We got to meet Elder Camacho!!!!

 

Today's call with Luke brought me to tears!  Not only because I'm so proud of him for training and working so hard, but I found myself shocked at the miracle of how well Luke is speaking Spanish!  While we were talking to him his companion came in because someone had called on the phone and needed to talk to Luke.  He picked up the phone and started to speak Spanish like he had spoken it forever!  And then his companion came in to meet us and Luke was able to translate for us.  And then his companion, Elder Camacho, wanted Luke to speak to his family and meet them.  He was able to converse with them and share his feelings so clearly about how much he loved Elder Camacho and how proud he was of him.  He kept hugging him and he said things about him and would even rub his head :)  It was so sweet to see him as the senior companion in this new relationship and see him lifting his companion up as his trainer had done just a week ago.  Wow how fast things have changed and how fast Luke has grown up!   When I commented on it he told me that his Spanish has even come a long way in just this week.  Elder Ramos spoke some English and spoke slowly for Luke.  His new companion, Elder Camacho, doesn't speak one word of English and he speaks so fast and with a different accent and lingo than Luke is used to.  He said that he had heard people say that there was a point in their mission that they could pinpoint when their Spanish clicked and they could understand.  He felt like that is the point he is at.  He can understand almost everything!  Wow, what a huge miracle and I am a witness of the gift of tongues!

Luke said it was very hard to say goodbye to Elder Ramos this week.  It was a very tearful night, but he said it was so exciting because they had people that they were teaching that they haven't been able to get to come to church that came to say goodbye.  He said it was cool that Elder Ramos got to meet his new companion.

Luke's new companion, Elder Camacho is a great and humble guy.  Luke said he is the only member of his family that has gone on a mission.  He actually came back into activity in the church not too long ago.  Also his dad has left the church.  So this is quite an adjustment for Elder Camacho, but Luke said he is full of faith.  In fact they had a little miracle happen this week.  Their key to the church had broken and they needed it to be able to get to their Book of Mormons, and other supplies to get out and work.  The Branch President let them borrow his key to copy.  They went to the place to get the key copied and went back to the church and the key didn't work!  UGH!  So they went back to the shop and the shop had already closed!  Luke was so frustrated!  Elder Camacho said "Let's pray!"  Luke kind of rolled his eyes to himself, but appreciated the faith of Elder Camacho.  So they said a prayer.  Then Luke had the thought to run the key under cold water because the newly cut key was hot.  So they went and ran it under water and when they went to try it IT WORKED!!!!  What!?  So he said Elder Camacho is a miracle worker!

Another funny experience was Luke had tried and tried to get the people they were teaching to come to church.  Every flaked out and Luke was kind of bummed.  So Sunday he went and helped the Branch President to set up the Zoom link for the sacrament meeting but then they started running to go to Maxi's house (one of the young men they were teaching)  On their way there a homeless man stopped them.  Luke told him they didn't have any money.  The man said he actually just wanted to hear a scripture.  It took Luke by surprise and he thought to himself he can't judge and this man was a son of God.  So he took the time to share a scripture and invited him to join them at church.  So instead of going to see their investigator who had ditched them, they walked back to the church with this homeless man.  It ended up this guy was talking through the whole thing and kind of ripping on Luke saying things like "Do you think you're better than me because you're in a suit?"  or "Do you think you're better than me because you're a gringo?" etc.  Then he said "If you're a Christian than you should give me the shoes off your feet."   So Luke bent down and started taking his shoes off :) ha ha ha!  The guy stopped him saying he wasn't serious.  Then Luke found out he had just gotten out of jail the day before!  :)  Finally Luke said "Hey if you're not serious and going to be quiet and listen to this message that is so important then just leave."  They guy eventually got up and left.  Well Luke's prayer to get someone to church was answered, just not in the way he wanted :)

He said it has been an adjustment this week, but he is excited and has fun.  At one point they were in a sketchy neighborhood and the people they were teaching started asking questions that raised a red flag. Things like "How much money do you have?  How do you pay to be here" etc.  Luke was telling them he didn't have money and soon his companion started in "Oh yes he does he's a gringo!"  Soon Luke felt like the three of them were ganging up on him.  His companion has really never been with a "gringo" and keeps bringing it up and teasing him.  Luke said he needs to work with him on this because that put them in danger making the people feel like Luke is rich.  I can't wait to see how Luke and Elder Camacho grow together and adjust to each other and their differences and come together as they pray, show faith, and experience miracles together!  

Wow my heart is so full today as I have witnessed the growth and faith of my sweet boy.  What a great phone call today!