A few months ago I went on an "intercambio" with our Sister Leaders. I am improving with the language but it is still a struggle. Sister Zuñiga speaks a little English so that is helpful. The area they work in is called Cinco Saltos. It's a cute little town about 30 min. from Neuquén. We spent the afternoon talking to people in the streets and visiting a sister they had been teaching. One gentleman they had been talking to virtually for a few days was Tonino. He had seen one of our posts on our Facebook page. At that time he was drinking, doing drugs and just really felt like life was really hopeless. We met him out in front of the church and the sisters taught him a little about the gospel of Jesus Christ. I could tell when they were talking to him how hopeless he felt. At the end of their lesson, Sister Zuñiga asked me to share my testimony. My testimony in spanish is very simple, because I don't have the words to express what is really in my heart. But I have learned the lord only "requireth the heart and a willing mind" D&C 64:34 and "by very small means doth the lord confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls" Alma 37:7. So in my very weak spanish I told him The gospel of Jesus Christ gives you hope.
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| Hermana Zuñiga y Hermana Porto |
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| Cinco Saltos |
Tonino continued to learn about the gospel. He quit drinking, doing drugs and he said his friends do not understand what he is doing, but he loves his new life. I love that our job right now is to help people to come to Christ. At the end of his baptism the Bishop said to him "Bienvenido en casa" which translates "Welcome Home". I love that. I love how the gospel of Jesus Christ can change your life from having no hope to being filled with purpose, joy, peace and hope.
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| Tonino on his Baptism day |
