Transferred to Machala, Ecuador!

Note:  This email was short because we had spoken via Skype just the day before.  Rachel was transfered last week and is now in the city of Machala. 

Facts about Machala

1. Machala is 3 hours away from Guayaquil
2. There are a lot more pobre parts (poor) and the streets are really dusty
3. since we are in a field, there are a lot more trees, weeds, and weeds here are a lot prettier than they are in the US...
4. My sector is huge and we have to take tons of taxis

Here is the shpeel: when I arrived in Machala, the hermanas that were in my casa had their own programs for investigators (we put on the wall for the month of May our baptismal dates, the investigators have to attend 3 weeks of church before they are baptized) but they changed and so me and my companion have the other hermana's program for baptism, its a little weird, but it is inspired and we just go with it. hopefully I made sence, probably not.

We have 4 new fechas, all of whom i don't know really well: Jasmin who is 16, Johnny who I believe is 30, and Estefany who is 8 ( I am not really sure how she became a fecha because she is only 8 but okay)

Last week, I think I got a little trunkie, but I realized a way to get over it, its just to get over it and stop thinking about myself and just focus on one moment at a time. I have been praying every night to have charity for all those that I teach and just focus on the needs of the investigators, when i do that...the day passes by so fast. I really do like the area a lot, the people are a lot more open to hearing the gospel.

There are a lot of things that I need to work on, especially with the language, it is hard for me to understand the needs of my invesitgators but I know if I listen with the spirit, the spirit will be able to indicate to me what it is they need. one scripture that I read today was in Jacob 5:71-72 and it just talked about how the Lord worked with the servants in the vinyard, I know he is working along side me and directing me, I just need to have faith and let the spirit guide, so that I can rejoice with him in all the work that I have done for his children. Although trials pass, I have a testimony of the restored gospel and that Christ lives. I cant wait until I can see him one day. Love you all!

Same Sector, New Companion, and "Intercambios."

We had intercambios this weekend, and I went with Hermana Schiller, her sector is on the Galapagos!! She is really awesome and has such a happy spirit. She is the only 2 people in her family who are active, she is really strong and such a good example that she on a mission. I really surprised myself. It was awesome to be able to take the lead and teach the investigators. We broke our record with lessons with member, we had 6 and I didnt even need my trainer! I know the area, the member know me, and I am able to do this. The Lord keeps showing me that I can do this, and when I start to think of myself, and feel tired mentally, I do this things that I need to. When I focus on my conversos, I no longer feel the way I feel. I want Giovanna, Eduardo, and Francisco to progress. They are so special and I know that if I do all I can to help them, they will be able to have strong testimonies for life. Recieving baptisms is great, but when they progress, endure to the end, and go to the temple...that is what matters to me. and That is part of our purpose, they endure to the end and reciece their covenants in the temple. 

For a long time I wondered why I am still in Centenario, but I know that it is because I need to help Giovanna, Eduardo, and Francisco, they need me because no other missionary knows them the way I do. 

I read in Jacob 1:17-19, and it was just after Nephi had died and the people started to become more wicked, but Jacob, was consecrated a priest for these people, and has taught them in temple the things of the Lord, he knows that it his responsibility to magnify his office and answer the sins of the people upon his head, if he did not teach them the word of God with all diligence where their blood might not come on his garments, or their reason for falling was not his culpa (fault) he knows that he will not have to answer for them during judgment.  I realized this relates to missionary work, we as missionaries go through the temple before we are set apart, and we learn about the Plan of Salvation in the temple, and that everyone is child of a loving heavenly father. We are set apart because it is a hard job, but it worth it. and we have a heavy job description, the salvation of the childern of God is in our hands, but if we labor dilligently with all of our souls to teach them and bring them to Christ, we will not have to answer for them at judgment. This is a calling that is more than a trip, it is a lifetime calling and we are helping so many people. I hope that I can do the best I can to bring these people to Christ, and I hope that people will accept him! 
Love you all!