Sad About Edson ~

3-24-14

 

Zaryunga

 Hey how are you all doing this week!! I hope you have had a fantastic week. I’m enjoying my time a lot here in Pasaje. We had a very good week. We found a lot of people this past week. A member gave us a reference and this reference gave us 2 other references and now the 3 teenagers are preparing to be baptized on the 12 of April. They went to church yesterday so I think we are going to bring up their date for the 5 of April. They are really excited for their baptism. A guy went to church on Sunday, he’s 36 years old. He´s separated from his wife and had a problem with drinking. We have a date with him for this 5 de April as well. We could have a possibility of having 8 baptisms on the 5 of April. We just need to play are cards right, obey with exactness, and have faith... that´s the secret of this work, working with faith. I have all the faith in the work that we can have these baptisms. I understand that God is involved in the work more than us so I know if I work hard enough with faith, believing that God will help me, I know I can end the mission and reach my goal. And I have all the desire to do it also!! I don’t care how much time I got in the mission, I’ve been called for 2 years to teach and baptize, and I will do it for the WHOLE 2 years.

My Buddies

The Zone ~ Santa Rosa North

Okay so now to respond about the heart breaking news.... I cannot believe that my Buddy Edson has passed away, we are great friends and everything, I remember he was at my farewell talk and at all the parties we had... he´s a great friend!! I love that guy to death and I know we´ll see each other again!!

Good Buddies - Shaydon & Edson - 2.1.12

Shady's doggs at Edson's graveside - Austin & Zac Benson

I know that god is always watching us with each decision that we make. Last week we went to a kids house that I knew was going to progress, he woke up early to go to church and everything, I thought he had a great time in church, but we went by on Thursday and he told us that he doesn’t want anything to do with the church. I was angry and sad at the same time, I just said to my companion; let’s find more people to teach. And that same day we found and put 4 new baptismal dates. I know that god watches us and sees how we react to the trials in life. If we focus on the negative part of the trial and not try to look for a solution, we will never have success and never reach to the potential we have. This mission has taught me SO MUCH about life, I'm truly in the best mission in the world, I can say that to any return missionary in the world and say that phrase without doubting because I truly believe I'm in the best mission in the world, I have a great Mission President, I'm in a place where the people are really humble and loving, the food isn’t the best but I don’t care!! Because I love it.

 Thanks so much for the email. The point of this email is to just let you know that I’m fine. With the lost of my Gran amigo, I can handle this and finish my mission strong. I love you guys so much!! Don’t worry too much about this Gringo here in Pasaje, I'm absolutely loving my time here in the end of my mission!!! Have a great week!! Don’t do anything stupid hahaha!!!!!!

Cordialmente, Elder Gates

***39 Pictures attached:

All the pictures for the week. I had some exciting news last week. I saw a monkey. His name is Luis. You guys know me.. I’m not afraid to ask for permission. We asked for permission to take picture and he let us ha-ha. It was awesome!!! But yeah here are some pictures for you guys this week!!