Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Farewell to Nicaragua

Here are some pictures from our trip to Nicaragua.  We had an amazing experience visiting the country that Trevor served in for 2 years.  We were able to meet his mission president and family and many of the missionaries that Trevor served with.  The highlight though was meeting and visiting with several families that Trevor taught and helped to convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were such humble people living in very humble circumstances, but you could certainly feel of their joy and happiness!  We grew to love these people in the few days we had there just as Trevor did as he served them faithfully over the last two years.   
He's ours again!
President Monestel and family
Departing missionaries
Top of Cerro Negro Volcano


Ciudad Sandino
CTR ring gifts




Managua





Masaya

 



Jinotepe

 
 
 
 

Monday, October 1, 2012

WELCOME TO MY COUNTRY!!!!!!

HEY NICAS!!!!!!
 
Well, I'm going to make this extremely short, but WELCOME TO MY COUNTRY!!!! You guys have no idea how excited I am that you are here. Why? Obviously because I get to see you and spend time with you after not being able to for two years, but also because there are some things that words can literally not describe. You guys are experiencing the very things that I`ve come to love about Nicaragua. You understand what its like to not speak Spanish, being completely lost, eating weird food, get accustomed to the extreme poverty...but there is one HUGE thing that you`re missing and it`s what makes all of it worth it. Being able to bear witness of Jesus Christ every day. I`m sure you got a small taste when you took that old couple home from church, but I`m hoping that I can give you guys a little taste of that when we visit some converts this week.

I was thinking about sharing more thoughts about finishing my mission, but I will just talk to you about that in person. Just got back from Managua from my last interview with President. It was amazing and I feel such a good peaceful feeling knowing that I served the Lord with all I`ve got. Kinda crazy getting back because all the taxi drivers were on strike over the gas prices...you know...the normal in Managua (burning tires, road blocks, policemen in combat uniforms). AWWW MANN!!!!!! I'm so stoked that I'm gonna see you guys in two days. Went with Elder Jovel and Gaitan by the way. Haha...they said they saw you guys at church. Supposedly your Spanish isn`t too bad, Dad.

I`ll just say that this week has been amazing. Ana and Adonis`s baptism...SO AWESOME!  I love that family so much. Well, you guys will just have to wait anxiously until you see me on Wednesday morning to hear about the rest.

Wednesday at 9:00AM changes meeting starts so I would maybe try to get there like half an hour early. Here is my phone number if you guys need help getting there:  (505)8403-9058. That will end at about 12:30 or so and then we have to be at President`s house at 4:00 pm for a little meeting followed by a dinner. Before and after that I think we`ll probably just go to the hotel and visit a couple of converts here in Managua close by.

See you guys on Wednesday! I'm SOOOOOOOOO STOKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SALVAJE!!!!

Love,
Elder Ward