Jared was in Las Lomitas until March 24th with Elder Segundo. He taught Elder Segundo many basic life skills, helped him learn Spanish, and introduced him to pizza and chocolate milk (which he hadn't had before). Jared liked how happy Elder Segundo was despite his background and the many challenging things he faced in trying to serve a mission. Elder Segundo came with basically one white shirt and pair of slacks. He borrowed some of Jared's clothes until he got some more. Jared also ended up giving him his rain jacket.
Jared spent the next 12 weeks (until the middle of June) in Pirayu with Elder Garcia from Argentina. Then he served 4 weeks in Itau with Elder Walker from Idaho. The mission split from 2 to 3 missions in July. There was a newly formed Paraguay East Mission, but Jared stayed in the South Mission. He spent his last 6 weeks in Itau with Elder Barentsen from Montana. Jared was able to be a part of 32 baptisms during his mission, but he also taught and served many others who didn't choose to be baptized. One of the more memorable people that he taught didn't get baptized, but Jared witnessed this man make great changes in his life. A couple of the fun things he enjoyed was playing soccer and a game called piki voley on his preparation days. Piki is like volleyball except you use everything except your hands. He got to watch Paraguay play in two World Cup soccer games (the first was won in penalty kicks, so it was a very exciting time.) He got to go to the Paraguay Asuncion Temple a few different times. A few of the hard things, besides people unwilling to make commitments, was dealing with roaches in his apartment, getting a ringworm, and dealing with the rain or heat.
In June, Jared asked us about extending his mission by 4 weeks. I immediately said, "No Jared! Don't do it!" I was being selfish with my time with him, wanting to spend a full month with him before he left for college. However, he went on to explain that his mission president had asked for volunteers to extend their mission to help fill the empty spots in the transition from 2 to 3 missions. They weren't bringing in enough new missionaries to fill all the spots. After finding out that the extension wouldn't cut into the fall semester of college, I felt a little more okay with it, although still sad that we wouldn't have much time with him. I told him to pray about it and make sure it was right for him and not just the "helper" in him that always wants to help out. I knew what he was going to do after talking with him, and I sent him a message expressing that I knew what he was going to do and I would be okay. He was supposed to come home the end of July. We later found out that the 4-week transfer happened first, and if he hadn't extended he actually would have been home mid-July (2 weeks earlier). His extension was a normal full 6-week transfer. His return date was Tuesday August 25th, which meant we would see him for only 5 days before he left for college.
It was hard for me to process, but I knew he was supposed to extend his mission. I think during his last 6 weeks, he was able to help 5 more people get baptized. As I think about those 5 lives that were changed for the better (and likely the ripple effect on others' lives), I found much peace in giving up Jared for one extra month. Jared shared a quote from Elder Bednar that expressed this ability to focus more on the needs of others:
"As we follow, love, and serve the Savior, we gradually focus less on our own desires and interests and more on understanding and addressing the needs of others. We do not merely perform benevolent deeds; rather, our state of being is changed and become increasingly Christlike. Charity then ultimately possesses us."
I know Jared was changed in the process of serving and he was able to more closely follow the Savior and be like Him. Jared expressed his happiness to be part of the Lord's work. He learned how to gain more success in finding people by following the influence of the Holy Ghost. Jared also showed great faith and had miracles happen on his mission. A story was shared about Jared (which he hadn't even thought to mention to us). Our friend Janet called us and asked if Jared had told us the story about the locked gate. We hadn't heard about it, so we listened with great interest when she shared what the mission president had shared with her, in the words of the stake president:
"In the Las Lomitas branch, during a year-end dinner, I went to buy a soda from a shop located in front of the chapel. When I arrived, I found the main door locked. Since I have the stake key (literally), I opened the door, but I couldn't remove the key from the lock. I spent about five minutes trying to take it out, but I couldn't do it. So, I left the key in the gate, went to buy the soda, brought it to the table at the branch activity, and then returned to try again... This time, I tried for about twenty minutes without any success. At that moment, the elders from Las Lomitas - the missionaries - arrived. Elder (Jared), noticing the difficulty I was having, said:
--Can't you remove the key?
I replied:
--No, I can't.
He folded his arms and said:
--Let's say a prayer; I'll offer it.
He said it in such a pure and innocent way that I agreed to his request, even though it didn't seem like the right place or moment to me. There I was, with my hands on the key in the lock standing by the street, while he offered the prayer. He began by giving thanks for the day, for the morning, for the blessings we receive, and so on, while people passed by in front of us... It was an uncomfortable moment for me. The scripture came to my mind that says, "When thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men." I even thought, "This isn't necessary; I can just leave the key in the lock and call the facilities manager to send a locksmith."
However, it was sure a pure, sincere, and special prayer for him that I didn't dare touch the key. When he finished, I said:
--Elder, would you do us the honor?
The elder took the key, pulled it, and it came out without any problem. I was amazed by that experience. I felt bad about myself for not having enough faith to believe that Heavenly Father can answer our prayers, even in the simplest and most insignificant things. I learned that the Lord can answer our prayers if we offer them fervently, with faith, and as James says, "believing that ye shall receive." I literally saw the scripture fulfilled: "Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."
That mission president also expressed that Jared was one of the most obedient missionaries he had seen. I know Jared's striving to obey with exactness and his faith allowed him to see miracles throughout his mission.
Here is part of what Jared shared in his last email: "Last week we saw many miracles. Our friend's baptism had fallen through a couple Sundays already, so we weren't so sure if it was going to happen on Sunday. Her mom was determined to do everything she could to help her though, and her mom isn't even a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. We didn't see our friend all week until Saturday when we passed by to confirm plans. We left not very convinced that she was getting baptized... what a miracle it was when her mom told us over the phone that they were all up and getting ready! God is good and taught me to have more faith in Christ and in our friends...
I want to testify of the love of our Heavenly Father. I have felt it as I've served His children. I have been here to help others to receive the restored gospel of Jesus Christ through faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. Living these principles has blessed my life, and I have seen the change they've had on others. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, and the words it contains in 2 Nephi 25:23 "...for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." I know that Jesus is my Savior and the Christ."
He had a great mission and served faithfully for just over 2 years. Well done Jared! I made a video but it's too large to share here. I chose a couple songs that seemed to be a theme for his mission. Here are the words:
Walk With Me
When you're walking through the fire and your feet are worn and scarred, there's a source of living water that can heal your weary heart. You see the Savior's footsteps and you feel His guiding light. He is calling out to you. He says, "Walk with me, and I will calm your troubled waters. Walk with me; I will make your mountains move. Oh, take my hand when you're feeling heavyhearted. Walk with me, and I will walk with you."
He walked on desert highways to go and find the one. He lifted up the broken and showed the world His love. And when we walk beside Him, He gives His power to us. He is calling out to you. He says, Walk with me...
Witness
I see the waters part when I kneel down and pray. I've seen my selfish heart soften and change. Through all the silence I can't stay quiet. I'll shout it out to the sky wherever He takes me, every day of my life. I will try to be like Him, shine a light in the darkness. I'll be a witness and live the way He lived at all times and all places. Whatever happens, I'll be a witness of all His love, a witness of what He's done. I'll stand and tell everyone in all times and all places. I'll be a witness.
I'll raise my hand and say I've been saved by His love. My Savior took my place, and after all He has done, through all the silence I won't stay quiet. I'll shout it out to the sky wherever he takes me, every day of my life. I will try to be like Him...I'll be a witness.
