NORTHBOUND AND TOUCAN HUNTING September 24, 2017

I made my way back up to the promised land of Northern Nicaragua to work with my beloved Elders and it did not disappoint! Our first day, we worked in my 2nd zone of Ocotal! I was able to work on an entire mountain side with the companionship, do 4 baptismal interviews (super spiritual), and see Rut, Jose, and Maria, all old converts! I felt alive and filled with our Savior´s love seeing and walking around with all of these oh so humble people. There is nothing better.

Day 2 (Wednesday) We made our way into Estelí after a little sleep over at Elder Hughes´ house. (Risk until 2 am). We worked a little, invited a few to baptism, then i had a video conference with Elder Cordon from the 70 with President and Elder Diaz. We talked about the upcoming tour of the mission he is going to have, talked about what we need to do better as a mission, and we received revelation. After, I made my way down to a little pueblo called La Trinidad! I met a man named Walmar that has been investigating the church for over a year. As I got to know him and his beautiful family, I felt the need to read 3 Nephi 11 and explain Christ´s visit and how the first thing he taught the Nephites was.. Baptism! As we read and I asked questions, the Spirit filled the scene. Walmar understood what the Lord was asking him to do in this moment as the words came alive. He accepted the invitation for this Saturday to enter into the sacred convent with the Lord! 

The following morning, as we were walking to the highway to leave, I found my little friend. A TOUCAN! It was chilling in the front yard of this lady like it was a dog. Of course, I snatched a few fotos! All we have to wait for now is a picture with one of those daddies on my arm haha! Finally, we made our way into Matagalpa. Sor Maria was calling my name haha. I saw Conny, Dari, Fidel, all of the Yaguarez Ward and so many people that I love. It was the perfect way to cap off our road trip!

The next morning, we hopped on a bus at 4.30 am to come back to Managua. It broke down and literally left us to die in the middle of the Nica country. Good thing I watched Man v. Wild for a few years and that I am almost an Eagle Scout..  

Nicaragua has taught me lessons upon lessons. I think the most important one is how to be humble. 

Jonas 4:11 This question the Lord makes is not just a question for Jonas. It is made for every single one us. The Lord WILL always give a sinner the way out through repentance!

I love you all. Fall is upon us!

Elder Campbell

TOUCAN

President Poncio's daughter received her mission call to Mexico

HOLY GROUND September 17, 2017

Well, after 13 months I finally accomplished a mission dream, which is.. Set foot in Puerto Cabezas! After working a few days throughout Managua with other companionships outside of our zone, Elder Diaz and I hopped on a little 12 seater, double engine plane with President Poncio at 6:00 am and arrived on the east coast visit our little pueblo of missionaries! They talk in another language (Miskito) and I literally felt a renewed love for the work. Puerto is a legend in our mission because of how much they baptize and all the insane stories and tales that come out of the place. I felt like Moses when the Lord told him to remove his shoes because he was on holy ground the second I got off that wobbly plane. The Lord is preparing something special out on the east coast of Nicaragua! We had a little zone meeting with the 18 missionaries out there, explored a little bit, saw some cool people and houses, ate lunch, and boom, back on the plane. Do you believe in miracles?

My dear friend Elder Nonu received the cursed pink eye this week... keep him in your thoughts.

My good ol´friends Elder Hughes and Elder Fankhauser from Estelí came down to do some divisions in the Maximo! It was like a MTC reunion haha. We found an iguana at a recent converts house and he let us play with it. I love Nicaragua haha!

We have been dry this entire mouth with all of our investigators and their baptisms. To be honest, we have be frustrated, but we put it into the Lord´s Hands and he delivered. Every time I have fasted in my mission, a miracle has occurred. 2 weeks after we did our fast, today at church, one of old investigators showed up BY HERSELF! She explained that she still wanted to learn more and get baptized this following Saturday. We told her we could help out with that! He always works in mysterious ways, but something I do know is that he prepares people especially for us. That is the biggest truth I can testify up to this point!

Happy Independence Day Nicaragua! Sure do love you.

Good luck to ALL my buddies out in the field and for those loved ones who are entering into the real deal (the field) this week and in the following weeks. The Lord has great things in store for all of you! 

Until next week, beloved family and friends!

Elder Campbell  

1 Samuel 25: ALL scripture can be in similitude of Christ if we search hard enough with the Holy Ghost. I love the story of Abigail. She pleads with David to forgive her husband who trespassed against him and she says she will take the sin UPON herself, just as the Savior does for each one of us. 

Puerto Cabezas

Elder Campbell, Elder Diaz and President Poncio

Nicaragua Independence Day

THE SEVEN PLAGUES HIT NICARAGUA September 10, 2017

Pink Eye has found it´s way into every nook and cranny of this little country. We literally yell 'buenas!!' at someone's door and an entire family of 10 will come out with pink eye. Lot's of washing hands and praying have been involved to keep me healthy. So far haven't been infected! Shout out to my future best-man, Elder Josh Bauman from Tucxilla Gutierrez Mexico, for hitting the big 20 years this last week. Sure do love you man! Give it your all in helping those oh so special people in Mexico recover from the EQ! Elder Diaz, my companion, also turned 20 a few days ago. Man I love the mission!

Monday, President Poncio turned 45! He invited us up to his house for our normal weekly Monday meeting and we had a little BBQ with his family. He is one cool man!

Tuesday-Friday, we hit the mountains and the fields. It brought back all the days of running around with Hobbs in Matagalpa and Carter in Ocotal... President decided to cancel all the interviews this change and instead go out personally in each zone and work in the field! I had the chance to work in Chinandega for 2 days and other one in Leon. The Lord truly does have elect in every area and part of this country, He just needs us to have a better dedication to go and find them with his Holy Spirit directing us every step of the way. We offered some powerful prayers in the new approach we have taken to contacts and daily visits. Instead of saying we have a message to share, we ask people if we can offer a prayer on our knees in their house with their family and ask for blessings from the Lord. It works EVERYTIME! I have seen people with hearts of stone literally change on their knees as we begged the Lord to bless them or a sick family member. There is power in prayer, Ladies and Gentlemen!

Saturday, we worked just as hard in our area. My trainer (Elder Hobbs) taught me that eating dinner is considered a sin in the mission because it takes away time from working and talking to people. That is the kind of mission we are in here in Nicaragua! 

There is no greater feeling in this world than that of seeing a person experience that great change of heart as the Spirit confirms the words we bring into their houses. Preaching has become my passion and I love working right alongside the Master in his vineyard. He has taught me so much about my capabilities, talents, weaknesses, and what it takes to be successful. 

1 Nephi 1:1, 2 Nephi 5:27 "even though they passed through afflictions, they CHOSE to live in a happy manner. We can do the same!"

Luke 7: 37-50 

DyC 52 "The pattern? Preach BY THE WAY!"

FOTOS

Mask me up

Best family home evening givers of all time

Stop with the spiders!!!

MALPAISILLO

Shoes of Faith

HELLO SEPTEMBER! September 3, 2017

Brayden didn't send a group email this week, but he did send some photos.  NO THANK YOU to the spider that he caught!!!

Cougar Fan!