Week 48 Exiled July 11, 2016

Saying goodbye, a sad one!!!

I've been exiled, yes that's right, I got the boot.
Cambios came and yes I was jaw-drop shocked when I heard them. TUMBES.
Hermana Sandison and I talked about it and we agreed that it feels as if we just had a three-month-long sleep over with our best friend and my mom (president) finally called and said it was time for me to come (go) home (to Tumbes). It was definitely a blue Sunday knowing it was our last. I feel slightly bummed that Sayuri, Samantha, Salma and Edgar all have scheduled baptisms this transfer and I won't be around to see them. Buuut that's life!

I had just finished adding a couple last quotes when I got the transfer call!

On the bright side! Hermana Spainhower is once again my companion and we get to be sister leaders together! What an adventure this will be. Tumbes is about a 5 hour bus ride north on the border of Ecuador. It is so isolated that it almost feels like its own tiny mission and Elder Meir (ZL) is our President. This week will be one of adjustments as I feel like I'm in an entirely different world!

The Week:
Hermana Sandison and I found this little lady and her mom while walking down a street. They let us into their house and as we sat down the first thoughts I had were 1) it smells like a casino 2) These women have zero light in their eyes. The more we talked the more the daughter began to open up to us about her "millon de problemas." She started to cry as she said "there is no happiness in my life." When she began saying that we could never understand what she has been going through I found it the perfect opportunity to testify to her of Jesus Christ and His Atonement. It was a powerful moment, but what seemed even more powerful was when she said, "I don't know why I'm telling you all of this, I don't even know who you are." And her mother responded, "It's because you see Christ in them."

Side story: Hermana Sandison has one of the best dads in the world! One reason why: In any moment where Hna Sandison has struggled with something in particular, culture shock, rejection, adjusting to change, etc. her dad spends the next week listening to podcasts or reading books or articles about those specific challenges. Then he sends what he finds to her. Lately his "series" is titled "missionary work is hard" and sends her parts of a book called Kisses from Katie. This book is about a 22 year old girl who moved to Uganda out of High School to care for orphans. She has legally adopted 14 children and cares for hundreds more. One quote I love from a part in this book says, "If one person sees the love of Christ in me, it is worth every minute, in fact, it is worth spending my life for."

It was a powerful moment in my mission when a woman told us that she sees Christ in us! I think I would have to agree with Katie, It is worth every single minute!

"The last almuerzo" in Angamos with the best family, Olenka and Luli

Alla lejos en Angamos Hermana Samantha told us that she is so excited to become a member of the church. In the nighttime she catches her 11 yr old son reading her Book of Mormon and memorizing the Articles of Faith. He also is so excited to get baptized, I am so happy for them and grateful that I had the opportunity to teach them and see their lives become so much happier! So much more light-filled. I love this gospel so much and I love being a missionary!

Watching Meet the Mormons with the family! Third world style

Hermana Sandison is training a new little Latina this week and I know she will do great! She is so loving, kind, and not to mention hilarious... I love her to death and am so happy it's only a temporary Adios.

Cumplo 11 meses manaña!!!!!!!!

Con mucho amor,
Hermana Ingram

P.S. Pray for me because if there is one thing Tumbes is notorious for it's DENGUE
These mosquitos aren't phased by deet.