I
don't know where to start writing this week. A lot has happened but it's hard
to put in words. As I read, and as I'm writing, I have been filled with comfort
and love. Even though I'm far away, I feel at home when I read your letters.
I've never been one to cry, but ever since my mission started in the CCM I've
cried tons more. It's not because it's hard (because it is) but because I have
felt and been filled with mercy and compassion everyday this week. The only
thing I can say to describe my feelings is to read 3 Nephi 17. Every time I
read that chapter I feel an overwhelming compassion and love which brings tears
to my eyes. So that's what I've been feeling this week.
I
don't think that it's a coincidence that I have been studying the Plan of
Salvation tons this week (We taught it to a family for my first time this
week). With Grandpa's passing, this has been a great strength for me. When we
taught the family (it was after grandpa's passing) I could testify even more
strongly of my witness that the Plan of Salvation is the Plan that God has for
all of his children. That lesson was the best lesson we have taught but not
because of us. The Lord had prepared that family, especially the dad, for the
Gospel. I could see the gears turning and clicking as we taught and asked
questions. At the end of the lesson we asked if he would come to church and,
without hesitating, he said he'd like that. It was such a golden
experience.
We
had three investigators come to church and three less actives come to church
yesterday! That's a miracle! We got up and got ready really quick and then went
to wake them up to get ready for church at 8:30. It required a lot of patience
but it happened and it was a great feeling to see them there.
It
was an interesting Sacrament Meeting. It was Fast and Testimony meeting but I
saw the deacons/teachers eating snacks and little kids walking around and tons
of people were talking. It was really disrespectful and I don't know what our
investigators and less-actives thought. We'll talk to them tomorrow about that.
I felt the spirit as I concentrated on the testimonies but that was hard to do.
After the meeting, only the missionaries were excused and so we walked out. Hno
Nuñez (a really faithful and helpful member, and has a great testimony) chewed
out all the members (under the direction of the Bishop) because they needed to
help us more. I can't imagine at all what our investigators thought at this
part. I only heard, and understood even less, through the door. But after, when
everyone was exiting the room, there were people who came to talk to us and
asked us to come visit them to see how they can help us. There were also people
who gave us nasty looks and wouldn't talk to us. Soooo, I don't know what will happen
but I trust that the Lord will provide a way for us to progress in this work
more and more every day.
We
could have another baptism this month. His name is Nahúm. He is living with the
daughter of a member and they want to be married! He already has been taught
all the lessons and we reviewed what he'd been taught last time we visited him.
They are taking out the papers on the 11th and then we have set for their
marriage and his baptism (she's a member already) for the 21st. That is our
goal but it may be the 27th or later depending on them and what they want to
do. He for sure wants to be baptized though and knows that it's true. He really
wants to go to the temple in a year too! The only problem is that he wants to
make the wedding special for his soon-to-be wife and so that could take some
more time for planning reasons.
Remember
Victor Manuel??? Well he stopped drinking this week, enough that we could teach
him why it's bad and he hasn't touched a drop since last Wednesday (I think
that's when he stopped...) Then he came to church with us, as well as his wife!
They are members but they just haven't come because of his drinking problem! It
was truly a miracle and a faith builder that our prayers are really
answered.
We
have two new investigators: Maricela and her family, and Osmn Tobez. We've
taught Osmn half of The Restoration but it wasn't right to finish because he
had so many questions about prophets and apostles. So, we will teach him the
First Vision next time I think. We haven't taught Maricela yet but she came to
a family night with the ward mission leader so that was good. The ward mission
leader's wife is becoming friends with her.
One
challenge we've had this week is that there are only four families in the
Kbranch (Quebranchitos... way up on the hill... like way up there) that are
members. Two are less actives and one is the Zuniga Family, and they are new to
the church. The other is the Ward Mission Leader and his family. They are
awesome and really strong in the church. The problem is that no one in El Sitio
(far below) wants to home teach or make friends with people in the Kbranch
because they don't want to walk that far. So we'll try to encourage the members
in El Sitio this next week especially, and we'll talk with the Bishop in our consejo
as well about it.
With
Love,
Elder
Tuft
=====================
Mom
and Dad and Family,
This
is the Google address for my house but you won't be able to see the street view
of my house cause there isn't a street and Google doesn't have the pictures
either.
Colonia El Sitio
Tegucigalpa
14.108642, -87.153442
Highlight
that all and paste it in Google Maps (like I've showed you before Mom! :) Look
just south of the marker and you'll see the top of a tree. I live down that
alleyway just a little bit to the right of the tree. Hope you can find it.
I’m
truly at peace with the news of Grandpa's death because I know of the Plan of
Salvation. I know I will see him again. And Dad, Yes! I do think that Grandpa
is sharing his burning testimony of the Gospel and a little bit in Spanish too!
Mom,
The package hasn't come yet but that doesn't mean it's in the office waiting to
be picked up. I could be another week or two as well, depending on how big it
is and when the APs pick up the mail. It's cheaper to pick up all the packages
at once instead of one at a time, so they wait for a month before they pick
them up.
Love
you all!
Elder
Tuft
PS
Tell
Matt and Jaden that I have two months on them and that they've got a lot to do
to catch up! ;) ;) ;) Give them my best
wishes and tell them that I'll be praying for them cause it's a huge change. We
have to pay to have our clothes washed by a member, IF we don't do it ourselves.
Other than that, we clean up after ourselves. But wish Jaden and Matt luck for
me!
No comments:
Post a Comment