"Master, We have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing; neverless at they word I will let down the net."

In Luke 5:1-11 we read that Jesus was in the ship of Simon Peter teaching the people who were on the shore. When he concluded teaching He asked Simon Peter to go out farther into the deep and throw in his nets. Simon responded, “Master, we have toiled all the night and have taken nothing; neverless at thy word I will let down the net.” Peter demonstrated some rebelliousness and lack of faith by expressing doubt and complaint in regards to doing the Lord´s will immediately and without complaining.

We may be like Peter in the fact that sometimes we think that we have already knocked this neighborhood or we have already asked this member for a reference. But we can learn from Peter and quickly let down our nets without complaint or doubt knowing that the Lord will show us through the Spirit where we need to labor. He knows where the people are waiting to hear the Gosple in your area just like He knew where Peter should put down his net.

After they let down their nets, they caught such a “great multitude of fishes that their net brake.” They called their partners in another ship to help them and they filled both ships so much that they began to sink.

This is an example of what can happen here in Chile if we are worthy to have the Spírit and we follow its promptings to find those whom the Lord has prepared to bring to the waters of baptism for a remission of their sins.

We love you and pray for your success,
President May
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Not left in the dark!

Sunday night, while Prdte May was on his cell phone and we were together in his mission office here in the mission home, we were suddenly plunged into COMPLETE darkness. Not a flicker, not some static, or trickle, but ALL of the electricity was cut! We had power from his cell phone, to shine a bit of light, (I mean we were blinded, completely) even though he had no cell signal. We felt our way around the furniture, through the various rooms, calling out to our daughter, Sarah and hoping we could reach her to help.

She had quickly made her way down the stairs, carrying one of the packages we had left on the family room table of the new, mini 'flashlights" /battery op coleman lantern things, we had just bought on Saturday since we knew we needed more. We stood in my office, with cell phones for light, while she unwrapped and assembled the linterna. Then we went back to get more lights we had upstairs and proceeded outside to the PITCH dark. There were a few apt bldgs we could hear had their generators going, but no street lights, no neighbors lit up, etc. It was strange. We decided to get in the mission van we had for the day, and listen to the radio. It was considered a total 'BLACKOUT" as they said in English words. It covered from Antofogasta up north, to south Chiloe. They think it has come from the instablity of the quake that has caused problems in lines, connections, continuity within ALL of Chile. Chilelectra company was working quickly with the new Prdte while he was still working late in the Moneda bldg.on Sunday.

WOW. The people couldn't quite explain it, but again, we felt the power of NOT having power or control.

What is the Lord teaching us here in Chile? We, who like to have things in order, our structure and control, are being shown we are NOT in control of much. The people in Chile are being reminded that we have to look to GOD for our light, in all sense of the word. I believe that because Chile has a culture of earthquakes, they are so used to just picking up where they were, don't lose too much sleep over that last natural disaster, and just get back to work. They are so good at that, and are more resiliant that most people, I believe. However, maybe people are not remembering that this world is not based on our abilities, our hard work, or our desires. We ALL have to be willing to submit to whatever the Lord wants us to experience, and then also be willing to thank Him for what we have, including the trials and challenges that bring us closer to Him.

Elder May in Concepcion Mission tells us he was stranded about 2 hours from his home, doing a baptismal interview, with no buses running, etc. He and his companion, Elder Dalton prayed, and a family car came by, asking where they were heading. "CURICO, and we can pay you," they said to the family. They told them just jump in and of course, they find that the woman was miembro, menos activo! Here in our part of the vineyard, the blackout ended after we had gone to bed, after 11pm, but most of our mission had lights back on much sooner.

We did hear our missionaries report that the stars were even brighter that night, and many felt that they helped them see their way back to their departamentos. Another said that the temple had its generator lights come on immediately, and that they lit up the neighborhood so brightly, and even their own apartment. That had to be symbolic for us, again, the Light that the Lord is, and provides for each of us.

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Phase 2/3 Training brings new insights.

Today we had the two groups of missionaries return to the mission home for their Phase 2 and Phase 3 group orientation/trainings. These are missionaries who are now in their second change, and third change respectively, and have been here 2 months or 3 months. Their Spanish is incredibly good, and parents would be amazed and happily surprised at how well they really can communicate and make themselves understood, in such a short time. These are some of their comments, in English, but the meetings are in Spanish now, after their first Fase 1 training:

H:"We found a lot of people in my first area, but they weren't progressing. We were sad. It was a real hard start for me. Now in this second change, we have felt the fruits of the work. We Baptised 4 people. We found 4 new people and they are really progressing quickly. I have to remember that they can progress and not forget."

S:"We were knocking on lots of doors and didn't have much success. Then in the street and woman finally lets us inside. She's not interested, but says there are lots of other people living in her house. Three in the house are interested, and then later, from those three, they gave us two more referrals. We always need to remember to ask for referencias, even if the person is not interested."

W:"Woman wasn't interested but gave us a referencia about her family member, and they had a son who told us he had been taught, but never was baptized. Now he's ready. Remember to ask for referencias!"

D: "Oscar...he is 70 yrs old, but has had 5 dates for baptism. We hope that for this next week it will be final. He had attended lots of other churches, and has been searching for the truth for many years. He has been reading the Book of Mormon, and now his wife is also interested, and they are reading together. This is milagros. They have 7 hijos, and 6 live nearby. The man says he wants ALL of his children to be baptized, sothey can all be together."

L: " This woman is 50 yrs old and as she let them in, she said she went to church in San Felipe 40 yrs ago, when she was 10. She had never been baptized, and always wanted a Book of Mormon, but never had one. Of course we gave her one. Now she reads every day and writes her thoughts and feelings in a study journal/notebook. She is hungry for more and reading everyday. She came to the Satellite broadcast, and said that when Elder Bednar spoke, she felt a powerful witness of Joseph Smith, and many answers to her prayers. She is thankful that God answers prayers with a strong spirit."
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What a blessing to hear from Our Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson

What a great blessing it was to be taught by President Monson, Elder Bednar, Sister Lant and Elder Foster in yesterday´s Stake Conference via Satellite. Inspired themes such as teaching so that those we teach understand the doctrine, obedience with exactness, receiving strength by drawing on the power of the Atonement, and our mission to come to the rescue of those in need are intended for us at this important time here in Chile. We have a great opportunity to invite many people who have now had their hearts softened to receive the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, in order to do so we must increase our faith in Jesus Christ so that we will recognize these people when we see them.

There is no greater way to increase our faith in Jesus Christ than through the strengthening power of the Atonement as taught by Elder Bednar in yesterday´s conference. It can make good missionaries better. It can give us the spiritual strength that we need to accomplish all that the Lord expects us to do. This doctrine is taught in Preach My Gospel:

“As we rely on the Atonement of Jesus Christ, He can help us endure our trials, sicknesses, and pain. We can be filled with joy, peace, and consolation. All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.” Pg 52

“Through the Atonement we can be freed from the burden of our sins and develop faith and strength to face our trial.” Pg 32 We learn how the Savior is able to do this in Alma 7:11-12

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

It is my testimony that through the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ that we can gain the strength to carry out this work of the Lord with greater faith in Jesus Christ, greater obedience with exactness to have the spirit in great abundance, and greater diligence so that many more of Heavenly Father´s children can enjoy the blessings of the great plan of happines He has provided for us.
We love you and we are inspired by your courage in challenging times,

Presidente Michael E. May
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2 Baptisms on the Day of the Earthquake!

We haven't had time to tell all of the missionaries yet, that YES, we had two baptims on Saturday, the day of the Earthquake!!! Felicitaciones! What joy for all, as we share in the Lord's joy bringing souls to Him.
Here is what we heard happened...

We had one baptism in San Pablo, and one in Los Andes. The zone leaders told us the details that a Father (his wife and children are ALL members, menos him) had been taking the lessons, had his baptismal date set for Saturday, Feb 27th, and as soon as the earthquake hit, he must have contacted the missionaries right away, told them he was determined to still be baptised and didn't want to wait, so a member of the ward went right down to the chapel and started filling the baptismal font about 4am, to ensure there would be water for this blessed event. The Lord has many people, faithful, repentant, and eager to be baptized. Now is the time, more than ever!
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EX-Elderes y Hermanas hold special Fast for Chile

We rec'd a wonderful email on Saturday, Feb 27th, from one of our previous Assistants to the President, Elder Brandon Stewart. He told us that he had rec'd many messages from other returned missionaries on Facebook. They were building a chain, contacting each other, for Sunday, to have a special fast for their great family in Chile. They said many had Chilean flags on their profile! Spanish/English:

"Mi corazón se alegró mucho al ver los mensajes de todos los ex-misioneros en Facebook. También recibí un mensaje de text de una ex-misionera en Utah reexpidiendo una cadena a todos los ex-Elderes y Hermanas para que mañana hagamos un ayuno especial por nuestra gran familia Chilena. Una cosa es cierta: hay muchas banderas Chilenas en nuestras fotos de perfil!" Thinking of all of our wonderful missionaries who have returned home praying and fasting for the work and missionaries here brought us again to tears. How blessed we are that these powerful missionaries are part of lives forever. He shared a great scripture we all recognize and love,
Alma 37:6-7
Tal vez pienses que esto es locura de mi parte; mas he aquí, te digo que por medio de cosas pequeñas y sencillas se realizan grandes cosas; y en muchos casos, los pequeños medios confunden a los sabios. Y el Señor Dios se vale de medios para realizar sus grandes y eternos designios; y por medios muy pequeños el Señor… realiza la salvación de muchas almas.
"Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls."

Thank you, Elder Stewart and all of you loving Elders and Hermanas who love Chile, for your love, faith and encouragement! Les amamos muchisimo!


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