Its funny how each week
I sit down to write you, and the same things come to mind... i.e.
investigators, finding, teaching etc. On
paper it seems that our weeks don’t really change, but in thinking about each
event, movement and impression, I know they are very different.
So, as far as people I
have told you about: That Afrikaans guy who we had an amazing first
lesson with us a few weeks ago has been hard to get a hold of. Finally Elder Brimhall and I decided to take
the drive to where he stays (which is a little far). Upon getting there we found him outside and
this time he was a little less excited to see us. He told us how he read bits of our book and
just can’t find it in him to continue because it’s just not what he grew up
with. We talked as best as the spirit
allowed, and testified, and he asked us to give him time to read for himself. I’m not sure that he will, but I know we did
all we could for this family.
To me it is interesting
how our message and the Book of Mormon work in people’s lives. I sometimes think that if we were to give
someone a novel and tell them how great a novel it is, I think most people
would make a little time to read it. Yet,
when we give them a book which testifies of He who is the center of THEIR
faith, teaches morals and principles that THEY hold dear, and brings more
peace, more answers, and more joy that THEY are looking for, they take it to be
a thing of naught and dismiss it.
When we set up our table
in front of markets or stores, and put out our little "Searching For
Happiness?" sign, we either get "found it!" or "don’t need
it.” When we say we have a very
important message about Jesus Christ and His love for us, they say, "I
know him" and walk on. We have
learned to find humor in it, but really it is interesting.
Still, there are those
who do receive us. Remember Cecelia? Well last Sunday she was offended by someone
at church and left in a huff. Tuesday
night we took the Branch President there to see if we could help her. She didn’t want to talk about it so we didn’t.
Instead we taught about the fall of Adam
and Eve. Cecelia made the claim that the
"fruit" was actually a man that eve did the deed with. A ridiculous claim yes, and we showed her in a
respectful way that that is not true. Remember
how brash she is, and how we are always walking on egg shells around her? Well, she refused it until her husband (who
she seems to dominate) spoke up. Vaughn
put us to flight with his boldness. He
turned to his wife and said that doctrine is of the devil and who ever taught
it to her was NOT inspired of God, but was evil.... I thought, "I'd rather
be in Syria right now than in this house. This is going to be the start of World War III."
Surprisingly, she took it, and we moved
on. But, as far as we can tell, he is receiving
of the truth.
We also found Bailey and
Maureen earlier this week. Upon our
second visit, Maureen (Bailey’s Wife) told us that she read the restoration
pamphlet, and did as it said; which was pray. She then told us that she was caught up in a
very spiritual vision where she was brought before the presence of a higher
being. I wont give any more details, but
she, and we, knew that God had indeed answered her prayer. They accepted baptism, but there will still be
some things to overcome.
Faith in Christ and our
message is what carries us. We don’t
have faith in the people we teach, but our faith remains in the Rock of our
foundation, and that is the kind of faith we need to have in this work.
I shared last week about
Lwandile's baptism. On Sunday he was
confirmed. There was also the baptism of
a child of record after church. After
the service, the former Branch President Jean - Pierre brought us up front and
presented to the branch our desire to have five more baptisms in his pool
before the new chapel is complete in December. We have the support of the members, and are
working harder and harder with them. I
can tell you, I wont be leaving this transfer. The Lord doesn’t want me to. Its been confirmed to me and my companion as
well as President. I don’t know how long
I will be here, but it is where the Lord wants me.
I love you; keep faith in Christ, not in people.
Elder Gold
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