Week 12: Juarez, Mexico.

Week 12: Juarez!

What a week! We ended transfers yesterday and I am staying in the same area with Elder Rincon again. I am super excited to stay in this area. The people here are great. This past Saturday was a huge classic rivalry in soccer here. Tigres of Guadalupe vs. Rayalos of Monterrey. The people were going crazy on Saturday, no joke like the super bowl in the United States. Parades all throughout the day and everyone grilling up Carne Asada. Some of the members invited my companion and I over for Carne Asada and its the best food I have ever had! Anyways, Rayalos of Monterrey won and most of Jaurez (my area) likes Tigres so its been a hard couple days for them. haha. Also, my companion was constantly telling me that Americans are babies when it comes to spicy foods (which he is right). However, he said that he would respect me if I ate a full Habanero chile. Of course I accepted his challenge and it was a very bad decision. Shortly after eating one I found myself running around my house, sweating, crying, and dying in reality. After drinking 2 liters of milk and eating a few pieces of bread trying to tame the spice, I received my companions respect.

Now for a more spiritual experience in the week. My companion and I had the impression one morning during planning to visit a villas very far from our house. We followed the impression and took the bus there and didn't find any success for a while. We were starting to double guess and doubt our decision. As we were walking back to the bus stop my companion had the impression to stop at a specific house. We knocked and to our surprise a lady opened and as soon as she saw us she broke into tears. Honestly, Elder Rincon and I were confused at first, but she came to explain that she has been suffering from major depression in her life and she was praying to send someone to help her. This testified to me that God answers prayers and that when we followed the Holy Spirit we can witness miracles in our lives. I am so thankful for all of you and hope you are all doing good. Its currently raining out here so my life is pretty good right now!

Cidese mucho!

Con amor, 

Elder Gibson
P.S the picture with Elder Clark is cool because his name is Cameron Clark like my brother in law.

Week 11. Juarez, Mexico.

Week 11. Another Week!

A major change in weather this week! Overcast and a little bit of rain...God really does answer prayers. Anyways this week has been super good! I hope you all had a great Easter and remembered the true meaning of the day. I made a legit purchase this week. I told you all I have been given the nickname around here Canelo Alvarez, so I decided to finally live up to the name. I bought a punching bag and mounted in my house so I can put some work in! Easily the best workout Ive ever done.

Elder Rincon and I had an interesting experience this week. We were out contacting and we came upon these 2 men who were obviously under the influence and wanted to talk about the Bible with us. We obviously said sure and we talked for about 1 hour and 30 minutes discussing the Bible and the teachings therein. The 2 men actually knew alot about the Bible but had some crazy thoughts. They thought the Caucasian race were aliens and we came from an angels (or aliens). I was really confused and let Elder Rincon do all the talking. It really is crazy to hear some of the things people think and have to say out here. However, I love the time I have to be out here serving all the people! Hope all is well. Read 1 Samuel 16:17. Its a good one! Praying for you all. By the way the dogs in the picture below are much more kind than the others.

Love, Elder Gibson

Week 10. Juarez, Mexico.

Week 10: Another Week!

 Hello! I am in a super good mood because it wasnt so hot this week and today we got AC in our house. I dont think I have ever been so excited in my life. Anyways, I had first baptism and that was a super cool experience (ill talk about it more later). In reality, it has been a super good week.

I have gained a good relationship with all the kids in my Villa (Villa is like a neighborhood in Mexico). I play soccer with them and teach them some English, the love it! They are always hooking me up with candy and Coke. I have been drinking Coca-Cola like water here on the mission for 2 reasons. 1. It is much more safe to drink than the water. 2. For some reason, the Coke here is 3x better than in the United States.

Today my companion and I ate with the Gomez family and I had an interesting experience. Hermana Gomez came out with our food and it was alot of food. However, I was super hungry so I ate all of that and I was unsure if I wanted seconds. But when she asked, I gave in. I said a little bit please because here in Mexico you have to eat all your food or it is super disrespectful. Of course, she came out with more food than the first time. I looked at my companion was gave him the look like NO PUEDO (I cant do it). Well, I had to force feed my self and I felt like I was going to explode. Of course, to my luck she had dessert. I force fed that down and I am not lying, it was the most food I have ever eaten in my life. Shortly after we left walking back to our house, I threw up everywhere!! Never again will I ask for seconds!!

On a better note, yesterday I had the opportunity to baptize Alexa Samantha Vasquez Montoya. It was a great experience and such a good feeling. She is 8 years old and lives with her mom (Lydia) and brother (Alex). They are a great family and Elder Rincon and I love visiting them. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be out here on a mission and serving the people! Time is going to fast! 

 

Week Nine. Juarez, Mexico.

Week Nine: What a Great Week!

This week has been no different from the others, still blazing hot, still defending myself against the dogs, still trying to learn this Spanish language, but most importantly meeting GREAT PEOPLE! Every single person have their own story, problems, and compassion.  Even though at times I cant fully understand their words or stories, I am always able to understand the universal language of love.

I have came to understand that you do not need to fully understand an individuals words to feel their love and compassion. It is a special kind of connection that I cannot put into words.

I want to share a scripture in Matthew 5:14-15. Now really pay attention to the words. It says "Ye are the LIGHT of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house." We all contain the Light of Christ and we need to let it shine! The World is cruel and corrupt place, but I challenge all of us, including myself to love and serve everyone, and i mean EVERYONE. While Jesus lived on this Earth, he served everyone. He did not shy away from the sinners, he simply loved everyone. I promise as you start to put others before yourself, you will see that god will bless you and your own life will indeed improve. 

I love my mission and love the people here. I am having my first baptism this week which is super exciting! Anyways, always praying for you and hoping the best for you all. 

Love, Elder Gibson

Week Eight. Juarez, Mexico.

Week Eight: IT'S HOT

I have to start out by saying that it is so hot here... EVERY SINGLE DAY. This week every day was in the 100s. I am seriously dying. However, Elder Rincon and I have had alot of success this week with finding 22 new investigators! I am starting to get into the rhythm of things around here.

However, we still dont have hot water or electricity it has been a good week! The members here are feeding me super well. However, they make me eat the peppers and chiles which I hate! Way to hot. Anyways, I went on exchanges this week with Elder Macias (From Mexico City) and he is a super funny guy! Learned alot from him and we had a good time!

I am so thankful for the opportunity to be serving the people here in Jaurez. They are very open about talking about anything! Many people with crazy and interesting life stories. At times it is super to understand some peoples spanish, but each day I learn a little more. I have had some cool experiences where I am able to speak good spanish without thinking about it, words just come to me and I know that that is only through the power of god! Lastly, I want to talk about the dogs.. There so many dogs here, and for some reason, they dont like white people. And come to think of it I am the only white person in this city!! These dogs are going to be the death of me!

Anyways, hope you all are doing good and have a great spring break!!! Praying for you all!

Love, Elder Gibson 

P.S. I really am sorry for the bad spelling

 

Week 6. CCM. Week 7. Juarez, Mexico

Week 6: (his last week in the MTC, which we are assuming was wonderful).
Jared was busy traveling to Monterrey and then to his new area. He only had a few minutes to send out an email while at the mission home to let us know that he arrived. He left us wondering all week where he was!

Fam!
I made it to Monterrey! It is a lot warmer and more clean here. Big difference from Mexico City to here. Anyways I dont know who my companion is yet or what area I am serving in, I find out tomorrow. Mission President is super cool! I dont have much time and i cant upload pictures today, but know that I love you all! It kinda sucks right now because it feels like my first day at the MTC kind of overwhelming but im sure it will get better. I think i will be emailing Mondays now, I am keeping you in my prayers hopefully my first week in the camp goes well! Ill send alot of pictures next Monday!

Love, Elder Gibson

Week 7: Primera Semana en el Campo!

Well I made it to Monterrey safely last week without any complication. I got assigned to serve in an area called Juarez. Juarez is a very poor city outside of Monterrey. In fact, my apartment has no lights, power, drinking water, or hot water. Oh do I miss the USA 😂. I actually have to washing my clothes by hand.. I actually feel like Joseph Smith translating the Book of Mormon with the candlesticks all lit up! However, I really do enjoy my area thusfar . The members are super cool and make some bomb Mexican food. In church they asked me to give a 10 minute talk in sacrament in SPANISH! I was super nervous because i had no preparation, but it turned out to be alright. We ride the bus everywhere and I havent been able to sit down on the bus yet because there are always so many people on the bus, I can barely even breathe. It is so hot here, I am literally melting in the sun here. We are able to wear sombreros though so i have totally been wearing one, I look like some kind of country singer haha!  All the young kids here love to call me Canelo Alvarez, which is pretty funny.

My new companion is Elder Rincon, he is from Mexico City and is a pretty cool guy! He has helping me out alot with my Spanish. He is a convert to the church and has a cool story! I am super thankful for him! I still cant understand 100 percent Spanish yet because they use alot of slang here that isnt actually a real word! Very Difficult! However each day gets better.

I was going crazy without working out so I made my own weights... I had to improvise! I hope that you are all doing good! I am enjoying myself and love being in the service of God! I think I am having a baptism in 2 weeks which is going to be super cool, Im super excited for that! I already love the people here! I am sorry if i mispell things because they dont have spellcheak for english here, so i am struggling! Praying for you all!

Love, Elder Gibson

He is ready.

My mom received a text from someone yesterday, Sunday March 12. 

Jared and his companion. 

The text read, Leaving tonight. So excited to get to Monterrey!

We don't know who it is from but it is always good to see and hear from him!!