Three Exchanges Are Better Than One!

Carabanchel:


One of the largest (Latter-Day Saint) chapels in Spain sits in a fairly normal corner of Madrid. Three huge wards (Madrid 3rd, 7th, and 9th) meet there, there are five missionary companionships, and the entire thing is one district that see each other all the time and combine their efforts constantly. The work's been going really well there recently! They're in our zone, and all three elder companionships are trainer+trainee, so Elder Harvath and I decided to go on a string of exchanges to see how we could help out!


My son Elder Romrell was first up, so while his son, Elder Simmos, was in Alcorcón with Elder Harvath, I visited him in the Madrid 9th ward on Wednesday. He gave an awesome training to his district council about our finding mentality, and how we should always be looking for opportunities to share our message, with anyone. We also started teaching a new Spanish friend of theirs who really felt like he needed God more in his life, so we talked to him about how small but consistent efforts (purposeful prayer, diligent scripture study, and reverent church attendance) can help us to truly feel God's support in our lives. We also taught a HUGE English class. It was wild. One of the three elders' quorums was also out back having a barbecue so we got some free meat. 


Thursday morning Elder Harvath and I were back together and went to the 7th ward elders' piso, so I could pick up Elder Frei and take him to Alcorcón while Elder Harvath worked with Elder Jacobs. When Elder Frei and I got to my apartment we realized Elder Harvath still had our keys but it didn't take long to break in and get to work. Elder Frei's one of the Facebook admins for the mission and had some tips for me because Facebook work has never been super successful for me. We did some street contacting and knocking, and taught Alcorcón's tiny English class. We concluded it with an amazing spiritual thought: 
Plan of Salvation, Part 1: Creation, Fall, Atonement.
Someone should make a movie poster for that honestly. It was a lot of big, important doctrine that we needed to share with a few of our progressing friends who were there. We also commited everyone there to daily study if the Book of Mormon with us as accountability partners, which is a huge commitment that helps people progress by leaps and bounds. Also Angela was there and made us morir soñando... ya tú sabes.


The next day I headed back to Carabanchel and worked with Elder Simon in the 3rd ward! We had a busy day trying to find people, keep in touch with everyone who's said they're interested, and set appointments. We talked about the baptismal covenant with their friend Alex, and watched the baptism of a little girl. Several interested people attended, including a local religious historian who got in touch with the missionaries because he wanted to read the Doctrine and Covenants. There were a ton of cool members there. I love visiting new wards and seeing how people live and share the same gospel in different places.


Back home at last... 


Saturday we started teaching a new find from New Guinea. She's visited a lot of churches but hasn't quite fit in any of them. A several of them had 'prophets' (one of whom mentioned 'missionaries' were in her future?) so we've been trying to explain the priesthood to her. 


We've also been hyping up General Conference to everyone we can. Mosiah 5:2 mentions that the Nephites who heard their prophet proclaim God's will from them experienced a "mighty change of heart" and lead their lives differently as a result. Conference can do the same for you, so it's a great time to set some goals!


It was a busy week! We get transfer news next week, and we almost know that neither Elder Harvth and I are going anywhere. In fact we're sure though that we're getting a trio since Elder Harvath heads home three weeks into next transfer. So tune in next week to hear who the new guy is!


Here's some pics!
Barrio 7's mirror... I guess I've just got one of those faces.
Kebab with Jorge Luis and Antonio, our ward mission leader and a new convert
Horno Cisneros, our local bakery, on two different exchanges.
Cool statue in Carabanchel.
Me with a statue of Paul in central Madrid. Acts 14:7 


-Elder Curtis 






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