What a fantastic week! There were a few days that were literally some of the very very best of my whole mission. Let me explain why.
We've been having lots of miracles with the Rodriguez family - and now there is one more (a cousin named Anna)! They have finally started to read the Book of Mormon, and they are changing! It is especially cool to see the changes in the mom, who is a bit stuck on being a catholic. She still has a way to go, but the more she reads, the more open she becomes. Last week we talked with them about baptism. At first they were all hesitant (especially the mom). But, after testimonies and explanations, Roberto accepted a baptismal date and the others said that once they receive an answer from God they will get baptized. Even the mom said this! She was the one that took the longest. However, once the Spirit touched her enough and she said yes, an amazing spirit entered the room and the whole family was happy. This was one of the greatest teaching appointments of my life. We were able to teach clearly and with the Spirit, we loved openly and fully, we laughed together with the family, and there were changes made in their lives. We're going to continue to try to help the family and help the rest of them begin to work towards a day when they can enter in by the way - baptism - that opens the gate to tons of blessings!
...
There is a lot of news about the African new converts. First of all, we went to teach on thursday night. Emmanuel told us that he had decided to move to Napoli (a document he needs to stay here longer got denied and he was told he needed to either get a lawyer or leave the country within 30 days). We asked when he would be going. He said that he would maybe go that night or at the latest the next morning! We said our goodbyes. I was reminded of how much love I have for him and for the others. I was also greatly reminded of the great responsibility that I have. I thought - what if he never meets the missionaries or the church again? Does he know enough? What would his eternal status be? Reflecting back on him and what he had done and what we've done for him, I was comforted (especially by the fact that when we went to teach he had already packed up - and his book of mormon was one of the first things he put in his suitcase!). Anyway, we need to find the address of the church in Napoli so we can help him get there. But, this isn't the end. On Friday (the day that he "went" to Napoli), we were coming back from an appointment and we were leaving the train station. I kind of had to go to the bathroom so we decided that we would use the bathroom there at the station (I didn't want to have to wait). The bathroom is in the back of the station, so as we were exiting we had to turn around and make our way to the bathroom. On our way, who did we see? Emmanuel and a couple other of the Africans as well as one we had never seen before! It turns out he is going to travel to Napoli with his brother who lives in Milano. Then, once he gets to Napoli, he is going to live with another brother who lives there! We had no idea that Emmanuel had relatives in Italy. We also had no idea what the situation was like in Napoli. But, he will have a house and someone to take care of him! Also, this might be the way that the Lord has prepared to introduce this brother to the church!
I feel like I am continually changing more and more. ... Everything goes so much better when I forget about myself and do everything I can for others. I've been realizing how much I need God's help and how much I need to apply the atonement of Christ in my life in order to receive remission of sins as well as to purify my heart and align my will with God's. My faith in Christ has grown a lot as I apply His atonement more. My testimony has increased about how I can change and how my vision and attitude of myself, of God, and of the world can be renewed. I'm going to have to work on this my whole life!
-Anziano Barnes
No comments:
Post a Comment