Week 85 - March 20, 2023

Some crazy things went down here in Toto.  We started having a "deportivo" night for the ward on Tuesdays, so we played basketball against some members which was fun.  This week we have more than 15 people confirmed to pop out and hoop.  I guess word got around that me and my comp are pretty good?  And now everyone wants to try and beat us...

Wednesday we taught another lesson to Viviana, the Hermana that said she would be baptized.  Turns out she IS married!  But her problem is that she sells crops in the market on Sundays.  So, if we can get her to church then she could be baptized soon!

Thursday and Friday we were so busy visiting members and recent converts.  Lots of rain as well which means it's going to start raining here every day soon.

Saturday was wild.  Me and my comp got up at 6am to go running with a member on the track nearby.  Ran for a while and then had another sports activity with combined wards at 10am in the church.  So 6 hours of exercise before eating anything.  Then our lunch cancelled so we went to a café by Central Park.  And as we we're eating, a huge group of people started gathering by the road to see something.  So, me and my comp looked and there were two guys with almost no clothes, tied together, being whipped and hit by another guy behind them, while walking down this road.  There was a big group of people as well walking behind them, including like 10 policemen (more to make sure the 2 guys weren't killed by the people).  I guess here in Toto, the laws are that if you break the law, that's how you get punished before getting thrown in jail. Publicly humiliated and beat.  Years before it used to be being burned alive at the stake.  So, this isn't too bad... But it was a crazy scene and sad.  The two guys had stolen over 30 smart phones...

Sunday was a lot better.  We put a baptismal date!  An investigator named Susy came to church, and after the 2nd hour, we taught her lesson three and put her on date for baptism.  Only thing is, is that the date is scheduled for four days after this transfer ends.  So hopefully I'm still here to be there for it.  But either way, super excited for the Hermana and her decision!  It will be great.

   

Staying busy and working like crazy.  Missing you all!

    - Elder Copeland

Week 84 - March 13, 2023

Hey, everyone!  It's been a super crazy week.  Had transfers on Wednesday, so the days before were just my comp saying bye to members.  But as soon as I got my new comp here, we've been working like crazy.  Both Friday and Saturday, we had six appointments planned for each day and were running all over to get to each one.  My comp has been meeting the members, and we get along super good.

On Saturday, we taught Lesson One to a woman who lives out in an Aldea, and once we finished, she wanted to know more about baptism and how it's performed correctly.  After we explained it, I invited her to be baptized once she receives a confirmation that these things are true, and she said she would!  We are hoping that there's nothing that's keeping her from being baptized because she may not be married and has four kids... but we will see what we can do.

Stake Conference was yesterday as well and there were over 400 people at least that were there.  It was a super cool scene to see all of the members showing their faith at the church.

Our last appointment of the day last night, we went to an inactive's house and I was able to give her a blessing.  I love giving blessings and the comfort and guidance I can give to other people through the priesthood.  Afterwards she said how much she knows and believes that priesthood blessings work and how thankful she was for one.  She said the missionaries hadn't visited her in about a year and she was really needing it. So thankful to be able to be here and to help others in similar situations. 

Missing you guys a lot, send me an email if you can! 

     - Elder Copeland

Week 83 - March 6, 2023

What's up everyone!  This week was great!  A week ago on Monday, we had the baptism for one of our investigators, Laura!  She's 21 years old, has been progressing so well, and was so ready to be baptized!!  The baptism went well, and we had a lot of members show up to support her, too.  About two weeks ago, Laura told us that her family hadn't been supportive of her getting baptized but would let her do it if it was her decision.  Well, once the day of the baptism came, they were the first ones to show up for the baptism!  We gave them a tour of the church and taught them a little and it went great.  They took pictures with Laura in her baptismal clothing and were very supportive.  It was a blessing for sure.

Sadly, however, the font heater had been broken when we thought it had been heating all day, and so the water was freezing!!!  The Hermano that did the baptism couldn't get the drain to come off either.  So after about an hour later of saying goodbye and walking people home, I had to get in and drain the water myself.  I felt so bad for the Hermana because the water was so so cold haha.  But she was so great about it.

    

Just yesterday in church she received the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  And for testimony meeting, she stood up and gave a super powerful testimony about how she has received a confirmation for herself that this church is true, and that she knows she's making the correct decisions in her life.  It was super cool and touched everyone in the chapel.

    

Also, this week we had Zone Conference in Momos!  It was my first time being back since leaving, and this time I was leading the conference.  For my first year in the mission, I'd always looked up to the Zone Leaders that would sit in front of everyone and direct the conference.  So being back for my first time and being that missionary that was directing the conference with three Zones combined was cool for me.  Made me think how long I've been here for haha.  Only two transfers left, you guys...

    

Today we found out about transfers--my comp is leaving, and I'll be staying here in ToTo and getting a new comp.  I'm excited.

 Have a good week!  Tell me when fill out my bracket.

 - Elder Copeland