Huimilpan: Zion in Mexico

March 3, 2020

General Información

Hey all! Today we have transfers, and I am going to get changed. But, I am excited to say that I'm not going far, neither going alone, because both Elder Manavahe and I got changed to Huimilpan! Yep that's right, the little town with big miracles with be our next home. I am very happy to get the opportunity to go there and try to set something up, and besides that, I get to be with Elder Manavahe again! While we both are very ready to get out there and work all we can, we both recognize that truly the only way we can have success in this new area is through the divine help of Heavenly Father. No matter how much we work, if we don't recognize who really is helping us, we will never be able to have success. And although our time here is just starting, we have already seen so many miracles that have put us in this position.

Miracle House

Flashback 2 months ago to the trip of a lifetime when we went to search for Maurizo. Now, something I had left out about this trip was that at the very very beginning when we first got off the bus and we walking around, we saw a man trying to take down a sign in front of his office. We walked over and asked if we could help him, he said yes, and then we took down the sign with him. He told us his name was Bernardo, and that we could come back whenever we wanted. Ok, now this little encounter was cool, but I honestly didn't think that much off it. That is until we spent all of last week looking for a house in Huimilpan and found nothing. We were kind of stressing as to be able to go there, a place to live was somewhat important and all the rooms for rent with shared bathrooms that we had found weren't going to cut it. As we prayed over and over again for guidance, we were reminded of our old friend Bernardo and the fact that the business he owns out there is a real estate company; pretty convenient huh? So, on Wednesday we head over to see him and told him about our situation. As he listened, he immediately asked us if we had somewhere to live. After we said no, he quickly pulls out his phone and makes a call. After some time, he hangs up and tells us that one of his friends was renting a house a little up the street, and that we could check it out. The friend of Bernado then got in contact with us the next day, we got a tour of the house and it is perfect. Close to center, has beds, is in our budget range, and our neighbors are some cows on one side and some sheep on the other which really gives it that homey feel. In the end, it was amazing to me to see how Heavenly Father's hand had been setting up things even months ago. I know it was only possible to find that house thanks to His intervention. I am so grateful to have a Heavenly Father who truly does hear our prayers, and provides the way for us to do all that He wants us to. 

Change of Plans

While it was such a humbling experience to find the house, Saturday had much more in store. As you know, 2 weeks I said how Bernado was going to get baptized. Well, 2 weeks ago on the day of his baptized we called and texted him all day to no response. The next day though he called us and said he just got busy working but that he still wanted to get baptized: sweet. This Wednesday we went with our good friends Clifford and Bravo to do his interview and he passed: sweeter. This last Saturday we set the baptism up, full fount and everything, when we got a call 3 hours before from Bernardo: the least sweetest.  I picked up and the first thing Bernardo told me was there were going to be some "radical change of plans"; never a good start to a conversation. From there he told me that he was not going to get baptized. He had said he had felt the spirit and everything, but that he wasn't ready for this change and that he didn't want to do it. Not the best moment, especially as we had to call all the members of the ward to uninvited them to a baptism 2 hours away.

A Lesson on Service

Luckily the water didn't go to waste, as some of our buddies did have a baptism that night. We stayed for the services, cleaned up the church and then after were just talking. It was 8:15, and after our day I just wanted to talk to those guys for a bit. But Heavenly Father obviously knew this too, as right then we got a call from a member asking him to go help him move. I'll be honest, moving was not on the top of lists of things I wanted to do that night, but reluctantly we agreed. As we walked over, I was kind of frustrated with the day. But it was in that moment that a scripture from my personal study that morning came to mind; it's Mark 10:43-44 and says "43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all." Very quickly I realized my error and my pride in not wanting to help. After a hard day, here was Heavenly Father gifting us with the opportunity to end the day doing the greatest act of all: service. The spirit come over me as I recognized that I had not seen this act of love as I should have, and it totally changed my perspective. We got to the house and I had a new found positivity with me as we moved dressers and tables for an hour. I learned a valuable lesson that day, that being the value of service, and especially service when it seems inconvenient. Heavenly Father taught me how there is no service that is inconvenient, as the opportunity to be instruments in His hands truly is greater than any other mistakenly placed priority or convenience that we tend to put. 

El Fin

It's the start of another great week, and I can't wait to keep you all updated on life here. I know that this Church is true, and that through the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ we can be better people day by day, which I believe is what God wants the most of us. I love you all so much, and I can't wait to talk to you all again next week!!

Elder Jackson

1. First time homeowners 

2. Breakfast 

3. The faithful big brother 

4. Jacob at Sunday dinner