Postcards From Paraguay

I am stressed... but not drowning. 

Events wise this week: we were awoken in the madrugada Friday by a really sad phone call. 

The 2nd youngest little boy in my favorite family, the MARTINEZ family (the one I wrote on my blog about like 1 change ago), Fabian, died. He got stung by a ton of ants and 3 days later his heart stopped. It was REALLY sad and extremely preventable. 

We SAW him 2 days before and he was all puffed up and swollen and so I told his mom he should go to the hospital. She said her husband didnt want her to go and she couldnt take all the kids and plus he was getting better.... I believed her.

 I offered to call the bishop or primary pres. She was like "what are they gonna do?" and I said "Idk... they can make you a casserole? or watch the kids while you go to the Doctor... SOMETHING" "no no.... he is really fine. He is getting WAY better" Ok. We had our lesson and left. I called the Primary Presidenta ANYWAY because I am stubborn and asked her to at least stop by and check on the boy. She just gave me excuses of why she couldnt. She asked me to call the bishop. I asked if SHE could at LEAST do that (because as priorly mentioned I feel really stressed). She agreed. That night after consejo de barrio (which NO ONE came to) she called to tell me she had done nothing. She hadnt even called the Bishop. 

That night, I cried from frustration of not being able to force people to take responsibility! My tears solved nothing. My acts prevented nothing. And now little 3 year old Fabian is dead. And I am sad because I love him. But... Im also at peace because I really do know that God is in charge. I know that his life was already hard, too. His parents are not cumpliendo with all thier sacred responsibilities. His family is big and poor and so it will be nice for him to rest instead of the struggle of life. I know that he is saved by the grace of Christ.

 Happy day, All is well. 

But I feel saddened by the situation. 

 The HAPPY news of the week is that we had an INCREDIBLE lesson with the Souza family. God knows how STRESSED I am and... its really hard carrying MOST of the lesson... so I have been STRESSIN´ on HOW I could powerfully and effectively teach the Restoration to their needs. The Spirit TOTALLY guided. everything was VERY clear and just... Awesome. MARVELOUS! I loved it. They are getting married this Saturday. Hermana Edna said she is geting baptized with or without Luis and Luis promised he´d read and pray. so... thats Great! (He still wont give up excuses and come to church, but I told him straight up "Luis, Yo te prometo 2 cosas: #1 si quieres asistir, vas a poder, si NO quieres, nunca vas a llegar y #2 Te prometo que cualquier sacrificio que hagas para poder venir y obtener tu testimonio de que lo que hemos compartido es verdadero...CUALQUIER cosa que sacrificas, será multiplicado 100-fold!" 

So... He knows... now its up to him But... Prayers would help. 

 Other news. There was a showing of MEET THE MORMONS at out stake center and all our investagators couldnt come so we called some antiguos and they not only CAME but they DROVE US AND PICKED UP SOME OF OUR "FRIENDS" and brought them too (The daughters of our recent convert. They did NOT want to come but after much prayer CAME!!!!!) We were not told until the DAY before about the activity and somehow we had a total of NINE people there AND we are working with those Antiguos again!!! So... :) And... We are starting English Classes everyweek to try to find some news. Wish us luck #actuallyPrayforus Well thats the update because.... thats the life. I worry about all these people and try to help them while I can. The best way I can help them now is by offering them "everlasting waters" and testifying and promising them that they will "never thirst" as the Savior said. 

 Im trying. 

 XOXO HERMANA VALENZUELA