Para siempre Dios esté con vos

Queridos amigos y familiares,

Well, this is it. This will be my last letter from Chile. I can not really believe that the time is already coming to an end. It has been another good week here. Mirovan wont quite make it to be baptised this saturday, but he is still very excited and will definitely be baptised soon. We also have a few other investigators that are progressing very well and some future investigators that we are excited about. It is kind of sad that I wont be here to see what happens with all of these great people, but I am happy that I have been able to do my part to help them.

Wow, but what can I say in my last letter? I am so thankful for the experience that I have lived for the last two years. Each and every day I have been able to wear the name of Jesus Christ on my chest and serve Him as one of His representatives. My purpose has been to invite all people to come unto Jesus Christ through His restored Gospel. Many people have accepted us and listened to our messages. Many people have rejected and ridiculed us. Countless people have slammed their doors because they were too "ocupado" to listen to us. There have been many ups and downs. But in the end I know that I have done my part to serve our Savior. I am not the same person as when I left two years ago. I think the words of Ammon in Alma 26:26-31 describe well how I feel and have felt in these two years:

26 But behold, my beloved brethren, we came into the wilderness not with the intent to destroy our brethren, but with the intent that perhaps we might save some few of their souls.
27 Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.
28 And now behold, we have come, and been forth amongst them; and we have been patient in our sufferings, and we have suffered every privation; yea, we have traveled from house to house, relying upon the mercies of the world—not upon the mercies of the world alone but upon the mercies of God.
29 And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again.
30 And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some.
31 Now behold, we can look forth and see the fruits of our labors; and are they few? I say unto you, Nay, they are many; yea, and we can witness of their sincerity, because of their love towards their brethren and also towards us.

The Lord has comforted me in my afflictions. I know this is His work and that it will continue. Just because I wont be a missionary in one week more doesnt mean that I will stop being a representative of Jesus Christ. I know He lives and I love Him. I know this is His Church and that He has His arms extended for all men to come unto Him. Follow Him.

See you in a week or so. Thanks for reading my letters and supporting me during my mission.

Elder Richards

the Zona Buin. We made hoodies as a zone souvenier :)

Two of my favorite companions: Elder Villegas and Elder Gutierrez