The Streets of Mazatlan

2nd Longest Beach in the World

Hey everyone!

Alma 31:33 Wilt thou grant unto them that they may have strength, that they may bear their afflictions which shall come upon them because of the iniquities of this people. 34 O Lord, wilt thou grant unto us that we may have success in bringing them again unto thee in Christ. 35 Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious, and many of them are our brethren; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee.

Selfies on the pedestrian bridge

I would like to share this scripture with you guys this week because EVERYONE needs our Heavenly Father's help and the strengthening power of Jesus Christ as we live the Gospel. We live in scary times and more than ever we need to unite ourselves with a common purpose and faith so each of us can be direct, guided, protected and strengthened. We need to help those who are off the path of salvation and bring them back to Christ. We can use the power of prayer to bring forth miracles within our families and friends. We have a great potential as sons and daughters of God. We can do it!

Malecon

This week was pretty difficult but worthwhile! We are trying to visit all the contacts and references that we have so we can start the teaching/conversion process. We had great success this week in obtaining new investigators and have first lessons! On Thursday, we were especially blessed with new families and people to teach. We were able to find and teach by the Spirit, it was a fulfilling experience for me. 

Sunset

It's pretty funny how the people have reacted to the elections in the United States. Almost everyday I receive some comment about Trump, or that I'm racist, or something to that effect haha. I just laugh and keep praying that our world leaders and Trump will soften their hearts and be guided to know how to lead and help the people in these lasts days.


We are still on the hunt for a new apartment. We thought we found one, but it doesn't have air conditioning so we kept looking. We found a few more options that are more central to our area and so soon we will see where we will move.

The Streets of Mazatlan

I struggled this week with my English haha. There were a few opportunities to contact or talk to gringos haha. I struggled remembering some of the words that I wanted to say, it was pretty embarrassing! On Sunday, some Americans arrived to church and it was cool to talk to a family from Washington that was here vacationing. I was able to give my first talk here on Sunday about the Restoration.


My companion doesn't like to take initiative, so I have lots of opportunities to talk, make appointments, make calls, make plans and other important decisions. I know the Lord is preparing me in many ways and is helping me learn and grow from these experiences. I love my companion and we are working really hard so we can have baptisms! We had a mission wide fast on Saturday and Sunday with the purpose to fast for those who have baptismal dates and we can reach our goal to have 100 baptisms for the month of December.


Thanks for everything!! Have a great week!


Elder Bennett

The Importance of Keeping the Commandments

Hola a todos!!


Alma 26:22 Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance.

Washing clothes by hand

I really liked this scripture! This week as missionaries we were able to testify of the importance of keeping the commandments. In these last days, we are seeing lots of scary things taking place, but we can find security and peace in this crazy world as we live the Gospel and do as the Lord has commanded. Another great blessing that our loving Heavenly Father promises us is that we can come to know the mysteries of God. I love the opportunity to read the Book of Mormon everyday and come to know my Father in Heaven more each and every day as I learn to love and serve Him.


It's been a crazy week!


We have been super busy trying to look for a new apartment. It's been quite the struggle, our area covers the malecon, the part close to the beach, and so all the houses or apartments that we have found are really expensive. The max we can pay for rent is $3,500 pesos which is what we are paying now in the house we are renting. We finally decided to pray specifically to find a apartment that is in a safe area and the rent is more economic. And we found a great place to rent for $2,000. It was a great blessing from the Lord!

Looking for a new apartment

The house we rent is not in the area the pertains to us and so it's for that that we are looking. In front of us lives members of the church from a different ward than us and we always talk to them and they are really nice. There is also a school nearby. The sister told us that last Friday she was assaulted and 4 men robbed her car and $30,000 pesos so that was pretty scary.

Coconuts from Mazatlan

On Saturday we had a Multizona Conference with all the missionaries in Mazatlan. In attendance was Presidente Gabaldón and his wife and the Seventy Elder Paul B. Piper. It was very impressive the message that he shared with us. He didn't really have anything prepared but he asked us what our challenges are here in Mazatlan and he taught us from that. We talked about the importance of working with the members. The members play such an integral part in missionary work and it's something that Elder Sanchez and I are working on.


Right now we have a few investigators, but not a whole lot as we are still looking for new people to teach.

We went out for breakfast and I bought a torta de barbacoa and agua de jamaica

Today we went and played basketball for the first time and we played 2 vs 2 against a 73 and 58 year old and Elder Sanchez and I lost, haha- how embarrassing! The sun is still hot! The heat doesn't want to go away yet.

My silly compnion Elder Sanchez

Well,  
I hope everyone stays safe and God bless!


Elder Bennett

The Lord is Looking out for Us

Hey everyone!


Alma 21:16 And they went forth whithersoever they were led by the Spirit of the Lord, preaching the word of God in every synagogue of the Amalekites, or in every assembly of the Lamanites where they could be admitted.

Elder Sanchez & I

This scripture helped me a lot this week because the Spirit was able to help Elder Sanchez and myself to find new people to teach. I am reading in the Book of Mormon about the Ammon and his brothers preaching to the Lamanites. It is such a miracle that the Lord could convert the wicked Lamanites. Alma 23:6 "And as sure as the Lord liveth, so sure as many as believed, or as many as were brought to the knowledge of the truth, through the preaching of Ammon and his brethren, according to the spirit of revelation and of prophecy, and the power of God working miracles in them—yea, I say unto you, as the Lord liveth, as many of the Lamanites as believed in their preaching, and were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away."

Tacos, Chorredadas Y Tortas

This week was a roller coaster! This week we were able to contact 41 people in the street! That's a new record for me and my companion. We had a lot of good help from the members who went on divisions with us to split up and contact as many people as we could. We don't have many investigators right now so we were able to complete the first essential part of the Culture of the Mission Mexico Culiacan which is "Find to teach repentance" so this week we will complete with the next step in the process of missionary work!

Cathedral de Centro

I've have been facing some trials lately in the mission. Last night and this morning I was sick and vomiting which took out all my energy for today. We ate hand made tortillas de harina with chicken and hot sauce. So it has been a pretty long day today. Well the heat of Mazatlan still doesn't want to leave so all day we are walking and it is pretty tiring. We still haven't found any bikes or apartments in our area but I know the Lord will bless us for our efforts.

Albatros

This week I had my first interview with Presidente Gabaldón. I felt a lot better after to know I have the support and confidence of my mission president. I know he is inspired by God!

Making breakfast (note an actual stovetop instead of a single burner)

I forgot to tell an experience I had the second day in Mazatlan. We were looking for members who could help us find our way around and we were completely lost trying to look for the members house where we would eat. We arrived at a food stand and a man asked us if we had eaten and we said no and we were starving so the man bought us a torta which was such a blessing because I know the Lord was looking out for us that day and he made the way possible for us to eat that day.

Getting ready for church

I know that the Lord lives and loves me!


Elder Bennett

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

Like this?

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