Elder John-Gregory Sierra: NEWS FROM THE "HOOD"

YOU GOTTA BE KIDDIN' ME! THE CRIPS HAVE JOBS AND ARE GOING TO COLLEGE?! PLUS, ONE MORE AMMON MOMENT

Hey Mom,

I'm VERY happy to hear that Dad is going home soon. And Whoa, Aunt Kathy is out in Utah?!!(Not yet) That's great! So, Benjamin is driving now...........(just said a quick prayer for the world). I'm kidding! I'm sure he will be fine. As long as he doesn't drive like me, he will be fine. I find it funny how you share my stories of my mission with your class (To illustrate how the truths of the gospel change us from the inside, Mom shared how the gang members asked if selling drugs was a sin, since all they did was sell it to those who wanted to buy it... and then decided to look for other ways to earn $$, once Elder Sierra told them it was, since they were the ones handing out the sin.) Oh, and as far as transfers go, my trainer is going out tomorrow and I get a new boy who has been out as long as I have and we both don't know Spanish.........it's gonna be a lot of fun. Oh yeah, and the best part: from what I hear, he is exactly like me. HAHAHA!!! This mission is done for haha. His name is Elder Russel and I am excited to work with him.

Oh, and so, you will LOVE THIS! The group of Crips I have been teaching all got jobs at Wal-mart and just applied to their local community college. They want to start a business making and selling soul food! And to top it off, they all have a baptism date for July 27. Tyrone said this, "Elder Sierra, ever since you kicked my a**, and took my knife, which I would like to have back, I knew that you had soemthin' about ya'll that I wanted. I can't explain it, man, but I feel it deep in me and I just wanna tell you thanks cuz now I wanna be a better man. In fact, I want my girl to learn about this now." I was blown away. The gospel changes hearts and lives. It's true!! I love doing this work.

Oh, and yeah, I had another Ammon moment, so brace yourself. We were teaching Juan and a random neighbor ran up to us, threatening us, and once, again telling us to get in our car and drive off. I got ticked again because it was a VERY wonderful lesson he disturbed, so while he was yelling I received an impression to wait and see what would happen. I needed to wait for my opportunity to say or do something instead of just automatically yelling back at him. So, I waited and then, he grabbed my arm. That is when I told him calmly, but sternly, "Sir, please get your hand off of me and sit down. I have listened and now it is your turn to listen, otherwise, please leave this house, or I will remove you from it." For some reason (don't know why), he was very quiet all of a sudden, sat down next to Juan, and listened to the Plan of Salvation. He now wants us to come back and teach him tomorrow. It was a very interesting experience. His name is Ronaldo Castillo. It's interesting how half of my investigators are people that used to completely hate us. Anyway, things out here are good. I love you all and will talk to you later.

Elder Sierra