Five Baptisms this Month

Everything is going really well. We have changes again this week, the last six weeks flew by. I don't think I'll transfer, but my companion might. Things are so great and I am so happy to be here.

We had three baptisms on Saturday!! Can you believe it? Five this month, we're the highest baptizing Sisters this month, and we're in an area that is know for not having baptism and for being really hard. My companion and I pray and fast all the time. We are trying so hard to do everything we can and exercising faith.

So who were they?

Hermano Julio: He's 55. He's been a heavy drinker for years, but not anymore. He has two months without drinking. His testimony is amazing. He knows without doubt that the church is true. He prayers and reads his scripture daily. He is one of my favorite people here. I wish you could meet all these great people.

Hermano Ismar and Hermana Alida: Can you believe it? The parents of Loyda and Clarisa got baptized. They are so faithful too. Their testimonies are so firm, and we have a family now! In one year, they can enter the temple and be sealed. They are so wonderful. There is such a good feeling with all of these baptisms this month. I know I am supposed to be here and I know that I will see these people once again, if not in this life, in the next.

The way these people talk about us stirs my heart so much. They talk about how their lives are changed forever. How for the first time in their lives, they know who they are and why they are here. They all talk about feeling some sort of unrest and confusion all their lives, like there was something wrong. Hearing their testimonies about how that is gone now, how they feel safe and peaceful fills us with a joy I cannot explain.

Walking to church with a complete new family of members was incredible. As we walked, I looked back on the progress that this family has made. They really are new people, born again in Christ. Wow. It is so amazing how this gospel impacts people's lives. This church is so true. This work is eternal and really is Heavenly Father's work. He has a way of working endless miracles and preparing people in ways that they just know this is all true. Hno Ismar and Hna Alida can't read, but they know the Book of Mormon is true. They ache to read it.

I gave Hno Ismar my Gospel Arts Picture Book. I wish you could've seen his face as he looked at all the pictures. The Spirit was so strong and I knew the Lord was teaching him and touching his heart as he looked at the pictures. When it was time to go, I just couldn't ask for my book. I wrote a quick nor and told him it was his. It is in good hands and will work miracles in his life. The spirit has a unique and powerful way of communicating with Hno Ismar and if he could read, he would have more gospel knowledge then all of us. It's going to be a challenge to teach without these pictures, because so many can't read, but I am glad he has it.

I love you all!
Sister Finch

(Oh, as of right now, my reales date is Oct 11. I miss my family, but I'm going to miss Guatemala so much. We'll see when I actually go home, I'm not sure now. I might come home for school, I might come home with Daniel, I might extend. I'll decide in Feb.=)