General Conference Brings Hope & Optimism!

General Conference was a BIG bonus in the midst of Covid-19 quarantine.  We were grateful for the messages of hope and optimism that were shared.

Watching General Conference from our makeshift media center.

Elder Lewis enjoys on-the-spot scripture referencing during General Conference.

We were excited about the Church's new symbol and The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World. We were thrilled to participate in the hosanna shout, and we were humbled by the announcement of 8 new temples.  We will be joining others on Friday, April 10th for the worldwide fast. The work of the restored gospel continues to move forward!

Might I share a few thoughts about prayer and fasting.  Years ago, when I was taking one of many religion classes at Brigham Young University, the topic of discussion was prayer and fasting.  The professor asked a question that linger in the back of my mind for decades - "What happens on the other side of the veil when we fast?"  In other words, what happens in heaven when we are supplicating God through prayer and fasting.

One day, while studying the topic of prayer and fasting I  was reading chapter 9 of the book of Daniel from the Old Testament.  Daniel was seeking help and forgiveness from God for his people, the Israelites,"by prayer and supplications, with fasting....."  

Daniel's prayer included these words, "O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations.....for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies."  

And while Daniel was speaking, and praying, and confessing his sin and the sin of his people before the Lord,  he shares with us the following, ".....the man [angel] Gabriel....touched me....and informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.  At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee, for thou art greatly beloved; therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision."  

Daniel's prayer, supplication, and fasting were heard by God from the onset.  He was told through God's messenger Gabriel that he was loved, and then he was given the instruction he sought.  Reading Daniel Chapter 9 gave me a greater understanding and appreciation for what does happen on the other side of the veil (or in heaven) when we fast and pray.

I know from personal experience that God hears our supplication, demonstrates his love, and gives us understanding for the matter at hand.  I'm confident that  as we unite in prayer and fasting this Friday, we will feel God's love for us and gain a greater personal and collective understanding of how to manage the current and future impact of Covid-19.

Last week, the Area Presidency asked the Ecuador Quito Mission to open as many apartments as possible in the greater Quito area, making room for missionaries who were to be evacuated from the three Guayaquil Missions.  In theory, it was a great idea.  However, the first attempt to relocate a busload of masked missionaries to Cuenca resulted in failure after a 30 hour ordeal!  Governmental and municipal restrictions prohibited transporting large groups, and the bus was turned back to Guayaquil at the Cuenca city limits.  How to evacuate missionaries from Guayaquil is still under consideration.

So, once again, we are moving missionaries and sending them back to apartments that were vacated last week. As we walked to the office this morning, we saw two Elders waiting on one street corner with their luggage trying to hail a taxi.  We walked another block and found four Sister missionaries waiting on the next street corner with their luggage, also trying to hail a taxi.  Under normal circumstances it would have been easy to get a taxi.  Now, taxis are few and far between.

Masked sister missionaries waiting for a taxi.

I waited with the sister missionaries to see how long it would take them to be on their way.  Within 30 minutes we were able to hail two taxis that took them to  their new apartments in another part of Quito.  With Covid-19, taxis are only allowed to carry two people.  Two sisters + four large pieces of luggage + duffle bags and tote bags = CROWDED!  There was little space for anything else.

The Elders were not as fortunate as the Sisters were and had to return to the mission office for help in finding transportation.

The latest Covid-19 restriction in Quito is wearing a mask!  You cannot be on the streets without a protective face mask that covers your nose and mouth.  Today, before we walked back to our apartment, I decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and the private parking lot attached to our office building.  Without a mask, and in my dress shoes, I walked the perimeter of the parking lot for 25+ laps.  It felt so good to be outside enjoying the day.

Mission office parking lot.

We continue to count our blessings and we look forward to what lies ahead.  We are confident that the pandemic will pass and that great things are yet to come!

Blessings to all!
Elder & Sister Lewis