Priesthood Power

Date: January 25, 2016
Week: 83 Cangahua, Ecuador
Companion: Elder Moreira/ Quevedo Ecuador
Colton's Address:
Quito Ecuador North Mission
Francisco Robles E-4 151 Av Amazonas
Edificio Iglesia de Jesucristo

Quito Ecuador

Fabian and the "Bros."
Cangahua, Ecuador January 2016

Fabian and all his family members that are members
Cangahua, Ecuador January 2016

We are goofs!
Cangahua, Ecuador January 2016

Fabian, His family, and his boss
Cangahua, Ecuador January 2016

This week was exciting. We were able to have the baptism of Fabian. It was great. He bore his testimony saying how he had the goal to be sealed with his family and the spirit was just so strong. On Sunday, he was interviewed to recieve the priesthood. 

Elder Moreira decided that he could clip eyebrows. He really can't though. Good thing I didn't let him take a razor to my brows or else the same thing that happened to my hair would have had happened to my eyebrows. 

Elder Moreira clipping eyebrows
Cangahua, Ecuador January 2016

The district!
Cangahua, Ecuador January 2016

We had changes yesterday and we were pretty happy to find out that Elder Moreira and I were staying together another change (6 weeks). As we were heading back to the apartment after recieving the changes Elder Moreira told me that his stomach was hurting. I gave him some pills and he went right to bed. Next thing you know I'm being woken up at 1 in the morning to crying and moaning. I try and figure out what's happening to the poor elder. All he would say is that he needed to go to the hospital. I weighed my options and after about an hour of pure moaning. I decided to go the Yepez home who live really close to us. Nothing better than knocking on a members home at 2 in the morning. They calmed my companion down with some weird drink stuff. I called the nurse and Elder Perry to see what we should do, but neither of them answered. We finally returned back to the house because he starts feeling a little better. After about thirty minutes of sleep, he wakes up again and the moaning continues. I finally realize that I should offer him a priesthood blessing. After the blessing he just laid his head down on his desk and didn't make a sound. I thought he might have died, but I realized that he just went right to sleep. He didn't wake up until the morning. We called the nurse and he had to go get a blood test today. They are checking if it's just an infection or he has to get his appendix removed. 

Me and the Kid (Elder Moreira)
Cangahua, Ecuador January 2016

Being part of that little blessing reminded me of a little story Thomas S. Monson once told:

My brethren of the priesthood—from the youngest to the oldest—are you living your life in accordance with that which the Lord requires? Are you worthy to bear the priesthood of God? If you are not, make the decision here and now, muster the courage it will take, and institute whatever changes are necessary so that your life is what it should be. To sail safely the seas of mortality, we need the guidance of that eternal mariner—even the great Jehovah. If we are on the Lord’s errand, we are entitled to the Lord’s help.
His help has come to me on countless occasions throughout my life. During the final phases of World War II, I turned 18 and was ordained an elder—one week before I departed for active duty with the navy. A member of my ward bishopric was at the train station to bid me farewell. Just before train time, he placed in my hand a book which I hold before you tonight. Its title: The Missionary’s Hand Book. I laughed and commented, “I’ll be in the navy—not on a mission.” He answered, “Take it anyway. It may come in handy.”
It did. During basic training our company commander instructed us concerning how we might best pack our clothing in a large seabag. He then advised, “If you have a hard, rectangular object you can place in the bottom of the bag, your clothes will stay more firm.” I thought, “Where am I going to find a hard, rectangular object?” Suddenly I remembered just the right rectangular object—The Missionary’s Hand Book. And thus it served for 12 weeks at the bottom of that seabag.
The night preceding our Christmas leave, our thoughts were, as always, on home. The barracks were quiet. Suddenly I became aware that my buddy in the adjoining bunk—a member of the Church, Leland Merrill—was moaning in pain.

I asked, “What’s the matter, Merrill?”
He replied, “I’m sick. I’m really sick.”
I advised him to go to the base dispensary, but he answered knowingly that such a course would prevent him from being home for Christmas. I then suggested he be quiet so that we didn’t awaken the entire barracks.
The hours lengthened; his groans grew louder. Then, in desperation, he whispered, “Monson, aren’t you an elder?” I acknowledged this to be so, whereupon he pleaded, “Give me a blessing.”
I became very much aware that I had never given a blessing. I had never received such a blessing; I had never witnessed a blessing being given. My prayer to God was a plea for help. The answer came: “Look in the bottom of the seabag.” Thus, at 2:00 a.m. I emptied on the deck the contents of the bag. I then took to the night-light that hard, rectangular object, The Missionary’s Hand Book, and read how one blesses the sick. With about 120 curious sailors looking on, I proceeded with the blessing. Before I could stow my gear, Leland Merrill was sleeping like a child.
The next morning, Merrill smilingly turned to me and said, “Monson, I’m glad you hold the priesthood!” His gladness was only surpassed by my gratitude—gratitude not only for the priesthood but for being worthy to receive the help I required in a time of desperate need and to exercise the power of the priesthood.

I know that priesthood power is real! I know that we as children of God can be blessed by it. Sorry for such the lame letter but with not much sleep, it was hard to just get out a couple words.

I love you all and wish you the best!

Elder Kimball

P.S Happy Birthday Bella! I love you   

Our study in our apartment
Cangahua, Ecuador January 2016

We actually made our beds!
Cangahua, Ecuador January 2016

Our bathroom
Cangahua, Ecuador January 2016

Our kitchen
Cangahua, Ecuador January 2016

I Have A Dream

Date: January 18, 2016
Week: 82 Cangahua, Ecuador
Companion: Elder Moreira/ Quevedo Ecuador
Colton's Address:
Quito Ecuador North Mission
Francisco Robles E-4 151 Av Amazonas
Edificio Iglesia de Jesucristo
Quito Ecuador

The "Where's Waldo" photo of Colton's area
Ecuador, January 2015

Being Martin Luther King Day, I thought it would be fit to honor the name of this email in honor of him. I guess you could say I have a dream too.

Ever since being born into the Kimball family, my goal has been to go on a mission. I rememeber making that goal with myself, before I even had the opportunity to be baptized. When the opportunity came to be baptized, I rememeber walking to the pond, in Windcrest, with my mom and dad, and probably other little kids on a Sunday afternoon. I asked my dad what would happen if I didn't get baptized. My dad then asked if I wanted to live with God. I of course said yes. My dad responded saying well if you don't get baptized you'll live in heck. (Of course living in Texas, he didn't use those exact words). Obviously, I chose to choose the right.

As time went on my goal still held firm but I had to live according to the goal I had made. There were bumps in the road and I hadn't made all the correct choices but I continued with that goal in my mind. And then the mic was dropped, when President Monson annouced the eligible missionary age had been dropped, and I had the ooportunity to serve at age 18. I rememeber that day vert clearly. I was driving home and my Nana sent me a text message congratualating me on this wonderful opportunity. (No text messages were read while driving). I immediatly felt a deep warm spirit just come over me. I had felt so happy and joyous knowing that I was part of the Lord hastening of his work. I also felt a year of my life just slip away as I was that much closer to my goal.

Next thing you know I have my mission call from Church HQ and I'm saying to myself anywhere but South America. But I had known that I was chosen to serve in Ecuador before I had even come to this earth. Now I'm sitting next to my mother in a mexican taxi on my way to the new church missionary training center. She asked if I was going to cry, and me being me I said heck no, but inside I honestly didn't know if I would.

Taking pictures with my mom and dad and saying goodbye at the Mexico City MTC will be something that I will never forget but since that moment I haven't looked back. Having that goal to be a missionary for The Chruch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was a blessing. And now while actually living it,  it is just wonderful. I love this opprtunity to serve here and it will be something that I will never forget.  Even though it's hard and there are times where I am looking down more than up I remember that I have been called by a prophet of God. I know what I'm doing is truly His work, that this is true.

Having opportunity to help a man who has listened to the missionaries for more that 15 years finally decide to be baptized is wonderful. Fabian, I am sure has had many prayers offered for him, whether it be from his wife, his daughters, or even the missionaries that have taught him all  of his life. To be a witness of those prayers finally being answered is honestly an experience that I can't even describe.

Fabian passed his baptismal interview last week and will be entering the waters of baptism this Saturday. He invited Elder Moreira and I to come back to Ecuador in one yar from that date and be part of his sealing with his family for the eternities. Guys, I honestly try so hard to make these letters as close to the real thing, but I can't describe the way you feel when someone asks you to be a part of that. I can't describe the feeling you get when you rememeber being taught in primary that families can be together forever, and then you help someone realize that and they choose to accept that blessing from God. It's  something that can't be put into words.

Elder Godoy, his wife and Hermana and Presidente Richardson
Ecuador, January 2015

To keep moving on... the Spirit that was felt this week was also felt by the opportunity our mission had to have Elder Carlos A. Godoy of the Seventy visit us. What a powerful speaker! He started off by showing us a picture of a little brazilian boy with long brown hair dancing at a church activity. With tears in his eyes, at this point in time the boy was only 16 years-old. He asked if that boy looked like he could recieve the gospel? He continued sharing that the boy had been invited to a little church activity. As the boy walked into the gym, there were a circle of chairs witha young people playing a game. The boy was shocked to see how much fun these people were having with just a little game.

As the boy was walking out with his sister, two sister missionaries were by the door asking if they would like to learn more about the church. As the sisters finally got to the boys sister, thay asked her and she politely said no and walked right on out. They then asked him if he would like to listen. They asked the boy with long brown hair who was breaking most commandments of God, and looked like never in a million years that he would recieve the gospel. Elder Godoy then expressed that to this day the boys sister has yet to let the missionaries teach her, but the little boy was now a member of the Quorum of the Seventy. Elder Godoy was that little boy. He was baptized one month later and that he was the only one.

The sister missionaries were transferred two weeks after that, and he was totally alone. Just a boy with long brown hair sitting in the back of the sacrament room. To see Elder Godoy in person and that photo, I can say that I was absolutely shocked. To see that just a boy who could have easily been lost in the church was now a member of the Seventy. Wow just wow! He later told us that he was able to find those sister missionaries. They did not remember him at first but I'm sure they remember  him now. Elder Godoy was able to reactivate one of the sister missionaries that taught him, and was able to seal for time and eternity the son of the other sister missionary. The little boy with brown hair sealed the son of one of the missionaries that taught him and reactivate the other!

Now to share one more experience, that I feel needs sharing. Elder Moreira and I were heading to lunch and our mamita told us that there wasn't a man in the house and we wouldn't be able to eat inside. She said we could take the food with us and eat in our house. Since we didn't feel like walking all the way to our house we took it to the Yepez home. (If you don't rememeber who they are you can find a picture of them and I in a letter I sent at the beginning of December.)

William Yepez , his Mom (Recent Convert) and his sister(Investigator) y Carla y Carlota
Cangahua, Ecuador December 2015

We got to their house and learned that the dad had been drunk for several days and hadn't given them money to buy food. They were absolutely starving and said that they had prayed that the Lord would provide them food. As I looked at my companion and I could see tears coming to his eyes, we graciously gave them the food that the mamita had just given us. As we sat around the dinner table with this family they laughed and ate,  I honestly can't describe the feelings that were felt there either. As we were leaving one of the hermana's that was there thanked us deeply and said that she knew that we were sent by God.

Family and friends, I know that this church is true, and I know that to be a missionary is an experience I will never forget. I know that Joseph Smith is the prophet that restored the Lord's gospel to the earth. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and the Savior of the world. I love you all and wish you all a happy MLK day!

With love,
Elder Kimball

Miracles and Miscommunications

Date: January 11, 2016
Week: 81 Cangahua, Ecuador
Companion: Elder Moreira/ Quevedo Ecuador
Colton's Address:
Quito Ecuador North Mission
Francisco Robles E-4 151 Av Amazonas
Edificio Iglesia de Jesucristo
Quito Ecuador

We had Stake Conference so got to see alot of people from Ponceano. This is a family that I taught but the girl (Angie Rojas) on my left finally got baptized. So I guess I found another convert of mine.
Cangahua, Ecuador January 2016

When your a missionary serving in a place where they don't speak your native tongue, there are bound to be some miscommunications between you and the people. For instance, today Elder Moreira and I went with our district to a local mall in Quito. Since it's our P-day, we bowl and play some pool for a couple hours and then we go to eat. Elder Perry and I decide we want some burgers so we go to this burger place in the food court. Well, I finally figure out sort of how the ordering system works and I decide I want this mexican burger, size large. Elder Perry obviously wants the same thing, so he decides to order. Well we get our burgers and for some reason mine is 3 times the size as his. So there is always miscommunication especially if you can speak pretty well. It's just not perfect. So now the reason for why I'm speaking about miscommunication:

That time we ate the intestines of a pig...
(Don't ask about my hair I'll explain it later)
Cangahua, Ecuador January 2016

Looks like I couldn't finish
Cangahua, Ecuador January 2016

My Hair....
So I ask my companion Monday how I should tell the lady to cut my hair.  Literally I think maybe Ecuadorians just explain on how to cut hair differently from anywhere else in the world . Or maybe thiese are consequences from having my mom and dad always talk with the lady on how to cut my hair. Well my companion explains to me how I should tell her if I wanted his type of hair. Well obviously I don't want that, but I went with it anyway. So I tell the lady and she looks at me like I'm crazy. I call my companion over so that he could tell her and she still doesn't understand so next thing I know she is taking a razor right down the middle of my head. There was nothing I could say! I just watched all my hair fall to the ground... The best is when the President of the Mission sees my new haircut and says "You want to know the difference between a good haircut and a bad haircut?" He smiles and then says "just two weeks".

Another pic with a family I rescued. They are still active! Los Ñacato.
Cangahua, Ecuador January 2016

Besides that little unfortunate event, a lot of stuff actually went well this week! Our stake had conference and we had Elder Taylor Godoy from the seventy come. He had some amazing stories that I wish I had time to share right now but I don't. Being stake conference, I was able to see a lot of people from Ponceano (one of my old areas). Turns out Angie Rojas finally got baptized. She is preparing to serve a mission and has gone to the temple several times. Her brother was able to get baptized and it was just so awesome to see them again. I also was able to see the Ñacato Family! Hermano Santiago now has a calling in the stake and he comes every week with his family. They were very less active when my companion and I were able to reactivate them. Talk about fruit of my labors!

So the craziest thing happen! Elder Moreira and I went and visited Fabian (investigator) on Friday to remind him that he needs to attend Sunday or else he won't be able to be baptized for the 23rd. Well turns out he had work pop up and he let us know and asked if he could still get baptized for the 23rd. I told him that we would have to call our President and ask him. Well President said it would be better if he could have at least one more time to attend before his baptism. So we informed Fabian and he was quite sad but he went and he fasted. A principle we had just taught him that week. Well his sister-in-law, who is a returned missionary. She goes up during stake conference and talks with President and explained the situation with her brother in law. Well President said that it would be fine because he didn't know Fabian had had attended church prior to meeting with us! So I was given the opportunity to call Fabian and give him the good news, and what joy! Really to let someone know that their prayer had been answered and to be part of that!

I honestly love this work and can't believe some of the things that happen with the help of God! I know that He lives and that He helps us on a daily basis! His hand can and must be found in our lives! Everyone enjoy their week and God bless!

Elder Kimball

The District
Cangahua, Ecuador January 2016

Bailey! Hope you are doing fine! Haven't heard from you in a while! Just know I love you and pray for ya daily!
Clay- Heard about the arm. Not going to lie I laughed but now I'm worrid for ya. Hope that shoulder feels better! Put it to the wheel. Maybe that'll work.
Lexi- Have fun at soccer! Remember defense wins championships!
Leah- Same to you but you should put more goals into that net or else ya won't win!
Bella! Hows life, you grown up you? Can't believe how old you are, oh and also how pretty!
Collins- Can't wait to meet ya! Don't grow up too much before ya bro gets home!
Capri- Same goes to you! I guess you took my advice and finally put on weight!
Mom- Thanks for doing my BYU application! I pray for you daily also because you always sound like you need it!
Dad- Nice hair! Wish my ward mission leader was cool as you! Love you and I'm always trying to follow your example!
Much Love, Elder Kimball

Lucky or Ucky Cows Foot

Date: January 4, 2016
Week: 80 Cangahua, Ecuador
Companion: Elder Moreira/ Quevedo Ecuador
Colton's Address:
Quito Ecuador North Mission
Francisco Robles E-4 151 Av Amazonas
Edificio Iglesia de Jesucristo
Quito Ecuador

Santa made a stop in Ecuador!
Cangahua, Ecuador January 2016

Dear All,
I appreciate all the Christmas and new year wishes. I hope y'all had a wonderful time during the two of them. Elder Moreira and I have been trying to work hard during these last two weeks even though most  people have been out of town, and we have seen alot of blessings for it. We currently have Fabian Gordillo for the 23rd of January for baptism. He was unable to come to church yesterday due to work, but he still is showing tons of desires to progress for the 23rd.

We had a problem with contacting one of our investigators with a date, Darwin. He happened to go on vacation and we lost contact. I had been calling daily and praying for him also... but nothing. Elder Moreira and I felt a little down knowing most likely he wouldn't come to church. Turns out he showed up! He had actually had a tough week because he was unable to keep one of the commandments that we had taught him and he felt ashamed. We thanked him in a very loving way for showing his desires to the Lord that he wants to repent. He left the church that day with a huge smile and so did I.

Angry Elf
Cangahua, Ecuador January 2016

Sometimes I feel like maybe the people don't understand everything we teach, and don't do it either. However, seeing Darwin go through his own repentance with steps we had taught him, I just was able to look at the missionary work with a different perspective. So that was a miracle this week! Having two investigators for the 23rd of January makes January look very exciting!

This week we were able to teach the Cifuentes Family. They are a family that I have been teaching for a while that has had trouble moving into the new ward. They have yet to attend church. I did some research while trying to move their records to our ward and turns out their 12 year old daughter, Anita, hasn't been baptized. We talked with the family about it and they understand that they must attend in order for her to be baptized. They didn't attend this week but we are going to kep working with them to help them out.

Nuestro Año Viejo an Ecuadorian tradition.  Look it up!
Cangahua, Ecuador January 2016

Every year the ecuadorians makes these and burn them at midnightCangahua, Ecuador January 2016

Us with our missionary
Cangahua, Ecuador January 2016

Yesterday after having a super day at church, we went to our mamitas house to have lunch. Her name is Edith Porozo. She is from the coast near Esmeraldas and cooks very well. Luckily she says if you don't like it, you don't have to eat it. So the greenbeans didn't make the cut;) But she also served a soup that  had a part of the foot of the cow in it. I of course ate it but it was not my favorite. Good thing she came out with a rice and chicken to help it go down.
President asked us to wite some goals to complete this year. I feel like that I will be completing all these goals during the mission so I guess all make new ones when I get home:
1)Finish the Book of Mormon in spanish
2) Read Preach my Gospel in both english and spanish
3) Memorize the Living Christ in spanish
4) Become more like Christ by always representing him
5) Always be a help and a friend to my companion
6) Think of others before myself
7)Put the will of the Lord above my own
8) Leave my sectors better than I found them
9)Begin and finish eachday with a personal prayer
10) Be obedient

I guess Elder Moreira is tired
Cangahua, Ecuador January 2016

So before the mission my mother always told me that during my mission I would be thanking her and asking for forgiveness and I guess I haven't done it enough so here goes nothing!

Dear Mother, So you obviously know I love you and really do appreciate all the things you have done for me. I know I wasn't the best kid. From egging cop cars to stealing your money, I did my fair share of tontarias. As I sit in a shirt and tie in an ecuadorian internet cafe, I look back and sort of feel dumb. As I teach investigators who sometimes don't do what we teach I sort of feel how you felt. As you knew I knew what was right but I didn't do it! And more than anything, It has taught me how God feels when we know what it right but we don't do it. Honestly mom, I am sorry for all the dumb stuff but ya got admit they make funny stories. I love you Mom!

Love you all!
Elder Kimball