Dancin' And Singin'

Another great week in the vineyard of the Lord! Nothing like a cool December week in Ventanas, Ecuador! Many miracles came to pass, got to go to zone conference at President's house, we helped many people find Christ this week, and got to dance and sing at two different events to represent!!
 
We were told that a little choir of the church was going to sing for a group of people and they asked us to join. Of course we did! We went and practiced for 15 minutes, and all took taxis to the main center in Ventanas. Little did we know this was for the Grand Ventanas Christmas Presentation! We got private access back stage, and got up after a huge dance number. We, a group of 12 missionaries, and 8 members got up in front of a group of about 1000 after listening to Mariah Carey. We sang the "First Noel" acapella and got down. The spirit was there, but it was a very interesting moment. I'd do it again. 

But the real treat was dancing for an old folks home. We walked in and got right to it. I was in the back corner. We did the dance once and they said, “Elder Sheppert, the old folks think you danced well. Can we do the dance again but with you in the front?” I said, “But I don't know the dance.” At this point I'm having flashbacks of Mr&Ms Skyview. The sister missionaries did a small presentation and then we did it again. I get to the front, and we do it all again and I tried to give the old folks the Vancouver Christmas experience that I was called to give them that muggy winter evening. I had to unlock the skills I once carried. Now there have been random people in the street and everyone in church telling me about my dancing. The video somehow spread fast in Ventanas! 

We have been teaching a Venezuelan burger man named Richard and his wife Yaritza and grand daughter María! They are awesome! We love eating with them and talking about the gospel! I've never seen a family more willing to change the direction of their lives towards Jesus so fast! We got to baptize Richard and María this week! Richard is now preparing to baptize his wife in the next coming weeks! Another awesome family we have been teaching is the Bonillas! They have great family friends in the church and have been coming to church for some time now! We have gone to a couple of their birthday parties and got to baptize Odalis, Esperanza, and Nino! Nino is the goat. He does little acting gigs all around Ecuador and is really funny! Totally awesome week! 

The only down side in this week was that it was the sickest I've ever been out on the road! But it's just a flesh wound, so there really isn't much to worry about at the end of the day. When you are very sick in the mission, you are still very much inclined to work because if you don't, the Lord's work stops. Unacceptable. I love calling sick days “días de full expiación” or “only the Atonement days”. Whatever worked in the vineyard this week or any sick day was not from me at all. The Holy Ghost has “take over badge" you might say. Which is not a bad thing at all. I'm learning to understand the promise that the Holy Ghost will fill your mouth if you speak and preach at all times. It works. I promise.
“Solo siga no más”- just keep going.
Selah!!! Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad! 

In case I dont see you Buenas Tardes, Buenas Noches, y Buenas Noches,
Élder Sheppert 

El Parque
Elder Rodgriguez
President's House
Odalis, Esperanza, Nino, Richard, Maria
The Grand Ventanas Christmas Celebration
Singing at the Old Folks Home







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