Week #39 Service

Hello Everyone,

This has been an interesting week.  The sector is starting to flourish again after essentially dropping everyone...it is really cool to see it grow in this manner.  Don´t get me wrong.  I don´t mean to say that I am a great missionary or something like that, but it is amazing to see the work of the Lord right before your eyes.  It is amazing to see the Kingdom of Heaven growing on the Earth and to see people grow in their desires to serve the Lord first hand. There really is no feeling like it. It makes all of the sweat, anxiety, pain, emotional toll, and potential heartache go away...IMMEDIATELY!  You see the smile on these people´s face when you begin to share with them, and you instantly feel the Savior at your side holding you up...pleading with you to just keep going...that everything is going to be okay.  It´s in that moment...that you REALLY begin to understand the Savior´s love for you personally.  How amazing.  :)

I have come to realize that these feelings come more often when you are in the middle of an act of service.  Random service out of your love for the people.  It doesn´t matter if it is a member that you love..or someone you met on the street who is just using you because they know you´ll do their dirty work.  In the end, both ways lead you to the Lord.  It´s interesting how that happens...why is that?  

Mosiah 2:17 "Behold, I tell ye these things that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

James 2:17 "Even so faith,if it hath not works,is dead,being alone."   

The scriptures have made it very clear that service is essential in our faith.  The very rock of the gospel of christ,faith, depends on it.  If we are not showing the love of Christ, through our works, we have no faith.  I find this quote to be very interesting, "...we must be careful, as we seek to become more and more godlike, that we do not become discouraged and lose hope. Becoming Christlike is a lifetime pursuit and very often involves growth and change that is slow, almost imperceptible. The scriptures record remarkable accounts of men whose lives changed dramatically, in an instant... But we must be cautious as we discuss these remarkable examples. Though they are real and powerful, they are the exception more than the rule. For every Paul, for every Enos, and for every King Lamoni, there are hundreds and thousands of people who find the process of repentance much more subtle, much more imperceptible. Day by day they move closer to the Lord, little realizing they are building a godlike life. They live quiet lives of goodness, service, and commitment. They are like the Lamanites, who the Lord said "were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not." (3 Ne. 9:20; italics added.)"

--Ezra Taft Benson

Following this quote, service shouldn´t be something that we occasionally try to give.  It shouldn´t be a part of us trying to be more godlike...it should be a part of our very person!  We should see it merely as helping another child of God to understand the love that he has for them and that he has sent us to give that testimony.  Now, that doesn´t just have to be for missionaries.  As many of you already know, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints focuses many times on service...and many times we, as members, see it as a hassle.  Cleaning the church is a hassle.  Helping another youth with homework...hassle.  Helping another member move...is a hassle.  Helping another member with their kids...another famous hassle.  Going out with the missionaries or home teaching...BIG HASSLES.  I´m going to be a little up front, if you have ever felt this way,  you need to work on this part of your progression.  There are very few people that I know (and probably in the world) who don´t feel this way...that have progressed to the point that service is a part of their person.  I as well have much room to improve in this aspect, but I want to invite you to LOOK FOR SERVICE.  The more service that you do, the more service you will want to give.  You will reach the point that every time you have free time, you are looking for someone to help...and you won´t even know it..you will be truly "baptized with fire in the Holy Ghost."  I testify to you this day, that this lifestyle will bring you more joy than any other thing that you could possibly do in this life.  This isn´t church doctrine, but personally, I believe that this is why Christ never cried out or begged for mercy during the process of the Atonement, because he had found everlasting joy in the act of service.  I testify that this level of consecration is possible, obtainable, and closer than you think...you just have to want it.  I leave you this message, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.    

Con amor,

Elder Jackson

Week #38 Sometimes things are not as they appear!!!

Hey everyone. I hope that it was a great week in the states.  It sure was here.  This week, I just want to account a story to you guys about an experience I had.  

Esta semana fue lleno de contactos. El hecho, encontramos una villa en nuestro sector que antes pensabamos que no podriamos entrar...los misioneros siempre han dicho que no podriamos, entonces no pasabamos. Este semana, Elder Peterson y yo estuvemos en divisiones y ibamos a contactar el mismo parte que usualmente contactamos. Yo tenìa sentimientos que debiamos pasar por esa villa a ver si podriamos entrar. Llegamos al portòn y empezamos a esperar por un auto a entrar o salir. Despues como 5 minutos, un hombre volvio y no dijo, "Quieren entrar? (Empezò a mostrarnos las llaves)" Entonces entramos con el hombre. Le damos gracia y el entrò su casa. Empezamos a contactar. De los siete casas que contactamos, recibimos cuatro citas, tres personas que nos dijieron que podamos pasar un otra dia, y una persona que no queria nada. Salimos de alla superanimado. Fue supergenial a encontrar que reàlmente, no debemos escuchar que dicen otos misioneros y que debemos seguir el Espiritu. Como dice en las escrituras, " Ninguna cosa es imposìble para Dios"


This week was normal in that it was full of a ton of contacts.  We found a villa in our sector that we thought that we couldn`t enter...the missionaries before me had always said that we couldn`t enter the community, so we never passed by.  One day this week, I went on divisions with Elder Peterson.  He came to our sector. We left the house after dropping off his stuff for the night, and headed out to do contacts in the neighborhood that we are assigned to.  I stopped while we were walking...I had strong feelings that we should pass by the villa that everyone says that we can`t enter.  We arrived at the front gate. (It`s a gated community.)  After noting that there are no signs that prohibit missionaries, we thought, "We`ll just wait until a car comes out or something."  After five minutes or so, a man showed up on the other side of the street to enter the villa.  He looked at us and yelled "Do you want in?" (He showed us his keys)  We crossed the street and entered with the man.  We started trying to talk to the man, but he clearly didn`t want anything to do with us, so we gave him our card and offered service if he ever wanted it.  He entered into his house.  Then we started to contact houses.  Of the seven houses that we contacted, we set four lessons, three people told us to come back by another day so that we could get to know them and gave us a time that they`d be there, and one person didn`t want anything from us.  At the end, we left the villa super excited.  It was really cool to realize and to see that, YOU SHOULDN`T LISTEN TO WHAT OTHER MISSIONARIES SAY, BUT THAT YOU SHOULD FOLLOW THE PROMPTINGS OF THE HOLY GHOST ALWAYS.  It`s like it says in Mark 1:37 "For with God, nothing shall be impossible."

I leave with each of you my testimony that I know these things are true.  There are many things that we perceive to be impossible, but I declare unto you....if they are the will of the Lord, THEY WILL HAPPEN.  This work,is the work of the Lord...a work of MIRACLES...a work of Service...a Divine work.  Never forget that.  I pray that this would help somebody out there to have more faith in the Lord, and help them to seek and follow His will in their life.  

Con Amor,

Elder Jackson

Week #37 May 13, 2015 Afflictions

Hello Everyone~~

This week seemed to go by super fast.  At the beginning of this adventure I didn`t like contacting people.  I was nervous and felt uncomfortable.   Now, that has developed into a normal part of my life.  Sometimes we think that contacting is the worst part of missionary work...that it is the most unsuccessful, but I thought about something during my studies this week.  Really, the message that contacting sends, is very powerful.  Even if the person rejects us, spits at us, cusses at us, and talks to us like we aren`t even human beings....there is still a message being delivered to them.  The message is this......  "Even though you may not want to accept it, the Savior is thinking about you and is reaching out his arms to receive you into his fold.  The Savior has sent his servants to bring you back to him.  Why?  Because he loves you unconditionally."  I thought about that....and I just said "Wow."  It had never occurred to me the message that is sent with the smallest of things.  I couldn`t help but to just sit there for a few minutes in wonder of how truly amazing our Heavenly Father is.  :)    


This week, we helped a family with some counciling because they are having some problems dealing with the personal afflictions.  I thought about them a lot this week.  I dedicated a good deal of my study time to searching for something in my reading that could help them cope with their problems better.  Right then, I came upon this.

Mosiah 24:10-15 

10 And it came to pass that so great were their afflictions that they began to cry mightily to God.

11 And Amulon commanded them that they should stop their cries; and he put guards over them to watch them,that whosoever should be found calling upon God should be put to death.

12 And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him;and he did know the thoughts of their hearts.

13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.

14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and  that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, theLord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

I feel that many times, especially when things get hard, we cry to Heavenly Father for help...and what happens? Nothing.  Then we begin to have voices in our head or outward influences tell us that praying isn`t going to do anything, so we should stop.  Verse 12 contains the key to that. "but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts."  THAT`S THE KEY!!!  When we pray to Heavenly Father for help, we aren`t merely asking him to relieve us of our burdens...if you do that, I promise that it will be ineffective. We must "POUR OUT OUR HEARTS!"  Only then, will we see prayers answered.  Only then, will we see miracles, healing, and love.  Through these answered prayers, we are commanded to stand as witnesses of these things!  Of the wonders of God.  That he has the power to deliver his servants from heartache and pain.  And when we complete these things, we will be delivered from our troubles. 

I testify to each and every one of you of the healing power of the Father and of His son Jesus Christ.  Through our faith in them, through our diligent service and keeping of the commandments, through sharing this incomprehensible love with the world, we will be healed.  We will feel whole.  We will feel an unconditional love for this gospel.  Of this I testify to you, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.  

Con Amor,

Elder Jackson

Week #36 Faith

Greetings from Santiago!!!!

The sector is doing really well.  We are changing a lot of things.  In the beginning of this change, we had a ton of people to teach...like twenty, but we realized that the people that we have been teaching really were not progressing.  So we had to make the most difficult decision and stop teaching several people...until we had about three people remaining.  

In the beginning, this was really hard for me personally.  I have been here for almost five months working with these people, building relationships with them, seeing them grow.   But somewhere along the line they hit a wall....and stopped progressing.  President Cook said in his letter to us a few weeks ago that when we leave people that aren`t progressing, we are acting on our faith in the Lord and his timing.    We have to realize that this is HIS TIME...and not ours.  I always think about my conversion story.  From the beginning, it took about six year until my baptism.  I had three baptism dates, but I wasn`t really ready until my last date.  The Lord hadn't quite prepared me to the point that I needed to be.   I know that it is the same for these people.

As missionaries, we want them to act on these things immediately.  But, we have to realize that this isn`t our time, it is the Lord`s.  In his time, he will gather them for his kingdom...when they`re ready...when they`re prepared.  Then we will see miracles happen in their lives like I have seen miracles in mine.

I`ve hit another milestone on my mission.  I`ve gotten to the point that I don`t dream about people or thing back home.  I dream about the people here.  The people in my dreams are the people that we are teaching.  I think that is just about a sure sign that I am immersed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I don`t have a message really for this week, but I want all of you to think about these things.  Think about your faith....where are you?  Are you depending in yourself?  Your own plans?   Your own strength?  I promise you...that if you do this...you will fall.  You will realize, at some point in your life, that you NEED something more...someone better to help you.  This person is the Lord Jesus Christ.  He is ALWAYS here to help us.

(Luke 18: 8-14)

If the Savior visited a church meeting and heard the person say the opening prayer like this, "Thank you Lord that we are not like the other churches...that we follow thy commandments closer.  I have fasted twice this week. I shared the gospel with 3 people this week.  Thank you for my success in the gospel."

Then he hears another person pray like this, "Lord, I`m sorry for where I have failed you.  I drank this week.  I cussed at work.  I had angry thoughts in the car driving to work in traffic this week.  I`m sorry for being disobedient.  Please help me to be better and forgive me for my shortcomings."

Can you see the difference?  Instead of hiding from our difficulties and problems, if we will trust in the Lord and his promise to us...to help us be better, YOU WILL SUCCEED.  You will understand life better, and you will be received into the Kingdom of God in the Last Day.

I invite all of you to think hard about this...about which person you are.  If there is something that you need to change..do it.  Don`t wait.  Put your faith in the Lord, and be happy.  I give my testimony that I know that these things are true.  That faith is the cornerstone of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  That if we practice faith then all of us will understand better who our Heavenly Father is.  And, when we understand who He is, we will in turn understand ourselves more, and our purpose here on this earth.  Thank you all for your continued prayers!!

Con amor,

Elder Jackson

Week #35 Paradise

Another week in paradise.  This week, they divided the sector into three parts and assigned each companionship to a part.  They did this so that we don`t have to walk so much...to save time, not energy.   Elder Cabrera and I got assigned the flete or the ghetto part.  We think it`s because I`m bigger and because we are both just a little bit ghetto.  ;)  Haha   Also, with that we have been leaving a bunch of people that aren`t progressing.   

This has left us with only about five people to teach.  You know what that means, CONTACTS! :D  So my week has been full of a lot of contacts.  They are always fun.  You get one of two things.  People who hate us, people who talk to us because they think I (because I`m grengo) am "rico", or you get people who say to come back another day.  The people are receptive and all, but we have almost never gotten into a house out of a contact.

Yesterday was the birthday of Elder Aguero, so in the morning after we did T25, we threw eggs and flour on him and everyone else in the house at that.  Yes, it made a mess.  Was it worth it? Absolutely.  Then at night we grilled, made homemade potatoes, drank matte, sang music, and just hung out....cuz we don`t really get any time for that outside of at night.  Robin, our neighbor, came over and played guitar while we sang.  Haha.  It was awesome.  

This week, I got to see a little more of the administrative side of being a missionary.  Now that I have been in this Ward longer than everyone else here, usually the members turn to me in church when they need help with something.  

It is pretty cool to think about that the members have confidence in me.  :)  Also, it made me think about the Savior.  How tired he must have been from a lifetime of service.  Especially during his mortal ministry.  It made me think how we should trust in the Savior and have that kind of relationship with him.  If we can put trust into a kid that is 21 years old, how much faith could we put into the Son of Man, The Savior of the World, and our PERFECT EXAMPLE?  This world sure would be a lot better.  

So this week, I have decided that I am going to work on trying to put more of my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ in my everyday life...at least in one thing.  I`m going to let him take control.  I`d like to invite you all to do this as well.  Why?  Because I know that he will guide you.  He will show you why it is that he asks you more than anything else to a) love him. b) put all of our faith in him.  I know that if you will do that, you will see miracles in your life and you will receive personal revelation.  

Con amor,

Elder Jackson