My Offering to God

I would like to say that these have been the best and greatest two years of my life. But, as I look back on the many experiences which i faced as a full time missionary in Nicaragua, I see much pain, sadness, and hardship. Times when my faith was tested to its limits. But i can remember with tears in my eyes, the sweet comfort and peace which my Father in Heaven blessed me with. Maybe I wasn't the greatest and hardest working, or the most obedient, or the most spiritual, but I came to know God the Eternal Father and His Son Jesus Christ in the most profound ways. Words cannot describe those experiences.

"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." John 17:3

I believe that young men and young women are not sent on missions to simply grow up, or share the gospel, I believe, through my own personal experience, that we are sent on missions to get to know Our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ, Our Savior. I have felt the same sorrow and disappointment of disobedient investigators and converts. I have found myself many a time on my knees with tears of anger and deception running down my cheeks. I have been lied to, cast out, mocked, and persecuted. I think, like Elder Jeffrey Holland once spoke, that we are to experience, if only a little, the pain and sorrow that Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ experienced in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross of Calvary. That as we experience these trials and difficulties that come to shake our faith, that we stand shoulder to shoulder with the best life this world has ever known. I echo those words now. Maybe these weren't the best two years of my life or the happiest, or the easiest, but they sure were the most important.

But, of course, the mission did have its moments. I see before me every person I have ever taught, some of the humblest people on the face of the Earth, and my heart is filled with so much love and compassion towards them. I felt like a father who watches his children born, watches as they learn and grow, crawling, walking, running, jumping, reading, writing, spelling, typing. I have felt the joy of taking them by the hand and walking them through Gods Plan of Salvation, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, His commandments. I have felt the joy of seeing them enter the water of baptism and make covenants with their Heavenly Father. I have seen the blessings which have come to their lives because of their faith. I have felt the Holy Spirit enter into their hearts and change their lives.

Is it our purpose and is it the plan of God that we learn a little in this life of what its like to be Him? As I ponder on all the experiences of these last two years I see the reflection of a Loving Heavenly Father who would go to any lengths to see His children happy, Joyful, and Exalted.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

I know that this is only the beginning of a new life. With new goals and new purposes. I know that Christ and His love has changed me, softened me, humbled me. I know that there is nothing comparable with His love. I know that I have served Him not just to fulfill a commandment but to bring that same love and that same joy of redemption to all His children. I pray that Heavenly Father accepts my offering and pray that I was able to make a difference in someones life.

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

Finally, I bear my testimony of the Resurrected and Glorified Christ. I know that He lives. I know that His Gospel is true. I know that the Book of Mormon is the Word of God given to ancient prophets in the Americas. I know that Joseph Smith is the Prophet of the Restoration, there is no doubt in my mind that he was called of God through Divine Prophecy. I know that Thomas S. Monson is also a true prophet of God given to us in these days to guide us on the straight and narrow path. I know that families can be together forever through God´s Holy Priesthood. I know that we are all children of a Loving Heavenly Father who has provided a plan and a purpose for us. I know we can become like Him. Of all these things I testify, having been called and set apart as an ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ for the last 2 years, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Elder Alejandro Ochoa Lim
Misión Nicaragua Managua Sur
November 2014-November 2016

Line Upon Line

This week was a very normal week and it went by faster than I thought it would. We have been having a hard time trying to find new people to teach but I know that the Lord will bless us as long as we keep working faithfully. It has been a little hard for me to keep moving forward what with my mission ending soon but I still feel the same vigor and motivation to work as I did the first day of my mission. Yesterday, we had a little bit of down time with the elections here we couldnt go out and proselyte but  did have the opportunity to look back on some of my old journal entries from when i first came to the MTC. What a great difference I have seen in my life and the way i have grown these last two years. Sometimes it is hard to see changes in oneself because you are always with yourself but I think that is why we have journals to see progress in our ownselves. I know I am still very far from perfect but it helps me to know that I have grown at least a little in my time here in Nicargaua. I believe that God puts us in certain situations and gives us certain weaknesses so that we might grow and flourish. I believe we are being tried and tested every day. I like to think that way so that when temptation comes I can gain strong and confidence. I have felt the strength of Christs atonement in my life and I know it has great strength unto the exalting of men. Its good to know that I dont need to be perfect right now, but as long as I have a humble attitude and strive to serve others daily that the Lord will guide me with His Spirit and I shall be sactified through Him.

For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, preceptupon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have. 2Nephi 28:30

Pictures

Blessings Abound in Nicuragua

This last week was one of the greatest of these last two years. Despite much adversity and much trial of faith. The Zambrana Family was baptized and confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

As I ponder on their path towards baptism, I realize the many miracles we beheld and the extraordinary faith of this family. Juana who is the head of the household and single mother, was a great example to her family despite having to work hard every day under the hot sun and not being able to see or read very well she showed extraordinary faith towards baptism. One of the great miracles was when we taught her the Word of Wisdom. Despite having started to drink coffee the same time she started nursing as a baby, she was able to quit coffee the same day we taught her this great commandment. Even though the first few days were very difficult for her, suffering severe headaches, she never drank coffee again.

Ana is the granddaughter of Juana. Ever since the day she received the Book of Mormon she read it insatiably, sometimes going to bed late at night. She has grown a profound testimony of the Book of Mormon and I believe completed reading the book right before her baptism, which means she read it in just one month. She was at first very shy and was embarrassed to say the prayers in our lessons but soon gained confidence enough to read and pray out loud in our Gospel Principles class.

Maycol and Alicia were married the same day they were baptized. Despite working a very difficult job and not being able to read very well, Maycol put in a lot of effort to read the scriptures every day and the lesson pamphlets. He was one of those who accepted our message from the very beginning. His wife, Alicia, at first didn't seem too interested but after a couple weeks of visiting with her husband she soon joined in and committed to baptism along with her husband.

Juan became a great and powerful addition to the church. Even though he cant read very well. He always strove to learn and complete with Gods commandments. He had some difficulties with coffee but with much faith and great commitment to God, he was able to stop drinking. 

With such faith I am filled with complete joy and humility. I know that these miracles were not of our doing but of the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I am so grateful of these gifts and blessings which Our Father in Heaven sees fit in His everlasting mercy to pour out upon us. I know that this is Gods church and that this is His work. I have seen and felt of these truths and I know they are real.

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." Matthew 16:24

The Gift of Grace

        As my time as a full-time missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints comes to a close, I have seen even greater the tender mercies of God. I have also seen the many imperfections and faults within myself and many things which I could have done better. As I reflect on these last two years I come to know more of the principle of grace. In my mind I often think on the perfect outcome of things, how things should be. Many nights as I kneel down to offer up my work of the day unto my God, I have often felt grief and shame as I look upon all my faults and errors. My heart becomes weighed down by the many weaknesses I have and I wish to be able to turn back the clock and restart the day. As the weight of justice presses down upon my conscience, I cry to the Lord for strength and forgiveness. As I supplicate for mercy, I am blessed with the Gift of Grace.

        When our Lord Jesus Christ suffered pains and afflictions of all kinds in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the Cross of Calvary, He understood that we could not would never come to be perfect or always be perfect. He knew we would be rebellious and commit all kinds of mistakes, nevertheless, He suffered it. Through this great and powerful sacrifice He paved the way for mercy and grace to find way into our hearts and to ultimately win Eternal Salvation. Through repentance and the keeping of our covenants we are made worthy of these exalting powers. How much are we in debt to Him! Now peace and calm can fill shame and guilt as we strive to obey and become better.

"For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." 2 Nephi 25:23

He Knows Your Heart

   This last Saturday my good friend, Idalia, entered the waters of baptism. When we first met Idalia she had been to church many times before and was almost baptized but for other reasons and doubts was not baptized at the time. when we had our first visit she was full of doubts and was resigned to never coming to church again. When we talked to her her doubts frustrated me and I felt myself about to give up and leave her for good. But as I prayed in my heart and asked God for understanding I was inspired with the words I needed to say and her heart was softened toward us. In our later visits we found her very open and willing to listen to us. She started coming back to church and found that spirit she had felt before. After about a month of visiting her my companion felt inspired that we should challenge her to baptism again and when we did she accepted.
     The Lord works in mysterious ways and knows our minds and hearts better than we do. I know that the Lord wanted us to keep visiting her because He knew that she was prepared even if I didn't see it. I am grateful for the Lord and His merciful hand towards all His children. I am grateful for the opportunity to have helped this sister come unto the truth and realize the joy and happiness that living the gospel brings. I know that this will only be a great beginning for here and her children, who will one day also be members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

"Behold, when ye shall rend that veil of unbelief which doth cause you to remain in your awful state of wickedness, and hardness of heart, and blindness of mind, then shall the great and marvelous things which have been hid up from the foundation of the world from you—yea, when ye shall call upon the Father in my name, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then shall ye know that the Father hath remembered the covenant which he made unto your fathers, O house of Israel." 
Ether 4:15

Continue in Faith

This week I had the wonderful opportunity to watch my little brother Antonio receive his mission call to the Japan Fukuoka Mission. Congratulations Elder Antonio Lim! Serve with honor and give all your heart, might, mind, and strength to God, as you do so the Lord will pour out His eternal blessings upon your head and that of your posterity.

"And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life." Matthew 19:29

This week we have been facing challenges with some investigators of ours. We have been teaching this family for about 3 weeks now and they are progressing well. Recently we taught them of the Law of Chastity and their need to be married legally. Two of the men both need to be married. Due to their poor and humble circumstances they cannot provide the money sufficient to pay their marriage. We have been instructed in these situations to exercise faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and remember His merciful hand unto all His children-

"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight." 1 John 3:22

I expressed unto them my deep conviction of Gods love for them and how he wants to bless us in every way. The Lord is willing to give us everything we want but we must show faith in Him, doing that which is pleasing in his sight. I know that we may not see those things that we need or know if we will be blessed with the miracle but I believe in the promise of Moroni that we do not receive a testimony until after the trial of our faith. So, if you find yourself in this situation, continue in faith doubting nothing and it shall be given thee.