Mission Week 48, Sogamoso Week 1, "Zone Leader"

It was great week! I got a perspective of how the mission is being a Zone Leader. The key to becoming a great leader is through serving others. We make plans to help the zone improve each and everyday. There are 6 companionships in my zone (Including the District of Yopal). It's weird but fun being in the same zone haha. The zone leaders have the responsibility to see how each companionship in the zone is doing. In order to do that we have companion-exchanges for the day. That means I'm going to be traveling out to my old area in Yopal! We also travel a lot. Which is different for me. We don't get a whole lot of time to work in our area especially this week, because we're going to be in Bogotá for half of the week in meetings with President Valladares. However I'm so grateful for this new opportunity to serve the other missionaries in Sogamoso, and learn how to become a successful leader!

Elder Oliveira and I were able to set two baptismal dates with one person named Mario. He is from Venezuela. He works on an onion farm. The man has almost read through the end of Second Nephi in a matter of 2 weeks. He has the strong desire to find an answer and to know if the Book of Mormon is true. We taught him about keeping the sabbath day holy and promised him that if he came to church this Sunday that he would know the truthfulness of what we speak. He came to church and really loved it and said he felt really good! I don't have pictures with me right now because I left my camera in Yopal! But when I get it I'll start taking pics of our investigators, members and the new area!

For P-Day today, our District headed out to an old town in Duitama. It's called Pueblito Boyacense, Duitama. (PICS BELOW)

Love you all!, 

Elder Horton

Impressions of Sogamoso:
1. Buñuelos is one of my new favorite pastries (Look it up)
2. Where I live it's farm land, there are always cows, Horses, goats, chickens, etc... just chilling on the side of the street or in the grass fields.

Cool Statue in Town

Lots of Colored Houses Here

I match the colored houses of this Street!

Pretty Nice Homes Here

Exploring the New Area

Houses of Sogamoso

The District of Sogamoso by Cool Water Fountain

Pretty Cool Doors here in Sogamoso!

My New Companion and I

Mission Week 47, Yopal Week 12, "Transferring to the City of Sogamoso as a new Zone Leader"

This was a really fast week. Had to be the fastest week of my mission! The days just started flying. Everyone in Yopal got excited to see some changes ready to take place with companionships. We received the transfer call today from our Zone-Leaders. I have been called as the new Zone-Leader (LZ2) in Sogamoso. I will be heading out there tomorrow. I'm so pumped!

This week Elder Ramos and I went to work focusing more on teaching with the spirit and slowing things down a bit. Each week we've worked super hard to find new investigators, but then we failed to follow up with quite a few. I can see the importance of "Following up" as a missionary. Following up with contacts, new investigators, compromises, etc... If you don't keep things organized it makes life really difficult haha.

One of the eternal investigators that we have been teaching (Nidia), has finally made the decision to be baptized. The reason she never was able to is because she was married to a man the she doesn't like anymore, and they have been split up for many years now. They just have never gotten divorced. She has never had the time to get around to it since she's got here own sewing business. This Christmas she's going to make a trip down to where here Ex-Husband lives and they will finalize all of the paperwork. She really wants to be married to Isnardo. He's the man that she's been living with up until now. They really love each other. I'm sad I won't be able to see them get baptized! But happy at the same time to see them take this step in their lives.

Yopal has been a great area to work in for the past three months. The people here are all so friendly and many people have the desire to learn and grow. I'm really going to miss it here!

Questions asked to Elder Horton...
1) How many members in your ward/branch? There are about 950 members in our Branch (about 250 are active)
2) What is the church building like? The church building is like a normal chapel. The only difference is that everything is gated down. There's a huge gate that goes along the perimeter of the church building. The windows and doors are also pretty heavy duty. It's locked down real well. Every chapel also has it's own soccer field.
3) How is the food? What is the best food you've eaten? The food is rice, chicken, and beans. The best food I've eaten is something called the Bandeja Paisa (Look it up in the Internet ITS AMAZING!)
4) What do you usually do on P-day? On P-day we usually play soccer on the field that's in the chapel.
5) Are you sleeping well? I'm sleeping well We go to sleep everyday at 10:30

Love you all hope your week is filled with blessings!

Elder Horton

Impressions of Yopal
1. Don't try to grab an iguanas tail, iguanas attack you with their tail. They try to whip you to death.

I learned how to make my own tie this week. I'm not too bad at sewing!

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!)

Baptism of Carlos Cardenas with his son Carlos Micheal

Baptism of Carlos Cardenas

Walking to service project with District by a sick looking river

Yopal with Elder Alcantara

River in Yopal

View from Other side of the River

With The Herrera family

Family night with the Tellez Family

Dead armadillo

Mission Week 45, Yopal Week 10, "Little by Little we are going to help this Family be Eternal"

Great week after great week after great week. It's just really hard to have a bad week while you're out here in the mission because you're constantly progressing so when you make mistakes you learn! and you get better! I love constant progression.

My son (greenie) is doing great. He has one powerful testimony.  He's a convert to the church. Everyday he wants to go out and find teach and baptize. And with that I know we're going to see a lot of success here in Yopal.

Last Wednesday was Halloween! I was pumped to go and get a little candy, but then our District Leader called us and told us to be inside before 6:30pm that night. I wasn't too sad missing Halloween since all the candy was just suckers, suckers and suckers. The people don't give out chocolate out here! What is that? If I'm a little boy running around for my sweets I'm looking for the Chocolate! Guess that's just how it is out here.

We met someone really neat during this week named Roselino Moreno. He is about 50 years old and just about the Kindest guys out here in Yopal. We found him just sitting outside his house enjoying the afternoon and as we talked with him he told us that about 2 years ago some missionaries had passed by his house and talked with him a little about the church. He told us that he wanted to learn more about us! We invited him to church and he was excited to come last Sunday. Yesterday we planned a time in the afternoon to go over and talk with him. When we showed up to his house we saw a book of Mormon laid open in his chair. He was reading a chapter that we left for him to read. (3 Nephi 11) During the lesson we focused on the importance of constantly reading and praying to know if the Book of Mormon is true so that he could receive his answer. He Look really excited to start reading! We hope to see him progress in these next coming weeks!

This Sunday was absolutely fantastic. We were able to confirm the Baptism of Carlos Cardenas and his baptismal interview. I'm so happy for him to be baptized into the Lord's true church!

There was another family that showed up to church yesterday. A less active family. They're named the Merchan Family. They have been less-Active for about 15 years. I don't know whole lot about them yet but I can't wait to get to know them this week. Their son Nicolas came up to us and said that we wants to get baptized. Darwin (the father) and Julie (the mother) invited us over to their home that night. When we arrived at there house we talked with them for only a short time because we got there so late and we got lost so many times trying to find their house. They live way way way out in the corner of our area. It's an area that I've never been to until yesterday. They want to be married and sealed in the temple for time and all eternity! First thing we have to do is help them set goals to get married first. Little by little we are going to help this family be eternal! The family consists of 5 people Darwin (dad) Julie (Mom) Nicolas (son 16 yrs old) Marthias (son 7 years old) and Bleidy (daughter 6 yrs. old).

I read a scripture that I really liked this week in Mormon 9:21. Don't forget to put your faith in the Lord first doubting nothing and you will be blessed!

Love you guys!
Elder Horton

Mission Week 44, Yopal Week 9, "Doubt not, but Be Believing."

Lots of miracles passed by this week.

Our investigator Carlos Cardenas accepted a date to be baptized on the 10th of November. You can see that he's ready. He's been coming to church for a straight month now. He comes to church so excited to learn. He told me that this is where he wants to be. I love to see that in people! He has lots of things to worry about right now since he's trying to start up a business and take care of his family. Nevertheless he has so much faith and continues to come to church each Sunday because he can feel it in his heart that this is the true church of God.

We had intercambios this week and I was with Elder McKay. He's from Utah and being trained right now. Towards the end of the day we saw so many miracles. We had a lesson with a lady named Norma Bustos. She is 30 years old and has attended church a few times now. Norma has a many doubts about the church. Starting with all of the "rules" that we have. We explained to her that all of these things are commandments of God and that we have the choice to obey them and receive blessings or Disobey them and not enjoy the blessings. She still wasn't very convinced. we decided to move the subject over to the Book of Mormon. We testified to her that if she reads and prays to know if the Book of Mormon is true that she will come to know that these commandments that we have been given are there to bless us. She calmly responded and told us that she would". I'm excited to see how it went! I was amazed to see how rapidly she calmed down after we gave her the tool to find answers to all of her questions. The gospel is simple. We shouldn't ever complicate things, because that's how the Gospel of Jesus Christ is meant to be! Your testimony can be a few words, but having the spirit with you to testify of those words is enough to convert thousands of souls unto the Lord.

Later that night we had another teaching appointment with a lady named Diana. She has been attending our English classes that offer during the week. We were able to teach her about the Book of Mormon and she had a lot of questions and doubts about it. When we walked into that appointment it felt as if she was trying to ask questions to prove the Book of Mormon wrong and to find a fault in the Book. She was also concerned that it didn't talk about the Virgin Mary. (Everyone we run into out here is Catholic...) One by one we were able to answer every single question she had. After each question, you could see her starting to relax little by little. It was a really cool lesson. At the end we invited her to read the Book of Mormon and ask God in prayer if it's true. She must of liked the lesson because she invited us to come back again. Doctrine and Covenants 100:5 was definitely fulfilled in that lesson. This is the Lords Work.

I read a scripture that I really liked today. It's in Mormon 9:21;27 HAVE FAITH DOUBTING NOTHING.

Have a great week! I love y'all!
Elder Horton 

Mission Week 43, Yopal Week 8, "Baptism amongst Training a New Missionary."

This week was great! On Saturday we had the baptism of Felipe! It was amazing. I had the opportunity to perform the ordinance of baptism. He was confirmed the next day by the President of the Branch.

We have another baptismal date set for a señor named Yolman. He is getting his papers all ready to be able to get married. We hope to see him baptized this next week (27th of October). He's a really great guy. Yolman has been investigating the church for a really long while now. He's finally taking that step to enter into the covenant of Baptism. Funny thing with him is that he's got a bunch of responsibilities in the church (Not callings), and he's not even a member yet haha. He plans cool service projects, parties, and activities for the Branch.

Elder Ramos is learning Spanish so dang fast. It may not be that different of a language, but he's got it pretty much down in a matter of 2 weeks! The gift of tongues is real. We've been working hard finding new people to teach. The people out here are always willing to listen. We just recently found a house with about 15 people living there. Before we left we gave the parents living there a card with the image of Jesus Christ as he's walking out of the Tomb. There were about 10 kids that ran up to us in the house and they all wanted a card too haha. The people here are very friendly.

President Nelson went to Lima, Peru this week. We were able to hear him speak at Lima. They broadcasted the conference to the countries Ecuador, Colombia and Bolivia. He talked about what it means to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He shared with us in 3 Nephi what it really means to preach his Gospel. President Nelson explained to us that preaching the Gospel is focusing on the Atonement of Jesus Christ and inviting others to follow the example of Jesus Christ. He urged us to study 3 Nephi 11-30. That's what I will be studying all next week.

It rains so dang hard here! It also just appears out of nowhere. We'll be walking in the street with the sun out shining and then 15 minuted later it's pouring. I love to walk around in the rain out here since it just cools you off from all the heat. Lightning is always going off in the sky. It's really a sweet view because you can see the Lighting bolts shooting out from the sky!

I keep eating weird things out here. I've never eaten armadillo in my life. That was something new and actually pretty dang good. I've also heard that people eat iguanas and turtles out here. Those are the next two plates on my list!

Love you all!
Elder Horton

The Cruz Family (Ward Member Family)

Baptism of Felipe with his Family

Mission Week 42, Yopal Week 7, "My Son (Elder Ramos) is a Great Missionary."

My new chino came today! His name is Elder Ramos. He turned out not to be gringo. HE´S FROM BRAZIL. He's a really cool dude. The guy is 23 years old (My son lol). He was baptized into the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints three years ago. The man is pure Portuguese. Elder Ramos is learning Spanish right now, but since it's so similar he's getting it down really fast. It feels strange helping a Brazilian learn Spanish haha. He's taught me a few phrases in Portuguese too!

1. eu so de California! (I am from California) and
2. Muito obrigado (Thank you very much!) and
3. Estoy aprendiendo como falar portuguese (I'm learning how to speak Portuguese)

He loves to sing hymns in Portuguese in the house too haha. You better believe that I'm going to learn a lot of hymns in Portuguese.

One of our baptismal dates fell through because Carlos Aranda is on vacations with his 13 year old son and won't be coming back until next week. So we will have to move his baptismal date up.
We were able to confirm and set up a baptismal date for Felipe this week on Saturday! He is one of our investigators that we've been teaching for a while. Felipe is 14 years old with a burning testimony. He wants to be a missionary one day!

"My son" (Elder Ramos) is a great missionary. He has the desire to share the gospel with everyone that we pass by in the streets! I'm having a blast out here with my Chino!

Love you all!
Elder Horton

My Chino! Elder Ramos (Standing next to me)

Happy 13th Birthday to Cristian. Investigator from the Pedroza Family 

All the 6 Missionaries in Yopal and Felipe! (Felipe is in the light blue shirt next to me)