Elder Paul J. Horton....Colombia Bogota North Mission: Mission Week 46, Yopal Week 11, "The Lord is Always With Us"

Coming in with another great week!

Carlos Cardenas was baptized this Saturday! The next day he was confirmed a member and received the Gift of the Holy Ghost in sacrament meeting. He's been radiating with happiness ever since. You can see this atmosphere of energy and love around him. He's a pretty serious guy, but when he shared his testimony he shared a sweet and powerful love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Something that he said that I loved is, "El agua se quedò negro" or "The water went black" That's really how it is though. He went on to express his gratitude for the Lord for giving him this fresh new start. He's going to do great things for the people here in Yopal!

This Saturday we helped out a Presidente Rojas today whose building his own house wayyyyy outside of Yopal. We got to take a pretty neat hike up to his house. I think we must have crossed some kind of border too because there were a ton of military men walking around with these BIG guns. They stopped us and asked for our "Identification". It was funny because we basically just said oh well, we're missionaries going to do a service project for a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They all turned and looked at each other for a minute and said "Bueno Sigan" or "Fine Pass". I feel like I'm in the jungle out here since it's so dang green in every direction that you look.

The Lord is always with us. When you think he's not there, I would like to invite you to reflect on all of the wonderful many blessing he's given you. It's in those hard times that the smallest of blessings can help us to smile. We sang Count your many blessings during a family home evening this Sunday. I was able to reflect on all of the things that my Father in heaven has blessed me with. I felt of that love, peace, and comfort. I know you guys can have those same feelings too because it's a promise to every single one of his sons and daughters! I know things aren't the best right now in California, but I know that thanks to Jesus Christ, we can all feel of his love that he is constantly showing us. We just need to open our hearts to feel it!

I'm praying for you all daily, Love you!!

Elder Horton

Impressions of Colombia, Yopal
1. If you want fruit, just go and pick it off a tree that you pass by in the street. Mangos, Carambola, lemons, and oranges are always growing out here.
2. Theres a meat out here called "Carne a la llanera". It's supposedly the best meat in Colombia. (I haven't tried it yet!)