As Long as You Are Proud You Cannot Know God

Bolivia 101:
Most people live day to day here. The money they earn today, makes tomorrow either a good, or a bad day. I think of Filomena, who sells bread daily. She sells little stone hard cinnamon rolls, the size of a childs fist. You can buy 2 for 1 Boliviano. In other words, she sells fourteen rolls for one US dollar. She makes about 50 cinnamon rolls and probably a total of 150-200 breads of different varaiaties daily, each at .50 Bolivianos each. You do the math. When people thank the Lord for their daily bread, they are praying with faith each time so their children do not go hungry and so they have electricity and gas to cook the next day. I have never been more humbled in my life. Serving a mission has shown me how important the gospel is for each child of God. I hope to be able to share with as many people I can, so they can rely on the arm of God to strengthen and build their family, both physically and spiritually.

David:

First, you will be happy to know that Angel is a lot nicer. He and his wife Paubla were baptized in their 50’s and were super active for about 8 years. Then, in-active for about 2. They are making so much progress this week.

As I said, I would tell you a little bit more about David, the less active that we visited last week. David, in the four years he was an active member, was sealed to his children, and served in many callings, including 1st counselor to the bishop. He had a strong testimony until one day, he chose to be offended by an event that happened. He tried going to another ward or stake but was asked not to and finally chose to never ever enter into an LDS chapel again. He is another old man that the missionaries fear. I saw why, when he yelled at us. But this time, perhaps because we prayed so hard in our hearts, or perhaps because the lord softened his heart, he let us in. Our conversation turned to his homemade chess table he has been carving. He showed me Incan chess pieces that looked like totem poles. We had no idea what to share with him, but the moment we finished the prayer, both my companion and I began talking about the Book of Mormon. We showed a mormon message about it, which we bought for 60 cents from a man who downloads them in Spanish. (I am probably sinning, but when someone happens to have a DVD player, we show a video and feel the Spirit so much. It is so powerful.) As he watched the video, tears came to his eyes. We testified about the Book of Mormon and could tell he had a testimony still—somewhere in his heart. He told us that he substituted our church with the sabatistas, a church that congregates on Saturdays. The more he talked about his bad experience in the church that caused him to leave, the more I could feel his pride keeping him from the blessings I know he is seeking. I saw something at the other side of the room. I stood up and walked to a picture of his family’s baptism in a little frame the missionaries gave him. I gently lifted the plastic frame from its dusty spot on the shelf. Though he has not touched it in years, maybe, I could feel how he treasured the photographic evidence of the day he made special covenants with God several years ago. I was so nervous. I could feel his eyes on me as I held his treasure in my hands. I walked back to the couch and put the picture in his hands. He took it and looked up at me. I spoke more boldy than I think I have ever spoken in my life. I do not remember all I said, as it was 2 weeks ago, but I remember the emotion that came through me as I spoke about his covenants with God, and the pride he had to let go. Tears came to my eyes as I testified of the atonement and the power it has to change people. Sister Canobra also spoke and testified. It was beautiful. The spirit was testifing to him of the importance of the Atonement. All he needs to do is let go of his pride. I pray for David so much in my heart so that he will one day feel what he used to feel.

Now, I have to say, today we had exchanges and I have been asked to serve in Guaracal with Sister Wilson, a sister who has 6 weeks on her mission. My heart goes to all the families I love so much in La Colorada who I left without saying goodbye. It really is hard to leave them, but I pray that I will learn just as much from the other families who are waiting for me in Guaracal as I learned from them.

The good news? My companion, Sister Canobra, is still in La Colorada and will be training. She lives with us in Guaracal (we moved there two weeks ago for more safety) and last of all, I can still do exchanges with my old companion in good old La Colorada.

Sister Greenman

Added by Elissa’s Mom: “As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.”
― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity