Just finished my last normal week of just straight missionary work and nothing else and it may have been one of the most impactful weeks of my mission.
Last week for P-day, we went over to a really pretty lake by our area and it was absolutely beautiful. It was just one of those moments where I could really feel the love of God and admire His beautiful creations. We also met a Christian youth group on a humanitarian trip while there. We had an awesome conversation with some of them just about life and Honduras and then we parted ways. A couple hours later we ran into them again but this time the youth had a bunch of awesome questions about our faith. We started to explain our beliefs and then one of their adult leaders came out of nowhere to immediately start bashing us. The Spirit immediately left and I just felt awful. It was so sad to see such a beautiful moment ruined by contention and hate. This was the first time on my mission that anything like this had happened in English but it was honestly so cool to see Elder Evanson and I just remain calm and try to maintain peace while still declaring the truth of the Restoration and Book of Mormon. It's crazy how much we've grown since MTC haha. The old man stormed off in anger at one point and many of the youth apologized and proceeded to ask us great, curious questions. There was one boy in particular who really caught my attention and I think we caught his attention. As he was ushered off by his leaders, he turned around and asked us “why are all Mormons so nice?” We told him to read the Book of Mormon and he'd find out why. There's always someone that the Lord prepares. Although there may be opposition, God prevails. I have a lot of hope for this young man.
Later that night, we had a lesson with a new convert where the Spirit testified to me on a new level the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and the Priesthood Authority– the very same topics the old man had completely bashed a few hours earlier. It was a sensation of joy and love I will never forget.
On Tuesday, one of the most special experiences of my mission occurred. The son of our pensionista has been inactive for many years and has a wonderful young family. He is an extremely buff and tough man who sometimes is very intimidating. We hadn't visited them for a while and at 8:35pm our plans had fallen through and out of nowhere I felt the impression to go to their house. We got there and yelled “buenas” as always and he stepped outside and just stopped dead in his tracks when he saw us. Due to the lighting, we could only see his silhouette but after a couple of seconds of silence he told us to come in. He met us at the gate and immediately began to cry– something I had never expected to see from a man like him. He immediately hugged us both and continued to cry. To make a long story short, he was ready to give up on a lot of things in need of an answer and he received “the fastest answer” he had ever received with us showing up to his door. Yesterday, he and his whole family attended church for the first time in a long time and there is a new spirit of motivation and spiritual momentum in that family. His 8 year old daughter is now preparing to be baptized and this father now knows that God lives and never forgets us. There's a long road ahead for them, but I know that the Holy Spirit truly does guide those who need Him most.
Other awesome things:
- Planted beans Honduras style one morning with the service missionary, Elder Benitez, and it was soooo fun.
- The power has been out for 24 hours and last night we made a makeshift wood powered stove with some members and learned how to make baleadas the real Honduran way. Such a fun night. I truly experienced the phrase “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”
- It's hurricane season and we got absolutely DRENCHED one night. So much fun, so much laughing, so much lightning.
- One morning, a pink chick, a blue chick, and a yellow chick showed up in our backyard. Elder Cruz took immediate action.
I have less than 10 days to try and soak everything up and there are just so many things and people to love. The greatest gratitude does not come from what we receive, it comes from what we give. I hope to give it my all these last few days and be evermore grateful for each and every second in Honduras. Thank you for your prayers.
With so much love,
Élder Snyder
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