June 16, 2014 The World Cup Has Begun!

June 16, 2014

The World Cup Has Begun!

This week has been a tough one, partially because a lot of people just want to watch fútbol and don't want to hear the gospel haha. But we are doing well here in the pupi-est (richest) part of Bogotá Sur.

I had a tough lesson with Paula on Tuesday. We went over there to check up on her reading in the Book of Mormon about when Aaron teaches Lamoni´s dad, buuut she hadn't done it. So we read over it all, and I talked about God and prayer, and how our purpose there was to help her get closer to her heavenly father, through praying. However, she pretty much straight up said that she didn't want to pray, and wouldn't until she felt a "need" for God. So, our lesson changed from how we wanted her to pray to more of "well we aren't going to come back," and it was pretty rough for me. We left her our number and the address to the church; I just hope that one day (sooner rather than later) she will feel that need for God in her life.

That day we also taught another investigator with her less-active sister, and I realized that she was pretty much sleeping while my companion was teaching her, nodding her head with her eyes half-shut, just saying "uh-huh" to everything. Just a reminder to teach people, not lessons haha.

So there was a family with the husband less-active that the missionaries were teaching a few months ago, but he wasn't progressing, so when I was with Elder Alcántara, we just kinda stopped showing up haha. But then one day we went over to visit, and he told us straight up that he wanted to come back, and that he wanted to make sure that his family was strong as well. It was pretty cool. So he went to church this Sunday, and they are all doing super good! I know we didn't do "lección franca", but sometimes it helps to make the investigators or less actives feel something missing from their lives (us!). So we have been visiting with them again, and now they absolutely love us, and give us awesome food! On Saturday we ate rice with coconut, patacones, and the best mojarra (type of fish) that I have eaten yet! And I am learning to eat fish with all the spines and bones and stuff! haha

And also on Saturday, there was the first Colombia world cup game! All the missionaries had to be inside during game time so we couldn't go and watch haha, but we always knew what was happening because everyone would just scream whenever Colombia had a goal. Then after the game, for at least 5 hours there were just people blowing their horns and honking rhythmically, and throwing flour at each other haha. But it was super cool, and Colombia won, so everybody here is happy! It is amazing how much these people get into the world cup, it makes the Super Bowl look like a joke haha.

Today, we went bowling again! I am getting a little better, with 120 in my first game; we will see what happens next time we go haha. Then we went and ate at KFC, it always makes me happy to eat American food (even though there were arepas with my meal haha).

Well that’s all I have time for! I love you all! I am so grateful for the chance that I have to be in Colombia, sharing the teachings of my savior and redeemer! Have a great week!

Love,
Elder Toombs