Buenas tardes, Presidente Murphy,
Well, we can breathe a sigh of relief because Daniela passed her baptismal interview! We were a little nervous for the second interview, but President Vasquez says that she is very ready. She was so happy. I think she's always thought very little of herself, and she was so nervous about not passing, but she almost cried when he said that she could be baptized this Saturday! She loves this Gospel, and everyone around her is telling her that they see a change in her. She's already really happy, but people are saying that she seems even happier, and she feels like there is a weight off of her shoulders. She's also very excited about being able to take the sacrament and have it mean something! She's so spiritually self-reliant. We had a few investigators come to church for the first time yesterday, and in Gospel Doctrine, we were talking about prophets. It was actually a really, really great lesson, and at one point, Dani raised her hand and asked the teacher if she could say something. She then began sharing her whole conversion story and her testimony with the family and talking to them about how they can come to know as well. She was so excited to share her testimony, and afterwards, when we were setting up an appointment with the family, she was there and said that she would be able to come with us at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, so she's also already accompanying us! She's so amazing! Her baptism is set for this Saturday!
Last week, we received a referral from a member in Otavalo. His name is Oskar, and he is the boyfriend of Blanca Maigua. He seemed pretty reserved at first, but after getting to know him more, he was really open with us. He doesn't have a lot of religious background, so we're really starting from square one, but he's open to the Gospel, and Blanca is helping him and being fortified herself. However, we aren't really sure what to do with him. He lives in Iluman but wants to be taught in our sector but doesn't want to go to Otavalo ward because Blanca's mom attends there, and she doesn't like him, so he and Blanca came to Latino. This whole thing in Otavalo is so complicated with all the chapels, and we are seeing a lot of similar problems. The family that came to Latino is a referral from Latino, attended Latino, works in our sector all day, but lives in the zone leaders' sector, and we just don't know what to do. We want to help all of these people, but they should be taught by where they live. Sometimes their friends or family are in a different ward, or for time, they can't be taught at home or something. We and the zone leaders are just a little confused, and I think the confusion will just continue until everyone attends where they are assigned based on where they live. But it's okay. Everything will work out.
The hermanas here in the campo are doing pretty well. The work is picking back up, and I love them all a lot. They are working hard, and things aren't perfect, but they keep trying, and I'm really proud of them. You have wonderful hermanas working here, and thank you for letting me work with them.
Otavalo is an amazing place. The work continues, and I love being a missionary, but now that it's coming time for me to say goodbye, I'm really sad. I love these people so much. They are my family, and it's hard to think about not being able to see them all the time, but I guess the work continues without us and that's the wonderful thing about God--He is eternal.
Thank you for making so many sacrifices to be here. Have a wonderful week,
Hermana Kennedy
Well, my mission will soon come to a close, considering that this past week was the year mark of breaking my ankle. And just two weeks later, I was home, so I know that it really is ending. It stinks because it's sad AND happy. I am so dang excited to see you, family, and to study, and work, and move in, but I just love the Ecuadorians. I got permission from President to call Rene this past week, and he and I both cried a little while we talked. I love him. I feel that he, over anyone or anything else, was the reason Heavenly Father sent me back. I don't know. Maybe if I hadn't broken my ankle, I wouldn't have gotten to go to Santa Anita, and I wouldn't have met him, and he wouldn't be a part of my life. He was my purpose, and I haven't regretted coming back since meeting him. Sometimes in Mitad del Mundo, honestly, I would start to wonder what it would have been like if I hadn't come back, and usually it was tough because I would think about being at school, or I would be with my family, but that has changed. If I hadn't come back, I wouldn't have met Rene, or Hugo, or Paco, or José and Diana, or Melany and her family, or Alejandro, or all these other people whom I love. It's awful to think about my life without them.
Anyway, I still have two weeks left, so let's leave the trunk packed away until next week.
Actually, there's more.
I said goodbye to Hermana Bustos and Hermana Caceres for the last time this week. We had verifications, so all the trainers and trainees headed to Quito, and I got to see them. I am so proud of them--they are amazing missionaries. It's funny because we verified the area books, and I was assigned to check Hermana Caceres' area book, and it was so PERFECT! Man alive, isn't she AWESOME???? Like seriously! It was so sad though. When I hugged them goodbye, it really felt like it. I don't know when I'll see them next since they live in South America, but I hope it won't be too long. I'm so grateful that I got to train them....another thing that might not have happened if I hadn't broken my ankle.
God is good. He has taken care of me for my entire mission, and I love Him for it. I'm excited to see what he will do in these next two weeks.
I also have decided to take pics with all the murals and street art that I can find here in Otavalo. People are really talented, so I'll send you some pics. Also a very funny video.
I love you, family! Have a fantabulous week and keep yourselves safe. I LOVE YOU!!!!
Love,
Hermana Kennedy
(I couldn't upload any pictures, but the computer would let me upload a short video. These monkey bars are too short for me now, of course, but honestly, I think they would have been too short for me in first grade!)
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