This week was one of the very best that I've ever had!
Where to begin? Last wednesday night. We were doing some strada and talking to people on the street. We met two africans that spoke a little bit of english. They said that we could go over to visit them the next evening. They live in a hotel (it turns out that the U.N. is paying for them for a few months until they get documents and find jobs). We walked up to the front door of the hotel, and one of the africans that we had met the night before was walking out. He welcomed us and told us to wait, he wanted to get "his brother." We sat down outside the front door of the hotel, and a few more africans came. However, we kept hearing "come on guys, we're having church!" Before we knew it, there were almost 20 africans gathered around to hear our teachings. We preached a "sermon" to them about Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, and how they could pray to know that it was true. We had 2 or 3 Books of Mormon in English, so we left them, told them to share, and promised that we'd return the next evening with more books. We came back the next evening (Friday...) and taught the full restoration lesson (talking about prophets, the ministry of Christ, and apostasy, and making sure they understood the importance of priesthood authority in connection with all of this). At the end of the lesson, we invited them to be baptized by someone who held the correct authority - they accepted (the 7 that came and were actually interested)! Some of them were hesitant at first because they had already been baptized, but then a couple of the others that were also listening re-explained to the africans that had concerns why they needed to be baptized by someone with the proper authority! It was awesome! We fixed a date with them the next evening (saturday) - the 10th of July. We had 8 of them come to church - they loved it! And, even though the members don't speak English, they mentioned how friendly and welcoming they were. One asked us "was the pastor pleased with us?" We assured them that he was. Most of them are from Ghana and a couple are from Nigeria. Most of them were living in Libia and, due to the war, came to Italy. They've only been here for 2 or 3 weeks. Anyway, we've been continuing to teach them. We taught the word of wisdom on monday - they didn't like the tea and coffee thing very much. However, we invited them to ask God if it was something that they should do. We helped them understand that this commandment came from God and Jesus Christ, not from a man on Earth. We went again last night and talked more about exercising faith in connection with living the word of wisdom. Each one, at the end of the lesson, committed to avoid tea and coffee! The only other foreseeable problem is integrating them into our ward - it's difficult when nobody speaks their language and 90% of the members live in other cities. However, the bishop is on board with us and is willing to do all he can - especially on sundays - to prepare these men, both spirtually and socially, for baptism. Successo!
Next really cool thing. On friday, my companion had to use the bathroom really bad. We went to the station to use the bathroom there. While he was in the bathroom, I began talking with a worker that was just standing off in the corner. His name is Petrica. He's studied with the Jehovah's witnesses for 5 years, but "they haven't convinced him yet." I asked him if he'd ever asked why there are so many churches. He exclaimed "yes!" That's why he's studying with the JWs - he's searching for the truth but can't find it. I recounted the Joseph Smith to him, talked about the book of mormon, and told him how he coudl find out if these things were true - prayer. My companion finally came back out and we were able to testify together. We set an appointment for a couple days later. When we went, monday, he was super excited to see us. We taught the full restoration lesson to him. One could just see the light that was in his eyes. He kept on begging us - "please, keep talking. It makes me feel good." We came to learn that the reason why he didn't like the JWs was because they don't have the Holy Ghost (I don't know if that's true, but that's what he said...). He told us that when we would talk, however, he felt it. He said it reminded him of something that he had heard before. He said it was really similar to the comforting words his father would tell him when he was young! At the end of the lesson, we asked if he would get baptized when he learns for himself that it is true. He said yes! He said he will leave behind the JWs and learn with us! We go back in a couple days.
Another cool miracle: 20 lessons. We have been invited by our mission president to teach 20 lessons per week. Right now our mission is struggling to do this. It's been especially slow for us, here in Pavia, the last few weeks (and the last couple transfers from what I've heard). Last week, for example, we had only taught 6 lessons (the lowest I've ever had on my mission...). However, we were determined to get 20 lessons. Come Thursday, however, there we only had 4 (weeks end on Sunday). We got a few on thursday, we got a few on friday, and we got several more on Saturday, but come sunday morning, we were only at 14. However, we just knew deep down that we were going to teach at least 6 lessons. We were kind of worried because we had church in the morning (we can't teach) and there was an activity in Milano for the stake that we had to go to that lasted a couple hours, plus a couple more hours of traveling time. However, the lord "provides a way." We taught lessons on the trains. We taught lessons in the brief time that we had finding work. We taught out African baptismal dates. Come the end of the night, we had taught 8 lessons! It was the most that I've ever done on my whole mission! That day, I truly felt like a missionary. Everything that I did (actually, almost - I'm not even close to perfect yet) came out of a desire to share my love with others, helping them come unto Christ by recieving the message of the restored gospel. I felt so good!
And, I still feel so good! That was my week!
-Anziano Barnes
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