Still in Shock

Date: October 12, 2015
Week: 68 Otavalo, Ecuador
Companion: Elder Blas/ Lima, Peru
Colton's Address:
Quito Ecuador North Mission
Francisco Robles E-4 151 Av Amazonas
Edificio Iglesia de Jesucristo
Quito, Ecuador
Email Address: ronald.kimball@myldsmail.net

Trying to get a good pic with these little Otavalans
Otavalo, Ecuador October 2015

Cute little Otavalan girl
Otavalo, Ecuador October 2015

Well let me start this letter off by saying I am in shock and let me tell you why:
So this past week was great. President Richardson sent me a letter basically saying to find my reason why I am still in Agato. So that was a little scary... My Zone Leader, Elder James came and did divisions with me in Agato. (Has anyone else noticed that I never leave the sector on divisions?) Elder James and I were having great divisions and I had a feeling to go and visit Jorge Mafla. So we decided to go and see how he was.

He was really excited to see us and asked if we would be able to share something. Well we were able to share something with him and he was receiving everything well when finally I was impressed to ask if he knew the church was true. He told me that he believed so. I then asked him. How he thought he believed he could come closer to God? He told me how he wanted to keep going to church and that that would help him. I then asked... how do you believe you can promise to God that you will keep His commandments? And then probably one of the greatest moments in my mission happened. He realized what he needed to do and all he said was "Me toca hacer un convenio". (I need to make a covenant.)

Where we get our clothes laundered.
Otavalo, Ecuador October 2015

After all these months I asked myself why? Why did God need Hermano Jorge to wait so long to finally decide to be baptized? I thought that I was doing something wrong. That maybe I had failed with my dear friend Jorge Mafla but then I read in Mosiah 7:
 3 And it came to pass that on the morrow they started to go up, having with them one Ammon, he being a strong and mighty man, and a descendant of Zarahemla; and he was also their leader.
 4 And now, they knew not the course they should travel in the wilderness to go up to the land of Lehi-Nephi; therefore they wandered many days in the wilderness, even forty days did they wander.
At this point I was wondering why the Lord made them wander for so long. They did nothing wrong. They were with Ammon who is a rightous man. I kept reading:
7 And behold, they met the king of the people who were in the land of Nephi, and in the land of Shilom; and they were surrounded by the king’s guard, and were taken, and were bound, and were committed to prison.
8 And it came to pass when they had been in prison two days they were again brought before the king, and their bands were loosed; and they stood before the king, and were permitted, or rather commanded, that they should answer the questions which he should ask them.
Well dang they got thrown in prison...WHY!? They did nothing wrong they were just following orders and now they are going to get bossed around by this king fool. Well I went on:
10 And now, I desire to know the cause whereby ye were so bold as to come near the walls of the city, when I, myself, was with my guards without the gate?
11 And now, for this cause have I suffered that ye should be preserved, that I might inquire of you, or else I should have caused that my guards should have put you to death. Ye are permitted to speak.
Well at least he gave them permission to speak. Alright Ammon lets see what you have to say? I am sure you are furious after so many days of walking and being thrown in prison for absolutly nothing!
12 And now, when Ammon saw that he was permitted to speak, he went forth and bowed himself before the king; and rising again he said: O king, I am very thankful before God this day that I am yet alive, and am permitted to speak; and I will endeavor to speak with boldness;
Well I closed the book and just thought. Why? Ammon you just got done walking around for no reason and God is no where to be found and yet you thank the king for allowing you to speak and thank God  for delivering you out of bondage. Like what...

When I hide the corn she gave me in my backpack and she brings out more...
Otavalo, Ecuador October 2015

Well I took Ammon's advice and President Richardson's by being thankful in times of trial. I know that if I hadn't had done so Hermano Jorge would not be planning to be baptized this Saturday. I was literally guided by the Spirit that I can't remember or recount all the things that were said that day.

Jorge asked if a Saturday he could be baptized. My jaw dropped and I quickly tried to remember the date of next Saturday. We asked him if the 17th would be alright and the rest is history. He attended church the next day and he gave a tearfilled testimony during one of the classes. I know that even through trails and times of confusion we must trust in God and be thankful for the time he gives us to learn. I don't know what else can be clearer than this...
33 But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.

Friends and Family, I know that this is the true church. We all go through hard times. We all wander in the wilderness for 40 days and look up to God asking "Where art thou?"But if we put are trust in Him, we will be delivered out of bondage. Jorge Mafla will be baptized this Saturday and we will literally be seeing the hand of God working here in Agato. All the while I am still in shock...
Elder Kimball

Walking the streets of Otavalo
Otavalo, Ecuador October 2015

Bailey- I love you more than you know and hope you are making right choices!
Clay- Looks like you are having fun and I hope you are being an example of Christ in school.
Lexi- You told me to write you a long letter and so I will try to put as many words as I can in this little letter. Just kidding! I love you sweetie and I am sorry mom forgot the sunscreen when you went to the lake today. Your life sounds so hard!
Leah- That stinks your team still hasn't won! Totally forgot about your birthday coming up! Crazy how fast time flies!
Bella- Looks like you had fun with your cousins! How's school going? Hope you are being nice to the other kids!
Collins- Just keep sleeping in that carseat! You live the life of an actual princess...
Capri- Welcome to the fam! Your first lake trip of many many more!
Mom- I hope you are fine at home! Keep being the great mom that you are and I wish you didn't miss me so much;)
Dad- Thanks for the letter...(obvious sarcasm) I love ya dad and hope you travel safe this week. You really need to find where Jimmer will be attending chruch. Please send a Jimmer Spurs jersey....Love ya!
Elder Kimball