Well this week was crazy busy and I want to write it all so brace yourself for a long one and possibly very out of order email. Sorry. ;)
Okay
this week I saw my first monkeys! Two! They were very timid and very
little so it wasnt as exciting as I thought it would be butttt they were
very cute and I got a crappy picture for proof for sam. I was mostly
excited to tell the kids. :)
Monday was p-day but sister a and b were
in a meeting with president so sister g and I stayed here and
relaxed and shopped for gifts for our "moms". Mine will be leaving in 2
weeks. Transfers in 2 weeks. Time is flying by. Anyways because sister a
and sister b didn't get p-day Monday they had p-day Tuesday and we did a
split. While sister G and I were working we encountered a man who
was convinced that God and Jesus were one person and wanted to argue
with us. He had scriptures and no matter what we said he argued or
scoffed at. So finally we just invited him to church again and left. It
was very frustrating that he was so cold hearted. But it made us look up
more scriptures to use. And when we got back we prayed for him to learn
the truth someday. It was interesting.
We also taught two people who they have been
teaching for weeks and won't be baptized unless the church gives them
money.....it's ridiculous. We had to go teach them and basically Sister
G said that if they don't go to church this weekend they won't
continue to teach them. I bore my testimony and shared with them a
scripture about faith and blessings but I don't know if it really did any
good. It was a good learning experience for me though.
We also taught one of their progressing
investigators the plan of salvation and before we even started the
lesson Sister G told them that I don't speak good Portuguese so she
will teach the lesson. It was very very frustrating. I know a lot about
the 2nd lesson and if anything I can share scriptures or bare testimony.
But she just went on and on and on and then bore her testimony and
ended and asked questions and then they started talking about other
things. I was very upset. It was the first time that I questioned if I
was truly a missionary here. I talked with Sister B for a long
time and she was very kind. She reminded me that Sister G is very
young and doesn't know anything about working with people who don't know
Portuguese perfectly. She also reminded me that I know I'm a missionary
and can teach and the Lord does too and the rest doesn't matter. She is
of course right.
Ran into a lady from our ward whose kids have chicken pox right now. And we rode with her kids in the car on
Sunday..... -_- Please pray I don't get it.
Sooo
the next story might give mom a heart attack but please don't worry. We
were tracking in a neighborhood and we were having a lot of success. We
taught a lesson and found a whole family who wanted to hear the message
and so we were feeling really confident. We saw a man standing in front
of his house who was about 28 or so and Sister B wanted to talk to
him. The minute we started talking to him this really dark and
unsettling feeling washed over me. But the man was really nice and
agreed to be taught and even said he wanted to be baptized Sunday "as
soon as possible". Sister B was super excited and called Elder
P about interviews and everything. I expressed to her that I didn't
feel good about it and that something wasn't right with the man. But she told me that she didn't feel that way
and everything was fine. She called him a golden investigator and that
the Lord gives us people prepared....so I tried to listen and brush it
off because....I mean what do I know? Anyways we returned the next day
to teach him and we taught him the first lesson and the commandments. He
talked with Elder P and everything was perfect. But I still didn't
feel good. Then he told us that he helped with an abortion five years
ago.We called President Perroti and he said that he could still be
baptized but he would have to talk with the bishop first so the bishop
can evaluate the situation and talk with president p. I still felt
really uneasy but we continued. We walked with him to the church for an
activity and to talk with the bishop and while we were walking he told
us that he served time in prison for 2 years because he KILLED SOMEONE.
Good grief. He wanted to be baptized because he felt extreme guilt for
shooting someone. We introduced him to people and tried to act normal
and then we asked the ward mission leader to drive him home with another
man in our ward. We didn't have a chance to tell them that he killed
someone and to be careful so we just prayed in the street after leaving
they would be safe. When I got home I was very worried because despite
all this and the fact he cannot be baptized (the bishop said straight up
he can't for at least 5 years or so of repentance and then maybe he can)
Sister B wanted to go back and continue to teach him and the rest
of his family! I did not feel good about this at all. I prayed that an
answer would come as to what to do. The next morning we got a
phone call from Brother J (ward mission leader) and he said that
the spirit testified to him that the man killed someone and to tell us we
were not to go back. It was very clear and very strong. We will not go
back. It is sad because he is truly repentant. And he wants to change.
But killing is a sin that just can't be baptized and made whole again. We
will continue to pray but we will never go back. I am very grateful for
my spiritual promptings about safety. That is one thing I have REALLY
noticed here is when we are in any danger I always get promptings of
where to go or who not to talk to. The hard part is getting my companion
to trust me. I hope that after this experience it will be easier for
her to listen. She did talk to me in the kitchen that night and
apologized because she realized that I was right. But I am very grateful
that I get very clear promptings about our safety. You do not need to
worry about us. The Lord is taking good care of us. And also I remember a
lot about what you have taught me dad about safety. I even carry my
heavy hard water bottle at night so I can smack someone if necessary and
I never carry a lot of money. We also let men pass us if they are
walking behind us and run through the tunnels if it's night. So far no
problems. I can literally feel someone watching over us. I know we will
be fine as long as we are obedient and follow spiritual promptings.
My last story is that our ANCIENT investigators
J and G (13 and 9) FINALLY got permission from their grandma
to be baptized!!!!!!! It was AMAZING. Truly a miracle because honestly
we never thought it would happen. We fasted Tuesday this week their grandma
would have her heart softened and sign the papers. And then 3 days
later she did. Not only that but she came! Her, their aunt, and 8 of
their friends! It was a huge missionary opportunity and their grandma even
cried. It was beautiful and truly a miracle. We were so excited. It was
awesome. In my mind....their grandma is next. ;) I want to see her baptized
before I leave this area in 6 weeks. Its my goal. Pray for her. She
smokes 6 packs a day if not more. And drinks. And is Catholic. It won't
be easy.
Anyways sorry its so scattered.
I love you all!
Emily
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