November 5, 2009

Progress on the Mission Mansion is slow, but moving, and I'm learning a lot in the process, I think before the mission I was very apt to let people walk over me, or at least around me, (I don't think that makes much sense so let me explain) If someone would do something that they were comfortable with before the mission, even if it made me uncomfortable I would let it go, bear through it/deal with it, or just leave and make way. Here on the mission we can't just let people do that, we are here on the mission to help them make changes in their lives, to warn them of the effects of sin. Life in the office brings a different application into play as well, if I just let people have their way in deciding the rent, or cost of repairs to a house, the church could lose a ton of money because I didn't have the courage to say/do something, or take the initiative to negotiate. Granted there is a limit to that end of saving money, others have to make a living, but I am learning to "stick to my guns" a bit on things as well as to make decisions that affect more than just myself, I'm grateful for the Lord's patience and willingness to let me learn here.

We haven't taught Rita (the house owner of the mission mansion) anymore yet, it’s even a rare moment when we come out of the office before 9 these days with everything that’s going on but the Lord has blessed Elder Cook and I this week in opportunities to spread the gospel. We were taking a taxi to (or from) the bus station to grab tickets for missionaries leaving the counsel here in Salvador and we met a man named Ribeiro. After talking a bit about little things and his family, we got on the topic of religion and he spoke of his experiences with a couple other churches, and I felt to speak of how leaders in the Church of Jesus Christ don't get money but rather how the tithing funds and fast offerings are completely voluntary and are used for the paying of bills, building of temples and chapels, printing materials for the church etc. After which he really opened up and wanted to hear a lot more about the church, to the point where even after we got to the mission office he stopped the car and kept talking to us, then we got his address and he his wife and two little girls will get a visit hopefully tomorrow (they live in the other mission's area).

I also received great news from the sister missionaries in Eunápolis, (a small town in the interior here) a lady Elder S. and I got to baptize had met with the Sisters in Eunápolis and went to teach her mom. (who I might have told you about a long while ago, a Glacia's mom was in Porto Seguro one time when we were teaching her daughter, she really opened up to us even though by her 1s appearance it seemed she might have rejected us had we knocked on her door) Glacieas 4 nephews/nieces ended up being baptized and her mom and dad are planning on getting married and as I understand what they said is that, "The 1st church they would baptize in would be the Church of Jesus Christ". It's a great feeling when I hear about someone I taught not just still going to church, but helping their families and friends find fruit of the gospel and the way to eternal life.
"You can't count the number of apples in a single seed."

Thanks for the verses and insights on faith, I thought it very well put the way you said that "faith really gives us the right to the power we need to accomplish what is required of us." A very true statement and it brings to mind an interesting thought. As I pray there have been times when I'll ask for something and a thought comes to mind, are you doing your part? Are you putting in the effort according to correct principles? I feel that as we can answer yes to that sort of question that we are truly going forth in faith and then miracles can happen in greater abundance in our lives.

I know that God lives, I know that this is His work, that he leads us to those He would have us lift along our way, even in things as simple as deciding to wear prosylyting clothes on P-day when you might have been thinking of doing otherwise, and as a result a lady comes up to you and talks to you about her son who has fallen away from the church, (standing a few people in front of you in the line to the cash register) who we will be visiting today or tomorrow. I know it is important for each one of us to be attentive to the feelings and thoughts that God will put in our heart as we live worthily of His trust. I think of that general conference talk awhile back about angels in our lives, and how perhaps the number of prayers we have answered may amount to something, but that the number of prayers we answer may be of far greater value. This my testimony I leave with you all in the name of Jesus Christ Amém.