My Last Week as the Mission Secretary, and 7 Months Left!

Well, after 8 months its time to move on and head back to the mission field next week.  I'm really ready for it, but anxious at the same time because this is what I have known for so many months.  I love the people of Santa Cruz and working for President Rodriguez directly, but I am very ready to be back to full-time missionary work, wherever I happen to be sent.  I'm hoping its Robore, since that is where we have been working on the weekends on special assignment.  The area is beautiful and I love the people already.  I'd like to continue to help get that area open as a branch.

Our office replacements, a senior mission couple, Brother and Sister Bullock, arrived on Saturday and I'll be spending this week training them to take over the office duties and at the same time get ready for mission transfers next week.  Its going to be crazy!

Late Christmas photo from our Christmas Conference

We had to pack up our things and move to the top floor of our building since the new mission couple will be living in our old casa. This meant we had a lot of work to do to get the place up to 'senior mission couple' standards. Now its just Elder Berges and me as roomies since the AP's moved to a different apartment.  I have been with 3 other roommates for 8 months...its strange being back to just the two of us.  That will just be for this week and Elder Berges and I will part ways for our new assignments and new companions.

We have been playing a lot of futsal (indoor soccer) and ping pong in our free time.  Its been fun being back into that routinely.  Not sure if the new area will be as modern as where we are now (middle of the city)....most likely not, so not as many niceties.

As long as we have been in this area, we have been very blessed to be productive in the work of the Lord.  We have had many baptisms, investigators, etc.  Even though it seemed to be repetitive proselyting at times, because we see the same homes over and over, the Lord prepared ways for us to open the eyes and minds of many, even up to now.  We are working with a 75 year old woman who thinks 'she is too old to be baptized'.  Wow, was there some important instruction needed there. After teaching her about the Plan of Salvation we could see the change in her and she said she wanted to be baptized, but learn in baby steps first. "Teach people, not lessons, and let the spirit guide your teachings" .  Later that evening on the way home, we stopped at a store to get bread and we started up a conversation with the owner who asked us about our beliefs, which led to her allowing us to come back to talk to her again.  This is what I mean.....even after all this time here in this area, and with the minimal time we have to speak to locals after 4 pm because of office duties, we have been blessed with success for all these months.

I even got to put my Rubiks Cube talents to gospel use.  We were out searching for contacts and saw these two boys in front of a store with a Rubiks Cube.  Since I am the 'master' of it, we went up to them and asked if they knew how to solve it.  They said no, so I showed them and in the 2 minutes it took to solve it for them and show them the trick, we got in enough talking with them about the Gospel and the restoration to get a return visit with them.  We are given talents by the Lord for a reason, no matter how insignificant they may seem.

We also have a baptism date set for a man named Mario Vaca we have been working with.  He is partially blind, but has been very eager to learn and he told us finally that he is ready.  His date is Feb 2nd and even though I won't be there for it, I know he will get there and get closer to God as he has said he wants to.

We headed to Robore again this weekend (5 hours each way) and i finally got to baptize this 10 year old we have been working with.  My favorite baptism yet!  I got to baptize this 10 year old IN THE RIVER!  I know, a baptism is a baptism, but I have always wanted to do that like John the Baptist.  It was so amazing too....people were swimming in the river, laughing, even drinking, but as soon as we entered it was like time stood still and a quiet reverence came over everyone as they watched us perform this ordinance.  I will never forget this day and how much I felt the spirit. I was sad to leave Robore for possibly the last time, but I am hopeful I will get to back to be full time in the area next week.

I have been studying both the Book of Mormon and the Bible more diligently and am gaining more and more understanding in both.  As we learn, our minds are opened up to learn more as we become prepared to learn more.  I truly testify of this.....study and read with a purpose and your mind will be opened up to more knowledge every day.

So, this has been an amazing last few weeks in Santa Cruz and as I near the end of my time here I know I'm ready to move on for the next challenge in my missionary journey.  I can't believe I only have 7 months left on my mission.  Its going so fast, but I have been blessed to be successful in this time so far and I know I will continue to be with Lord guiding me.

I miss everyone and love you very much.  I look forward to letting you know about my next area.

Love,
Elder Connor Ryan deCocq