Not Refugees Anymore!

Woohoo! We're finally back in Santo Tome!

 Hermana Gunter and I spent the week in Virasoro after all the rain flooded the river. We ended up having to buy groceries for the week, another pair of clothing, etc... because we didn’t really have anything with us. Luckily we were able to share a lot with the hermanas in Virasoro. The roads back to S.T. were all covered in water- the only way back would have been by boat! The river, which is normally about a 20 minute walk from our apartment, rose and flooded up to one block away from us!!! So luckily none of our stuff got ruined while we were gone.

 A lot of people are living in the local school though since their houses were completely covered and filled. It was so frustrating and heartbreaking for Hna Gunter and I because we wanted to help everyone so badly, but we were stuck in Virasoro with no way back!

 But if I learned anything this week, it is that God has a plan and He knows what He is doing. Even though we couldn’t do anything in our own area, we were able to spend the entire week with the sister missionaries in Virasoro. One of the hermanas there has been struggling. She has 6 months in the mission and still has lots of trouble with the language, so she has grown more and more anxious and has been letting her health deteriorate. Also, she doesn’t get along with her companion very well. While we were there for the week, I was able to talk to her a lot, and offer some comfort. As strange as it may sound, I think Hna Gunter and I were needed in Virasoro as emotional support for those hermanas more than we were needed here in Santo Tome with all the flooding!

 I know Heavenly Father has a plan! He knows every single one of us individually. He knows our weaknesses and struggles, but He also knows our potential and our strengths! Every trial we pass through is for our own benefit. Sometimes we just have to take a step back and try to see the big picture. Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

I love you all and hope you had a great Fourth of July! Things are still crazy here with the World Cup going on; Argentines love their soccer! Happy Birthday to Kipley!

 Hermana Simmons