Sister Miranda Jensen-Guayaquil South Ecuador Mission: June 2024

One miracle I want to share from this week that meant a lot to me, especially after a lot of rejection here in the sierras. This whole week we've been focused on sacrifice and finding the chosen- people ready to hear our message and accept the gospel. I started my fast Saturday afternoon after lunch (since lunch is the big meal here) and I prayed for God's help in finding the people ready for the gospel. About 2 hours later we were contacting in the park and we did a loop. On our way back I changed our route about 3 times, not knowing why just going with my gut haha but we passed this lady watching her sons playing soccer. I told Hermana Feijoo "we should go talk to her" and it was the most natural, wholesome conversation. I saw this because sometimes while contacting its a little forced, but this conversation was different. Their whole family is Christian, which is also a surprise because everyone here is Catholic. This family was definitely an answer to our fast.

I also just want to give an update on our friend Bruno :) We've been teaching him for a couple months now, ive only been teaching him for a few weeks because I just got to this sector, but he reads the Book of Mormon every night and knows the principles we teach are true but feels as if he doesn't know enough to be ready to be baptized. Honestly I see this as a sign of humility but we've focused on explaining the significance of how baptism is the door that allows access to more spiritual and temporal blessings, and the opportunity to have the Holy Ghost as a constant companion, another door for more spiritual strength and guidance from God. We fasted with him to be able to know if he should be baptized. Friday night he told us he has the desire and knows it's the next step, that was such a powerful lesson.

I hit 5 months yesterday and I still have days where I feel so insufficient and I have such a long way to go, so many things to learn, but it's been cool to look back on all the things I've learned in these first few transfers: who I am, that God knows me perfectly and knows exactly what I need, and how crucial the scriptures are and how they've become a safe haven for me.