This week was pretty amazing. As you
know, the language has been kicking my butt. This wouldn't bother me as much if
I had the capability of feeling the spirit every so often, but instead I have
been too focused on the language and other negative events that come with being
in the scum of Montevideo. We have been doing really well with baptisms and we
have the best companion results... (Elder Camejo is doing really well and
carrying me along). But I don't give a flying fetch about results if I don't
feel like I'm contributing to them.
Anyways, we had interviews with the
President on Wednesday. He started off by talking about how the Lord could do
his work all by himself and how we are blessed to even be able to participate.
He said there are a lot of people here not doing their jobs correctly and he definitely
laid down the law. (supposedly, he has never done this before). He then said,
if you don't love the people here, or don't want to do everything in your power
to help them reach exaltation, then leave. These people don't care about your
problems and neither does the Lord. You’re going to have problems and the Lord
will help you through them as long as you stop worrying about your problems and
start worrying about the souls of the people here. He said, Elder Camejo has
been in this same area for 8 months and has continued to work hard and bless
the people’s lives. You know why? Because he has so much faith. And he doesn't
care that he has been put in this awful place for 8 months. He then said, Elder
McRae, how do you feel that Elder Camejo has been stuck here for 8 months,
waiting for a companion like you? Waiting for a companion to sculpt into the
best missionary you can be. Elder McRae has been here for a month and can barely
speak the language and yet, he and Elder Camejo are working DILIGENTLY. After
this remark, I was just cut to the core because of my inner complaining about
myself. I was engulfed in pity for myself and I had deprived the people here of
my love because of my focus on useless problems.
In my interview, I told President
about this and he started sobbing and said. ‘Elder McRae, I am so glad you
figured it out this early… that it is not about you... He said, ‘I was sitting
in my office one day and just started crying because I knew that THIS IS JUST
TOO HARD...and there is no way I am prepared for this. And it’s true. We are
not prepared for this and we can't do it... That’s why we have to give
everything we have and the Lord will carry you and not only meet your true
potential, but pass it. Elder McRae when I saw you in the airport, I'm not
lying, you stood out so much. You were glowing and I knew from that moment that
you were going to be trained by the best missionary here in Uruguay. Because I
know that your potential passes every missionary here. You have so much
potential. My entire family just loved you. My wife keeps asking me if you are
ok here in Cerro. My daughters, of course, love you. But most of all...God
loves you. And you are going to preform miracles with his help. I love you
Elder McRae, now let’s get to work.’
After that day, we have been working
like crazy. I have one more story to tell. A and F are a couple that we started
teaching the first day I got here. They are going to be baptized this Saturday
and seriously, they have been so obedient to everything we have taught them. F
has been searching for work for a long time to help his family. We were having
a lesson with them the other day and F started rambling off on how happy he
was. This is pretty much what he said, except in Spanish, ¨´You guys tell me I
have to get married to my girlfriend, and I don't know why, but I got married.
You guys tell me I have to stop smoking, and I don't know why, but I stop
smoking. You guys tell me to go to church, read this Book of Mormon and pray
and I don't know why, but I do it. (at this point he starts to cry and says)
Now I see why I did all of those things... I have a beautiful wife, more money
for my family because I'm not paying for cigarettes, and after praying,
reading, and going to church, I have a job to feed my family. Thank you guys so
much for blessing my family. You are truly angels from God. I wish I could hug
you, but you guys can't hug.’ Of course, we told him we could hug
him, and we did. It was just such a good lesson with them and I finally was
able to feel the spirit. I missed that feeling and the Lord knew it. I have
more work to do, so I will talk to you next week.
Sorry about the dog...we watched a
dog get destroyed by five other dogs and had its insides spread all over the
place… so tell Abbie at least that didn't happen to her poor puppy(:
love,
Elder McRae
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