I had the priviledge of seeing and participating in one of the most beautiful baptisms of my mission. The clouds parted, and the sun shown through as Juan said to me, “Brother, I’ve seen this place in a dream.” We were standing in the middle of the Jejui river, wading through water to our knees, trying to find a place deep enough to perform the ordinance of baptism. We reached the middle of the river before the sandy river-bottom gave way to firmer ground and deeper water. It seemed that God had sent the rain to clear the many recreational swimmers that congregate in the place called Little Port (Puerto’i), but held it back and sent the sun to warm the baptism.
My companion and Juan’s family, along with investigators and our small, tight-nit band of members stood on the beach enjoying the peaceful serenity and privacy of the place prepared specially for that moment. As he came out of the water and smiled wide, showing his remaining teeth, I asked him how he felt. “Arrrrrrpelete”, he told me, a Paraguayan Spanish slash Guarani phrase meaning something like “incredible”. A moment I’ll always remember, along with the many simple lessons we taugh him, full of examples to overcome the language barrier, and the miraculous change from receiving the Holy Ghost that thereafter made them unnecessary. He has been quickened, and now stands ready to strengthen his testimony, serve his God, and love his family.
Seeing him reach that point, in and of itself was a miracle. He overcame vices and sins of the past to make this life-changing covenant with God. Another small miracle led us to Javier’s house when, according to what he’d told us, he should have been at work. As we clapped outside his old, rickety wood fence, we saw a dark figure from inside the house get out of bed and come toward us. It was him. He told us he had been laid off and had fallen into old habits and vices and that he needed our help. We helped him form a plan to overcome and to gather strength. He nearly wept as he prayed to end the lesson and committed to do what was necessary.
This week was full of incredible experiences, some of them too sacred to record. BUt I bear my witness as a represantative of Our Savior, Jesus Christ, that He lives, and He continues His work today through tens of thousands of hands like mine, which are blessed to be a part of it. Another week of incredible experiences and miracles await me and each of you, if you look and keep moving foward with Faith.
Elder McCarty
002 My Companion, Elder Walker, and Juan and I at Little Port.
003 Looking for the right place. 
008 Music classes, preparing for the San Pedro ward choir. 
010 The activity last Thursday. We taught how to do family home evening and had a fun activity, laughed together, felt the spirit together, and came together as a big family.
011 Last Sunday in church. Looking from the pulpit out to the congregation. The group is growing and getting stronger each week.
My companion and Juan’s family, along with investigators and our small, tight-nit band of members stood on the beach enjoying the peaceful serenity and privacy of the place prepared specially for that moment. As he came out of the water and smiled wide, showing his remaining teeth, I asked him how he felt. “Arrrrrrpelete”, he told me, a Paraguayan Spanish slash Guarani phrase meaning something like “incredible”. A moment I’ll always remember, along with the many simple lessons we taugh him, full of examples to overcome the language barrier, and the miraculous change from receiving the Holy Ghost that thereafter made them unnecessary. He has been quickened, and now stands ready to strengthen his testimony, serve his God, and love his family.
Seeing him reach that point, in and of itself was a miracle. He overcame vices and sins of the past to make this life-changing covenant with God. Another small miracle led us to Javier’s house when, according to what he’d told us, he should have been at work. As we clapped outside his old, rickety wood fence, we saw a dark figure from inside the house get out of bed and come toward us. It was him. He told us he had been laid off and had fallen into old habits and vices and that he needed our help. We helped him form a plan to overcome and to gather strength. He nearly wept as he prayed to end the lesson and committed to do what was necessary.
This week was full of incredible experiences, some of them too sacred to record. BUt I bear my witness as a represantative of Our Savior, Jesus Christ, that He lives, and He continues His work today through tens of thousands of hands like mine, which are blessed to be a part of it. Another week of incredible experiences and miracles await me and each of you, if you look and keep moving foward with Faith.
Elder McCarty
002 My Companion, Elder Walker, and Juan and I at Little Port.
003 Looking for the right place. 008 Music classes, preparing for the San Pedro ward choir. 010 The activity last Thursday. We taught how to do family home evening and had a fun activity, laughed together, felt the spirit together, and came together as a big family. 011 Last Sunday in church. Looking from the pulpit out to the congregation. The group is growing and getting stronger each week.
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