Our latter day Nefi.
From my journal entry Sunday, 1-28-18
We have had a most inspirational day. Today was our branch
conference in Tamazula almost two hours away. We had a
beautiful drive there. The rainy season is almost upon us, and
things are beginning to green up. The colorful bougainvillea’s
were in bloom…. still flowering no matter the shallow and dry
earth they spring up from.
Elder Stubbs and Elder Cruz were standing outside the house
of prayer, waiting for us as we drove up the street. There were
about 20 people there today, not including all of the district folks.
I want to write down what we experienced today, because I do
not want to forget what we saw, heard, and what we felt.
For some time now, we have felt the Lord’s hand upon this little
Puebla of Tamazula. He is making His hand manifest in a
miraculous way.
Circumstances were such that the former branch president was
released, and for quite some time this branch has had a temporary
young man (a returned missionary) serving as branch president.
Actually, there was another man before him from neighboring Guzman,
who served for several months and then he moved to another city.
It has been a worry on both president Alcaraz and president Clayton’s
minds to find a faithful man in Tamazula to serve as branch president.
Several weeks ago, in Veracruz Mexico, a young man by the name of
Nefi Bueno, woke up early in the morning, and then drifted back to sleep.
During his early morning sleep, he had a dream about a place called
Tamazula. The dream was clear and unmistakable. He woke up with
the strong, distinct and undeniable impression that he was to take his
little family and move to Tamazula. He didn’t even know where
Tamazula was.
That morning, as he told his wife of his dream and of the impression
that came to him, they looked up Tamazula on the map. They prayed
together, and then, they made the necessary arrangements, and within
the coming week, they moved to Tamazula. They found a small home,
and he secured a job at a greenhouse/nursery.
On the day they arrived in Tamazula... on that very first day, he found
the number for the district President, President Alcaraz and called him.
He told him the story of his dream and how he felt that the Lord had
called him to come to Tamazula. President Alcaraz called
President Clayton and said, the Lord has sent us our branch president.
As I met and visited with Nefi and his wife Ney, and their precious little
2-year-old boy, Nefi junior, after Sacrament meeting, and they told me
their story, I felt like I was looking at Nephi of old...I really did. I was
absolutely struck by this young man’s faith and courage to obey the
prompting that came to him.
(As a side note, we have met many missionaries and other men here in
Mexico, whose parents have named them after Book of Mormon prophets.
We have had here in our mission several Moroni’s, Nefi’s, Helaman’s,
Abinadi’s, and Ammon’s.)
Today, in this very small house of prayer, as I listened to Nefi’s story,
his faith was so very evident. I was able to liken the scripture of another
man named Nephi who had faith and courage to obey the Lord as well,
and to also obey Him with exactness. I knew that this Nefi had read and
believed the words of his namesake, the ancient prophet Nephi, had
learned from him and had sought faith to become like him.
This house of prayer in Tamazula is on the second floor off a very busy
street. Often the windows are left open to help cool down the small room.
One of the first things I learned from worshiping here in Tamazula is that
the world outside can be very busy and noisy… but inside that small upper
room, sacred and important things are being carried forth. These sweet
saints do not even bat an eye, when a truck or a motorcycle zooms by
during the sacrament service… and neither do I.
I have learned that the world can march along to its own beat.. and we
will march forward as well; blocking out and quieting ourselves to hear
the voice of the spirit during our meetings. It was a special day.
Tamazula is not a small Puebla, there are maybe 30,000 people who live
there. There is a University, a Technical Training school, there is a huge
sugar cane processing plant, and, there is a bustling and busy downtown
market. The Catholic Church is also in full force here. In fact, right as we
were ending sacrament meeting, and I was taking a picture of the group
for our mission history, we heard an actual marching band marching past
the busy street below. I said, what is going on... and the members assured
me that it was just one of the many celebrations of the virgin Guadalupe.
We stepped outside the upstairs balcony and saw the marching band, the
clowns, the trailer carrying the statue of Guadalupe, the mariachi band, and
the long lines of followers carrying wine and grain to offer the virgin.
We stood there and watched in amazement for a bit and then we went back
in, to begin our Sunday school.
One last memory… it has always touched our hearts that often, in these
small groups and branches they will bring pound cake for the sacrament
bread, because they want to make their meeting special for us. Today,
they served pancakes for the sacrament bread. I felt President Clayton’s
elbow gently nudge me as we partook of it.
We are in love with these saints.
What a day it has been!
Much love to all,
Sister Clayton
Branch Conference in Tamazula. We had a beautiful drive there.
Here are some pictures of our trip there and back..
Nefi, Nefi junior, and Ney Bueno
With Elder Cruz and Elder Stubbs
serving in Tamazula
parade celebrating the virgin Guadalupe
Tamazula
on the way home.
Sugar cane trucks filled to the brim..
and then some..
Just gorgeous!
