This week was
fantastic! We saw some pretty crazy miracles.
Monday was a
brilliant start to it all. Things just went through allowing us to have 8
investigator lessons outside of working with some members as well. The
only problem is trying to find the time to get studies and other needful things
like meals in. It is all good though, I am starting to become a
professional at fast meals.
I am getting used
to yogurt, granola, peanut butter sandwiches and I also found a cheap blender,
so smoothies. It is definitely making for some big adventures!
Wednesday was
transfer day, but due to the fact that we weren't getting transferred, we were
here in Dunaújváros finding and making some miracles. That day,
we found so many AMAZING people. Door after door was opened as we tracted in
our very own neighborhood and people just seemed excited to finally meet
"the Mormons down the street."
We have mainly
worked in our own neighborhood since I have been here and it amazing to see how
many people we have got to know. Every time we walk out of our
door now, people are greeting from across the street and inviting us into their
homes. That day we were able to also work with some members coming back
into activity and make some goals with them to go to the temple! These
newly activated members are being such great missionaries as well!
Thursday we
went back to some people we met on Wednesday and really saw a miracle
in a man who was looking for hope and a new start. B is 33 years old and
just came back from living in Canada and England for 3-4 years.
Everything seemed to fall apart in his life, but we were able to share the message
of the book of Mormon and bring him to church before seeing him off to Budapest on
Wednesday. His countenance changed and I saw a light in his eyes that I
didn't see before. He saw some hope and I am sure the Elders in Pest will
be able to do some great miracles with him. AWESOME experience.
Friday had a
big scare. A, the 20 year old girl that was to be baptized this weekend
got VERY sick. We received a call Thursday night as she called in
tears out of fear of not making it to her baptism. On Friday morning,
Elder Jones and I gave her a priesthood blessing. At the end of the blessing we
promised it would be alright. That next morning, we received a call that
she was okay. The blessing really helped and she was able to be baptized on
Saturday the 16th.
That Saturday,
we saw some great miracles as well! One of which was the fact that there
were 4 investigators present at A's baptism. Some people that I met this
last week, people who I met with when I got here and someone who is to be
baptized on the 7th of December. On top of that, the member support
was amazing and A was just glowing at the event.
That night, after
the wonderful event of her baptism, more hardships fell on the shoulders of
A. Things happened at home that scared her and she wasn't sure how she
would be able to make it to church for her confirmation. Once again, we
promised her blessings, prayed with her on the phone and told her to just
trust.
She made it to
church and I was able to confirm her. At the end of her confirmation and
big smile appeared on her face. She told us that she felt like a new
person. That although she was still A, she felt as though she had a fresh
outlook on this all. She felt like she was home!
To see this wonderful experience, we had 5 other investigators at church. As we looked around the room, Elder Jones and I, and we also saw some less active members there that we have been working with. These are people who haven't been to church in an unknown length of time. Miracles were happening on top of miracles as the members started showing an excitement for the missionary work here in Dunaújváros.
To see this wonderful experience, we had 5 other investigators at church. As we looked around the room, Elder Jones and I, and we also saw some less active members there that we have been working with. These are people who haven't been to church in an unknown length of time. Miracles were happening on top of miracles as the members started showing an excitement for the missionary work here in Dunaújváros.
After that, we met
with an amazing girl of a part member family. She is 23 and lives half
the time here and half the time in Szeged playing handball. We were
so excited to see her at church for the 3rd time since I have been here!
I seized the opportunity and asked to visit after church. We were able to watch the
restoration movie with her and her family. She seemed excited and we
challenged her to seek for her answers. We are going back for family
night tonight, we will see what happens!
We also were able
to give a blessing to a sick investigator as well. She has been meeting
with the missionaries for almost 3 years and she is starting to understand this
all! She is driven to be baptized on the 7th of December and I
am so excited for her! Miracles really are happening.
We then finished
the day with an amazing program with an AMERICAN! That's right, we found
the one American in Dunaújváros, or should I say, Rácalmás, a village
outside of Dunaújváros. His name is A and he is the coolest man
ever! He is a retired pilot from the military. He felt like his
money would go farther here, so he took his retirement and moved out!
We met him when he was driving his motorcycle around the branch house. He assured us that he didn't want to talk about religion, but out of kindness he invited us out to visit his house in this village. He was stalked up on all the American goodies and he told us story after story of his military days. At the end we shared with him the Book of Mormon and asked if we could come back and give him a copy. Due to his reaction, we figured he wasn't too interested, so we let it go and let the situation sit for a while.
Well, the other day we had the feeling to call him. He answered and asked when we can come out next. Elder Jones and I were shocked and made our way out there as fast as we could. When we arrived he showed us into the kitchen where he made some authentic American stew! It was so amazing and just reminded me so much of my Dad's daily servings of grilled meats. It was so good.
We talked and laughed through the meal and at the end, we pulled out the Book of Mormon we brought to give him. Of course, he made a joke, but then looked at us sincerely and said, "I know I joke a lot, but I really do appreciate this."
We met him when he was driving his motorcycle around the branch house. He assured us that he didn't want to talk about religion, but out of kindness he invited us out to visit his house in this village. He was stalked up on all the American goodies and he told us story after story of his military days. At the end we shared with him the Book of Mormon and asked if we could come back and give him a copy. Due to his reaction, we figured he wasn't too interested, so we let it go and let the situation sit for a while.
Well, the other day we had the feeling to call him. He answered and asked when we can come out next. Elder Jones and I were shocked and made our way out there as fast as we could. When we arrived he showed us into the kitchen where he made some authentic American stew! It was so amazing and just reminded me so much of my Dad's daily servings of grilled meats. It was so good.
We talked and laughed through the meal and at the end, we pulled out the Book of Mormon we brought to give him. Of course, he made a joke, but then looked at us sincerely and said, "I know I joke a lot, but I really do appreciate this."
After the lesson,
Elder Jones and I headed home with smiles. We looked back at our week and
saw where we came from! This last week we taught 31 lessons to
investigators, baptized someone and set a new baptismal date. The Lord
has his hand in this work!
The weirdest part
of this all is that I hit my 1.5 year mark on the day of A's baptism. I
only have 6 months left. The time really does fly too fast, but I know
that this will be the BEST 6 months of my mission. Miracles are coming
and I am sure I will be able to share plenty of them next week.
Have a great week everyone and NEVER forget to smile!
Elder Jake Nelson
Elder Jake Nelson
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