Brayden's Nicaraguan Adventure: 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!"