Weeks 79, 80, and 81 - July 30, 2024

 Hey, everyone, almost didn't get this email out, but here it is.  I feel like I have a lot to talk about because it's been a very interesting three weeks. 

My comp Elder Burrows (his name is funny because Burro in Spanish is donkey lol) and I have been working pretty dang hard here in Maimon.  The area is beautiful, as I've said before, but the branch here has some issues with attendance. We've been trying to find the balance between finding new people to teach and visiting the members consistently to make sure they don't go inactive.  We're still working on that.  Another thing that's interesting that one must take into account is that, even though we're in the new North Mission, me and my comp come from different missions originally.  This means he has different ideas in the work--some good, others not as much.  We're trying to find a balance with that as well. 

Sometimes we like to go down to a little bus stop town known as Piedra Blanca- or White Rock- located right in between Santo Domingo the capital, Bonao the district center, and Maimon.  This little town is also part of the area and we've been going down there once a week and let me tell you, every time we've been it's been such an adventure.  We go just to talk to references that we get from social media, which are many.  Since there's no church building down there and most of the people there don't have the means to make the 20-minute drive to the church, we don't spend too much time finding new people there.  But it's always fun to visit that place, I love it there. 

Anyway, to wrap it all up.  We've been working hard here to help the area progress, but I still feel like there's definitely room to improve and better ways to use our time.  I have a lot of hope for the area and a lot of faith in its progress, but it won't be easy.  But as my dad always tells me- if it were easy everyone would do it, right?  Thanks, everyone, for the love and support, keep praying for me (I promise the prayers are working), and of course I'm praying for you all as well.  Until next time!

I must go -Elder Barlow

Letter from Elder Barlow's New Mission President - July 19, 2024

Dear Brother and Sister Barlow, 

We are excited to have Elder Barlow in the NEW Dominican Republic Santo Domingo North Mission with us. We have been traveling the mission conducting interviews with all our missionaries, participating in zone conferences, district councils and we have loved getting to know each one of them. Thank you for raising a missionary ready to help gather Israel in the Dominican Republic (Isaiah 18:2,7). 

 

We have had three children serve missions and understand some of the feelings you may have during your missionary’s service. Our children became more converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ and found great joy in serving others throughout the world. We hope to help your missionary become closer to our Savior and point others to Him as well. President Russell M. Nelson has stated the gathering of Israel “is the most important thing taking place on earth today.” As your missionary participates in this great cause, we hope your entire family recognizes the tender mercies of the Lord.

 

Friends and family may send letters and packages to the following address via DHL, FedEx, LDSXpress, and DomEx.

 

[Missionary Name]

Calle Manganagua #16

Mirador, Manganagua

Santo Domingo

Dominican Republic 10138

 

If you have questions or concerns, please contact our mission secretary, Hermana Jennifer Hughes, jenniferhughes@missionary.org.  Additionally, we encourage you to visit our mission facebook page, “Missionaries of the DR Santo Domingo North Mission 2024-2027.” Sister Stroud does a great job of updating pictures on a regular basis. 

 

We are grateful to be part of this great work of gathering Israel. We have already felt the tender mercies from our Father in Heaven and we have witnessed miracles that our missionaries have been a part of.  It is a choice blessing to serve with your missionary.

 

President Darold Stroud

Sister Mayte Stroud

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 

Dominican Republic Santo Domingo North Mission

Week 78 - July 8, 2024

 What's up, everyone?!  Got some big news coming your way, so grab some popcorn and check this out.  Also, don't miss the Google photos album:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/tihiSziTbydZFL4M6

Last Thursday, the very 4th of July, I experienced a miracle.  A real-life miracle.  This miracle actually comes directly from the scriptures, so we're gonna start with a scripture.  In the Book of Mormon, there's a part where Alma, a disciple of Christ and a leader over a large group of people, was taken captive along with his people by another bad group of people, the Lamanites.  These people put tasks and really hard trials on Alma and his people, but they had faith, and got through their trials.  The scripture tells us: 

12 And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him (because they were beat when they were heard praying); and he did know the thoughts of their hearts. 

13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage. 

14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

This was after their much praying and crying unto the Lord daily, both out loud and in their minds.  It also says they were not only visited but delivered from their trials. 

19 And in the morning the Lord caused a deep sleep to come upon the Lamanites, yea, and all their taskmasters were in a profound sleep. 

20 And Alma and his people departed into the wilderness; and when they had traveled all day, they pitched their tents in a valley, and they called the valley Alma, because he led their way in the wilderness. 

21 Yea, and in the valley of Alma they poured out their thanks to God because he had been merciful unto them, and eased their burdens, and had delivered them out of bondage; for they were in bondage, and none could deliver them except it were the Lord their God.

Brothers and sisters, I confirm the veracity of this scripture with my own experience.  My last area was really really tough for me.  I battled with a lot of self-doubt and even hatred, I didn't see any progress in the work, people hated us, didn't want anything to do with us, and much more.  I do, however, remember vividly multiple nights where God visited me with His spirit, and He did, in reality, help me through my afflictions. As for the miracle, well, it's exactly what happened to Alma here.  Last Thursday, on the 4th of July, on the very day we celebrate freedom, I was delivered to a valley.  A valley in the center of the island called Maimón.  This place is nothing if not absolutely beautiful.  It is the land of God.  Every day I have found myself looking at the great, green mountains that surround the area and thanking God for being so good and thanking Him "because he had been merciful unto [me], and eased [my] burdens, and had delivered [me] out of bondage." Maimón is my miracle and connecting it with the scriptures and Alma and his people's experience, this area is a testament to me that God truly knows me, and is truly watching me, that he appreciates me and my efforts, and most importantly, that he "remembers the covenant that I have made with Him."

I know now with a certainty that God really is with us IN our trials, and really does listen to our prayers.  I also know that blessings come in His time, not ours.  Although that sometimes is hard (it was for me), I know that God truly is ready and waiting to bless us greatly.  I am so ready to work even harder than I did before, and to push myself and devote myself even more to the work. That's about it, though for this week, and I'll keep you guys updated for baptisms and other miracles I'm sure I'll end up seeing. 

I must go (to bed it's really late) -Elder Barlow

Weeks 74, 75, 76, and 77 - July 1, 2024

 Hey, everyone, got some exciting stuff to talk about in this edition of the "weekly" DR update.  This is an exciting one, as I just said, so let's get right into it.

 

Let's start off with a funny story before getting to the exciting part.  Elder Funk tried chicken feet with yuca and we had to sprint home because he started not feeling too well.  He threw up on arrival at the house.  Pictures below. Of the food not the throw up.

And yeah, that's right, I'm one of the first in history to be a part of the new Santo Domingo North Mission here in the Dominican Republic.  The DR just got its 4th mission in the country last week officially, and the Lord has chosen me - along with many other amazing missionaries - through his living apostles today to open it up.  I am so honored and even more excited for this great opportunity. I'm super hyped to see new places and to meet people I've never seen or heard of before. 

Last Friday, we got to go meet the new mission president, and my 3rd president in the mission, Presidente Stroud, and his wife.  These are some amazing folks, and I'm really excited to get to know them more and to work with them in this gran obra.  Another funny story, me and my comp were the first missionaries in the West mission to meet the new president.  Last Friday, we all get to the big chapel in Los Alcarrizos (maybe the biggest chapel in the country) to have our meeting with the new presidente. There's like 50 missionaries there, and they're all from the West mission.  President hasn't showed up yet, so me and Elder Funk leave to go get some water.  We go out into the hall to drink some water, but there's no cups to drink from.  Elder Funk just says, "Screw it" and kneels down and puts his mouth under the water jug dispenser and proceeds to dispense the water into his mouth.  Not three seconds later and guess who comes around the corner.  That's right, Sister Stroud, the President's wife.  I was shocked, because I saw a Spanish lady with a tag on but couldn't tell if it was actually her.  When I realized it actually was, I didn't know what to say, and see Funk scrambling to his feet to say hi as well.  Right after that, Presidente Stroud himself comes around.  He says hi to us and tries to remember our names from our faces.  He said my name FIRST, ya boy Elder Barlow.  

Anyway, we proceed to have a mini-conference, and President and his wife introduce themselves as well as their family to all of us.  After that, he taught about our missionary purpose, and made us think about what kind of missionaries do we really want to be by the end of our mission.  He spoke powerfully and with a lot of excitement, I could feel it.  It's like he was George Washington leading us into battle.  I saw this because he literally looks like if George Washington were alive today, and I just think that's the coolest thing ever. 

I know I've said many times now, but I truly am so excited to see what the future holds. One missionary told me recently, "I learned from my dad that the most memorable part of your mission is the last 6 months."  I believe it, and here I am about to spend the last 6 months of my mission in a whole new place, with new people to meet and learn from.  I feel so blessed to be a part of this great opportunity. 

That's all for now, and the next email you get from me might be from a completely different part of the DR, so stay tuned. Thank you all for your prayers and support!

I must go -Elder Barlow

Letter from Elder Barlow's Mission President about new mission change - June 27, 2024

 Dear Family Barlow 

 We feel deeply grateful for the service of your son who has been serving with us in the mission. With the creation of the new Santo Domingo North Mission, we have made some adjustments with the assignments of some missionaries.

We would like to inform you that your son will be part of the new Dominican Republic Santo Domingo Norte Mission starting July 1st.  This decision was made after fasting and prayer and receiving approval from the missionary department and area presidency. We know for sure your son will be a blessing to the new mission leaders and will have the opportunity to serve in different places and with new missionaries that will allow him to continue growing and learning in this new mission.

We know that this change may be unexpected, but we trust that your son is ready to be part of this wonderful story. Your son's new mission leaders are President and Sister Stroud who will be leading the mission. The address of the North mission office is Calle Manganagua #15 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. 

Missionaries are doing wonderful work, bringing the message of the restored gospel and making a difference in the lives of many people. Their dedicated sacrifice is a great blessing and we are sure that the Lord will reward them for their faithfulness and selfless service.

We will appreciate your support to continue strengthening him to continue serving with love in this wonderful work. Your prayers are always a source of strength.

Sister Hernandez and I feel so much love and gratitude for having served with Elder Barlow during this time. We will miss him, but we know that the Lord will bless him with opportunities for progress.

May the Lord bless you in your sacred efforts as you support your son through these changes.

With love,

President and Sister Hernandez