First Sabbath Worship with our New Group

    The week before General Conference, a group was formed and we were assigned to work with that group. But for one reason or another, we were unable to attend their meetings the past couple of Sundays. Many of the members that live in that area of Achada Mato lived too far from the meetinghouse, and couldn't afford to pay for public transportation to go to church, even though there were several strong families in the ward from that area, including one of the counselors in the bishopric. So the group was formed with the hope that the members that had not been attending would come to church, and that they would be able to build the group into a branch through missionary work.
   The plan was to meet in the group leader's home, in his living room. It was set up with a podium, a sacrament table and 50+ plastic chairs. The first week, between members and investigators, they had an attendance of 52, which is more than the attendance in some branches. Today as we met with them, there were a few people standing outside the room (so there were more than 52)! The home is already too small for the group!
   When a group starts, the only meetings are sacrament meeting and a combined Sunday School class where they teach Gospel Principles. Then as the group grows, they add a women's meeting and a priesthood meeting, and as it grows even further, then they add the other meetings.
   The sacrament meeting was awesome. A young adult girl gave a talk on obedience, and then Elder Alvarez gave a talk on missionary work. The last speaker was a counselor in the Stake Presidency. He spoke on being active and faithful and helping the group grow into a branch. Honestly, he talked so fast it was hard to understand very much of what he said.
   The gospel lesson was taught by a very young married man who appeared to be a returned missionary. He taught the lesson on being a Covenant People. We were struck with the importance of the basics of the gospel. Sometimes we get so caught up in the details and/or the mysteries or deep doctrine, when the basic saving principles are what it's all about. There was a lot of participation and the Spirit was strong.
   We have been given the assignment to prepare three couples to go to the temple. Two of the couples may be able to go this coming October, and the third couple next year when they complete their year as members. All three couples are strong members of the Church. We are so excited to meet with them for the first time this week.

This cute baby sat next to us during church. He is so exhausted after two full hours of meetings!

This is the view from the front "porch" of our meeting home.

:) Ducking under an electrical wire on the front porch.

Members leaving after church.

Members visiting after church. Sister Alvarez is talking to Sister Vera about going with her to visit some less active sisters this week. That open doorway in the center of the picture is where we enter to go in to the church house (home).

Church members, and a blonde missionary way in the back.

The building that looks like it's a second story is the home where we meet for church.

This is the right side of that same house.

Two beautiful Primary girls.