Elder Kennington and the Scary New Year's Day

This. Week. Was. Crazy.

Well, as the whole world knows, this week was New Year's Eve. And here in Mexico it was crazy ridiculous. We had a Zone Conference to keep the missionaries off the streets because it was rather dangerous. Fireworks, drunk people, drug addicts, and everything in between.

The truly interesting day was the next day, the first of January, however. 

Just as far as numbers go, we had five different people start tailing us for 15 minutes at a time over the course of the day, we had 3 different guys who were high on some pretty powerful stuff try to engage us, and then saw one dead guy. It was an interesting day, but very powerful. 

We were starting to get pretty nervous, so we found a safe spot and said a quick prayer that the Lord would guide our steps so that we could continue doing His work while remaining safe. Afterwards I felt like I could see something leading us, and we followed it. It wasn't something that we could necessarily see, but it was something that Elder Thompson and I both felt. Though we saw some pretty nasty fights and some other pretty wasted people in the street, we were never in any more danger. We walked with purpose, and worked hard, and now because we had a day like this we are going to have the opportunity to set two more baptismal dates this week. 

The Lord truly blesses us when we look for it. One of the things that I love about the mission is how close the Spirit constantly is. When it goes because we are somewhere we shouldn't be, the difference is from day to night. Like being plunged in a bucket of ice water. It is crazy. 

Hope that you are all doing well, loving life, growing, and laughing.  If you're not having fun you're not doing it right. Something else I've been learning from Elder Thompson. Love you lots. 

Elder Kennington

Preguntas Mas Rapido
Q:  What is your favorite scripture and why? 
A:  Currently I have a lot of favorite scriptures in Hechos. This book is great for getting baptismal dates and getting them for the next Sunday. We are hoping to take out two more baptismal dates this week. With luck! Currently I also love DyC 122:7-8. We are going to suffer a lot in this life. But guess what? It will be for our good. And we won't regret enduring in the long run. And Christ already suffered everything for us. We aren't going to suffer unnecessarily. 

Q  What are the youth programs like down there? 
A:  Currently almost nonexistent, to tell the truth. They have Seminary, but not many attend. This ward is really struggling with less actives because people aren't magnifying their callings like they could. We need some help from the members!

Q:  What are the greatest challenges your investigators generally face? 
A:  Pornography, and not having time to come to church. Unemployment down here is crazy, and when people have work that usually takes precedent over everything. And they can't progress if they cannot come to church.

Q:  What do you like best about Toluca? Least? 
A:  I love how nice it is here, and how the people are willing to talk in the street. The least? Well, sometimes it can be a little sketchy here to tell the truth. But really, I cannot complain. This area is wonderful!!