Special Sunday

17 mayo 2015

Wow, the time is flying! We had the opportunity today to go to the Special Conference for one of the stakes in north Mexico City with Armando. He picked us up at 8:00 a.m. today and off we went. I must tell you that this is a very confusing city for me, at least so far. Nothing is straight and the road system is "different". We did arrive at the Stake Center, after a bit of a goose chase. It was new and one of the new models. The chapel had carpet in it, which is unusual for Mexico. It houses three wards and a stake suite. It is exceptionally beautiful and useful.

The choir was practicing as we were arriving, so Dalene went right to work. We were not only to photograph Elder Christensen, but also to find families, young and old. We also were asked to find missionaries from Mexico. I was able to help set up chairs and not too long after that, I was standing outside the doors when Elder Craig C. Christensen, Presidency of the 70 and Eder Marion B. De Antuñano, the Area 70, arrived with the Stake President. Elder Christensen came directly to us and introduced himself to me and asked what our assignment was. I explained our purpose and he told me that I should get Dalene and come to the Stake President's office with her and the other brethren. (Yes, sir!) I retrieved Dalene and we went to the meeting. We introduced ourselves and he asked Dalene to explain in english what our assignment is and he would translate it to the other brethren. He mentioned that he was on this committee, so he was very interested in how it was going and asked us to please continue to report to Elder Grow and our contacts in SLC. He explained to the brethren in the room what we were doing and how this could help Mexico. He explained that Mexico was a test bed for this work and they were excited to see how it goes. He was very "up to speed" on the process and very kind and down to earth. We were then excused from the meeting. It was a unique experience and he made us feel very good about our calling and the work we are about.

[As an aside, I should mention how wonderful missionary plaques are. Since we have been wearing the name plaques, it is amazing how immediately we are recognized, albeit for good or bad, and especially, how recognized we are among the members. It was apparent as we arrived at the Stake Center today. The people immediately light up and welcome us, and in spite of our meager language skills or cultural faux pas, we are loved, accepted, welcomed, and given a special status. It reminds me that this was hard-earned and we owe a debt of gratitude to those who have gone before and created a culture that loves missionaries and the missionary work. Just sayin'... Don't goof this up Griff!]

The conference was particularly touching. They had a choir, which sang beautifully, with an excellent director, pianist and a flutist. Dalene was instrusted to be "discreet", to not teach a bad lesson that conferences were photo ops. I thought she did a beautiful job. I was asked to take notes, which is harder than it sounds in spanish, trying to type on my ipad mini keyboard. We will have to see if anything really makes sense.

The Stake President spoke, two sisters and then Elder De Antuñano. The first sister talked about the importance of the Sabbath, the second about the hastening of the work and missionary work and Elder De Antunano about his experiences in missionary work as a member missionary. All were exceptional talks that would have been spectacular in any conference in the world. Elder De Antunano's talk involved two recent experiences where bosses and colleagues have asked to talk with him about the Church because of who he was and his example. Both were spectacular examples.

Elder Christensen gave closing remarks and talked about each of the talks and his own experience, first as a mission president of the Mexico City East mission and then returning as Area President. He complimented the Mexico Saints for their devotion to families. He talked about a family in Mexico that they know that went in entirety (grandparents through grandkids) with their son to get engaged. He thought it peculiar, yet it demonstrated the strength of their family ties. He also praised them for their successes and efforts in support of the Area Plan. He even mentioned that the missionaries could quote the Plan's mission statement and that several of the people that he had talked with we intimately acquainted with its goals and were trying to instill them into their families and individual lives.

He told a rather humorous story that he had been praying for the opportunity for missionary experiences, but that between his house in SLC and the Church office building, he seldom even sees so much as one non-member. He said that one day he was in WalMart and happened to see a counselor in the Stake Presidency in his Stake, going up and down the aisles greeting people. He said he followed him from a distance for a bit, but eventually approached and asked him what he was doing. He said that he didn't have the opportunity to meet many non-members either and this was his way of finding some. When asked how it was going, he told Elder Christensen that just the day before he had met a man, who agreed to meet him and the missionaries that day in the eating area of WalMart for a first discussion and invited him to come with them, which he accepted. He said that "miracle" of miracles, the man and his family showed up and they were taught by the missionaries. Goes to show you... the Lord can put people in our path when we are ready and make and effort.

For me, which is always the case, I am blown away when the visiting authority blesses the people, which Elder Christensen did in closing, that they would be blessed in their efforts as they live the gospel and the Area plan, that they would be blessed in their work, and that Christ would be close to them. I love that he did that! He has the authority and keys to call forth those blessings, which is so special to see and hear. You could tell that he has a great love for this people and conveyed that to them through the Spirit. Its awesome to be on the Lord's errand and see those blessing come to fruition.

Dalene worked very hard to get pictures before after and during the conference (discreetly, as instructed by Elder Christensen). Afterwards, Armando had us working on finding families and missionaries to photograph. One of our assignments is to work on content and having "mexican" people in the Area and Church's archives. There were so many beautiful families and missionaries and only one camera running. In the future, I will try to bring a camera for these kinds of events so I can capture additional pics. They love to have their photos taken and are so family-centric that it does the heart good. The missionaries almost all had people that they had brought, investigators, etc., that it was special to see how the work and growth of the Church is progressing.

My particular assignment was to round up missionaries to photo for Dalene. In the process, I found an Elder Huaman. What are the chances?! Huaman (Elder Romulo Huaman Ramos) isn't a common Mexican name, it is a common Peruvian name. I of course immediately asked if he was from Peru. Yep! Just outside of Cuscomanta, in Apurimac. Serving a mission outside of Peru. When I was in Cusco, there was just one ward and a district. There are now 4 stakes and a mission in Cusco alone. My one post-photo op thought is I have a picture of him and his companion, but not of him and me. Dadgummit! He did give me his address and email, so perhaps we will have another opportunity. He did thank me for going on a mission to Peru and said that him going on a mission is a product of missionaries like me going "back in the day". It kinda made it all worth it for just a moment. Pretty special.

Elder Huaman on left