Follow Me And I Will Make You Fishers Of Men-Santa Monica Guayaquil Week Thirty Nine

First off for those of you that read my brothers letters as well....... the mission in South America is not like that at all.;) We actually do have to work in order to have baptism here just like the rest of the world. Speaking of baptisms we just had one this week.

Baptism

Leonardo asked us during the week if it was possible for him to get baptized even earlier than May 2. We talked with our leaders and they gave us permision so that he could get baptized this last weekend.  Just like every baptism something always goes wrong. I dont know if I have explained this before but Ecuador time is different than normal time. When you say something is going to start at 7:00 it really starts at like 9:00. We told everyone the baptism started at like 6:30 so they were be there or some would be there at 7-715. We get to the church and there was like 5 people. We are still waiting for the young man that was going to baptize Leonardo. At 7:30 Leonardos parents show up and still no person to baptize Leonardo. We then get a call that he had to work and can't make it. We have no back up and no clothes because he was going to bring his own clothes. Quickly we find a substitute and clothes, and the baptism starts at 8:10. Then we walk in the room and the water is full of mosquitos so we had to clean that. Then finally everything settled down and it finally starting rolling. It all turned out okay  because Leonardo enjoyed it and had a good time. Lots of youth were there to support him, and he has tons of friends in the church. One of his good friends is actually going on a mission soon which has really made Leonardo excited about that as well. Good time even with all the stress.

Leonardo and his family

Elder Shanklin, Elder Flamenco and Leonardo

New Investigators

We have a lot of new investigators that are starting to come out of the wood work. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks you guys well pictures of them in all white. We are working hard here in order to have some success. Like the Lord said, Follow me and I will make you fishers of men. This week we will be going fishing. We have the right bait, and everything, we just next to catch the right fish. 

Big things are coming your way from the small sector of Santa Monica. Thanks for everything that you do. For all the love and support!

Life is a sport, make it count

Elder Shanklin