July 30, 2012

Hey Guys,

It has been a week full of work. And end on a high note with the Baptism. I thought it went well even though there were problems to take care of that always seems to happen. Probably the most spiritual baptism I have been in which was good because President came (the luck of living in Deo - (Montevideo). The missionaries sang 2 special numbers. Afterwards the father of the girl told us he has been thinking of learning more, we might have a NDH with him tonight. We were planing on two more people being baptized but one was sick and the dad said he couldn´t go till he is better and the other, the mom said yes but the dad said no so we have to work with them. The miracle we found last Sunday who has problems with smoking and drinking is going well, I guess he is going to have a hard time because of the environment he is in but he has a lot of faith and is really make an effort. He is also already sharing the gospel with his friends. He knows everyone and so when we walk to church he stops his friend and says stuff like "hey I am with the Mormons you should come to church with us it has changed my life". He is great! But he is also struggling. This past Sunday he came to church and he was good till the second speaker when he had to leave. I think he was hung over to tell you the truth or maybe because he stopped drinking and change to water he got sick because he didn´t reek of alcohol like he did before. Anyway we gave him a blessing and then helped him home. 

Something interesting that happened to me the other day. To tell you the truth for the last 6 or 7 months I have kind of been counting down the months to go home. To tell you the truth I wasn´t really happy. But the other night I was thinking to myself in bed "wow I only have 13 months left that is not very much, I don't want to go home". I don't know these past two week I have been really happy. I think because my comp and I are really working and because we are working good we are always busy and seeing blessing and success. I don't know what it is? Obviously I can't always have comps like Navarro but if I could the mission would be sweet. I also am loving my area! It is truly dangerous and scary at times. Our chapel is in the neighborhood Cerro Norte which is the most dangerous part of Montevideo so sometimes it can be scary the other elders when leaving the chapel from the baptism last night were stoned with rocks by teenagers, lucky they weren't hit but that can happen here. People have yelled stuff at me like well bad words then "I am going to Kill you" but they are always playing soccer so it isn't a problem only at night. But a lot of times I feel like I am in Sodom from the bible. At least that is what I picture it like. There are a lot of condoms in the street, people on drugs and drunk and everyone is poor. You hear stories about terrible things. I have only heard a few gun shots but they were really far away. Thankfully we live in the safest house in the zone I think. But the amazing thing is it is in places like this that the gospel really is like a light in the dark and I know there are people here that want to change. I don't know if you can tell but I am really happy to be here. Anyway we are also out of money. I sent a pic of my lunch today it is all that was in the house noodles, mayonnaise and a can of ground sardines. It was supper gross. I would have been good if it was tuna but Ground sardines are terrible and I like sardines. Can't wait for money to come in Wednesday.  I am sending a story that was given in my baptism by Elder Marmol who was here before me. I thought it was really good. It probably is a Mormon myth but I could feel the spirit as he read it. So I thought I would share.

The following event took place in a ward in Salt Lake City in 1974. It occurred during Sacrament Meeting and was told to me by a Regional Representative of the twelve, who was in the meeting. A young man, just before leaving on his mission, stood in Sacrament Meeting and bore, in essence, the following testimony. "My Brothers and Sisters, as you know, during the past few weeks I have been awaiting my mission call. During the time I was waiting I had a dream I was in the pre-existence and was awaiting my call to come to earth. I was filled the same excitement and anticipation that I had before I received my mission call. In my dream, I was talking to a friend. He was a very dear friend, and I felt a special closeness to him, even though I've never met him in this life. As we talked, a messenger came and gave me a letter. I knew it was my call to go to earth. In great excitement my friend and I opened the letter I gave it to him and asked him to read it aloud. The letter said: You have been called to earth in a special time and to a special land. You will be born into the true church, and you will have the priesthood of God in you home. You will be raised with many advantages and many blessings. You will be born in a land of plenty-a land of freedom. You will go to earth in the United States of America. "My friend and I rejoiced as we read my call. And while we rejoiced, the messenger returned. This time he had a letter for my friend. We knew it was his call to earth. My friend gave me the letter to read aloud. The letter said: You have been called to go to earth in circumstances of poverty and strife. You will not be raised in the true church. Many hardships will attend your life. Your land will be fraught with political and social difficulties which will hinder the word of the Lord. You will be born in Costa Rica. We wept, my friend and I as we read his call. And my friend looked at me with tears in his eyes and said, "when we are down on earth, you in your choice land and me in Costa Rica, my friend, come and find me." Then this young missionary, with tears in his own eyes, said, "Brothers and Sisters, I have received my mission call. I am going to Costa Rica. There is a special sequel to this story. About a year after this Sacrament Meeting, the Bishop to this Ward received a letter from the Missionary in Costa Rica. The letter had one sheet of paper in it, and on the sheet was written in inch-high letter four word: I FOUND MY FRIEND.

I hope I can find my friends. I know I have been called to Uruguay by God and that President receives the Revelation that put me in the area I need to be. Now I just need to work. Thanks for your support, Love you!

Elder Wray