Well we started off the week with more Migraciones. 2 mondays en seguida now that we had it. We planned everything, expecting to finish quicker this time. But then we remembered of a 4th location we had to herd the missionaries too, so we figured we would get back by 3pm. Granted, we left at 8:15AM. We ended up getting back at 4:30, because of a 4 hour stop at the hospital...yeah. migrations is not fun. But hey, round 3 is this monday so hopefully it will be faster this time!?
I've learned that there are not "normal weeks" here in the office. In the field, you are doing basically the same thing every day, but in the office everything changes so quickly-for example, yesterday. It was about 5pm and 2 hermanas had traveled down from PJC for some dentist work. We were planning on taking them to the terminal that night. They show up to the office and we find out that during the dentist appointment, a part of the dentist's instrument broke inside this poor sister missionaries' tooth/jaw. Luckily, she isn't in any pain! Anyways, an hermana was headed home this morning so President asked us to drive the sister's to Loma and bring back other sisters. Elder Parada said, "Time to go on a viaje!". Loma is actually super close...so it shouldn't have taken that long. But, at that time during traffic, it wasn't pleasant. Plus, as we were nearing the office, the hermana told us she forgot her camera so we had to do the whole viaje all over again.
Fast forward to the night. It was about 10:05 pm, we were still at the office but about to head out the door. I was talking to President and bammm. Another viaje! This time to Yuquyry. Now this place is far from the office. Not Pedro Juan far, but far. Its about 30ish minutes away in the van. We had to go pick up an elder who was headed home as well. This one was hard. Long story short, just after midnight, the elder was finally "ready" to go. Long drive + late night + stubbornness + early morning airport run = very little sleep. But, it's all good because I've really seen how the Lord helps us make it through the day even when we are low on sleep. Even though we didn't get to sleep, I feel fine and I think it is because we were doing the work we were called to do. We were serving Him. Now I know this work is wayyyyyy different than "put a book of mormon in the hand and get to work" normal missionary life, but it is still His work. While we were at the airport, I got to talk to a man from Paraguay who lives in Georgia right now. I spoke English and we had a nice conversation. I had to leave and pay some fees, but I got to talk to him briefly about what we do as missionaries. So even though we aren't mobbing the streets all day here in the office, we do get to share testimonies with others and that always brings me back to normal ground!
During studies this week, I was reading about faith. I came across Enos while he is praying:
4And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens.
5 And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed.
6 And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away.
7 And I said: Lord, how is it done?
8 And he said unto me: Because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen. And many years pass away before he shall manifest himself in the flesh; wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole.
So many times in the book of mormon and the bible to we read about people acting upon faith. I always remember the story from the bible when the sick women just touches Jesus's robe and is healed because of her faith. We all make mistakes in this life. But I know without a doubt the God lives, that he sent his son, Jesus Christ, to this Earth to die for each and everyone of those mistakes. Imagine a world without punishment, without laws. That would not be very just-murders, robberies, scandals would all happen without any punishment. Luckily, that world does not exist. There are laws to protect us, to keep us safe. When someone breaks a law, others demand justice. If someone murders another, they have a trial and people demand justice for the loss of their friend/son/loved one. Our Heavenly Father has likewise given us commandments to keep us safe. When we break those commandments, justice must be demanded. But their is one way we can obtain mercy in our Heavenly Father's plan. Through Christ's atonement, we can obtain mercy and forgiveness. Christ suffered for every mistake we ever have made or will make and we can be forgiven of those mistakes as long as we turn to him in faith, trying our best go keep the commandments he has given. Those who do not repent, or in other words, do not change their hearts to follow christ, to try to keep his commandments, must receive justice. But those who do change, will receive forgiveness and their sins will be forgotten. The plan is free to all of us. All it requires is that we act on a little bit of faith to try and follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Elder Zaugg
Some street art in Asuncion
Post Office
when we played soccer in the pouring rain
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