Howdy Folks!
This week was so DOPE. haha My companion and I have been feeling an urgency to
redouble our efforts in our proselyting and this week we did. We termed this
week our "Four minute mile week" because we were setting out to set
some mission records. It happened, and in fact, the Lord exceeded our
expectations far beyond what we could have hoped. I've never been so wasted and
tired, but so happy with whats been happening. The Lord truly has opened the
way for my companion and I.
First, Im so excited for two
future Melchizedeck Priesthood holders who will be baptized this weekend. One is
probably my best buddies out here, a 28 year old single guy who would be
labeled as a "bush pikin" because he never went to school and cant
read or write well. He is an auto mechanic but is currently not working but
living with a member around his same age. He voluntarily helps this member
build his house each day and they became good friends. To give you an idea,
when elder lamont and I started teaching him, he didnt know how to pray at all and
felt so embarrassed that he wasnt educated in religion at all. He was so eager
and anxious to learn and equally eager to give up any activity that wasnt in
harmony with our teachings. I was so happy to see him in church last sunday in
a white shirt that I was able to give him in a tie that im pretty sure was
donated by my dad. It was the first time he had ever worn a tie, and although
we gave him a hard time for it, he looked so good in a white shirt and tie and
blue jeans. Im so excited for his baptism!
My heart almost lept from my
chest Sunday afternoon when a less active brother got off a motorbike in front
of the chapel and walked into the building. He was the most enthusiastic branch
missionary and helpful member 9 months ago when I served in Brewerville Branch
the first time. He has fallen inactive since then. Ever since I came back to
this branch I have been exerting all my prayers and efforts possible to help
reactivate him. Two weeks ago, we went to his house to carry him to church as
he had promised to come (he had promised us 12 consecutive times before without
success). He told us he had a cold and would come "Next week, I
promise". We bore our testimonies to him with all the energy we could
muster, and essentially dropped him by
telling him that if he was not going to keep his commitments, then the Lord
would have us missionaries go after those that were willing to follow Him.
Unfortunately, when the promised Sunday came, he was not in church. I felt so
bad to have to see him loose so many promised blessings as he was one of my
personal friends (he is around the same age as us). Although, how sweet was my
joy to see him in church one week late! I dont think I have ever been so
excited to see someone simply come to church. :)
Another personal friend
brightened my day named La. by coming to church for the first time in
months. He has been preparing for baptism since I was in Brewerville the first
time, but every time a date gets near, satan seems to find a weakness in his
armour. In April, we had to give him to different elders because he had moved
homes and now was not in our area. He had moved because he would not back down
in his beliefs of the true church when his family persecuted him harshly for
not attending the "family church". We were sad to give him away, but
knew that if he wanted, all would be well. Unfortunately, every time we
followed up with these elders, we discovered no progress had been made and that
he was coming to be dropped (we call it "postponing blessings" in our
zone). Yesterday, saw him coming out of the Banjor Branch and couldnt
have been happier! When I asked what made him come, he said he had simply made
up his mind the day before to come to church, no invitation or prompting from
the missionaries or anything. Its a miracle!
The Lord also provided the way
for us to teach another family we have been striving to focus on, but every
time we make an appointment, the wife or son seems to bounce us. Only the
husband is able to sit down with us. This week, we went to see the husband and
by happenstance, the rest of the family was there too! They began their
investigation of the church a few weeks ago with very very negative views of
the church. Now their concerns have been resolved and their interest has been
peaked, they want to know more. Despite their love for their current church,
they have finally given us chance to help them feel the spirit lead them to
this, the Lord's church.
Sorry for the lack of details,
but time is limited :) The Lord has simply been opening the way for us in every
phase of the work! His arm is not hidden!
love, Elder Fairwell
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