1 Deaf Guy, 2 missionaries, 3 Haitians

 This week has definitely been an interesting one! Hermana Ozuna and I have discovered why we are both here again. The other companionship in our house is having a TON of problems and it makes sense why one strong companionship is still there to help support them individually and set an example for them as a whole. We spent a few nights this week in counseling sessions and I initiated a "family council" one night after they had spent all of their planning arguing. We talked about better ways to communicate and how we are going to work to overcome the cultural differences in our house, how we can all be better friends, etc. Hermana Ozuna and I also fasted for them on Sunday and the spirit has been much better in our house. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve them and learn much in the process.

Alex continues to be amazing. We visited him again this week with a member of the bishopric and it was perfect as always. It is still a mystery to me why this 20 year old kid who loves to play baseball and chill with his "homies" is so interested in the church, but I think that is part of what makes him so special. He just gets it. And the ward is really stepping up at our insistence. If there is an activity we call someone else to call Alex, or if we hear he isn´t feeling well we call a member to visit him. It´s not that we don´t want to visit or help him but we are doing everything we can to make sure that the ward welcomes him as warmly as possible.

On Friday we had a karaoke night at the church as an activity for investigators and members. It was super fun! We were able to have a few of our investigators there and it´s always nice for them to see that we are normal people and can be a bit crazy. One of Alex´s friends agreed to come because it wasn´t going to be "super churchy" and that´s a HUGE step for him. I had one of my investigators ask me for the name of the song I sang (Titanium) so that he could download it. They all told me I need to go on the Voice when I get home. I would take that as a compliment but even the birds in this country can´t sing so I´m not quite sure how valid it is. haha.

Today we were able to have a bit more fun as well as a district. We got together and played some soccer and then the had a water fight. The elders thought that real balloons would be more exciting than water balloons and so we filled real balloons with water and threw them at each other. It was super funny and we were all soaked from head to foot when we finally finished. It is so nice to have one day each week to take a break and just be a bit normal. Missionary work is very rewarding but it is also very hard work.

We have a few new interesting investigators. The first is a deaf/mute named Carlos. He is a member´s cousin and was a reference from her. He really wants to be baptized and so we are trying to teach him and see if this is even a possibility. The challenge is that he doesn´t talk, or hear, and can´t read very well either. He reads very simple words but doesn´t understand phrases or more complex words. Luckily the members sign a little bit and we have done a little research on our own. The church has an entire webpage in sign language. We printed out a dictionary and have been studying sign language during companionship study. We also bought a lot of pictures so that we can work through signs and pictures and one word explanations when we teach him. We have practiced a few times teaching each other with our ears plugged to see if what the other is saying makes sense. In our first lesson with him last week we were able to watch a video of the restoration with an interpreter signing. We explain everything very simply and shortly because of the limited communication but the spirit was so strong. He has such a special purpose here on the earth and is such a humble and patient person.

We also encountered a Haitian family, Jean Pierre and Florence. They live with 2 of their older kids (college age) but we have yet to teach their kids with them. We contacted them last week and since then have had 3 lessons because they want to learn more. Neither Jean Pierre or Florence really speak Spanish and so we have taught with members each time. This is great and frustrating at the same time. Our first lesson with them was fantastic. We talked about the restoration and they wanted to know everything, with detail. We ended up teaching them for almost 2 hours that night because they just kept asking more and more questions. During that first lesson Jean Pierre told the member that he grew up in the gospel (they are Evangelicas...not sure what that is in English) and that he knows that what he has is true but feels like it´s not complete. They said that everything we said made sense but they want to study more and receive a confirmation from God. We smiled and told them that´s what we wanted for them too. The spirit was so strong with them in that lesson and I could tell that they are special.

The second time we visited didn´t go as well. We went with the ward mission leader and he kind of likes to take over. Although my companion and I had a plan we really couldn´t communicate directly with the investigators. Patrick started talking and answering questions and would talk for 15 minutes at a time and then give us a 30 second summary. We sensed the spirit had left and tried to tell Patrick that we needed to finish and leave. He ignored us and continued to argue with the couple. It was a nightmare. We sat there watching this argument and not being able to do anything about it. Thankfully they invited us back for the next night.

When we went yesterday we explained very clearly to Patrick and the other member with us how we were going to teach and the importance of the spirit in conversion. When we taught yesterday it went so much better. We taught them more about the spirit and how to receive it and recognize it in their lives. We also taught them a bit more about the Book of Mormon and they agreed to read about it and pray as well. It was a million times better. I really like this couple. They are special. And I feel like with time they are going to accept this gospel.

Well everyone I am out of time! I know that this church is true. That it is the ONLY true church and that it is absolutely necessary to live these principles in order to be with our families and God in the eternities and have happiness now and forever. I am so grateful for my Savior and His love and support. Spread His love this week in whatever way you can. It doesnt have to be huge. Share a smile, your testimony, do service, tell someone you love them.

Love you all!

Hermana Ewell