Week 8: Mountains and Mighty Miracles (with pictures!)

Elder Lewis didn't have a whole lot of time to talk this week, so here are some great details he sent us and some amazing pictures of his P-Day activities:


- Colombian spanish is kinda weird. We do use the "j"sound. Por ejemplo: Como se llama? is pronounced 'como se jama.' It's not a hard j sound, but yes. Also, there is a bit of slang, but nothing compared to Mexico! We use "chevre" as a word like "cool." "Vaina" is used to describe "that thing." Que Vaina means 'what the freak?" haha It's weird, but not nearly as weird as the coast speakers! That's called Castello, and that's hard spanish to understand!


-Ya I've actually talked to Elder Pace! He's here in Bucaramanga, but he's in the other zone. Also, Elder Zuniga was companions with Landon Cornwall, and in the same house as Pace, so he actually knows quite a bit about Bear River and all of that!


- (Talking about essential oils) I use all of them pretty frequently! I use wake up a lot, also tranquility, lavender, deeper, whispering hope the last few days, and some others. I don't think I'll be out of any for a bit, I have a couple of them that are about 1/4 or halfway gone.


- You have no idea how much I'd love to have Cici come to Colombia! Actually, probably not because it's not really, well... safe? But it just kinda makes my heart happy to know that she remembers me!


- I recieved pictures of everyones desfrases! As Grandpa would say, they were 'Smashing!' Andy e-mailed me with some of theirs too! Que Chevre!


- Mike, I sure do love him. He is my best friend, and I miss him something terribly.
From his letter to me: 

Haha I wish Cici could come here too! well... maybe not... it's not... safe? haha but it makes my heart happy to know that she remembers Uncle Jared! Cool experience for you: We were teaching Alfonzo, a less active, when his dog would not shut up! It was a big dog named "Simba." It was important that we have the spirit there as we were at a critical juncture with Alfonzo and his progress in reading the scriptures. As Simba ran past me, I felt the spirit, reached out my hand, touched the dog, and the words "be still" came into my mind and out my mouth. He growled a bit, and then layed down right there and went to sleep. The priesthood is real, and we are able to do amazing things through him, for the benefit of His children. So awesome! Alfonzo is doing very well!

Image one: Went ziplining in the Andes on top of a mountain top amusement park! We rode a cable car for 30 minutes just to get there! We were standing above the clouds! So cool! The park is called Chicamocha!

Go karting at Chicamocha! Conrad, you would love this! They put you in a little one seater, and say go! It's a sweet mountain track and I got air several times! (yes, it is allowed by mission rules! haha)

The cable car descending into the clouds! This was so cool! This area isn't jungle because of the elevation, but it is VERY green and beautiful! Lot's of mountain goats!

Below is an awesome experience that Elder Lewis had this past week that he sent to Dad:

My Companion and I were teaching a kid that struggles believing in God because of "science." We taught a good lesson, and then I asked him how he felt on his baptismal day. He said he didn't feel anything. The spirit was very strong, and my companion told Andres he was lying to us. Wow. After, I asked him how he knew, and he said right then that even though we'd never met with him before, that he knew everything about him. He saw him on his baptismal day, crying. I get chills even when i tell you this. This gift is real, and we seem to be having lot's of power house lessons with it. I just hope that i'm worthy of such a spirit all of the time, and that as i pray and work, that i can be like Elder Zuniga. So cool. 

Week 7: Colombia- beautiful, new, and humbling experiences.

Hola everyone! 

I am now in Bucaramanga. It is a sizeable city situated in the jungle of Colombia. It is hot, and humid most of the time, but right now it just rained, so it's a bit better! The city is kinda gross in some parts with garbage piled high in the streets, but other's are very beautiful! Our apartment is not the nicest, But, compared to some homes, it is a suite! However, there are also lots of nice places around here. All the shops and restaurants are tiny, but the food is SO good. We eat lunch with members almost every day, and man... It's good! Outside the city in a place called Monte Villa, kinda out in the jungle, There are some way nice homes, and we ate there a couple of times this week. The water is clean in Bogota and Bucaramanga, so I am still going strong!

-Metrolinea: the bus system exclusive to Bucaramanga, and the scariest, but also funnest experience of my life! Colombian drivers are crazy!  But it's never boring haha!

- I've done an insane amount of walking this week. Eventually my legs will not feel like theyre going to fall off... eventually.

-Colombian money is not worth anything. I pay about 7,500 pesos for some empanadas. 

- Spanish has been very humbling. I can speak half decently, but sometimes people would talk to me y yo no entendi nada! 

      

     Now all joking aside, I am very humbled and very grateful for this opportunity. Some people live in pretty dire straights, and some pretty mixed  up positions. But My testimony is this: That I know that Jesus Christ lives. That He call heal any wound, if we can find it in us to leave our vices, our addictions, and our pride, and come to Him with broken heart and contrite spirit. I don't mean to sound repetitive, but it is true. This is the Gospel of the one true Savior, and it really heals real wounds. His love is infinite. The Book of Mormon is another Testament of His divinity, This, combined with the bible, and modernday revelation, is a guide to our lives, a precious gift. Therein, lies healing. Please pray for me, my awesome companion Elder Zuñiga, and the wonderful people of Colombia. 

Sin chistes, tengo mucho humilde y estoy muy agradecido por este oportunidad. Alguien están muy pobre, y son confuzado, algo veces. Perro este es me testimonio: Yo se que Jesucristo vive. Que Su iglesia, si, su palabra y evangelio fue restaurado. El Libro De Mormon es su palabra, y tiene la plenitud de su evangelio. Este, con la biblia junto, y revelación personal, es un guía por nuestras vidas. Un don muy precioso.

Elder J. Lewis

Elder Lewis and Maestro Ordonez at the CCM in Mexico, Maestro Ordonez is, according to Jared, a very wise and funny teacher. 

A parrot in Bucaramonga that Elder Lewis says "speaks better Spanish than I do!" 

From his letter to Mom: 

Hola Madre! Como le va? You should send me pictures of everyones costumes!  Calle 7, 14-10 Floridablanca Bucaramanga Santander, Colombia is my address. I asked my Comp and he said that things shouldn't take terribly long to get here. So you talked with Pres. Laney? Isn't he great? Imagine the nicest person on the earth, and then make him twice as nice and 5 times as wise and that person is President Laney. Hermana Laney is so funny too! Her brownies are TO DIE for. 

         I have SO much to tell you! First off, I am safe and sound. The city is such a crazy new experience! I'm understanding about 25 percent of what I hear, and the Latins say I speak like I've been here for months! But it still kinda stinks to sit in a family's living room and everyone's laughing because of something I couldn't understand. Irronically, however, I am learning to be happy! I am learning much spanish and how to laugh at myself a bit! I'm finding that I have to make a conscious effort to be happy, and it is wonderful!...

 I just want you and Dad to know how much I love and appreciate everything you've worked to hard to give and teach me. Here in Colombia, morals are a pretty huge problem. I've seen incredibly sad things due to people not having been taught to have integrity or morals really. However, that makes our message so very sweet. The Savior is all powerful, and this message of His can heal any wound. His grace is sufficent. I love you all very much and am grateful for what I have. I am very humbled and hope to remain that way, because of the miracles I've seen. Gracias, eternalmente.

From his letter to me: 

Bucaramanga is amazing! Ive gained a very new perspective, including new empathy for Conrad. I really like fried plantanes now, and I'm in a city, but the surrounding areas I've been to are JUNGLE. Our apartment is a DUMP. But compared to some of the houses I've taught in, it's the nicest mansion in the world. I'll attach a few images and things, but it sufficeth me to say, that I've seen wealth in some parts and absolute poverty in others. These people have nothing. It makes my heart hurt. But, I love them, and this message and these people in the Bucarica ward are amazing, and can help them. 

Week 6: Bienvenidos a Colombia! and a little language laughter ;)

Elder Lewis is in Colombia! Here is the letter from his Presidente and Hermana Laney.

Elder Lewis is the furthest back on the left

Letter from Mission President, also check out the mission blog!

A handwritten letter from Elder Lewis. A translation is provided below if you cant read it ;) 

Hola! I have arrived safe and sound in Bogota! I met with my mission president and he is amazing! I have a deep respect for him, and Hermana Laney. Bogota is beautiful! The first night I stayed with the office missionaries in the nicest apartment in the mission, where I was assured that I would not ever have such a nice apartment. They got it by a freak off-chance. It was great! I am now bidding a sad goodbye to my great friends from the CCM. I am going to a different area then all of them. 

My new area is... Bucaramonga! My comp is a Chilean named Elder Zunega. Not a lick of English. I dont have much time, so i want you to know how much I love you all. Sorry we got cut off at the airport! It was so good to hear your voices (at 4 am) 

Ustedes me amo! 

your faithful son, 

Elder Jared M. Lewis

****READ IF YOU NEED A LAUGH: As we were reading this message, we got to the end and noticed that the Spanish seemed a little off. Jared's brother-in-law, Conrad, speaks Spanish and immediately began to die of laughter because.... 

"Ustedes me amo" translates to: "You guys, I love myself!" LOL oops! 

Major Update from Jessica: Elder Lewis took off for Colombia early this morning. He called Mom and Dad at 4:30am and they said that he sounded great and is doing well. He landed safely in Bogota this afternoon! 

Week 5: Saying goodbye to Mexico and the CCM

Hola! 

Last week in CCM! This place has been amazing, and I've had so many wonderful experiences, gained many life long friends, and seen the hand of the Lord in all of it! It's bitter sweet, but I'm excited for the field!

- I'm leaving with the 7 other Elders headed for Bogota at 3:30 in the morning on monday! I'm the travel leader, so I'm responsible to make sure they get there in order without doing anything stupid! Fun fact: I was told very emphatically that I was not to let them preach or read Preach My Gospel at the airports as we could all get arrested! Fun stuff!

-Bonnie L Oscarson of the Gen Young Womens presidency vistited CCM this week, and everyone was so excited!

-Mexico City air has been the worst this week! I miss fresh Utah air! 

In closing, I'll send some spanish.

Dios es nuestro amoroso padre celestial. El quiere bendice nosotros, pero, necesitamos guardar Sus mandemientos para recibir Sus bendiciones.

From Mexico for the last time,

Elder Lewis

The next post refers to Jared's maternal grandfather, who passed away on Oct 18,2006. This week marks ten years since his passing. We love and miss him and his wisdom every day. 

Haha ya! I actually realized halfway through they day that it was the ten year mark. I felt sad at first, but then reflected on the last time I went and visited him the saturday before he passed away. I was filled with a deep feeling as the spirit testified to me that ten years to the day, I am doing exactly what i promised him I would do that day, and he is very proud of me. I am filled with the same feeling now. I still feel close to him.

Week 4: Leading and Learning the way (and pictures)

Hola!

Curve Ball! Este semana en la CCM fue un poco differente! Elder Nielson and I were made Zone Leaders this week, which is an amazing opportunity to pay forward the love I felt from Elder Lemon and Elder Kesler in the last 4 weeks. Now I get to serve and love like they did, and it's so cool! 

The weather here in Mexico has cooled off a bit this week, which is nice!
I'm sorry about the shortness of this one, but i want to send pictures, so I'm going to have to make the next one longer! 

Yo appredido este semana que este mission no es para a mi. Estoy aqui para servir en la vina de El Senor!

From his email to me: 

Tell Jayson hi for me, and I hope he's doing well! I'm beginning to see why coming home is hard. The spirit here is guiding me all the time! I know how Cici feels. We watched The Testaments on Sunday night and I sat there trying not to, but when he was crucified, it came in heaving sobs. I have had some experiences where in my mind's eye, I can see him suffering in the garden, and my spirit feels heavy for him. How unfair it was, but I know that with His stripes, we are healed. 

His email to mom:

your son is a Zone Leader! This was quite a curveball, as we figured the guys that were more experienced DL's would be it, but we got called out in priesthood meeting. I love this calling because my job is to Love my district, help them seek Christ, and organize sunday meetings. There is more  to it than that, but that's the essence of it! The ZL's before us are amazing. They left on monday, but they a huge part of the reason I'm doing as well as I am. They are the personification of just loving someone. When i met our new district we got today, and stood in front of them in a classroom and told them "We love you guys," I felt my Savior's love. The first week at the CCM is hard, and I am so happy that i get to pay forward the help that I got. Please pray for me in this new calling, as I feel the sacredness of the small, but meaningfull responsibility. 

There werent any explanations that came with the pictures, but from what I can tell, these are views in and around the Mexico CCM (MTC) 

Week 3: working, laughing, and parrots

Hey Everyone!

This week flew by, as we celebrated our half way mark in the CCM! This week was full of spiritual felicity and much joy in the service of my Savior. But first, the stuff I know you read the blog for: The funny stuff!

1. Yesterday, We woke up to screams in the next room. When we went to investigate, we found that there was a moth in room 3 in the shower. Moths aren't scary. Unless of course they're wingspan is about eight and a half inches. This was one of those. I call them Bat Moths, because in the dark, you can't tell the difference. Elder Tracy bravely threw a plunger at it from across the room and ran away haha! 

2. Elder Blair and Elder Karren were walking to the Thomas S. Monson building when it started to rain. That is until they discovered it was parrot crap. Yup. That was funny!

I wish I had time to say more, but I'll end with my message in Spanish:

Nuestro mensaje es un mensaje muy felicimente. Yo se que mediante fe en Jesucristo, puedemos hacer los todos cosas. Este evangelio es un evangelio de las familias eternas. Si tiene usted un deseo de hacer un cambia en su vida, recibir paz y consuelo, este mensaje es para usted. Es para los todos hijos de Dios. Yo se que, sin dudo, Dios nos ama, y El deseo que nosotros regresar, con nuestros familias, a viviamos con El. Este doctrina is verdadero. 

Moroni 10:3-5

Elder J Martin Lewis.

A little more spiritual wisdom this week from his letter to Mom
Dear Mom, i can't tell you how happy it makes me that you are doing missionary work! My heart is very full, because I have such a righteous mother. I've learned many things here, but the thing that ive learned most of all is that sharing the truth of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ can only be done one way: in love, patience, and charity. I love  you so much Mom! I feel the spirit very strongly right now. I want to share with you an experience Elder Nielson and I had. We were caught off guard when we found that at 5:15 yesterday, we were teaching an investigator (our Maestro posing as ''Ricardo", a man who is investigating the church in search of guidance in his life) We realized we were teaching this at 5:10. I felt nervous, but then came to my mind a scripture I had read earlier that day. So we taught, and asked him questions, and discussed with him the guidance that comes through the Doctrine of Christ. We invited him to be baptized. He said yes. After we said the prayer, and the feedback started, Maestro Ordonez looked at us with tears in his eyes and said "I was going to say no, but the Holy Ghost stopped me. I felt like the only answer I could say was yes." I must tell you, that this was one of the defining moments so far in my experience here. When we study under the direction of the Spirit, and write down our thoughts, and ponder them, God blesses us so abundantly. Mom, There is no greater act of love than that which you are doing for Teri. Whether she accepts it or not is up to her, but you will be blessed greatly for your effort, and your charity. I love you so much. I know these things to be true. Jesus Christ is my Savior, and I know that this mission, serving Him, is the greatest thing I can do. It has broken my heart of stone repeatedly, and continues to do so, but always replaces it with a more loving, Christ-like one. He is so good, and I am getting to know him more and more every day. I'm stubborn, and it has brought me very low, but that's when i get to know him!

For Grandma Davis and Grandpa Lewis:
I'll pray for Grandma every day. Faith works miracles, I want her to know that! I love her very much.

Thank you all for the package and the letters, My room mates and I really enjoyed it all! (I reserved the Dr. Pepper for myself though, Grandpa!) 

over the past few years, Aunt Bonnie and myself have been working on transcribing my Grandpa Davis' journals. Jared was given a copy of his mission journal, transcribed by Bonnie, to take with him. I am glad to know that he is finding strength in it. Here is what he says: 

By the way, something interesting happened. My room mates have been reading grandpa's mission journal, ever since I read them the preface! We all gain a lot of strength and wisdom and hope from his experiences! He had some crazy one's, didn't he?!

His letter to Rebekah:
Bekah!
Here at the CCM (Centro de Capacitacion Misional) We only have one Tienda (Store) They sell a lot of cool things, as well as treats and drinks and supplies! The Mexico City temple was BEAUTIFUL! I'm acutally going again in about an hour! There are lots of cool things in it, its kinda built like a lamanite temple! There are lots of mosquitoes here, but there are also spiders, and what I call 'Mothbats." They are about the size of my handspan! HUGE! I'll send a funny story about one on the blog:)
Love you Boo!
Jared