Week 100 - Lost Phone and the Doctors Office

Hey guys. So a really eventful week. First off, last Monday we had a water balloon fight in San Juan It was so fun. We even did a little bit of water boarding hahaha. Just a little bit.

On Wednesday, we were coming down by our house to visit a less active we had found on Sunday with the Elders Quorum president and it was raining. We had come down in a microbus and I didn't want to get out in the rain to pay the driver so I just reached over the seat to give it to him. I was so hurried to get out and get my umbrella out that I somehow threw my book of Mormon into the raging river of dirty water running down the street. I quickly jumped to save it. We were walking towards the house when I thought to call him to make sure he was there. I reach in my pocket for the phone and IT WASN'T THERE! I checked all my pockets, my companion's pockets. The phone was lost. I knew I

 

had it when we were in the bus because I had used it to call another member. We went up and down the highway looking for the phone. We even went to a pay phone and called it. It went straight to voicemail. We were looking for a good hour before giving up. ;( 

On Friday, I had an appointment in the doctors office because my knee has been hurting me and also my back. It's nothing serious but when I got there he said I needed to do physical therapy. So now I have to go twice a week. I really don't think it is that serious so don't worry, this doctor is just kind of one of those who wants to fix everything while were at it. I felt so bad because we spent the entire day in the doctor's office and didn't even get back to our area until 8:00 because we had to cross the entire city and the traffic here is horrible. I'm kinda bummed because we're going to have to go twice a week to do it and it's going to take a lot of proselyting time but we're going to try to maximize the time we do have in our area. 

On lighter news, one of our investigators, Kibn, is preparing to get baptized this week. Yeah, that's right, we're going to baptize for conference! Estanislao and Martha are also preparing but they aren't exactly for sure for this week. But one time when we were with Kibn his mom was making french bread. I offered to help and she said "alright!". Here, they sell bread in little bakeries all over the place just like corn tortillas as well. She had a mini bakery in her house so she makes a ton of bread. She taught us how to do it from the beginning mixing all the ingredients by hand, put it on a rolling machine and make the balls of dough and finally making them into loafs of french bread. It was really fun. 

Alright guys. I hope you are all prepared for conference weekend! General Conference I always receive answers to my prayers and guidance for my life. I hope you all can get the same feeling. See y'all soon!

Elder Mattiaccio

Barrio Las Brisas, Zona Florida, Guatemala Sur

Week 99 - La Antorcha

Hey everyone!

This week Guatemala celebrated it's independence! September 15th 1821. To celebrate it, everyone in each neighborhood, school or any other group you can imagine, goes to a place in the middle of the city and lights a torch. Then they run with the torch until the get back to the school/church/neighborhood they represent. It is used to represent the passion each of them has in their communities for their country. It was really cool because they always do it at night so you can see the flame from the torches. It was kind of funny though because the people would stand cheering on the side of the road and through bags of water at the runners to cool them off. That was the original tradition anyway.... Now it's kinda changed to throwing bags of water at any helpless victim that walks by. They were throwing them at buses, people on the street, cars, motorcycles. Because the buses are pretty full, some people go up top, or in the back of pick up trucks. These were prime targets for the people throwing the water. I thought it was kind of funny because the people in the buses would taunt the people to throw it at them and try and catch it and throw it back. I did see a couple people get pegged pretty good with water though. Luckily I was kept safe. Can't say the same for my companion. While we were watching one of the runners run past, someone threw a bag and missed the runner and hit my companion and the young man who was accompanying us. hahaha 

We had double divisions this week. I stayed here in my area since my companion hasn't learned the area entirely yet. He's kinda funny. We get along so well that it makes it easier to joke. I tried "testing" him and he got lost. I knew where we were the entire time but he couldn't find the way. In stake conference, President Shumway told me I needed to teach him the area as quick as possible (because obviously I wouldn't be here after to help him.

Well, that's all I have time for this week. Talk to you all next week.

Elder Mattiaccio

Barrio Las Brisas, Zona Florida, Guatemala Sur

Week 98 - Stake Conference and (pre) Independence Day

Hey guys,

This week I got my new companion. When I went to take Elder Ramos to the stake center and drop him off. He actually arrived super early (before 6:00 AM) so we got to rest a bit before getting up and doing our regular routine. It was actually a pleasant surprise because we didn't lose any proselyting time like we normally would have. So we got to work right away.

This week we had a ward activity celebrating the independence of Guatemala. It was a bit early because most people leave during holidays (especially because it is going to be a weekend). I heard that people normally throw water and flower on the 14th. Not sure why... They didn't do it last year but they say it depends on the area you're in. The activity was supposed to start at 530 but it was raining so we had to postpone it a bit because it was an outside event and there was a marching band. The bishopric taught about the 12th article of faith and they posted the colors.

We had a Stake conference with President Shumway and Elder Zeballos. Our investigators got the opportunity to go and talk with president and the 70! They were super excited.

By the way, I survived yet another earthquake. I actually didn't even feel it although I heard it was pretty strong. Thanks for your prayers and concern.


Sorry for the short letter this week. A little distracted.

Love you all,

Elder Mattiaccio

Barrio Las Brisas, Zona Florida, Guatemala Sur

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A note from President Shumway regarding the earthquake.

Dear Parents and Priesthood leaders of Missionaries of the Guatemala City South Mission,

We want to insure you of the safety of the missionaries here in the Guatemala City South Mission.  The earthquake that occurred last night in southern Mexico was also felt here in Guatemala City.  Our missionaries were all safely tucked into bed and most  were unaware that an earthquake and occurred. We have communicated with all our missionaries and all are safe and healthy.
We appreciate your prayers on behalf of our missionaries. 

 

-President and Sister Shumway

Week 97 - (the last) Changes

Well, it's that time again. Changes. I'm staying here in Las Brisas for my last change and receive my new companion, Elder Gordon. My new companion is from Utah. Not sure exactly where... I've learned a ton from Elder Ramos though. There are some things I'll miss, others I won't. But all in all, I think I've had a positive experience with him. I've definitely grown a lot with him and (now for sure) will never have another Brazilian companion.

This week we had yet another multi-zone conference with a member of the Seventy. This time with Elder Jorge Zeballos, part of the new area presidency. He's from Chile and shared a lot of neat experiences. It is always a privilege to have an
other conference with a general authority. 

This week an investigator we had found last week who had a fairly strange name, Estanislao Rac. He's begun to make drastic changes in his life. When we found him he was a bit drunk and didn't show much promise. The next time he was so drunk he literally was dying of cirrhosis. He looked like he was on his death bed. We went back because we had met his wife and she was starting to listen to us more. They ended up not being able to go to church that Sunday for the same reason. We decided to give him one more shot. When we got there he was up and well, he had shaved and combed his hair, He looked totally different. I would even say his spirit was different. There was literally a different spirit in his house. He had read the pamphlet we had left, I had accidentally left a Book of Mormon in his house and he kept it and tried to return it to us. He and his wife accepted a baptismal date and to top it off, they both came this week to church. 

That is another story in and of itself. Yesterday we left our apartment early to go and bring our investigators to church. When we got to the highway we waited for a bus to pass by to take us to the farther parts of our area to bring those that needed to come a bit more early. We waited and waited but no bus came. Not sure what was up with that but we resolved to pass by the investigators who were within walking distance of the church. We went to the farthest first, thinking that we could gather them all up on the way to the church (since it is basically one long road and the church is on the main highway) We passed by the first family, the Alvarez family. We had called a couple times and only gotten the machine so we thought maybe we might need to go wake them up. We got there and nothing. I called the phone again and still nothing. Even their cellphones. Nada. OK... The next family. Same story. Another investigator? Nuh uh. Less active family? Gone. Converts? Sick. We ended up going to church empty handed. I was a bit frustrated. I asked God "Why? Why would we get sent to look for people who weren't even home? The investigators that lived up on the mountain weren't answering the phone. There is a mini bus that goes up there to bring the members and investigators so they don't have to pay the bus fare there and back. We normally go with the bus to make sure it stops for our investigators but because we couldn't get up there, there was no way for the driver or any of the members to recognize who was waiting for to go to church and who was waiting for the normal buses. We got to the church, like I said, empty handed and a little discouraged. But then, the bus arrived and down came Estanislao and his wife, Martha Julia. Also, Jose and his son Chepito (nickname for 'jose') After starting a part member family came walking in and sat down in front of us. At the end, we had 8 investigators in church. A record for the are in the time i have here. When that part member family came in I literally started crying. I knew that God had answered my prayers. I saw that he was trying our faith and will never let us fail if we are obedient to his commands. 

This Sunday, being Fast Sunday, I had included Estanislao and his wife in my fast. I really have a testimony of fasting. I know that God allows us to be tempted. It seems that every time I fast, some member or investigator offers us food. This month I felt an especially greater strength as I fasted. I  wasn't really tempted by their offers (not that they were intentionally tempting me) I didn't feel hungry at all. This week we even had Ward Council meeting after church and it always takes a long time. Normally, we can just leave after we give our progress report but the family that invites us to lunch every Sunday are the Elders Quorum President and the High Priest leader. In other words, the only men in the house have to stay the entire meeting, meaning we wouldn't be able to eat until they finished and took us to their house. But through the entire meeting I felt fine. For lunch, they had prepared a special meal for my companion since they pretty much knew he would be leaving this change. It is called "Feijoada". It was basically baked beans with bacon, traditional sausage, dried meat, rice, and cabbage. It was soooooo good! It was a really heavy meal but it really hit the spot after fasting. :P jajaja!

This week I've really been noticing how quickly time passes and how little time I have left. President reminded me  of it in the conference. When I hugged him and shook his hand he asked me "you ready to give my another 6 week?" Really I don't feel distracted or worried about being home, not that I don't think about it, but I don't dwell on it. I've been looking back on my mission and I feel I have done what the Lord has asked of me. I feel I truly have grown and become truly converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I feel that I have learned infinitely more than I have taught any of my converts. I remember times of trial and times of happiness. I have seen God's hand as I work in his glory to save souls and bring His children to the fold. I am ready to give all that I can to the Lord in these last 6 weeks here in Guatemala. I may not be here to see the fruits of my labors but I have the assurance and comfort in the fact that the reaper and the sower are worthy of their recompense. I love the Lord and his children. I'm ready to give 'em heaven. 

Thank you for all of your love, and support, and letters. I'm sorry if I haven't responded personally but know that I enjoy reading them and send you my and the Savior's love.

Love you all.

Elder Mattiaccio

Barrio Las Brisas, Zona Florida, Guatemala Sur