We had a great week this week.
The Hinchcliffs, a family living here by the army base, invited us
and two companionships of sisters over for dinner. There was so much
food, and it was all from the Army base, so it was all American. It was
awesome. We had so much turkey, ham, homemade rolls (not better than
yours mom, but they were close), and pumpkin pie. It was nice to be able
to have full conversations in English too. The family was so nice. They
had two friends over, their daughter just got back from a mission a
week ago from Holland, their son is preparing for a mission, and their
maid from the Philippines isn't a member, but she's so nice! She just
walked up to them as they were moving in and said, 'Can I be your maid?'
She's the sweetest. She calls them mom and dad. One thing I'm really
grateful for this time of year are the people that sacrifice for others.
Whether they believe in Christ, Buddha, or just themselves, there are
truly great people everywhere, and I'm so grateful that people can
overlook differences and make sacrifices for others. Especially being a
missionary, it's so nice when you have someone that doesn't even know
you bring you in and buy you a nice hot ramen. We didn't know any of
these people, and yet they gave us so much food, love, and the
leftovers. Can't forget the leftovers. That's another thing I'm grateful
for, is leftovers.
We haven't gone to the temple again so far, but we'll go soon, so I'll get some names done then.
SSM is still working 12 hours a day at his mom's motel, so we
haven't seen him in a long time, but he said he'll start having free
time around the 15th of Dec, so he'll start meeting with us then. We're
excited. Sam's awesome.
SN is still busy with work and will continue going out of town
for family until mid January. But after then he said he'll get baptized.
Our old guy, KJO, is good, he came to church but had to
leave right after. So we'll go over to his house later and talk to him.
We're still planning on him being baptized on the 15th of December, but
we'll have to reconfirm with him.
We met two more guys, one is mid 30s, and another is 59, and
they're both great. One is a former investigator that we called, and he
decided to meet with us because he is going through a rough time. Fist
fights with neighbors, his job is in danger, and he has no family or
friends. At the age of 30. That's lonely. He just wants friends. We
taught him a little, then when we asked what he needed, he just said a
warm hug. So of course we obliged. The other guy is 59, and he comes to
English class. He said he went to a few churches a long time ago, but
they're all pretty 'solitary'. You go, silently worship, then go home.
He's looking for a community. He said no matter what he hears about our
church, he always hears that it's like a family. So he came to us, like
the other guy, and said, 'Find me a friend in your church. Someone to
talk to.' He said he's willing to learn about our gospel because there
seems to be something special about it. He wants to make an educated
decision, because he wants to attend a church until he dies, and he
doesn't want to change churches later, so he told us to teach him why
our church was so friendly. He loves it and will start coming to church
weekly.
Those were some great miracles we saw this week. It is still
surprising to me to see people, middle aged or even old, that will come
to a 19 or 20 year old, and say, 'help me.' They look to us for support
and advice. Sometimes I think, 'I don't have any of these answers. I'm
just a kid.' But then as we continue to talk and become friends, I
realize that maybe I can help in some way, and, most importantly, this
message can help them the most. They truly become happier if they
willingly choose to learn about and follow this gospel.
I love you all and I'm so grateful for everything you've done, and
for all of the sacrifices you have, are, and will continue to make.
Elder Franchina
No comments:
Post a Comment