Navojoa



I've left my old, reminiscent stomping grounds of Hermosillo again, and have been sent off in the city most south of the mission and state to Navojoa. 

I got to travel on a bus for about 3 hours to go from the city to the other. All this happened about 3 weeks ago, but I still remember the desert hills that I passed by. I found myself more mesmerized by the desolate beauties of Hermosillo than the first time I left. I also left on that bus alone, the first time I haven't had a companion. It was in a somewhat crowded bus that I realized how strange my situation was. Here I was all dressed up, a gringo, sitting next to an older Mexican family going to a place I've never seen or knew where to get off at. Once I finally got here, it's felt like a completely different mission. It's been nice to see a lot more trees and to ride on bicycles that seem to be falling apart more than the wet tacos we were given. My companion is the person that trained my trainer and, as I've been told, I am like he was when he started his mission. The good thing is we both like to do random things and enjoy laughing at our spontaneity. 

 

As for the people here in Navojoa, they still seem different than all those than I've met before here in Sonora. They seem more accepting, open, and just wanting to talk awhile. Perhaps I'm just noticing it more or my eating of chilies seems to wow more people than I would think. I've learned a lot of various culture tidbits that remind me of Ivorian traditions. 

 

We had a few special experiences with this last week of Christmas. We talked to one Hermana in specific that my mind still turns to. The members call her Hermana Eva. I remembered that a few members have told us about her and that we should visit her as she has some needs. I, thinking it was a different member, thought that we should go visit her on Christmas Eve: the day more special for Sonorans. As we eventually found the house, had some help to open the door, and passed through, we found her. She is an older woman in her 90s and is bones and skin. It pains her immensely to move, even from one side of the bed to the other. Anytime she does try to move, even with her nearly immovable arm, she would gasp out in pain "O Bendito Padre Celestial."  We found her in a dimly lit room lying in her bed with lots of various colored sheets, sheets, many woolen jackets, and a few cloth pieces wrapped around her bony head. Her face and even more her sunken eyes rose in delight that we had come to visit her. She lives alone only companied  with her dog and cat.

 

 At first she told us about how lonely she felt. Then about her pains and the things she has to do to get through the day. But after a bit she told us of her experiences. Her holy experiences. Ones that taught her things that other people didn't understand, only those that believe in Jesus Christ. I was quite moved by her spirit and testimony. We got to give her a blessing of healing in the which I got to do the blessing part. That was a nice Christmas gift. 

 

We've talked to lots of other members and friends in teaching and we're hoping to help more progress in this coming week. Theres good things here.

 

Merry Chrisrmas and a Happy New Year,

Elder Devebebe

 

What I want to give Christ this Christmas

I know y'all have already done it but I just wanted to send in mine too. 


For this Christmas and next year, I want to try to see and make that Grace shall be as my day. I've found especially in the last months the power of the Grace of Jesus Christ. It's something that I'm seeing more in work and want to help see that and develop that as I continue throughout this next year. 

With love,

Calebcito

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