Gustavo

We met Gus a couple of months ago following his return from Texas, and on rebound from a paralyzing stroke suffered one year earlier. He is a young man and this was obviously an atypical medical event. Life threatening at inception, it became a spiritual watershed. After months of pain and therapy he could reach, grasp and eventually walk again, but not drive. He has related an earlier separation from fellowship and a dramatic return after the personal cataclysm . The fear and physical dependence of his injury awakened acute spiritual need. He described the encouraging embrace of his Heavenly Father during this critical time and his growing love for the Savior.




The Sister missionaries visited his apartment and invited Gus to the singles branch. As we say in our New York, New York South Mission Statement:

The TEMPLE is the goal. 
The MEMBERS are the key. (recited in eight languages including creole and ASL at every mission gathering).

So the temple became his goal. He attended meetings faithfully and has added rich perspective to our institute discussions.

Gus works professionally as a videographer, particularly with local rap and hip-hop bands. He is also developing still photography skills. We enjoy discussing different types of photographic and editing equipment.

He asked me to ordain him as a Priest in the Aaronic Priesthood and shortly thereafter, a temple trip was scheduled. President Nulty, the Branch president, tries to take the branch to the Manhattan temple once each month. This was one of the circumstances where the missionary sisters were allowed to attend.

Gus later sent me one of his photographs from the outing: Central Park, Upper West Side, the sisters and a few friends.  Beautiful.