Starting from Zero in Albatros

Sushi

Ether 12:27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.


This week we had an experience where we were able to help a recent convert in a tough moment in his life. Freddy has been battling with an alcohol addiction and this weekend he fell again. But this time he fell harder than before because he felt terrible for doing it. Elder Sanchez and I were able to help him realize that he can repent and be forgiven for sins that he has committed and live beyond all of this pain and shame that he feels. I´m so grateful to know that God gives us weaknesses so we can learn to be better and more prepared for the next life. I know that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can find peace and joy as we live the Gospel and learn to apply it to our challenges and difficulties.



Hola a todos!


This week has been quite a challenge! We arrived to our area and we didn´t have a map, telephone, and Elder Sanchez arriving without knowing anything. We basically started from zero. It has been an adventure figuring out where to go, meeting all the members and investigators, and arranging everything with our house. Our new area called Albatros is huge! Before there were 6 missionaries here but now it is just my companion and I. We have lots to work to do! The sister missionaries that were here before had to leave due to a problem with investigators. We had to buy a map, we are looking for bikes to get to know the area faster, and we are looking for a new house to rent that is in the limits of our area. The members here are suuuper nice! There are various youth and young single adults that have helped us know the members and investigators.

Con Elder Sanchez

Mazatlan is so beautiful! When we do exercise in the morning we have been going to the malecon to run which is so cool in the morning seeing the waves on the beach and the sunrises. We have gotten lost several times as we are still trying to learn the new place.

New Apartment is Huge!

Elder Sanchez is pretty cool! He is from Chiapas and he is very chill. He reminds me a lot of my past companion Elder Cruz from Chiapas haha. He doesn´t talk much but is a great missionary! We are going to work very hard so we can help the Albatros Ward and baptize!


Have a fun and safe week everyone!


Elder Bennett

Goodbye Tanques...Hello Mazatlan

Alma 12:24 And we see that death comes upon mankind, yea, the death which has been spoken of by Amulek, which is the temporal death; nevertheless there was a space granted unto man in which he might repent; therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God; a time to prepare for that endless state which has been spoken of by us, which is after the resurrection of the dead.

Making tortillas de harina

This week Elder Navarro and I were able to teach the Plan of Salvation to many of our investigators! I love teaching about where we came from, why we are here, and where we will go after death. I'm grateful for this knowledge of the Gospel that each and everyone of us is available to. We have a loving Heavenly Father who has provided living day prophets and the Book of Mormon to teach us these important principles that brings peace and joy in our lives. I know that I am here to learn to become more like Jesus Christ and be tested with trials to prove my faith and obedience. What a wonderful experience it is to learn and grow in the Gospel and have real joy!

Tortillas de Harina

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Buenas Tardes!


This has been a bitter/sweet week for me! I'm sad that to leave all the wonderful friendships I made in Tanques but happy because I know the Lord has something prepared for me in my new area. My new area is in MAZATLAN! Barrio Albatroz. Our area covers the malecon and the beaches and a touristic zone so it is super beautiful here! Leaving Tanques I feel grateful to be in a new area where there is a store close haha. I am with Elder Sanchez from Chiapas, he has 7 months in the mission. We are both new to the area so we don't know anyone or anything haha. It will be a fun adventure with him!

Last District Picture

Splits in LaCruz

My last week in Tanques was quite interesting! This week the Marines were flying a helicopter really low in Tanques because they were in pursuit of a stolen vehicle. The same day the mafias in Potrerillos killed 20 people! The mafia groups are going against each other and fighting and killing people. But it's only the people that are out in the streets late at night. The situation is very ugly right now. Elder Navarro had our best week in terms of finding and teaching investigators. We put a baptismal date for a young couple who have 3 children. They are really awesome and prepared to hear and receive the Gospel in their lives! Was a blessing to have taught them. Nayeli is preparing to be baptized as well the next month so the Lord worked miracles for us this week!

Tanques

It was a great experience to be in Tanques because it is where I learned a lot of patience, diligence, and humility. I grew to love the people, the food, and the iguanas haha.

Favorite families in Tanques

Favorite families in Tanques

Favorite families in Tanques

Favorite families in Tanques

Favorite families in Tanques

 I loved the tortas of Tanques-which is a sandwich with special bread and carne asada! I also tried Menudo this week, which is cow stomach- it was super weird!

Menudo

 I won't miss the electricity going out, slow Internet, and the mosquitoes... so hello Mazatlan!  

Goodbye Elder Navarro

Heading to Mazatlan

Have a great week, everyone!


Elder Bennett

Moving Forward with Faith

Mosiah 24:13 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.


This scripture I wanted to share with those who go through difficulties and challenges of life. I know we all do and so I hope this will remind of the love our Heavenly Father has for us! I know that He will comfort us in our afflictions and when we turn to Him we will be strengthened to keep moving forward with faith. I know this is true because He has been by my side every minute and I feel His love and protection.

Biking to Potrerillos

Hola! Cómo están? Todo va bien aquí en Tanques, Sinaloa!


It was another very warm week! Just when we thought that the heat was calming down and becoming a little cooler, the sun was very hot. We continued with our missionary efforts and are trying to keep our spirits up!


The Tanques Branch is going through a little crisis. There are contentions between the families, gossip and drama, not many fulfill their callings and responsibilities, and little help in the missionary department. Elder Navarro and I have been battling with the help of the members to help our investigators progress but it's been very challenging. However, our investigator Nayeli is progressing very well! She came to church on Sunday which was a little miracle for us. She is reading the Book of Mormon and saying prayers everyday. She is preparing to be baptized the next month. We have found out a few more things about Chema our investigator and Presidente Gabaldón has to come down to do the baptismal interview for him.


My funny/interesting experience this week was with a drunk man. We arrived at the house of our investigator Concha and then arrived her drunk brother whose name in Jesucristo, and it was 12:30 in the afternoon haha. He gave me a hug that I was reluctant to give and shook his hand that he gripped so tight and that bothered me a little bit but then he tried to hug my companion and Elder Navarro didn't let him and he got a little mad haha. We then helped Concha take down a chicken house in her yard and he was there having a conversation all by himself and was talking in English so I couldn't focused. He gave me the nickname "Niño de los Cabachos" which was pretty funny.


This week we went to Culiacán to fix some papers for migration. According to the secretaries I was illegal in Mexico for about a month. So we took a day to go fix that and we got McDonalds after. First Mickey D's in a year!


The transfers are next week and I'm almost positive that I'll be going to a new area! Elder Navarro and I have gotten pretty close and I will miss him a lot!


I hope everyone has a great week! God Bless!


Elder Bennett

Miracles Happen Everyday

Rainbow

Ether 12:12 For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith.


Today in my district meeting, I was able to share that each one of us is able to partake of the miracles of God. Our Father in Heaven does not cease to be a God of Miracles, it is ourselves that impedes us to receive His miracles. But when we have a desire, faith, and act on that faith we can see miracles day to day, week to week in our lives, even in the little things. Miracles happen everyday! We can see them in all of our surroundings. I invite everyone to take the time to think of the miracles you have seen and keep living faithfully to recieve them each day.

Buenas Tardes a todos!


It's been another pretty good week overall. We are now starting Week 5 in the transfer! Wow has the time flown! It's been pretty warm here still. Sometimes I bring my umbrella with me so the sun doesn't wear me out as much. But this week I was able to buy a new wheel for my bike so I don't get flat tires as much haha. We've been working hard! We try to do what we can to have success and be effective in our lessons and contacts in the streets.

Studying Time

Splits with  Elder Moldonado

On Tuesday, Elder Navarro went to La Cruz and I was with Elder Maldonado for a a day. Elder Maldonado goes home in two weeks and it's been cool to hear his counsels and stories with his time in the mission. 

We worked in Potrerillos and we were contacting a lady that was really rude with us. We went in another way into her property because we saw her watering her plants and so we didn't think anything of it everyone is usually pretty nice to us but she told us "Don't you guys know how to knock on the door? You guys don't know Sinaloa?" Elder Maldonado asked if we should leave and she said Yes. She was pretty firey haha and it was an interesting experience and now I know to be more careful. We found out that her brothers are all drug dealers.

Our ranchitos

This week was a little tough with our investigators. We are trying our best to have baptisms but it's so difficult here. The people don't understand and don't listen to us very well. Also, many people work all day in the fields which makes it difficult for us. But our investigator Chema is progressing little by little. Also Nayeli who has been praying specifically and reading the Book of Mormon. We had to leave Jaime and Angelica for some time because they are not progressing.

Chimichangas

I have enjoyed my mission a lot so far! It's been soooo difficult here but I am growing and learning so much. I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father in my life who leads me and guides me. I know I can't do anything without His divine direction and it's been a blessing to serve Him and His children here in Sinaloa. I know He lives and loves me! Reading the Book of Mormon everyday has brought me closer to Him. I know families can be eternal! We have a prophet, seer and revelator: Thomas S. Monson who directs the church Christ has established through revelation. I know this is true.

Selfies con chimichanges

Elder Bennett

13 Months in the Mission

Alma 7:11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. 12 And he will take upon him death , that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the  flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities 13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.


This is a scripture that I absolutely love because it reminds me of the love Jesus Christ has for me that He would suffer for ME and my weakness, sins, and pains. We truly are blessed as children of God for His infinite sacrifice of the Atonement which allows us to be forgiven of sin, receive His Spirit, and so we are more prepared to enter in God's kingdom.

Fernando and I on the railroad tracks

Hey everyone! I apparently have 13 months in the mission now. I feel more dedicated to God's work and glory that I am losing track of the time. I am grateful for the service that I am giving to God's children because it is helping me grow in so many ways!


This week was like Christmas for me because I was so anxious for General Conference! On Saturday we went to La Cruz to watch and hear from the living prophet, apostles, and other inspired leaders. I watched it in English on Saturday which was nice. On Sunday, we stayed in Tanques to watch it but the computer paused and we could barely hear and it was in Spanish, so basically I didn't understand anything. But we were able to go to the ciber here in Tanques and watch it in English again. I loved the talks by Pte Uchtdorf, Elder Andersen, and of course, the powerful words of the Prophet Thomas S. Monson. I know they are truly lead and guided by God to teach us.

Taco and Quesadillas after the Zone Meeting

This week with our investigators was pretty difficult. I feel that all we are doing is good but there is little progression in our investigators. We have realized that many people struggle to truly live God's teachings and do not listen and believe what we are teaching and testifying to them. I learned in the conference that we can feel peace and happiness in our trials, and that's what I am recognizing more as I am here in Tanques and in the mission. I know that God loves me and loves all His children. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way that we can receive forgiveness and be worthy to live with our Heavenly Father again!

Tanques

Elder Bennett