 to 40. Take that as you will but the mission president says that we are changing the culture of these peoples lives. I can't tell you how many times my investigators have told me, "wow, marriage has never even been anything that crossed my mind". I love teaching the law of chastity because that is when you can see it click in their heads and they start to feel the need to repent and change. So good.

I love the chance that my mission gives me to study the gospel. I love the gospel and I strongly like sharing it with people. I know this church is true. I hope all you guys are doing well.

Elder Craythorne

Pictures

Elder Vergara ending his mission and Elder Huanca starting his mission.

Pamplona and Baptism

Family and friends,

"If you were accused in a court of law that you were a Latter Day Saint, would there be enough evidence to convict you?"

For those of you who don't have the opportunity or time to listen to the voice recording just know that our baptism on Saturday was amazing. Nickson and Pamela are true converts, and I can't exactly say that is thanks to our efforts, they were just prepared. The baptismal service went smoothly and we finished it off by singing "I like to look for rainbows" in English and Spanish.

Thanks to a miracle there was an opening in a spot to go to EFY next week and Nickson is going to go. I cannot tell you how good things are working out for him. I am 99 percent sure he is going to be the worlds best missionary.

We had multizone conference on Tuesday so I was able to see everyone from San Juan again, with all the changes that has happened a lot has changed but Elder Styler continues strong in Solidaridad.

I can't remember if I have said this before but we are focusing on always inviting people to be baptized. In the multizone we had 3 workshops about this same thing, I really liked one of the examples. They were passing out candy but they didn't give it to everybody because not everyone was invited. Also, a really good quote "Every time we don't invite someone to do something (not specifically baptism) we are denying them the opportunity to participate in the Atonement." I about fell out of my seat by the power packed into that statement.

A while ago during a period when seemingly all of our appointments were falling through we contacted higher up on the hill and found one person who opened the door. She was 16 but we set an appointment with her and found her brother and friend. One thing lead to another and now we are teaching 9 young single adults who are really solid. We want to do an activity with members in the ward. If anyone has an idea of what would be fun let me know.

I know this church is true. I love my Savior and I love this work. There is no doubt in my mind that this is what the Lord wants me to do.

I love and pray for you everyday. Have a good week and don't forget to read your scriptures.

Love you all,

Elder Craythorne