Greatest Gifts

Howdy!!

What a great week it has been. There have been so many many miracles and tender mercies! I can't believe Im now on the downward slope... I definitely feel like the best is yet to come, I count and savour each and every day in this blessed vineyard of the Lord. Not sure I'll be back here for anything else BUT missionary work so I'll enjoy my time while im here. Recently, it has felt so precious. time is such a great gift :)

We have been teaching one of the greatest investigators in all of history. Seriously, he is probably worthy to be filmed and put in a video to be shown in the mtc. When we first met him, he overheard us teaching his working partner and heard "the book of Mormon" and just randomly joined in concerned about this book. Of course we excitedly invited him to come and learn more and he did! each time we teach him, he is so extremely excited and enthusiastic to learn! I dont know how to describe him... when we gave him is own copy of the book of mormon on our next visit, he literally jumped out of his chair with excitement! He constantly exclaims, "I believe, I believe!" multiple times throughout our lessons, especially when we teach something new.

I have never met someone who had so many concerns with the Book of Mormon and now is so in love with the book. I enjoyed teaching him the Plan of Salvation this week and was particularly touched by his passion for the doctrine of Resurrection. Most africans naturally accept the idea that we will be resurrected, but Michael had not considered it I guess. I came to realize that to him, separation from this mortal body was a relief! A relief from hunger which he constantly experiences, from body aches and pains from the VERY intense and back breaking labor he is involved in. From malaria and typhoid that so constantly effect the people here. From headaches and eye problems and itching ant bites and bug bites, to him getting out of this weak flesh would be a blessing! As we described to him that we would be resurrected but our bodies would be renewed, perfected and glorified, free from the mortal restrictions we now find ourselves in, he was ecstatic! I have never seen him more excited! He just leaned back in his chair and kept exclaiming "Wow, WOW!". He was also so grateful to our Heavenly Father in that moment for providing a wonderful plan full of such tender blessings. and so was I.

Too often, I get accustomed to this wonderful gospel knowledge which I have been taught all my life. Africans also seem to so naturally know and understand concepts in the Plan of Salvation that rarely do I find myself marveling, as our brother Michael did, at this wonderful truth! How sweet it will be to be immortal and purified! to have every hair of our head restored! What a blessing! what a sweet knowledge. Lets go and share it with our brothers and sisters.

Im nervous to hear transfer news this weekend... Elder Lamont and I are having too much success in our area, I dont wanna loose the guy! we teach so well together and work so hard. None the less, all in the Lords hands :) till next week my friends!

-Elder Fairwell

 

Last October I (Elder Fairwell's mom) had an opportunity to send two boxes to Liberia that were intended to be delivered to him for Christmas. 8 months later...He received them this week!!! Merry Christmas in June! Here is a portion of his response to getting some things from home:

 

Oh man oh man oh MAN!!!! I was so flippin shocked to see that HUGE PACKAGE!!! WHAT THE!!! haha i was expecting two SHOE BOXES!! haha Elder Barret wasnt even able to lift the boxes into his truck BC of a back problem, he had to break one of them up bc it was too heavy. I was in awe.

Everything was fresh! everything is fine! nothing is damaged or missing or anything! haah even the gum is good! except now that ive opened one pack, it went soft after one day. My companion and i are sharing it to make good use of it.

We celebrated my one year by making a small coal fire and roasting the melted "mash-mellows" on forks. they tasted the same afer roasting them :) the gram crackers were surprisingly a bit stale, but we toasted them too on the fire and WOW, my mouth was enjoying it even though my stomach was not. haha it was so sweet!

We also used a can of AMERICAN CORN the other day. The trail mix was brilliant and so are the protein bars. i forgot what it felt like to feel satisfied. haha thanks so much!!!!!!!!!

THE FOLDER WAS SO DOPE!!!! the jokes are so hilarious! thats probalby not a good sign... but we are just dying over them. one of the highlights  is reading a new joke every day. too easy!!

Letters are also so sweet :) I was concerned because i couldnt find one from mom, until i finally found it... WoW mom. you really surpirsed me with the "open when..." letters. Im so excited to read them! I read the open whenever you want one. I about had a heart attack when I saw the "open on the day you come home..." seriously, never dawned on me that day will come. sheesh!