New Calling and Transfer

May 31, 2010
Aloha familia,.It’s been another good week here in Sogamoso. The situation in Sogamoso couldn’t have been better. We had good attendance yesterday in church and all the investigators are progressing and looks like they will all reach their goals.

On Sunday there were presidential elections here so they had us be in the house by 4 in the afternoon in case of any unfavorable reactions. It seems like President Uribe (the president right now) has been really good. He is conservative and has done tons to beat down the guerrilla group, the FARC and Colombia has progressed tons (before he got in they didn’t send American missionaries because of the violence and now its safer). Here, if someone doesn’t take 50% in the first go around, they do another vote 20 days later with the top two to make sure that somebody ends with the majority. The conservative guy, who will keep doing the same stuff as Uribe, won 46 percent to 21 for the other guy who is from the "green party" but since he didn’t get 50 they have to do a second vote on June 20th with just the 2.

Anyway as I was saying, just when it looked like I was going to see the fruits of our labors here in Sogamoso and see all of our investigators join the church... transfers came. Since the whole mission was in their houses early they called the transfers in the afternoon. I of course was expecting nothing. I have a good companion and we are on the verge of seeing the results. Anyway to get to the point, I'm out of here. I will be going to Bucaramanga! I will be in the Terrazas zone, the same one where I started the mission and I will be a Zone Leader. Right now it is the biggest zone in the mission (20 missionaries) and includes my first area Real de Minas and they just made Barranca part of the zone. Haha talk about surprises. Obviously it is tough to leave these special investigators, especially Guillermo and Lina. I worry because my companion and his new companion are both new and inexperienced, but I have talked to the Elder who will stay here as District Leader and Zone Leader and told them to pay extra attention and give them lots of support. Despite that I am STOKED. I think this will be an awesome way to end these last 3 months working like crazy.

My companion is Elder Butler, yeah he’s actually a gringo. He has been out about 5 months less than me and is from Texas. I know him from when I was in the office and he is a very chill easy going guy and he is a very good missionary. Also I will get to do splits every once in a while in Barranca (2 hours from Bucaramanga). I couldn’t hardly sleep because I really am very excited and I had all kinds of ideas running through my head of things we can do there.

I kind of skipped the Zone Leader step in my mission when I was A.P. but I got to spend 6 months working with them and "training" them so I know what needs to be done and I have many special ideas to really get things going. I’m really excited because it’s a position where you can have a lot of impact on the missionaries, especially newer ones. Actually I called President Hacking last night to thank him and the assistants also called to "brief" me a little. They told me that the zone has been struggling a little lately and there are a lot of new missionaries. They told me they wanted to use my experience there to help get things turned around and develop future leaders with some of the new Elders.

My ward is called Pinos and they say it’s the strongest ward in Bucaramanga. The chapel is a brand new stake center and is definitely the nicest chapel in the mission. Elder Butler was already the Zone Leader there but he was in a different area so we will both be arriving new in the ward at the same time. I already know the Stake President from beforehand which will help a lot because the zone corresponds with the stake so we should be able to work very well with him to coordinate things for the whole zone and implement all the ideas we have.

It's gonna be sad to say goodbye like always, but I know this is a great opportunity and an awesome way to end the mission. I will get to use 21 months of experience in every phase of the mission and I get three months to really utilize it. I will get to work with new missionaries, have leadership trainings, work in a great area and I am very very decided that I am going to "leave it all on the court" as we say in basketball. Three months to work my butt off in my favorite part of the mission and do every thing possible. I want to work harder than I ever have and talk to every person possible. Its scary to think that this will be my last chapter of this amazing experience and I want to make the absolute most of it.

I'm so grateful for all your support and I am so happy to be working for the Lord. I know that he lives and I know that we are in the truth. I hope with all my heart that the people I will have to leave here will not leave the path they have started and that I can do my very best in my last part of the mission and I can grow closer to the Lord than I have yet. Well gotta go, I'll be writing next time from sunny Bucaramanga. Love you all, thanks for everything, Elder Barnard

Good week in Sogooso

Buenos Dias Familia,Well its been another very good week here in Sogamoso. My new companion Elder Melendez is here and we are working very hard. We have a good group of progressing investigators and things seem to be really picking up even more. Yesterday they had us go to Duitama (30 minutes on a bus) for a zone P day activity and we got delayed because it rained like crazy so we got home yesterday just in time to work and couldn’t write.
We picked up my new companion Tuesday morning. He is from Tacna, Peru and is 23 years old. He is somewhat tall, maybe like 5'9" (that’s tall here). He is a good guy. He doesn’t really know his dad and his mom died when he was 14 so he has lived with his aunt or by himself since then. He has a good attitude and is willing to work. He is pretty shy but I have been trying very hard to serve him however I can and build a good friendship. I think I am basically training him. He has only 2 months in the mish. I know the idea is to be united in effort so I am going to try very hard to ask him for ideas, suggestions etc. and help him raise his confidence.
As far as the work here things are looking great. This week is already almost booked full with appointments and lessons. This week in church we started a program to have the priesthood members go with us to our lessons etc. We passed around a little calendar with each day of the week and the hours of each day. We sent it around in priesthood so that each brother could sign a time slot to work with us and present us to friends or inactives that he knows. We got about 8 guys to sign up so hopefully that will give good results this week.
It is possible that Nubia will be baptized this week, we will visit her and make sure she is ready and we feel good about it, if not we will wait another week. Manuel finally accepted a solid goal for his baptism on the 5th of June. He is a really good guy and great dad. He is from a religious family so we are veery excited. I know he will be a great leader someday. We found out that he is actually friends with a few members so we are going to take advantage of that and start fellow shipping him really well. Guillermo and Lina are still very excited and preparing for their wedding / baptism. The other day we were talking to them about how we met them etc and they talked about how sad it would be when I get transferred. Haha Guillermo told me I was the one who "started this new book they are writing, ever since I knocked on his door" and that they were very grateful.
We are so blessed to have found good people who have good desires and I hope so much that they can all reach the goals they have placed and endure to the end. It really is amazing how much you get to love the people you teach. Please keep them all in your prayers and pray that we can keep finding the elect . Well I am pumped for another week. I really do feel a special extra energy and I am very happy to be where I am, doing what I’m doing. Next week are transfers but I don’t anticipate any changes here (knock on wood). Thanks for everything fam, Be of good cheer, Love you, Elder Barnard

May 17, 2010

Hola fam.
It’s been another good old week here in Sogamoso. We had a baptism on Saturday, we secured a few more baptism dates. I am full of ideas to get things moving even more.
The good news is that our baptism turned out fine. Nicolas, who was baptized, is only 11 but by reaching him we have reactivated about 9 other people. His aunt and uncle were inactive members and they have 5 kids. He now lives with his grandma and his 2 brothers. We found out that his mom was inactive so we started visiting them and they slowly started coming back. Then one day we invited her to present someone for us to teach and she said her nephew wasn’t a member but his brothers and grandma were. So we started teaching him and now all 10 of them are back in the church. Four of the boys are now going to receive the priesthood and the young men's leader has them very involved and excited, so it has been a great blessing to be able to find them and see their return.

Apart from that we have also been working with one guy named Manuel. We have now been teaching him and he has gone to church twice. We have invited him to be baptized and he wants to but he feels like he wants to learn more or receive a real answer, so we have been teaching him a lot about the spirit and how to receive and recognize an answer.

Guillermo and Lina have been working very hard as far as the word of wisdom and although she still occasionally falls into smoking, they are progressing a lot. This week he finally got a break from work so they both came to church and loved it. He is a very funny guy and outgoing so he made friends with all the members and even knows a few from before. We committed them to be married and baptized. It was a great lesson and they accepted. We tried to commit them to a sooner date but they decided on June 19 (Saturday) so that they can organize things well and have a nice wedding. Here, only the Catholic church and the government can legally do marriages so we are going to hire the Notario to come do the marriage in the church so we can invite everyone and have a nice meeting. Then afterwards we can baptize them. They are very excited and very committed. The only problem they have is the word of wisdom but this gives us time to work with them and have them very prepared. The only thing that worries me is the long time until that day. There could be a lot of challenges and opportunities for them to fall but I know we can get it done. They have an awesome little kid (4) named Juan Carlos and I can already see him as a missionary. So please pray for them that they can reach their goal and be married and baptized like they have decided to do.

There are more investigators, one named Nubia, that could possibly be baptized next week. Anyway, there will be lots to do. I have lots of ideas of ways to get the members moving and presenting their friends.

Today for P day, we had a ward sports activity and a bunch of members and the 6 missionaries played sports. Our chapel has a nice basketball/soccer court behind it. So we first played a little soccer. haha I basically have no idea how to dribble or kick the soccer ball but I’m a pretty good goalie and I can run with everyone and at least play defense. But afterwards, I got my turn and we played a little bball. It’s not really that exciting to play here because almost no one knows how to play but today there were a few that had an idea so we had a little fun. Then we played some volleyball which was a little more evenly matched and entertaining. Anyway it was a good Pday activity and Guillermo came and played so it was a good chance for him to get to know the members etc.

Also another cool experience from this week. We were walking down the street (Monday) and some kids shouted out "hello" to us in English. I usually have about 10 people a day shout something out in English as they see me walk by or say something about gringos which I usually just ignore, but this time I felt like I should talk to them. We walked over, which surprised them, and presented ourselves. They said they were also Christians and invited us to a meeting at their house the next day. We ended up with Elder Soria so the three of us went to visit them. At first it was just the kid who invited us but then person after person arrived until there were about 14 of people present. Then their Pastor arrived. haha . I have taught a few people of their religion and they are very, very, very, intense and hard to talk to. They believe that Jesus and God are the same person.

We thought it was just going to be a lesson and it turned into a meeting for their church like a fireside in their house. Their pastor welcomed everyone and said that first they would do their normal thing and then give us a little time to share what we came to share. They said about 5 prayers at random times during the meeting. And for the prayer they all stand up and close their eyes and start talking or shouting things at the same time... It was quite confusing so I just stood there and closed my eyes and waited for them to end. Anyway, after that their pastor read some verses from the Bible and shouted a lot and they played a few songs on guitar. Then they gave the time to us and the other 2 missionaries just looked at me haha. At first I was a little afraid to say anything "too Mormon" so they wouldn’t start fighting or anything. I talked about how we both believe in Christ etc. but then I really felt like we should tell them what we tell everyone so we started teaching them about Christ’s ministry and his original church with apostles and prophets. We told them that we believed that those things were lost for a long time and had been restored today and that there were prophets and apostles again in the world. Their pastor tried to clarify that the calling of prophets ended with Jesus but we clearly answered all of his questions and even used his own Bible. We ended up committing all of them to pray and ponder about what we had taught them and finished with our testimonies while the Pastor was looking for something to read them from the Bible. We finished and everyone started asking us questions about where we were from, our cultures, the church, why they call us Mormons etc. We could barely leave on time because they all wanted to talk to us. The family whose home we taught in even went with us outside and asked if we could go back and talk just with them.

This week we will return and teach them. We basically went into a house full of people (who are usually very difficult to talk to) and committed them all to pray about the restoration. We will return to their next meeting and keep visiting them. Who knows if any of them will really progress but it was really a cool experience because the Spirit guided us and for at least that moment they knew it and recognized it.

Well that’s about all the news there is to write this week. I have high hopes for the future and to make this the best part of my mission yet. I know we are in the true church and I feel very blessed to be a missionary. I love you, be of good cheer and I will talk to ya next week. Love Elder B

May 3, 2010

Well family another week has come and gone just like that. Unfortunately this wasn’t the most productive week as far as stats for various reasons but we will never give up :) But there still was plenty of good this week despite the challenges. We committed Guillermo and Lina to get married. At first he was decisive that his marriage had to be in the Catholic Church with a big family party and everything. But we explained everything and taught them etc. and they realized that a civil marriage was the same as the catholic one, just cheaper. Hehe and they know that they should get married and said they would do it. They still aren't sure about a date but they agreed that this month... so hopefully they will keep progressing. Sadly they didn’t come to church yesterday, He had even changed his day off from Sunday to Saturday to go but for some reason they didn’t come and we haven't been able to contact them since.

Let me tell you it is veeeeery frustrating to have and know what people need to do to be happier and be SAVED and they don’t feel like doing it. I guess it’s up to us to improve as teachers, in commitments and really search to find those who are. But I am very grateful to be serving where I am, despite the difficulties. It’s one of the places in the world where the people are open and prepared to receive the gospel so we are going to do every thing possible to find em. We also are still working with Nicholas (12) and Nubia and they are sooooo close to getting over the hump, if we can just help them find a little bit more desire and increase their faith they will get there.

One of my favorite talks by Elder Holland talks about this more or less. Sometimes it’s hard when we know we have the restored truth, living prophets, ministration of angels etc and we wonder why things aren’t easier, why our only problem isn't getting pneumonia from spending all day in the baptismal font. But he says it’s because Salvation was never a cheap experience. We wear Jesus Christ’s name on our chests and it was never easy for him. He even asked the Father if there wasn't an easier way. So when it’s hard and the people just don't accept, we should remember that if we want to call ourselves Disciples of Christ, we better be willing to take a step or two towards Calvary or feel a second or two of Gethsemane. Obviously it would be sacrilegious to compare what He felt to anything we can feel but you get the point... It was a talk that really helped me and I know that everything is going to turn out great.

I have hopes to do the best I can and keep improving, I know without a doubt that we are in the truth and the closer I get to ending the more I want to do. Thanks for everything family, take care and have a great week. Love Elder Barnard

Testimony

April 26, 2010
Dear Family,
Well it’s been another good old week here in Sogamoso, la capital de las vacas :) We are working well and this week we put lots of emphasis on finding and finding and finding and it went very well. The other area here got 2 extra missionaries so they divided it in two and now the 4 of them are working in that ward.

As far as good news this was actually a great Sunday. We had 6 investigators at church, and we have found some really good people. One is a 12 year old kid who the government just took from his parents because they have maharani problems. He is now living with his aunt who is a member in our ward. She called us over immediately to visit him so we are going to prepare him to be baptized.

Also, knocking doors we found a really cool couple. They aren’t married but that can be arranged and she went to church (Hewas working but really wants to go this Sunday) and said she loved it. They personally schedule when we will come back to visit and usually have food waiting. Haha last time they had us both a nice hot cup of coffee waiting. We didn’t want to be rude so we drank it... haha just kidding again. So it was a good chance to teach them the word of wisdom. They have a few problems with some of the substances but they really have a desire to know the truth and I know the Lord will answer their prayers and help them know it.

Today for P day we (this district) took a train and went to visit a little old pueblo (tiny town). There really was nothing to do but it was fun to ride the old clanky train and I got some cool pictures.

Well time is flying; it’s hard to believe I'm almost done. I really am trying to take advantage of every day and although clearly I’m not perfect I am trying hard. I was thinking the other day that maybe I don’t share my testimony enough in my letters. The other day at lunch we were talking to one member a little about sports and I told him how I loved basketball and my favorite team was the Jazz. He finished eating, went and got on the internet, came back and told me that they were tied with Denver in the playoff series and were going to play in Salt Lake that night at 8 30 (10 30 here). I remembered how much I LOVED watching bball and especially the jazz in the playoffs. But the jist of the story, that night at 10 30 as I was saying my night time prayer I realized that the game would be just starting and really I felt that I would rather be here in Sogamoso, Colombia saying a prayer than watching the greatest basketball game ever. Don’t get me wrong I was happy to hear that they won and I would like to hear how they do, but really there will be lots more NBA playoffs and this is a once in a lifetime thing.

I had a testimony before coming on the mission but as I have lived it and spent everyday serving the lord that testimony has become much deeper. I really have gotten to know Christ. I have felt his spirit at the times I was most scared or unsure or disappointed and I KNOW that he isn’t just an idea or some unimaginable thing but that he lives and I know that he loves us. I know that this is his church and even though we are so imperfect, he is perfect enough to lift us.

Thanks for all your support family, I love you. Happy birthday little ELLA (hehe Ella in Spanish means she) Congratulations Cameryn on the lead role. Well until next time, Elder Barnard

Plane Tickets for August 18, 2010

April 19, 2010
Querida Familia.
Well it’s been a great, spiritual week here in Sogamoso. We had interviews with President Hacking, some cool experiences and stake conference in our chapel.

We have been trying to do weekly fasts to get more of the spirit and for specific things to do for us and our investigators. This week it was very cool. I have gained a strong testimony of fasting and prayer and the spirit they can bring when you do them right. We had interviews with the president and we started fasting the day before, especially for our investigators. We got to the interviews with a very good spirit and they were great. President Hacking first talked to us together and then each one alone. Things have been good with my companion. President complimented me in the Interviews and expressed a lot of confidence in me. He really was very positive and told me he really trusted me and was thankful for what I was doing. It really is nice to have someone like your mission president be so supportive and encouraging. He is such a good man. It’s humbling and makes me want to improve.

The Stake Conference was in our chapel which was a great chance to invite friends and investigators. Unfortunately the Lopez family, who we committed to baptism all missed except one daughter. We have been very clear with them about the Sabbath Day and about gaining a testimony and they keep saying "of course, sure we want to go" We even had a very spiritual lesson with them and the mom admitted that she felt a special warm feeling but once again something "came up" on Sunday. I think we will teach them this week and let them know that we want to help them with all our heart, but it’s so important for them to keep commitments.

There were however a few surprises, like an investigator who he had stopped teaching a while ago that finally came and really liked it. Also we had a little miracle this week. We got permission to do a sporting activity and invited one of our investigators, who plays basketball, and his team to come and play at the church. Unfortunately it rained all day and they didn’t come. On our way back to the house we realized that Elder R had left the keys inside and we have no spares. We went downstairs (we live on the 3d floor) to see if we could find the owner or anything. A lady walked by on her way out and said, Hi Elders. We asked if she knew how we could get a key or anything and she said that they were on their way to the plaza where there was a locksmith and that we could go with them. As we were walking we asked who she was etc and how she knew the Elders. Turns out that all her kids are baptized and she and her husband at one time were going to get baptized but they couldn’t work out the papers for him to be legally separated from his first wife and for the 2 to get married. They said that they finally got it organized but by that time the missionaries had already stopped coming and they lost contact with the church. They were excited to talk to us and we are now going to visit them (probably today) and start teaching them again. All because we just happened to do a sporting activity that day, we got rained out, and forgot the keys. Otherwise we would have had no idea... and they live on the floor below us. The Lord really puts people in your path and prepares the way if you are ready.

Well everything else is going great here. Don’t worry mom we are eating well and I take lots of pictures. Elder Soria is a really good cook so we often get together as a district and cook etc. It has rained every day for about 2 weeks now and we both left our umbrellas at members houses so the weather has been a challenge but we are doing the best we can and are excited to start another 6 weeks. I spent some time today setting some goals for the transfer as far as studying and other stuff like service and ways to improve in teaching and efficiency etc.

Today for P day we went to the Coliseum here and watched a few girls basketball games (supposedly our investigator Jordy was going to play but there were only girls teams). If you think 9th grade girls are bad at basketball in the US you should see them here haha just kidding. But it was at least nice to hear the sounds of a gym etc. Well fam all is great; I can’t believe they already have my plane tickets! Much love and till next time, Elder Barnard

Coming Home on August 20, 2010

I can't believe it. They just found out that his group will be flying home on August 20, 2010. They left on August 21, 2008 - I don't know where the time has gone.


I laughed when I saw this picture. The arrow is pointing to a clean white sock. He had mentioned once before that they sweat so much that he keeps a sock in his pocket to mop his brow. I suggested that he buy some handkerchiefs. I don't think he has.

April 12, 2010
Well today I am writing from a disobedient keyboard so forgive my spelling errors or random spaces. It’s been quite a good week here in Sogamoso. Here it’s a great climate, just a little bit warm to wear suits so we just work in normal white shirts. The only problem this week is that it has been raining like crazy every single day. After nearly 20 months I finally broke out my rain jacket from Mr. Mac's but I left my umbrella at a member’s house so we have been getting soaking wet.

Amazingly all of my clothes are still ok. My 2 pairs of Ecco shoes are in excellent condition and my other pair is suffering a little but I think they will make it. All of my suits, pants and shirts are fine although some of my white shirts aren’t AS white as they used to be.
We have been working very hard this week and it has been a great week. We have taught a lot of lessons etc. and the investigators FINALLY came to church and really liked it. We are hopeful to have 5 baptisms on the 24th depending on their progress. That is the goal and we will do our best to help them get there.

Here in Sogamoso there are 2 areas, one for each ward and chapel. Our chapel is the stake center for the Duitama stake so it’s very big and nice and the other chapel is little and not so nice. Anyway a family who lives out of town but technically belongs to the other area and has been talking with the other missionaries, came to our ward Sunday because it’s closer to them. They are going to move to Bogotá in a month to start preparing travel stuff to go live in Montreal Canada. They say Canada wants more young families so the government will pay them to go live there with their young children. Anyway they love the church and want to be baptized before they leave so it looks like my companion and I are going to start teaching them as well and see if they can be baptized before leaving.

I had to laugh when I read Kaydee Browns letter. She was so excited to have found three investigators in one week in Denmark. It really is interesting to see how in one part of the world people are so easy going and easy to talk to and in others they are more closed. I have to admire her and missionaries there where it’s harder to find people. I remember weeks in Barranca where we found 20 plus new investigators who invited us to talk to them but then wouldn’t progress.

I sent Elder Soria the letter you wrote mom and he told me some amazing news. The other day President Hacking called him and told him that his mom had called him. She was now working in Spain, had got in contact with the missionaries and was BAPTIZED. haha She sent him some money and it sounds like she is writing him now. He said he could feel the spirit when he read your letter mom, and thanks a ton.

I finished a week early my goal of reading the New Testament this transfer so now I am focusing lots on studying Preach My Gospel more and I want to read Jesus The Christ which is way good.

This week we have interviews with the President which will be nice. President Hacking always helps me get a good spiritual boost and keep looking for ways to improve.

I really like the example you had in your letter mom. I always try to be positive in my letters and although I love the mission like no other, it obviously has discouraging moments. The other day I was praying and thinking about things and the words of President Hinckley’s dad came into my mind, forget yourself and go to work. So I have really been trying to focus on that saying, especially when lessons fall through or we have to run through the rain with wet shoes etc. And it really has helped.
Overall I am loving life and trying my best to be my best. Well I am about out of time but I love you fam and I hope all is well where you are, until next time. Elder Barnard

P.S. Also we have talked to President Hacking about college. Our release date was August 26th but he says we should fly home on August 20th instead (those of my group who need to meet college starting dates). Actually today they were taking out the flight plans because they always do them very early - scary thought, they are already booking our flights! I also sent you a letter from BYU. Thanks. Love Will