June 25, 2018 The Last Testament of Jackson Lancaster

Well this was my last week in the mission field so I wrote for every day that went by. Because you can't forget your last week in the field. 

Monday. So we had PDay. We were supposed to go to San Vicente and play marshmallow war with the zone but my comp woke up and his stomach hurt really bad so we stayed in Ilobasco. To get rid of my comps stomach problem I gave him some pepto and a sprite. Haha in like 30 minutes. What it is tho. We played soccer and wrote. That is all we did during the PDay. We finished PDay looking for new investigators because the noche de hogar fell throw. We didn't find anyone. So we went to eat dinner in a pupuseria that is really good. The make pupusas with chicken and they are the best pupusas with chicken that I have ever had. We came back to the house and slept. 

Tuesday. We woke up and studied and then we went out to work. We worked hard and found 5 new investigator which was awesome!!! Then we went to the Welcome party of a missionary that the ward was having. He got back that same day from Mexico. He seems like  a good guy because the other one who got back from the states is a complete clown. Like he falls so bad with me. But then a member invited us to go drink some corn coffee. It isn't that good. It is burnt corn grounded up and made into a drink. But we weren't going to say no right? So we went and had a good time with them. Taught a lesson there too. To help them out a little bit. So that was Tuesday.

Wednesday. So today we had our district  meeting. My last district meeting that I was going to give and have in the mission. I talked about our studies and how and why we put fechas bautismales. It was great we played a game and had fun. We also learned a lot. The zone leaders and the APs showed up too... I was like uh... But whatever I did good. So like the last scripture that I shared was in Moroni 10, the 34th verse. Read it and I'll think you'll get a laugh out of it. But then we went and ate tortas. They are just a type of sandwich and the way that they prepare it. By  accident we saw the Spain Iran game... Spain won 1 to 0... Uh.. Hahaha Afterwards we started looking for new people to teach and we didn't find anyone that wanted to let us in. But The young men invited us to an activity so we went and found 3 new investigators there. It was fun. The activity was like a sports thing. All they did was play soccer and a little bit of basketball but not much. Soccer is way better than basketball. Then we had a Noche de Hogar with familia Pocasangre. They were wild today... The two sisters were fighting worse than Carson and I. Oh... Hahaha but overall it was a good lesson and I hope they learned at least a little bit. So that was my day.

Thursday. We started with some really good studies, then we went out to work. We were waiting for Sensunte to do interchanges but they were in San Salvador. They were messing around there after their meeting that they had so they didn't get here until 4 o'clock. So I went to Sensunte and visited my tia Cecilia and my tio Mario. After that I went to talk to my mami Isidora. They were all like if you don't write me back in Facebook, I will block you. Hahaha so Iguess I will have to use Facebook... We tried to visit Rafa but he wasn't home so he told us tomorrow. So yep that was my day!

June 18, 2018

Well this week was good and bad. We worked hard but we had bad numbers to be honest... Wow I was like wow this week was awesome my comp said the same and then we looked at the numbers.... Hahaha ya so like I don't feel bad because we busted our backs for our investigators this week. They just didn't progress. But the members helped us out a ton too. So like I ain't really sure but we talked to Margarito and they couldn't go to church this week... They didn't read either. But we read the Book of Mormon with them and they loved it. They said that they are going to read it now. We didn't have to convince them if the Book of Mormon was true because they believe so. Just we need them to go to church and have the desire to be baptized and we get them in the water... It'll be sad because I won't be able to see it.... Well last week here I come!!!!! Crazy right??? I love you guys!!!

June 11, 2018

Well this week was alright. I guess we worked hard. We didn't have much success with the investigators but with the members we had a great time! They helped us out and it was just awesome. We visited a ton with them. It was just fun. We taught Margarito and his wife with a member. It was the restoration and the Book of Mormon. Wow what a spiritual lesson. They want to learn more and they want to go to church so that they can get to know the church and the doctrine more. But I really don't know what more to say... I had a happy week! Oh we had an activity about the Book of Mormon and I was with a new kid contacting and he did nothing... I was furious.. Like bro I'm going home this activity is for you!!! But whatever right. And I  had the best interview with an investigator. WOW I taught him in Sensunte. He got baptized this week and I really wanted to go but I couldn't.... But I had a great week. Yep so that's it love you!!!

June 4, 2018

Hey!!! This week was just full of greatness. So I could actually walk this week and that was just awesome. Like you don't understand ow much you love a toe until it is always throbbing and you can't do anything... But we got out to work and did the best that we could do to try and baptize this month. We found a couple around their 45's. They were just great!!! They let us in talked with us and said maybe to going to church. Said no to baptism.. I left the house a little bit disappointed in that I thought they were just going to say yes and we were going to have a baptism and everything but no... Then Saturday comes around and we are just lost... Everything fell through... We were conntacting and no one received us... Somehow we found our way by their house. We said that we weren't going to go in we were just going to invite them to come to church. We knocked they saw us and ran to open the door and before wew could say anything they were telling us to come in with giant smiles on their faces! We talk the Sabbath day and invited them to church. They said it was possible that they would show up but normally when someone tells you htat it means no... We get to church on Sunday and the meeting starts. No one there... Sad and heart broken we are about to sing the opening hymn and they show up. Margarito (man) and Blancasina (woman) Wow so happy!!! It was a great testimony meeting. I hope they felt the spirit and if they did I think we will be able to baptize them this month. Welll we also had interviews with President! My last one... Uh... ANd my last fast and testimony meeting in the mission and couple lasts right.... But its all okay. SIster Duran talked about not asking Why. We don't need to ask why for many things. Like why do we have this rule. Why is there is commandment why did God let this happen to me? A lot of reasonable questions but she said that dumb question ruins our faith. We ask why and why when we should just obey. Nephi didn't ask why he had to go back and get the plates or Ismael's family. Abraham didn't ask why he had to sacrifice his only son. They just did it because the Lord said so and we should be that way too. Well That was my week. Love you!!!!

May 28, 2018

Well if you want me to be honest this week was terrible. We were stuck in the house all week. I wanted to hang myself.... I got my toenail taken out and he told me not to walk for 5 to 7 days. I started walking at day 2 and I think that messed me up more... Now I'm suffering the consequences for being dumb. But I have learned a lot this week from the scriptures and books that we have. So like study and you will find a lot of cool things out. Like did you know that the bible says be careful with dogs? The Book of Mormon talks about elephants and horses! What the heck!!! Hahahaha so like yep that was my week. Do nothing.... Wow it sucks.... But Love you guys!!! Have a great week

May 21, 2018

Lots of Pictures

Well I would have to say we had a great week!!! Wow I was very content with the week that I had. It was a great week to be a missionary in Ilobasco. So like the week was kinda slow because I had to take days of rest for my toe. We were only able to do Noches de hogar... But then Thrusday rolls around and I have to do interviews for an area. But it was a fiasco. In the morning I had a leaders meeting in San Vicente. But the zone leaders wanted sone clothes for a baptism. But the thing was is that I didn't have the clothes. Sensunte had the clothes. So we had to do interchanges with Sensunte and early in the morning start and the next day end them. So we went to the meeting and I was a little disappointed. The whole time they just talked about numbers. Wow I don't konw why all they care about are freaking numbers... But we work hard so I'm not worried about numbers. Then we get back from San Vicente and have to go to Cojute to do interviews. So I go and they show up late... Wow I was pissed.. They always show up late.. I go do one interview and he passed all but one thing. Coffee. So he has to wait. I have to go verify that he isn't drinking or hasn't drank coffee this week and he can be baptized. Then I did an interview of a teenager. He says he isn't sure about the Joe Smith thing so I told him to pray and ask the Lord about it. So we'll see what happens there. We get back to Ilobasco finally but it is 7:45 so we went and ate. Wow the whole day traveling and not working in the area... Friday we had a baptism. Well it wasn't my baptism it's just that the Sister had asked me to perform the baptism. So that was a neat experience. I had only talked to her that day when she asked me to do the ordiance. So when we got back from the baptism we were set and working really hard because during the week we couldn't do anything. So we went to town. Found 3 new investigators in one house. It is a familia. They were very nice and want to go to church. We're going to see if they were really positive or just a lie. We were then working and no one seemed to be opening the door to us. We just kept looking. I found an open door and it was my comps turn. He knocked and a pretty buff guy walks out he looked like he was about 27 and he is tatted up and had a mean looking beard. So I was a little worried for my comp. He kinda froze up too... Haha but wow what a nice guy. Like incredible!!!! He said come on in. What....? He started to tell us his story. We was a race car driver. He lived in Illinos and the sister missionaries visited him and he like it. We gave a lesson and he loved it. He told us that he loved how we taught and how we don't walk around talking bad about other religions and that kind of sort. We only teach what we know and feel. Wow he is awesome. His name is Andres. Saturday we were in an activity and found 5 news that way. Then Sunday 2 girls showed up to church and they want to be baptized. Wow what a miracle. And today I got operated on. Just on my toenail... Hahaha he cut both sides of the  nail and ripped a  bunch out. But I didn't feel a thing. Ha hard core drugs. So just a great week. I love you guys. Have a greek week!!!

Mother's Day May 14, 2018

We had a great time talking with Jackson on Mother's day.  Its hard to believe 2 years is almost over.  He is doing well and still working hard, but I think he is ready to come home too.  

Hey guys!!! What up? Well this week was a little bit rough but we made it through. It was the last week of the changes. So like that is always one of the best weeks or one of the hardest. I would have to say that it is one of the hardest of this change. But this week we had a couple of family home evenings that were awesome! Like we try to get the members to invite people but they don't like to very often, but we have some pretty spiritual lessons with them and we have fun with playing a few games. I had to do unplanned interchanges with one area because they needed a baptismal interview done. I show up and the person never showed up for the interview, in 2 days... I waited for 2 days.... Anyways, I did one interview there at least and it was with a lady called Flor del Carmen. Really nice lady, loves the gospel, and is ready to be baptized. I asked her who she would like to baptize her. She asked who could. I explained to her the possibilities, the missionaries, bishop, ward members, and so on. She asks can you baptize me? Uh... Well like it is better that someone here baptizes you because they are closer and all that jazz, but she was like no I want you to do it. So I was like alright. I'll do it. I just got to know her and she wants me to do well weird but cool. I was a little frustrated this week with my investigators. I wasn't able to talk to them because I was gone 2 days, but no one came to church. I was very upset. I thought like 6 were going to come. Nope zip. Frustrating. So like I don't know if you guys watched the viral video with the missionaries in Guatemala getting attacked by a evangelico. It is pretty sad that he attacks the Doctrine of Christ and says we are in the wrong when in the same bible that he uses it says there are no exception of people for God. I don't know I would have lost my mind. I am proud of the Gringo who took everything very well and tried to control the conversation the best he could. But the kid from Guate was dumb. He shouldn't have talked to be honest. But anyways, My week was awesome because I talked to my mommy Sharon!!! I hope everyone had a great Mother's day! Well like I just had my monthly birthday... 22 months old...  Last change here I come... Love you guys!!!!

May 7, 2018

Hey guys!!! What up? Well this week was a little bit rough but we made it through. It was the last week of the changes. So like that is always one of the best weeks or one of the hardest. I would have to say that it is one of the hardest of this change. But this week we had a couple of family home evenings that were awesome! Like we try to get the members to invite people but they don't like to very often, but we have some pretty spiritual lessons with them and we have fun with playing a few games. I had to do unplanned interchanges with one area because they needed a baptismal interview done. I show up and the person never showed up for the interview, in 2 days... I waited for 2 days.... Anyways, I did one interview there at least and it was with a lady called Flor del Carmen. Really nice lady, loves the gospel, and is ready to be baptized. I asked her who she would like to baptize her. She asked who could. I explained to her the possiblilties, the missionaries, bishop, ward members, and so on. She asks can you baptize me? Uh... Well like it is better that someone here baptizes you because they are closer and all that jazz, but she was like no I want you to do it. So I was like alright. I'll do it. I just got to know her and she wants me to do well weird but cool. I was a little frustrated this week with my investigators. I wasn't able to talk to them because I was gone 2 days, but no one came to church. I was very upset. I thought like 6 were going to come. Nope zip. Frustrating. So like I don't know if you guys watched the viral video with the missionaries in Guatemala getting attacked by a evangelico. It is pretty sad that he attacks the Doctrine of Christ and says we are in the wrong when in the same bible that he uses it says there are no exception of people for God. I don't know I would have lost my mind. I am proud of the Gringo who took everything very well and tried to control the conversation the best he could. But the kid from Guate was dumb. He shouldn't have talked to be honest. But anyways, My week was awesome because I talked to my mommy Sharon!!! I hope everyone had a great Mother's day! Well like I just had my monthly birthday... 22 months old...  Last change here I come... Love you guys!!!!

April 30, 2018 Only 8 weeks left.

Well this week was just a normal week until  the last couple days. So like we found A bunch of really cool people this week wow like they are escogidos! Well they seemed like it, because they didn't come to church but they are super positive. One got out of jail the day before and they say its a sign that he needs to get closer to God. And another one was in a house of a friend and she told her friend that she was going to listen to us but her friend didn't. Now for the crazy part of the week. So we had a baptism. His name is Ivan. He is 12 years old. We get to the church to fill up the baptismal font and there isn't water (this is a frequent problem in this country). Well we start looking for solutions. One there was a tank full of water at the church, this tank is supposed to go into the church and fill the sinks bathrooms and everything. But it wasn't working. I pulled out a hose to try and siphon the water it wasn't working. Ivan's family gets to the church and the Bishop comes to help us. We decided to grab buckets and fill the pila. Wow all of us were already baptized!!! We were so wet. But whatever right? So in the baptismal service we sang hymns and everything and Ivan's mom was tearing up, then we sang Nearer My God to Thee and the water gates couldn't hold up. She let loose. But wow what a spirit in the room. And soo Sunday rolls around and the whole city didn't have electricity so we only had sacrament meeting this week.  Well like that was my week!!!! Hope yours was great! Love you!!!! 

I cant send pics because the computer wont read my card next week

April 23, 2018

Well this week was a fun week I would have to say. We worked hard found some good people and had a blast. So we had interchanges with the zone leaders and Elder Pilling came to  do the baptismal interview for a kid that we are going to baptize next week. His name is Ivan. He is 12. Wow great kid. We went to his house one day this week and he comes in and just asks hey can we read to Book of Mormon??? We were like of course!!! We also found 3 new investigators that came to church this week. They are good friends with recent converts. The only bad thing is that they are children. At least one of the 3 is 14... Hahaha but they like the church and I think that we will be able to baptize them this month that is coming. We also got caught in the rain... My shoe fell apart so I fell down and I ripped a little hole in my pants... I was pretty sad about that... But whatever! We put garbage sacks so our backpacks wouldn't get so wet and we cut out holes of one of the bags so one of the elders could see haha. It reminded me of the great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. Well that was my week love you!!!

April 16, 2018

Well this was a fine week of work for us. It was tough but we pushed through it and never stopped working. We had interviews with President this week and he taught me so many things which I am so grateful for. Wow. I love that man. He is just amazing and is always there it help. It was weird because in my interview he talked more about Sensunte then my new area. He even told me he left me close so I could keep an eye on it. I was like okay? But that’s cool that he has done the changes to help me grow and to help missionaries and areas grow too. I did interchanges with Elder Mateo this week too. It was fun to go back to Sensunte and work with him for a day too. I also got sick this week. That was a bummer… I had to work close to the house so I could run and go to the bathroom, because my stomach hurt like crazy. All Friday Saturday and Sunday it was hurting. Well like that’s really all that happened this week. I don’t have much to say but yep… That was my week! Love you!!!

April 9, 2018

Well changes this week right. I called around to see where I was going to go. A couple people thought that I was going to go to Usulutan or San Miguel. I was like alright sweet! Then I get the call on Tuesday night. Hey you are going to be District leader in Ilobasco. What???? I'm only going to move over one area?? So I am in the same district just a different area. I have my 5th area and 12th companion. My companion is from Guatemala and his name is Elder Herrera. He just finished his training. He is a good kid and wants to learn so this should be a good change. No one told him on the day of changes that I was his comp. So I got off the bus and he thought he was going to get on another bus but then I told him we were comps and he was like are you serious??? Wow!!! He was really excited because we are already friends and have worked together. So this week was to get to know the area a little bit and also I did a baptismal interview for a girl that was 8 years old, but this girl knows more about the gospel than a ton of adults. I was proud to get to know Esmeralda (the girl). So church this week was different seeing more than 45 people there. It is a ward here so that is nice. But wow I was pretty frustrated with the young men who are passing the sacrament phones out playing some game... Wow I hope we weren't glued to our phones like they were... But they are passing the sacrament the thing to renew conevants to repent and they don't take it even a little bit seriously.... The members here are nice. But there is like a barrier here. They won't pass being the members and us being the missionaries. We need them to know that we really are just their friends and want to help them out. So we are going to change this and we are going to baptize. We have a couple fechas lined up they just need a few more things. But they should be baptized this month. Well love you guys! Have a great week!

Pics from Sensunte

Voice Recording

Well, another week went by, we're in Ilobasco now, we're not in Sensunte.  Had some changes, I'm with my 12th companion, 7th Quatemalteco, his name is Elder Herrera.  He's brand new to the mission, well not brand new, he's already go 2 changes, so he's just finished training.  A lot to learn, but we'll help him out. 

Ilobasco is a little different than Sensunte, like the Members don't have as much as a friendship with us as Sensunte did.  I don't know, like Sensunte loved the missionaries and were down to do whatever for the missionaries, but here it's like yeah, you guys are the missionaries- yep, that's it.  Like they don't  care.  They might give us a little bit of food, but they give it to us, not because they really want to.  But, we'll just see how it goes.  It should be fun, It should be great.  I know I'll have at least 5 more weeks here.  I hope I can finish out my mission here so I don't have to move again.  

I don't really know what to say, I haven't done this for a while, but I figured I needed to do it.  

UM- not much to say.  Ilobasco is like the biggest place to buy souveniers, so if I stay here, I can come home with a lot that aren't so expensive.  

Yep, well, I don't know.. . .

Oh, yeah I got a call from the Secretaries and they go. Hey how are you?  -- Good-- Hey what airport are you going to go to? --  uh, uh --  Salt Lake Right? -- Yeah, yeah, I think so. -- Alright Thanks.  and then hung up on me.  What the freak man, I've got time still.  Why are you asking me this??  But, Whatever right.?  

Well, I'm tired, I'm always tired.  Why??

Well, I guess I'll talk to you guys next week, see ya!

Return Itinerary!!

Good afternoon,

Below is the itinerary for Elder Lancaster.

The itinerary shows more than one name, because there is a large group of missionaries returning home to the same airport.

Please revise the information for the listed on the itinerary for incorrections such as the spelling of the name or the location of the airport.

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Thank you,

Elder Balls

Secretario de Migracion/Registros

Mision El Salvador, San Salvador Este

La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Días

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CHURCH TRAVEL CWT

50 East North Temple St

SALT LAKE CITY UT 84150

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Jackson B Lancaster

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Wednesday 27 June 2018

Delta Air Lines

Departure

27 June 08:15 AM

San Salvador, (El Salvador Intl) (+)

Arrival

27 June 12:50 PM

Los Angeles, (Los Angeles Intl) (+)

Terminal: 2

Duration

05:35 (Non stop)

Check-in

Distance

2,319 Miles

Booking status

Confirmed

Class

Economy (V)

Baggage allowance

Flight meal

Breakfast

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Wednesday 27 June 2018

Delta Air Lines

Departure

27 June 08:25 PM

Los Angeles, (Los Angeles Intl) (+)

Terminal: 3

Arrival

27 June 11:15 PM

Salt Lake City, (Salt Lake City Intl) (+)

Terminal: 2 - Terminal Unit 2

Duration

01:50 (Non stop)

Check-in

Distance

589 Miles

Booking status

Confirmed

Class

Economy (V)

Baggage allowance

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Ticket details

Semana Santa April 2, 2018

Well this was Semana Santa or Holy Week. It was a disaster... Well it was just chaos for missionary work. Because it is vacation week for everyone. Everyone leaves and has their doors closed. No one wants to let you in and everyone turns catholic. Like it's not a joke. So we found a really good guy this week. His name is Josue. Wow what a blessing to find him. He says he's been interested for sometime in talking with us but he has never done it. Now he had the chance!!! We got to see the Alfombras or carpets. They are the biggest ones in the country. They are 4 blocks or 250 something meters long. They were cool. They even had a Donald Trump one but his face was well distorted to show that they think he is ugly. Hahaha. But on Friday as well as seeing the Alfombras there was a ENORMOUS Catholic procession. That was 3 BLOCKS LONG!!! What they do is they stop and pray at spots and share a story of the crucifixion of the Savior. I'm not completely sure. But they carry a giant statue of Jesus bleeding and carrying the cross. It bugs me. He isn't carrying the cross He is alive now like don't you get it??? But Like everyone in town was there.... They yelled at us for passing through and almost threw rocks at us... Hahaha we did walk against the current. But the best part was is that we saw members and they asked what we were doing? We responded with the better question is what are you doing?? Ya they wonder why the church doesn't grow. Anyways we did get to watch General Conference. But in spanish... Last GC but in spanish. It was great but it just isn't the same listening to translaters when you know how the voice is of the apostles and everyone. You don't get the same effection. But wow! High Priest groupp doesn't exsist anymore! And Home and Visiting teaching is a new level! Wow President Nelson is just full of revelation. He truly is a Prophet of God. The Holy Spirit confirmed that Saturday night in my evening prayers. When I was really wondering if he was a Prophet with the changes and what not. I remembered what the Book of Mormon says in the introduction. "Those who gain this divine witness from the Holy Spirit will also come to know by the same power that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is his revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter'day Saints is the Lord's Kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory to the second coming of the Messiah." I know that the Book of Mormon is true. Maybe I had doubts about him being the new prophet but I just stuck with the truths that the Holy Ghost has manifested to me. If the Book is true it all is true! God will never let anyone lead us astray! Great conference and wow we will have 19 temples in Utah! And every country in Central America will have a temple when they build the temple in Nicaragua!!! The Church is true! I love this everlasting gospel! I love you guys!!! Have a great week!!