Week 65

Well, the time has finally come and we were finally able to have the baptism of Mario. I'm super happy that he was able to take that step in his life and be an example for the rest of his family! I really think we might be able to work a little bit better with his wife and kids now and I hope that they can follow his example as well! I know that he will be able to see so many blessings in his life and will be able to bless them all as he receives the Priesthood :) the Branch here has really been struggling but we are really trying to help them out so that the people that we baptize don't just fall away. 

It was a little bit hard this last week as I was sick for 3 days and stuck in my bed. I had a HUGE migraine and my stomach wasn't doing too well! I was really happy to get up and go out and work this past weekend! Today we all got together as a District in the Chapel and played some UNO and basketball. It was really fun, especially since 2 Sister Missionaries in my District are ending their missions this week! So far as a district leader 5 missionaries have gone home in my district. 

We have changes this week and I'm excited to see where the next chapter of my mission will be! Well, I'm sorry there isn't too much to write but everything here is good! I'm just trying to give it my all and have fun (which we do often) so hopefully this week will be better and be a good one! Have a great week and I hope that you like the pictures :) 

Con mucho amor, 
Elder Hunt

The Baptism of Mario with his family :)

They gave us a pig testicle in our soups so
Elder Lopez took it out when they weren't looking - haha!

On Tuesday we went and helped sand and paint
a house so there is my proof of hard work ;)

Week 64

So, the good news is that I went to the doctor but the bad news is that I have to come home.... Haha just kidding! I still don't know what is going on in my body and only have more pain pills to take for it. It hurts but I guess it's time to "man up" and keep on working! I know that if I am strong and depend on the Lord, he will strenghten me enough to be able to carry the load that I have been given. Easier said than done but now its my turn to walk the walk, not just talk the talk :) 

But on a better note, we have another Baptism this week so thats good :) His name is Mario Z and he really is so awesome!! He's the only one out of his whole family that has the desire to get baptized. He really understands what we teach him. Yesterday when he ended our lesson with a prayer he said that he just wants to get baptized so that he can receive the Priesthood and go out and preach the Gospel and Baptize the People who need help. It was pretty awesome, not going to lie :) We are really trying to help out his family more and encourage him to help prepare his family so that one day they can make the same decision that he is going to make so that he can baptize them. 

I really have learned here that sometimes we just have to be patient and increase our diligence as we are not on our time, we are on the Lords time. I know that he will be a really strong member and that as he obtains the Priesthood he will be able to bless his family and protect them from Satan and all the influences of this world! 

I know that the work we do as Missionaries truly is the work of the Lord! I know that through our sacrifices our families and loved ones truly do recieve blessings! I have never in my life been so eager to talk to and help complete strangers find the way home to their Father in Heaven. I know that I truly do need to forget about myself and go to work so that I can find those people who need it most and come to love them :) I hope you all have a great week and can continue to become better people and continue in your search for happiness!!

Con mucho amor, 
Elder Hunt

Week 63

So, funny story to share with you all. I am sitting in a Cyber (where we write our emails on computers) in Quito and it just happens to be the same Cyber that I used almost a year ago before being admitted into the hospital with Salmonella and a Kidney Infection. I also have a doctors appointment tonight at the same hospital to find out what is going on with my hip. I have a feeling this time won't be nearly as bad as last time thought so that's good news :) It has been hurting me really bad the past little while and I hope that I can get some help to make it feel better! Other than that I have nothing else to complain about and life is good :) 

This last week we were finally able to start the "Because He Lives" challenge and we received the pass along cards to be able to use during our contacts :) I think it will really help us to be able to get into the peoples homes and teach them as that has been something we have really struggled with! We just have to rely on the Spirit more and say what the people need to hear instead of what we just want to say! We are helping one of our Investigators prepare himself to be baptized the 25th of this month and he is really excited! 

This last week was really hard for them as his Brother-in-Law passed away at the age of 28 from heart complications. We were able to accompany them to the funeral to support them in their time of need but boy, can I tell you, it was quite the funeral and unlike any that I've ever been to! It was a Catholic funeral and they did many things that I have never before even seen in my life so it was a new experience but it was also a good one! His wife later told us that many people asked who we were and why we were there and she simply responded "They're my friends and they are here to support me when I need them most." It really impacted me when she shared that with us! Many times we forget how important it is to form a strong relationship with the people. I feel honored to be considered one of her greatest friends and I hope that we can help their family receive all the blessings that the Restored Gospel has to offer! 

Although this sector and this city are hard I know that with the help of the Lord, we truly can help the people come unto Christ and receive all the blessings he has to bestow upon their heads! I truly do love this work and I know that I really need to use my last 9 months to the fullest so that I can look back upon this experience and be proud of what I've done! I love you all and I am keeping you all in my prayers. I ask that you keep my family and loved ones in yours as well. Have a great week!

Con Mucho amor, 
Elder Hunt 

Week 62

Well, this week was a great one! It's honestly really nice to have something that makes your week just a little bit different and a little bit more spiritual! I don't know what has changed but I honestly LOVE General Conference!! It really does take a toll on you though as so much information, revelation and things that we just don't do get shoved down our throats haha! I now understand why there is a 6 month break between the Conferences. It's so that we can actually try to apply those things in our lives. I think that is something that has helped me get the most out of every session and turn it into something amazing instead of dreadful like it was before I came on my mission. I really hope that you all enjoyed it and can now use the time you have to make every aspect of your lives better :) 

This week we were also able to have Interviews with President Christensen which we have once every two months. It really is so nice to have him as our Mission President and to be able to have the help we need to become better than we are now! It really helped me to prepare for the conference we had and to really look deep down and find what I can do better to serve to the best of my abilities! 

We are still working with a few families that are progressing towards baptism. One man's name is Mario Z. He's the only one in his family that really wants to listen to us and the only one that really understands. This last week we taught him about Baptism and that after if he is worthy he will be able to receive and posses the Priesthood so that he can bless and guide his family through these dark days. We also explained to him that he could be the one to Baptize his wife and kids and the light that came to his eyes was amazing! 

The Priesthood truly does bless all of the families here in the world. Without it we don't have the shield to protect our families and homes against the attacks of Satan. Everyday I am becoming more and more grateful for the power I possess and the power that God has given me!! I hope that you all have a great week and were able to enjoy and keep enjoying the Conference talks!

Love, 
Elder Hunt

Week 61

Well, I think this change I'm going to learn a lot of patience! I don't think that I have had a change where more things have happened out of the blue. Let's just say my companion and I are running every which way to give people blessings, do interviews, contact people, and teach. It has taken a toll on us! I've found myself getting quite stressed out and that's when I get mad at the little things that happen. I know that is one aspect of my life that I need to change! 

The work here has been long and difficult but I know that the Lord has a reason for why I am here and has something that he wants me to learn. I'm really excited to be able to watch General Conference this week and I know that it will help me beyond belief. I have some questions I would like to take into it and be able to receive the guidance that I need when I need it most! It really is just so nice to be able to sit down and to be able to hear the words of the living Prophet and the 12 Apostles. That is our focus right now, to be able to take people to Conference so they can see and hear for themselves the words of the Lord himself spoken through his servants here on the earth. 

It has really struck me hard to realize how little the rest of the world has or even thinks it needs to stay on the right path and be saved. I really have seen how huge of a blessing we have all received to have the fullness of the Gospel in our lives! My Companion asked me a question this week that his Seminary Teacher proposed to them a few years ago. He asked, "If new scripture were to be revealed, would we read it/accept it and strive to gain a testimony?" If the answer is yes then why aren't we doing the same with the scriptures that God has already given to us? Often times we look forward to the future and what it has to bring so much that we lose focus on what we have already been given. 

I love being able to work here in the Lords Vineyard and help the children of God to come to a knowledge of this gospel. At the start of my mission I was scared to be direct and share what I know about the Book Of Mormon as I didn't know what they would say. I now only have the desires to help everyone know what this book is and I understand the teachings that it contains! I love this Gospel and every day I am learning how to live it! It's a long road in front of me but I know that I will one day reach my true potential. I hope you all have a great week this week and I hope that you all search the words of the Prophet and the servants God has sent to lead us here on Earth. Make it a goal to not only listen but to put into practice what you learn. I love you all and hope all is well.
Con Mucho Amor, 
Elder Hunt 

Week 60

Well, changes have arrived, and man has this change flown by! I will be staying here in Riobamba for at least another change and I'll have the pleasure to spend it with Elder Lopez! I'm super excited for this change and I know that we are going to get a lot done and help the people that our Father in Heaven has led us to. 

This last week was quite the crazy one but it turned out being a pretty good week. On Thursday we had to go to Quito for a Medical Appointment. I had to see what is going on with my kidneys. I really don't like Quito because it's super cold and rains a ton, plus I just don't like the big city :P It doesn't help that from Riobamba it's about 4 hours to travel by bus. We got there and were able to eat lunch then we spent the rest of the day in the hospital to do tests. Finally the Doctor was able to examine the test results. He told me that he doesn't know what's going on..... so he gave me some pills and said maybe these will help haha! I've just given up and decided that I need to suck it up and just keep working ;) 

We finally got home on Friday and were able to do a tour of the church for someone we are teaching who is preparing himself to get baptized. His name is Mario Z:) It was a really neat experience and he now knows that this church is the true church! He's having a few problems changing, as his whole family attends another church. We've been trying super hard to work with the rest of them but it's easier said than done! He understands so much, to the point that when we were in a lesson yesterday he started using the Book of Mormon to show his wife that what she was saying was wrong and that what we've been teaching is true. Please make sure to keep him in your prayers so we can help him get baptized. 

On Saturday, we were able to go out with the members to a little town called Chambo on the outskirts of Riobamba to help a family of members make Pig Pens. Basically, we had to get it all started and had to lay the foundation, which was not small by the way! We got out there at 7 am and left about 1:30 pm. We only finished half of it but I'll tell you what, I've never been so sore haha! It was most definitely worth it and the family was super happy!! Service really does pay off and brings you so much happiness!! 

Yesterday was a hard day with getting our investigators to church but we were able to get a bunch of less active members there so it was all good:) It was quite the busy week and the time just keeps going by faster and faster. I truly do love this work and I am thankful to be able to get to know so many amazing people! I hope that you all have a great week and that you can look for all of the opportunities that our Heavenly Father puts in your path to serve someone else. 

Con mucho amor, 
Elder Hunt

Service in Chambo

(Building Pig Pens)

My New Ponch :)

Some Pictures of our Apartment - Riobamba

Week 59

I honestly don't know where the time is going, but it is going by super fast and it needs to slow down a little bit! This week was a good one and went by super fast. It was one of the best weeks I've had since being here in Riobamba! As of right now we have a family of 5 that we are teaching but only the parents are interested. We are  also teaching the husband of a recent convert. They both should be getting baptized on the 28th of March so I'm excited for that but its going to require a lot of effort on our part! 

This past week on Wednesday, President Christensen came and we had a Zone Conference. It was nice to be able to listen to him and have him help us to  stay focused. We talked about the importance of having a good Ward Counsel and also about becoming consecrated missionaries, which is something my companion and I have been striving to get better at. 

We were able to go to a Stake activity on Saturday that was super cool. We watched some of the native dances they have here and it was great to be able to spend some time with the members and see some more of the culture. 

On Sunday I was able to do an interview for the Sister Leaders that are in my district and they should be having a baptism this week. Hermana Lindsay will end her mission with a Baptism:) We were able to have 2 people at church and quite a few less active members so it was a great week in all!

 Today we all got together at the Stake Center to have a going home party for two missionaries that are ending their missions this week. We played soccer, basketball, volleyball, and UNO. Then we went and ate pizza haha! It was a great day today!  

I really hope you can all start to prepare for General Conference in a few weeks and that you can all have a great week! I love this work and I love my Heavenly Father. I know that you all are being blessed for my sacrifices here and it gives me more motivation to give all I have to the lord. I know that through Sacrifice come the blessings of Heaven. 

I love you all and am praying for you. 
Con mucho amor, 
Elder Hunt

Week 58

So this week wasn't much different from any of the others. It's been a little bit hard here. The people we have aren't really progressing, which means we have to continue to look for more people to teach. Not going to lie it has been a little bit hard and at some times discouraging as the people just aren't as accepting as we are used to. We have been able to find some great people and great families that we are helping right now! 

Both my companion and I have not felt super good this week, which doesn't help with the fact that we're having to walk and look for people a lot. It's amazing that at the time when you think you can't go anymore, that's when the lord gives you the strength necessary to keep working! I know that this change will be awesome! I'm looking forward to another change with Elder Lopez if that's what the Lord has in store for us. 

On Sunday I was able to attend 6 hours of church as one of my Zone Leaders got really sick and wasn't able to go to church. I went on divisions with his companion and I was able to do a Baptismal Interview for them. Overall it was a great morning and I was more than happy to do it :) One of the families we invited to church showed up and stayed all three hours. We talked a little bit afterwards and they commented on how much they enjoyed it and how much they were able to learn. It's great to see that they actually understand and have the desires to follow in Gods path! 

This morning we were able to go to Baños in the Orient about 2 hours away and were able to see some massive Waterfalls they have there. It was great to see a prime example of what an opposing force does over so much time and how powerful it was! I know that through the opposition we are experiencing here, we will be made stronger! I hope that you all have a great week and can remember that our Heavenly Father loves you all!

Con mucho amor, 
Elder Hunt

Baños Waterfalls - March 16th 2015

 

Week 57

Wow the time is just flying by!!! It's already week 4 of this change and it seems like it's only been 1! As I've said before, time here is super weird! I've learned that the more focused I am and the harder I'm working the faster it goes! Some weeks seem like we weren't able to get much done and I know that I need to get myself on a better schedule so that I can keep up with the many tasks I have to do everyday.

This last week seemed really short and went by super fast but it was a good one as we were able to get a lot done :) To start off, we had to start finding people to teach as we were very quickly running out but with the Lords help we were able to find two new families and teach them this week:) It is going to require a lot on our part to keep them progressing and to help them receive their answer but I know that if we are diligent and work with the Lord we can do it and continue to help many people here in this area! 

On Thursday, I had the opportunity to go to Quito (about 4 hours away) for a Conference with our Mission President for the District Leaders here in the Mission. It was great to be able to see some of the missionaries that I have gotten to know here in the mission. I was able to  receive further instruction as to what I can do to become a better leader and to be able to help those in my district better. I'm not going to lie, I don't really like being in Quito as it is a really big city, but hey at least the food is good there! Speaking of which, my companion and I are going to start going hard on the exercising this week! We're both getting fat haha! It doesn't help that we have a really good Pizza and Burger place here in our sector :P 

On Saturday, we were able to have a baptism. Her name is Lesly. She is the sister of a member here in the branch and she is super great! She was so happy to finally be able to be baptized and I was happy to be able to be there and perform the ordinance for her! On sunday she was able to be confirmed and you could just see a huge difference in her and how happy she was :) We were able to get a few less active members and one of our other investigators to church so it was a pretty great day! 

It's been pretty hot here so its definitely nice as it's not humid but a dry heat. Sure makes me miss Utah!! Overall everything here has been great!Elder Lopez and I are just striving to work hard and be diligent and obedient to what the Lord wants us to do. This week I was able to study a few talks that really helped me out. They helped me to recognize what we have to do everyday in our lives. There was one quote that stated, "It is many days well lived that add up to a successful life." 

I know that what it says in Alma 37:6-7 is true "that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass." If we will but focus on our daily lives and strive to do all that we can today, and to be a little bit better than we were yesterday, I know that we can achieve many things! I love you all and I am praying for you. I hope you all have a great week this week and can reach your true potential. 
Con mucho amor, 
Elder Hunt 

Lesly's Baptism - Elder Hunt & Elder Lopez

Week 56

Week two of my 2nd change here in good ol Riobamba. This week was a little bit crazy and went by super fast! We have been working really hard to find new people to teach. As of right now we have one investigator who is progressing and she should be able to get baptized this weekend so that's awesome :) 

It's been quite tough finding new people though! Here in the mountains people are a little bit more closed off and don't like to associate with others and there are a lot of crazy Catholics here! It's good though because once we have been able to talk more with them, they are pretty accepting. Our focus right now is contacting in the street as the people are a little more open to us than when they are in their homes. We look for families so that we can focus more on that. So far it has been good for us and slowly I'm becoming better at talking to anyone and everyone I see so that's good, although I'm pretty sure they just look at me like I'm some crazy gringo haha!! It's okay, I know that we will plant the seed in their hearts :) 

Our other focus that we have right now is to help the Branch that we are in get better at doing their visits as Home Teachers and Visiting Teachers so that we can strengthen the retention here in the Branch! We need to help them to forget about themselves and serve others. We have noticed that they rarely do their visits so we have decided to choose one companionship each week to go out with so that we can make sure that they are doing it and just try to help them get better and have the desire to do it by themselves. There is a lot that we need to help with here in the Branch! It will be hard at first but I know that it truly will pay off! 

So it's been a good experience being District Leader! I'm just trying to stay strong so that I can be able to help the Missionaries in my District. I know that the Lord has called me to a position of service. This week I really want to get better at offering more sincere prayers! Often times when I wake up in the morning, I start to pray and end up pray/sleeping for about half an hour haha! I know that even though it's hard, it's essential in our daily lives! 

I'm excited for what the Lord has prepared for me here in Riobamba and I know that through my obedience and diligence the Lord will bless me and my family! I feel my testimony growing each and every day and I know that what I am doing is the truth. It's hard sometimes but I know that although we often can't see the fruits of our labors until later that this is what the lord wants me to do! I thank you all for the love and support that I have received and continue to receive here! I pray for you all and your well being. Have a great week and don't forget "Every Member a Missionary" :) 

Con mucho amor, 
Elder Hunt

Week 55

So, this week was quite the interesting week! First of all, it was the first week of changes. I can already see that this change is going to be a great one and that if we stay diligent and keep being obedient I know that the Lord will truly bless us! 

The second reason why this week was quite crazy is because this week was a HUGE holiday here in Ecuador! It's called Carnival and basically what happens is everyone walks around carrying silly string type stuff, water, flour, and eggs and its just an all out war haha. People throw water balloons and buckets of water from the roof. Let's just say that it would be awesome being here as a normal person and to be able to participate in the madness!! As a missionary I can now say that it isn't as great being here defenseless! It also makes it hard having to work and find people to visit too. It was still a great experience and super fun to have to run away and avoid being soaked with water. Unfortunately, we still got wet haha! 

So this week was a little bit hard as all of the members here in Riobamba left to go to the little towns a little ways away from here. The town here is literally so empty and its been hard to find people to teach. We've tried to look for new people to be able to teach but with no luck. 

Yesterday I was able to give a talk in church and I was asked to speak about The Law Of Chastity and the Use of Technology. It has been a problem here in the branch as they kids are always on their phones and they don't show respect during the hours that we are in church. 

There's not a whole lot of news to share with you all but this P-Day was super fun! We got together as a zone and played Carnival and lets just say we got super dirty and super wet haha! It was great as we have 3 news Missionaries here in the zone. It was super fun to be able to experience a little bit of the culture here in Ecuador. We only have today and tomorrow to make it through Carnival and were good :) 
I hope  that you all have a great week this week!
Con mucho amor, 
Elder Hunt 

Elder Hunt & Elder Read

 

Week 54

Changes! Well, I have completed yet another change here on my mission:) I am now with Elder Lopez from Colorado. I know that this change will be a great one! I would really like to share an activity that we as missionaries are doing this month and the next. It's called "The faith of February will bring the Miracles of March." We have been asked to make a few sacrifices to show the Lord the faith that we have in him. We have been asked to read 12 pages every days from the Book Of Mormon and mark every time  that it talks about or mentions Jesus Christ so that we can finish it before the end of March. We have also been asked to study and apply the Christ-like Attributes, hold two mission wide fasts, participate in weekly service projects in our districts, and each make a personal sacrifice. 

I was able to read in Mormon 9:15-21 about how often times we forget that our Heavenly Father is a God of Miracles. Being here in Ecuador there have been many people that have told me that God no longer performs miracles but instead they go to their pastor or church leader to perform the miracles. They truly have lost their faith in the Lord! We know that without faith God can do nothing! I know that this activity we are doing truly will bring miracles into our lives and all the people around us. I know that God truly gives us so many blessings and performs so many miracles in our lives! We just need to come unto Christ and our eyes will be opened so that we can see the miracles and blessings abound in our lives. 

I really want to focus on the faith that I have and to keep strengthening it! I want to build my faith upon the rock of Christ (Helaman 5:12). We truly do need to build a strong and reliable spiritual foundation under us to have the strength to go against the odds and what the world says. I know that if we show the Lord that we truly do have faith in him and if we prove our faith through our works, he will bless us! I would like to ask you all to consider your level of faith and set goals and make sacrifices to strengthen that faith. "For if we have faith, we have the power to do whatsoever thing is convenient unto the lord." (Moroni 7:33) 
I love you all and hope you have a great week! 
Con mucho amor, 
Elder Hunt

Week 53

Well, it's the first week of the second year here on my mission:) I wish that I could say that it was an extraordinary week but I would be lying haha! It was about the same as any other week! On Thursday night we went up to the roof and burned one of my shirts (Half way missionary tradition).  It went up in flames super fast and was super cool to see and do :) 

This week was a little rough on the numbers and we didn't have the people that we wanted to in church on Sunday but we were able to help some people out and we should have a better week this week. So, this last week in my training I talked a little bit about about goals that we set as missionaries and how we help people with these goals. It made me really look back and see that I have set many goals throughout this last year but I wasn't able to achieve all of them. It makes me want to set more precise, and attainable goals this year so that I can keep improving as my time here in the mission grows! 

Goals are such an important aspect in our lives but often times we just decide to stay where we are and that that's okay, but that is not the essence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Something that I like teach all of the people that I visit is, that Jesus Christ didn't only teach us words that we study in a book, he taught us how to live! He showed us the lifestyle we need to live to have all the blessings from God. I know it is hard to do but we really need to look deep into our lives and find what we can change and get better at so that we can continually be better people and better Children of God! 

I know that this Church is true and I know that although it may be hard sometimes, it does make us into the people that God wants us to be, not just who we want to be. The will of God exists for our benefit so that we can be able to make it back to live with our Father In Heaven. I Really have come to love all of the things God gives to us! I am striving to make them important aspects in my life so that I can construct the foundation under me that will allow me to resist the temptations of Satan! 
I love you all and I hope you all have a great week! 
Con mucho amor, 
Elder Hunt

The Traditional "1 Year Down" Shirt Burning :)