Las Choapas is way south and sits on the border of the State of Chiapas. The missionaries, Elder Gardiner from North Ogden UT was one, found the Ruelas Family. David Ruelas was hesitant as was their daughter, but his wife was baptized. A couple of months later, David said he was ready. A district leader interviewed him but didn't feel good about the interview and told he him needed a couple more weeks to prepare. The missionary left some papers at the house and returned a few minutes later to retrieve them. David was smoking. The missionary was stunned. David said that he was so nervous for having failed the interview that he just HAD to have a smoke. About three weeks later we went to Las Choapas for a followup interview. It was tremendous! David was baptized the next day. The daughter still put it off, but José, 7, could hardly wait until his 8th birthday. That day in January came and David baptized both José and their daughter! The baptismal photo is submitted by Elder Morales and Elder Hart from Phoenix.


April conference arrived. Elder Gardiner had been transferred to the Veracruz area. We went to conference at the Mocambo Stake Center by the temple. There we unexpectedly saw the Ruelas Family. They had come to Veracruz to visit family, but determined to find a church and watch their first general conference. We had a joyful reunion with them there.