New area

Dear Family and friends,

As some of you may know, I am now in a new area which is really close to my old area. I am in Gamarra and just over the hill on the other side is my old area in Covida. My new companion is Hermana Aliaga from Argentina. She is an angel. I have never met a more perfect sister missionary. I really feel like every single one of my companions has been one of the absolute best in the mission.

I am a little bit nervous too because the stake where I am in, Trebol had a reputation for disobedience and not baptizing. Our Mission president told our zone leaders and district leaders that he put the best missionaries in the mission in this area because he is sick of the reputation and he wants to see a change.

When we were told this all of us felt a little humbled. We felt this responsibilty to do our absolute best. I miss the people in my old area, but I love everyone I am meeting in my new ward. Everyone is so willing to help, to invite others to activities and give references.

We are teaching a family that was testigo de jehova antes. With time they stopped going to their church. Their parents divorced, and their father moved to another area. He eventually was baptized. I love visiting his kids and grandkids because all of them say they can feel something that they cant describe when we come into their house and teach them. We explain that it is the Spirit and how it testifies of truth.

I was talking to my companion about how we write our families and she said something that made me rethink how I would write you all. She always specifically writes down the names of the people so that her family can pray for them. I always thought that we werent allowed to, but we can really as long as we dont share last names and give out any other personal information like where they live etc. I thought before that I didnt really want to write you all about these people because maybe you wouldnt understand. But I can promise you that every single person I am teaching has become my life. Every thought and every waking moment.. and sometimes in my sleep, I dream and I worry and I pray about these people. They are so important to me.
Please, if you can, please pray for Patrick, Steven, Victor, .. that they can be comforted and that their testimony in God can be strengthened. Pray for Fiorella that she can have the courage to separate from her boyfriend who doesnt even really like her so that she can keep the commandments and be baptized. Please pray for Maria and Diana and Caleb, that Maria will have the strength to quit smoking, and that they will read the scriptures every day. Please pray for Paul that his heart can be softened so that he will be ready to change and want to change so when he prays to God he does it with real intent. Most of all please pray for all of them that they will be protected from the adversary. Please pray for Gian that his family will be able to be sealed in the temple.

Thank you so much for your prayers!!!

Love Always,
Hermana Bendixen