Zone Conference in the ABC Islands

 Zone Conference in the ABC islands was held 10 March, 2017. Aruba was not able to join us in person, but was able through modern technology participate in our conference. We love these missionaries and what a blessing it is to get together for a spiritual and physical "feast". I promise some of these picture will make you smile! Enjoy!

 Elder Sarmiento, Elder Munoz, Elder Hardy and Elder Burr

President and Sister Egbert. Oh how we love these two... We all benefit from their love, knowledge, vision, leadership and ability to make each missionary feel valued and loved.

President Egbert and Elder Hardy

"Hallo Elders!" "Hallo!" *Wij spreken met de Mormonen* "Hallo Elders!" *Nog twee meer groepen komen langs* "Hoe komt het dat er zo vele mormonen hier op het eiland zijn?"

Hello everybody!

This week was pretty hectic. It was good though! Some crazy things that happened was: we had to fix the computer at the church for a broadcast(I learned how "cookies" and "caches" work), had to replace the tires on the car with new ones, had to fly to Curacao for Zone Conference and we got hit by a car on our way there (it wasn't our fault, we got backed up into as we waited for a car to move-the wrong way as it seems) and I also got bit by a dog!

Crazy week but I still feel happy!

Even with all of the crazy antics going on in life, I'm grateful that I always have the chance to read out of the scriptures every morning. It doesn't matter how crazy the day before was or even what'll I'll have to do later, my study always has an underlying message that speaks peace to my soul.

Zone Conference was amazing, we spoke more about repentance and we also spoke about teaching others more about the gospel. At one point, President Egbert had a Sister missionary come and gave her a piece of flaxen cord to break, pretty easy. He then gave her, another piece, easy too. Afterwards, he gave her a big rope of flaxen, not so easy. She couldn't break it! The flaxen represents weaknesses that we have and eventually those turn into habits (the example we used was anger) if we're not careful, those things can be become overpowering. President Egbert then had one of the Elders come sit down and he gave him the rope and told him to hold it up but not let it touch his knee. President Egbert then started to hand him a chain on top of the rope, he then proceeded to hand him more and more chains! President Egbert then took out a huge chain and gave it to him to hold, he couldn't hold up the chains anymore. He then talked about how the Sacrament helps us to break those cords as long as we are willing to change and grow.

He also shared a scripture from 2 Nephi 26:22 And there are also secret combinations, even as in times of old, according to the combinations of the devil, for he is the founder of all these things; yea, the founder of murder, and works of darkness; yea, and he leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever.

Sister Egbert also talked about marriage a bit, she gave us ring pops and talked about being, "anxiously engaged" as described in D&C 58:27.

Good week in all though, I love Bonaire!

I wish you all a good week, take care!!

Lobi,

Elder Hardy

"Jullie zijn vanuit Suriname gekomen?" "Fawaka!" "Yu saah fu taki?" "Aye."

Good afternoon everyone!

This week was yet another wonderful week here on Bonaire!

It's crazy to think that almost two years ago I was worrying about graduating high school, that feels like eons ago!

Some cool things that happened this week was we got to teach some Surinamers! Their names were Mona and Chantal, it turns out that Chantal is best friends with a member in Suriname and she'd been talking to her quite a lot about learning more about our message. Good timing! We spent the lesson mostly talking about our belief in God. It was a really good lesson, Chantal afterwards wanted to show her friend that she ran into us so we all took a picture together. She's heading back to Suriname on Wednesday so hopefully she'll be able to learn some more. We also did some service for Sister Carti, we helped get rid of a ton of weeds and bushes in her yard, the blisters mean you're working hard! It was really fun, she also gave us yogurt and juice as we worked.

This week Dayra was also baptized, it was an awesome experience. Everyone showed with 2 minutes to spare before the service started! I had the chance to be one of the witnesses and it was really cool. It was fun walking out into the ocean, the waves were a little rocky so Dayra almost got knocked down a few times! Gari baptized her and right as he finished saying the words of the prayer, a giant wave came and made sure that she went completely under! Sister Noij was impressed with Gari's use of the elements. I had Elder Burr take some pictures and it was just such an awesome experience since Dayra was soooo excited to get baptized. As we sat waiting to head out, I felt like I could see the light coming out of her and her sheer enthusiasm was almost enough to light a fire under her seat!

Next week we're heading to Curacao for our Zone Conference and that'll be really fun, it's always fun learning more about President Egbert, the spiritual recharge is always well appreciated.

I don't have very much time this week but thanks for reading! I wish you all a great week!

Lobi,

Elder Hardy