Monday, April 18, 2011 – Two Gringos at a Funeral

Esta semana ha sido muy buena. [This week has been very good.]

This week we had a mission conference. A couple of weeks ago Hermana Gillespie called me and asked me to prepare a musical number with my zone for the conference, using the hymn "Jesus the Very thought of Thee."  It is kind of hard to rehearse a musical number here in the mission.  However, I arranged a version of the hymn for my zone to sing as I accompanied them on the piano.  We rehearsed the number at our zone meeting on Wednesday and then on Thursday we sang in the conference.  The zone did a wonderful job and even brought tears to Hermana Gillespie´s eyes and some of the sister
missionaries´ eyes as well. 

At the end of the conference, we had a scripture chase activity.  Separated into our appropriate zones, we sat face to face with our companion.  Then the fun began.  The assistants would read a passage of scripture or a phrase from Preach My Gospel and we had to beat our opponent to the page.  The winners would move up the line and the losers would move down.  The goal was to get to the head of the line.  In the end, the five champions from each of the zones (one from each) got on the stage for the final round.  All the missionaries were cheering and yelling for their zone´s representative.  After one round, the cheering got even louder and louder.  President held up his hand to silence the crowd.  He walked across the room as we all watched and waited.  He then stopped in the center of the room and quickly removed his tie.  President held his tie in the air and indicated that the winner would receive his tie as a prize.  The activity was a lot of fun and taught me that I need to study my scriptures a lot more and much better. 

On Saturday I had a new, interesting experience.  I was the organist (keyboard set to the organ setting) at a funeral.  Let me explain.  On Friday, we were passing by the church and saw that it was open.  My companion and I entered to find the bishop and his family cleaning the church.  They explained to me that a member had died and that the church would be having the funeral the next day.  They also explained to me that I would be playing the organ.  Almost all of the member´s family are not members, so it must have been rather strange to see me, a random gringo missionary playing the piano at their dear family member´s/friend´s funeral.  Also, Elder Boyd was one of four people to sing in two special musical numbers at the funeral--two random gringos playing and singing at a funeral.

Yesterday was a wonderful Sunday.  We had six less active members, with whom we have been working, attend church.  Also, Victoria and Marcelo came to church for the first time.  Even though yesterday was Victoria´s birthday, she still set aside the time to come to church.  They are progressing very well.  Also, they have made friends with the members of ward and that will help them a lot on their journey.

My time is up.  I love you all so much.  I know that Christ lives.  I know that He suffered and died for each one of us, but on the third day he rose from the grave in a perfected and immortal body.  He is risen!

I love my mission!