Letter 5

Dear Familia,

It was great seeing all of you on Skype on Christmas! I loved actually seeing your faces! This past week has flown by faster than anything! (I know it sounds repetitive but I had no idea it would go by this fast!) We had Christmas Eve dinner with the Rodriguez Family. Sister Rodriguez cooked a pierna and a bunch of Tamales. The weird thing about tamales here in Juarez is that the Red tamales are the ones with meat and the green tamales traditionally only have rajas inside of them and cheese. Also it is super common that the sister reheat the tamales on the comal and they get all burnt and krispy. This fascinated me. On Christmas day we were informed by our mission leaders to stay inside our homes and not do any visits until after 4 pm. Juarez around Christmas time is a ghost town. A lot of people here have family in Texas, so they just cross the bridge and hang out in Texas during the holidays. We were still able to get some visits in and decided to just go caroling around our neighborhood. We then had another Christmas dinner at our Bishops house and ate some (you guessed it) tamales.

This week we have also been working with one of our investigators, Julio, a lot. He has been progressing so quickly (he's already been to church with us 3 times) and has quit drinking. He is a very loving brother and wants to change his life. It has been a bit of a challenge trying to teach him though because he is currently housing a Christian Pastor, Arnold. It has been pretty comical trying to teach him about the Trinity and the Restoration with the Pastor around always butting in, but I love it. This week was very rough for another one of our investigators, Adrian. We had planned on baptizing Adrian this Saturday (Jan 4) but he has been avoiding us for the whole week. We have yet to actually hear from him, and we have been praying to reach out to him.

This past Sunday was amazing. We had 43 people at our church service! The past 4 weeks we had not had more than 26 people attending, and this week we really saw the fruits of our labors. We had 17 less active members attend and 3 investigators. We would have had more people attend, but a lot of families were out of town. I am so glad that we have been able to help the ward grow. Next Sunday is my last Sunday in this area, but I know that I have left it a little better than it was before. I know that the Lord has allowed me to become an instrument in His hands, and lead back some of His children back to Him.

I love you all, and I can't wait to hear from you.

Elder Velazquez

En Español
Querida Familia, 

Fue grandioso verlos a todos por Skype en Navidad! Me encanto poder realmente ver sus caras! Esta última semana ha pasado  más rápido que cualquier otra! (Sé que suena repetitivo , pero no tenía idea de que se iría el tiempo tan rápido!) Tuvimos la cena de Nochebuena con la familia Rodriguez. La Hermana Rodriguez preparó una pierna y un montón de tamales. Lo raro de tamales aquí en Juárez es que los tamales rojos son los que tienen la carne y los tamales verdes tradicionalmente sólo tienen rajas y queso adentro.También es muy común que la hermana recaliente los tamales en el comal;  se ponen todos quemados y crujientes. Esto me fascinó. El día de Navidad nuestros lideres de misión nos informaron que teniamos que permanecer en nuestros hogares y no hacer ninguna visita hasta después de las 4. 
Juárez en la época navideña es una ciudad de fantasmas. Mucha de la gente aqui tiene familia en Texas, entonces solo cruzan el puente y se pasan los días festivos en Texas. Aun pudimos hacer algunas visitas y decidimos ir a cantar villancicos por el vecindario. Luego tuvimos otra cena de Navidad en la casa de nuestro Obispo y comimos (lo has adivinado) tamales. 

Esta semana tambien hemos estado trabajando mucho con uno de nuestros investigadores, Julio. El ha estado progresando rápidamente (ha ido a la capilla con nosotros 3 veces) y ha dejado de tomar. Es un hermano muy cariñoso y quiere cambiar su vida. Ha sido un reto tratar de enseñarle porque actualmente vive con un pastor Cristiano, Arnold. Ha sido bastante cómico tratar de enseñarle acerca de la Trinidad y de la Restauración con el Pastor interrumpiendo siempre, pero me encanta. Esta semana fue muy dificil para otro de nuestros investigadores, Adrian.  Habíamos planeado bautizarlo este sabado (4 de enero) pero nos ha estado evitando toda la semana. Aun no hemos escuchado de el, y hemos estado orando.

El domingo pasado fue increíble. Tuvimos 43 personas en nuestro servicio! Las ultimas  4 semanas no habiamos tenido mas de 26 personas asistiendo, y esta semana realmente vimos los frutos de nuestros labores. Tuvimos 17 miembros menos activos y 3 investigadores. Hubiéramos tenido mas gente, pero muchas de las familias estaban fuera de la ciudad. Estoy muy contento que hemos podido ayudar al barrio crecer.  El próximo domingo es mi último domingo en esta área, pero sé que lo dejare un poco mejor que antes. Yo sé que el Señor me ha permitido convertirme en un instrumento en Sus manos, y conducir algunos de Sus hijos a Él.

Los amo a todos, y tengo muchas ganas de saber de ustedes. 

Elder Velazquez 

Christmas Eve!

Skyping with our missionary!

Letter 4

Hello Familia!

This week has gone by faster than any week ever! On Monday, we had a special home evening with our investigator Adrian Ramos. He came over to Familia Pacheco's home and we had a great Christmas home evening. On Tuesday, we had a 3 hour choir practice for our Missionary Chior Performances on Saturday and Sunday night. Then on Wednesday, I got some very exciting news. President Derbez called my companion and I into his office for an interview. We weren't really sure what to expect and were a little nervous. I have been called as the mission Executive Secretary! I will be in charge of helping all the foreign missionaries get all their papers worked out at the border and will be traveling between Cuidad Juarez and Casas Grandes to help them out with any Visa renovations and whatnot. Aside from that, I will also be in charge of helping President Derbez translate his talks and documents. I will be training for the rest of this change cycle (2 more weeks) and then I will be transferred to a new area, Pradera with my new companion, Elder Webster. I am very excited to be working more closely with my President and helping out in any way I can. 

On Friday, all the missionaries in Juarez had a Christmas Dinner at the North Stake. We had turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, and pie. After the dinner, we had another 3 hour choir practice.

On Saturday we had our first 2 choir performances. We performed at the North and South stake. We are a total of 80 elders and 4 sisters in Cuidad Juarez. There are about 18 Elders and 20 Sisters that are located in Casas Grandes, but they did not perform with us because Casas Grandes is about 4 hours away from the City. We performed "O Holy Night, Cantan Santos Angeles (Angels We Have Heard On High), Noche de Paz (Silent Night), and Regocijad Jesus Nacio (Joy To The World)". The program was made to be sort of like the Music And The Spoken Word programs. After the choir sang the songs, the new generation of missionaries (my generation of about 6 Elders and 2 sisters) had to share a short testimony about our experience in the mission so far. It was a very spiritual experience, not a single eye was left dry. We also performed at the East and La Cuesta Stake on Sunday. At the end of the program, we recieved about 250 refrences from all the members who attended the programs. I loved sharing this true Christmas Spirit with the members of the mission!

I have some final news. We have finally set a date for Adrian Ramos to be baptized! We are planning on baptising him January 4th! He is now down to smoking 1 cigarette a day (he used to smoke 6-8 a day), and if he quits by the end of this week, he will be able to be baptized. Elder Huffman and I are praying ferverently for him, and we are visiting him every single night with different members to help him quit. He has told us that he has found strength in the Book Of Mormon and he has seen a change in his life. I am hoping to baptize him before being transferred out of this area on Januray 6th.

Well, that is all for now family. Have a wonderful Christmas everyone!

Elder Velazquez

En Español

Hola Familia!

Esta semana ha pasado mas rápido que cualquier semana en mi vida! El lunes tuvimos

una noche de hogar especial con nuestro investigador Adrian Ramos. Vino a la casa de la

familia Pacheco y tuvimos una gran Noche de Hogar Navideña. El martes tuvimos ensayo de coro por tres horas para las actuaciones del sábado y domingo por la noche. El miercoles obtuve una noticia muy emocionante. El presidente Derbez llamo a mi y a mi companero  a su oficina para una entrevista, no estabamos muy seguros de que esperar y estabamos un poco nerviosos.  

He sido llamado como el Secretario Ejecutivo de la mision! Voy a estar a cargo de ayudar a los misioneros extranjeros, voy a ayudarles a hacer el tramite de sus papeles en la frontera y voy a estar viajando entre Ciudad Juarez y Casas Grandes para ayudarles con la renovacion de visas y otras cosas. Aparte de eso,  tambien estare a cargo de ayudar al Presidente Derbez a traducir sus discursos y documentos.  Voy a seguir 

en entrenamiento durante el resto de mi ciclo (2 semanas mas), y despues sere transladado  a una nueva area que sera Pradera con mi nuevo companero Elder Webster. Estoy muy emocionado de trabajar  tan cerca de mi Presidente y ayudando en todo lo que pueda.

El viernes, todos los misioneros en Juárez tuvimos  una cena de Navidad en la Estaca Norte. Comimos  pavo, puré de papas, maíz y pastel. Después de la cena, tuvimos otro ensayo del coro de 3 horas.

El sábado tuvimos nuestros primeros 2 actuaciones del coro . Se realizaron en la Estaca  Norte y  Sur. Somos un total de 80 elderes y 4 hermanas en Ciudad Juárez . Hay alrededor de 18 elderes  y 20 hermanas que se encuentran en Casas Grandes , pero no estuvieron  con nosotros porque Casas Grandes esta aproximadamente 4 horas de distancia de la Ciudad. Cantamos " O Holy Night , Cantan Santos Ángeles (Ángeles que hemos oído en alto ), Noche de Paz ( Silent Night ) , y Regocijad Jesús Nacio ( Alegría al mundo ) " . El programa fue hecho para ser algo así como el Los programas de Spoken Word Music And. Después de que el coro cantaba las canciones , la nueva generación de misioneros ( mi generación de cerca de 6 elderes  y 2 hermanas ) tuvo que compartir un breve testimonio sobre nuestra experiencia en la misión hasta el momento.

Fue una experiencia muy espiritual , ni un solo ojo se quedó seco. También se realizó en la estaca del Este y La Cuesta, el domingo . Al final del programa,  recibimos alrededor de 250 referencias de todos los miembros que asistieron a los programas. Me encantó compartir este verdadero espíritu de la Navidad con los miembros de la misión !

Tengo una ultima noticia. Hemos fijado finalmente una fecha para Adrian Ramos para ser bautizado! Estamos pensando en hacerlo el  04 de enero! Él se ha reducido a fumar 1 cigarrillo al día (que solía fumar 6-8 al día), y si lo deja para  finales de esta semana, va a poder  ser bautizado. Elder Huffman y yo estamos orando fervientemente  por él, y lo visitamos  cada noche con diferentes miembros para ayudarlo a dejar de fumar. Él nos ha dicho que ha encontrado fortaleza en el Libro de Mormón y que ha visto un cambio en su vida. Espero  bautizarle  antes de ser transferido  fuera de esta area el 6 de Enero.

Bueno, eso es todo por ahora amigos y familia. Que tengan  una maravillosa Navidad  todos!

Elder Velazquez

 Look Camila and Lola, A puppy!

Our area has a ridicoulous amount of street cats

Merry Christmas from Cuidad Juarez!

Family Letter 3

Area: Central 

Companion: Elder Huffman

Hola Family!

Thanks for sending all those great pictures guys!  I'm so excited for the new baby! My guess is that it's going to be a baby boy. The family who rents their home to us (Pacheco Family) lives right next door and the sister has a little baby boy (about 11 months old) named Santiago, he's so awesome and now I'm starting to wish that I had a baby brother as well!

Elder Huffman and I are finally starting to see some more bonding between the  families in our ward! These past 2 weeks we have been having a Missionary Christmas Activity every Tuesday night @ 7pm. The first week we only had about 12 people come, but we didn't get bummed out and made a goal to have at least 25 people for the next week. We prayed and visited the families that didn't come and we had amazing results on Tuesday. We had 30 people attend our activity! Elder Huffman and I witnessed our prayers and our hard work starting to pay off. In the activity we went over the meaning of Christmas and explained the various symbols of Christmas and their meanings. We explained the following:

Christmas Lights: Juan 8:12

Christmas Tree: 1 Nefi 11:21-22; John 3:16-17

Star: Helaman 14:5

Presents: Mat. 2:10-11

After that, we watched a short Church video about the importance of the family during these holidays. Then we handed out a 12 days of christmas sheet with a scipture each day for the families to read together at night. I drew it, so you know it came out awe-some.

We focused this week on visiting inactive families with other members of the ward. We went on many visits with the High Priest group leader (Hermano Felipe Espinoza), the Bishop (Bishop Chavero), the first counciler (Hermano Hernandez) and a priest (Eduardo Pacheco). It was great to start involving the ward in our visits, thanks for the advice Pops.

We also have a few new investigators. We are focusing on Julio Pacheco this week. He accepted a baptismal date (Jan 18) and went to church with us on Sunday (yesterday). The ward was awesome! Everyone came and gave him hugs and handshakes after the Sacrament meeting, and he felt so happy to be there! We now have to bring investigators to church 5 times before they are allowed to be baptized, so we are hoping that he will not miss a single Sunday from now on!

Aside from Julio, we are also working hard with Adrian. He has been to church about 10 times, but hasn't been baptized due to a problem with cigarettes. When we visited him on Sunday, we brought Bishop along. He was so helpful and we even set goals with him to stop smoking little by little. He has gone from smoking 7 cigarettes a day, to 3 with our help! If he is able to quit, we plan on baptizing him in 2 weeks or so.

My testimony of prayer has grown imensly over this past month. I KNOW that the Lord hears and answers our prayers. I have been made a witness as I walk these streets of Juarez in search of souls to save. He hears us, and he answers us in due time. We have been praying for new investigators, and have recieved them. On Friday night, as we were walking home, a young man came up to us out of nowhere. He said, "Why don't you guys come by my house anymore?" I looked at Elder Huffman in surprise because we had NEVER seen this guy! WE set a date and visited him Sunday after church. It turns out that some other Elders had been talking to him about the Church and he was Super intrested, but he moved homes and never heard from anyone again. I know he was put in our path! There is no such thing as a coincidence when it comes to missionary work.

Thanks for all the letters family. I am sorry if I don't write back right away, my time  on the Internets is VERY limited. But I will write back! Have a wonderful week.

Elder Velazquez

En Español

Hola familia!
Gracias por mandarme todas esas fotos fantásticas! Estoy muy emocionado por el nuevo bebé! Pienso que va a ser un niño. La familia que nos renta su hogar (La familia Pacheco) vive al lado de nosotros y tienen un niño pequeño de como 11 meses que se llama Santiago. Me cae tan bien que ahora me gustaría tener un hermanito también!
Elder Huffman y yo finalmente estamos comenzando a ver un poco mas de unión entre las familias de nuestro barrio! Estas últimas 2 semanas hemos tenido una Actividad de Navidad Misional cada martes a las 7pm. La primera semana sólo tuvimos a 12 personas, pero no nos desanimamos e hicimos una meta de tener por lo menos 25 personas la próxima semana. Oramos y visitamos a las familias que no fueron y tuvimos resultados sorprendentes ese martes. 30 personas asistieron a nuestra actividad! Elder Huffman y yo fuimos testigos de como nuestras oraciones y esfuerzos empezaban a dar sus frutos. En la actividad hablamos del significado de la Navidad y explicamos diversos símbolos de la navidad y sus significados. Explicamos lo siguiente:
Luces de Navidad: Juan 8:12
Árbol de Navidad: 1 Nefi 11:21-22 ; Juan 3:16-17
Estrella: Helaman 14:5
Regalos: Mateo 2:10-11
Después de eso, vimos un video corto de de las Iglesia sobre la importancia de la familia durante estos días festivos. Luego repartimos una hoja de los "12 Días de Navidad" con una escritura cada día para leer en familia. Lo dibujé yo, asi que ya saben que salio bien padre.
Nos centramos esta semana en visitar a las familias inactivas con otros miembros del barrio. Hicimos muchas visitas con el líder de Sumos Sacerdotes (Hermano Felipe Espinoza), el Obispo (Bishop Chavero), el primer consejero (Hermano Hernández) y un presbítero (Eduardo Pacheco). Fue fantástico empezar a involucrar a los miembros en nuestras visitas, gracias por ese consejo Pa.
También tenemos algunos nuevos investigadores. Nos estamos enfocando en Julio Pacheco esta semana. Aceptó una fecha de bautismo (18 de enero) y nos acompaño a la Iglesia el domingo (ayer). Los miembros fueron muy buenos! Todos se acercaron y le dieron abrazos y apretones de manos después de la reunión Sacramental, y se sintió muy feliz de estar allí! Ahora tenemos que traer a los investigadores a la Iglesia 5 veces antes de que se permita ser bautizado, entonces esperamos que no se pierda ni un solo domingo a partir de ahora en adelante!
Aparte de Julio, también estamos trabajando duro con Adrian. El ha ido a la Iglesia unas 10 veces, pero no ha sido bautizado debido a un problema con los cigarros. Cuando lo visitamos el domingo, nos acompaño el Obispo. El nos ayudo mucho y hasta pudimos establecer metas con el para que deje de fumar poco a poco. Ha pasado de fumar 7 cigarros al día, a 3 con nuestra ayuda! Si el puede dejar de fumar, tenemos la intención de bautizarlo en como 2 semanas.
Mi testimonio de la oración ha crecido inmensamente durante este ultimo mes. Yo SE que el Señor escucha y contesta nuestras oraciones. He sido testigo mientras camino las calles de Juarez en búsqueda de almas que salvar. Él nos escucha y nos responde a su debido tiempo. Hemos estado orando para tener nuevos investigadores, y los hemos recibido. El viernes por la noche, ya que estábamos caminando a casa, un joven se acercó a nosotros de la nada. Nos pregunto: "Por que ustedes ya no vienen a mi casa?" Miré a Elder Huffman en sorpresa porque NUNCA lo habíamos visto! Fijamos una fecha y lo visitamos el domingo después de la Iglesia. Resulta que otros misioneros habían estado hablando con él acerca de la Iglesia y le interesaba mucho, pero se cambio de casas y nunca escucho de los misioneros otra vez. Yo sé que él fue puesto en nuestro camino! No hay tal cosa como una coincidencia cuando se trata de la obra misional.
Gracias por todas las cartas, familia. Lo siento si no les escribo de inmediato, mi tiempo en el internet es MUY limitado. Pero si les escribiré! Que tengan una semana maravillosa.

Elder Velazquez

Elder Huffman & I

Birthday with the Hernandez Family

Haircut by "Lalo" Pacheco 

Proselitismo

Family & Friend Letter #2

Area: Central 
Companion: Elder Huffman

Hello Familia

Sorry about the long wait! These past 2 weeks have flown by so fast, I can't believe I've been out for almost a month now! 

First off, let me get everyone caught up. I arrived to Cuidad Juarez on November 25th at about 11 am. It was 1 degree C ( about 33 F) when I arrived here. As soon as I got to the airport, we were picked up by my mission president, Presidente Derbez and his 2 assistants (Elder Capiz and Elder Martell). We headed over to the mission offices and had a quick interview and a "welcome to the mission" type meeting. I arrived with 4 Sisters and my companion, Elder Fabian. 

After our meeting, we headed over to President Derbez's home to eat. Sister Derbez cooked us Courdon Blue (I think that's how it's spelled) and some delicious apple and almond salad. We ate and then went back to the mission offices to meet our new companions. My companion's name is Elder Huffman. He's 19 and from Alpine, Utah and has been out in the mission for about 7 months. He's a great companion, and pretty easy to get along with. He's also pretty strict haha Although I am grateful that he is firm and obedient to all the rules. 

I am currently serving in the Central Area, in the Central ward, in the La Cuesta stake.  We are opening up this area, which means that we are the first missionaries assigned to this area in about 4 years. My ward has about 28 active members and a total of 120 inactive members. So yeah, we have A LOT of work. Thankfully, we have felt the support of the members of this ward. 

The first week here was a bit overwhelming and stressful. We got here and had no idea of where any of the members lived, except our landlord (Familia Pacheco) and the Bishop. We don't even have a full map of the area! The first week we mainly explored the area and were able to find all the active members in the ward. We walked around a bunch because this area is pretty big and all the members are pretty spread out. It was a tough first week, but I know that Lord has placed me exactly were he wants me!

This past week has been so AWESOME. We have gone out and focused on part-member families, and less active members. We have also recieved a bunch of refrences from the members in our ward and some missionaries who live in the area next door. We are currently teaching an investigator family of 5 (the Benitez family), and 4 other invesitigators! I have really felt that my prayers have been answered this week. Last week, we only had one investigator! 

My birthday was pretty sweet. A family that lives nearby (The Hernandez family) made me a pie and bought us a cake! The sister is really good at making this pie called the millionario pie. It's a cold pie consisting of coconut, almonds, lemon, and pure delicousness. On my birthday we also set a baptisimal date for one of my investigators, Mario. Mario is an older gentleman (about 65) and is handicapped. He lives humbly, but has been receptive to our lessons. Unfortenately, Mario has had trouble keeping the word of wisdom and he finds it hard coming to church. We are working hard to get him to stop drinking and to start keeping his commitments. Apart from Mario, we are hoping and praying to set a date with another one of our investigators, Adrian. Adrian recently lost his wife, but has found peace and hope in the Gospel. We have visited him once, and he already came to church this past Sunday! We are extremely hopeful that he will continue coming to church and we have gotten permission to set a date for December 21st if he really commits himself. Usually, we must bring an investigator to church 5 times before they are baptised, but our mission president has set a goal for all of us to work hard and baptise by the 21st.

My testimony of prayer has grown tremendously these past two weeks as I have knelt down and prayed to the Father for guidence and strength. I have seen His guiding hand as we walk around the city and preach the Gospel. I feel such joy to be out here preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Thanks to everyone for the letters, and I'm sorry about the delay. I will try and answer as many as possible in these 90 minutes that I have on the interwebz!

Elder Velazquez