Well, another week and here i am again at the computer. I
struggle to think of any exciting or eventful experiences from this week so
please bear with me as i try to write them!
I thoroughly enjoyed an exchange with a new missionary,
Elder Wilkinson, who still in his training. He and I had a lot of fun despite a
day full of un-planned activities. Literally, every lesson we had until 6 pm
failed us, yet we were able to make some sweet contacts and meet some
incredible people! Each time we met someone new, i was simply reminded that
what I was promising this new elder and trying to show him was TRUE! the lord
DOES use us even when we have no idea what we are supposed to be doing.
I had an experience Sunday evening as we were heading back
to the apartment. I was feeling a little disappointed and discouraged that it
was Sunday night and I wasnt feeling completely exhausted like i had left my
all in the field. It had been a fine week, numbers looked good, but I felt like
not much had really been improved or impacted from my efforts that week. I
didnt feel right as we headed back to the apartment, but i kept asking myself,
where else am i supposed to go? what am i supposed to do? ALL of our
appointments from that afternoon had failed and we had barely managed to find
something to do that afternoon, and now i was feeling bad about going home. As
i rehearsed the situation in my mind, i decided that i would save myself the
guilt and just turn around and see where possibly the Lord would have me go. We
ended up at the house of a sister investigator who happened to be doing nothing
and allowed us to visit with her. I cant say it was an incredible lesson, nor
can i promise that she will be baptized, but I was incredibly grateful that
both my companion and i were able to shed some light on her and testify of the
eternal truths of this restored gospel. I look forward to seeing this sister
progress, and i hope that that lesson was her turning point! I was once again
reminded that sometimes, we want to see the WHOLE picture when the Lord simply
promises us that there is indeed something there but we just cant see it at the
moment. I pray that i will continue to keep following His promptings even when
i have no clue what He has ahead of me!
Anyways, the exchange with Elder Wilkinson was sweet. We
ended up staying up late talking (on accident), sharing some sweet stories,
teaching some sweet lessons, walking about 50 miles if im not mistaken, and
enjoyed what this missionary work is all about. too easy!
I also had an incredible time teaching a new
investigator we have, a part member family, who comes from a very wealthy
family. I think this is one of the very few times when i have taught someone
that really doesnt care all that much about church, God or anything religious.
She had a few curiosities about the Book of Mormon, but they were pretty easily
resolved. She is very educated and smart and lives a very first world life:
goes to university, rides in a car everywhere she goes, watches tv, lives in a
nice house ect... During that lesson, it was one of the few times that I have
immediately skipped to teaching the Plan of Salvation and watched as someones
understanding of life and their eternal nature became apperent to their mind
again.
You would be surprised how spiritually in tune the people of
Ghana and Liberia are. Although their church teaches the doctrine of the
trinity, for example, they personally are baffled by the idea of 3 in 1 and
everywhere but nowhere, and obviously dont understand their pastors lectures!
they seem to understand naturally the true reality of the Godhead, that they
are three seperate individuals. So it is with their understanding of the Plan
of Salvation. I believe i will sorely miss African life when i return home
because life in america can so easily allow us to forget our true purpose of
life. We get caught up in schooling, work, physical apperance, social status
etc... here, it seems that for the majority of people, life is so simple. Work,
church. Work and church again.
It was so sweet for me to open someone's understanding of
where they came from and teach them about their Eternal nature. We are not just
human beings sent here to live for a few years and then die! what a beautiful
concept that we get to teach people. I was grateful for my chance to enlighten
and inspire someone else to want to know more and be more successful in their
life purpose.
Sunday i was asked to give a talk on the subject of enduring
to the end. I had fun with it. My new area is very much more wealthy and thus,
educated, and nearly all the congregation speaks english. That is a blessing,
meaning that they can all understand me and laugh at my jokes rather than
giving me blank looks throughout the meeting. I enjoyed the opportunity! I
emphisised the power our covenants can give to us as we endure to the end and
suggested we try and reach out to those who have not made any covenants and
would be blessed by coming and making these promised to God. too easy!
Saturday we had a fun service project. moved some dirt
around for an investigator. got dirty and reminded myself how soft my hands
have gotten. nbd.
I think that is all the report i can squeez out for this
week. Life is going wonderful here, we are enjoying working hard and the
sweetness that comes from serving the Lord. Sorry that no exciting events are
happening these days, but rest assured taht the 'normal' missionary life is so
sweet. Thanks for the support from your end. Couldnt serve without it. Till
next week, love,
Elder Fairwell
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