Hey Hey! It has been a
fantastic week here in East Moline. Elder Anderson and I are doing great. We
spend a lot of our tracting time making up raps, and beat boxing between doors.
I think I will be able to give James the Mormon a run for his money. Chan the
Elder? I don't know I will think about it some more. We found some great people
this week that we are excited about. But first! HAPPY BIRTHDAY L CAT! Man, you
are getting so old. I am working on a birthday present. It might get there a
little late, but I am definitely working on it (Mom your present is in the same
boat) I don't have quite as much time as I would like to spend shopping for
gifts for my favorite ladies. I commit to have it to you by July! If not, I
will bring you home a cute present in sixteen months. Isn't that crazy? Today
marks my eight-month mark on the mission. Officially one third of the way.
Crazy stuff!
We had one of the best
lessons I have had on my mission with our Indian investigators. We centered the
lesson on Jesus Christ and even watched a video on his life. As we sat in the
Relief Society room, I listened to A basically testify of the Savior. It was an
amazing thing. He said that he knows that what we have taught him is true and
that he wants to be a part of it. Sick! We are stoked for that family.
Yesterday was incredibly
frustrating for us. We spent a lot of the week hounding our investigators
trying to get them to church. We had some great lessons and six of our
investigators committed to come to church. We woke up excited for the day (fast
Sundays are always great to have investigators at church). One by one all six
of them texted us an excuse as to why they couldn't make it to church...
Remember that family I was excited about last week. When we went back, she told
us that she was no longer interested and that she was content with where she
was. If they only knew how much of a difference this gospel
can make in their lives. Missionaries can testify all day about that
difference, but until they try it, they will remain in the dark. We will get
them all there next week. It is going to be incredible!
A super cool experience
happened this week. We were at dinner on Friday night with a member family in
our ward. During dinner Brother Krause told us he had a referral for us. That
never happens either so we were stoked. As we talked about it, he said that he
went to visit an inactive member in our ward to fulfill his home teaching
responsibilities. When he knocked on the door, a woman came to the door. She
told them that the member had moved several years ago. He continued to talk to
her still. He told us that the home had a good feeling about it and we should
consider stopping by. Sweet. On Saturday morning, we drove to their house and
were about to stop by. After we said a prayer, we felt that it wasn't the right
time and that we should go see another one of our investigators instead. We
taught the other investigator and went back to her house around 5:30. When she
opened the door she excitedly asked us if we could come back in an hour. Of
course, we obliged. When we went back, we taught a killer Restoration lesson on
her door step to her and her three-year-old. She is super prepared and is open
to the gospel. What do you know? Home teaching is important! We have a return
appointment with her this week, I will let you know how it goes.
It warmed up this week! We
had a couple 70 plus degree days this weekend. That means that proselyting
basketball is in full force. Elder Anderson and I played a couple guys the
other day at a park. It is pretty funny when we walk up to ask if we can play.
They always look us up and down and say, "You wanna play in that?" as
they size us up a little bit. Plus people shave off points like nothing else.
We played some guys to 11 the other day and we must have gotten to 11 five
times before they accepted that two Mormons in white shirts and ties beat them
in two on two. After a loss when they are a little humbled and embarrassed
makes for a perfect time to talk about Jesus! Who would have thought
basketball would be a great way to share the gospel? I will try to record one
of our pick-up games and send it your way. I am definitely much slower and
can't jump as high so don't expect too much!
I will end this email with
a cool experience. Elder Anderson and I were knocking some apartments this week.
While we were knocking, we could hear a woman and man screaming at their little
kid. When we got to their door, we hesitantly knocked and OYM'd them. They were
more than happy to tell us that they didn't want to hear about "our Jesus"
and closed the door. When we moved on to the next set of doors, the man decided
that he hadn't had enough. He came out in a wife beater and with a beer in his
hand. He said, "Nobody in this building needs saving from you dumb *swear
word." We told him that we were just trying to help people find joy
through Jesus Christ and he continued to drill into us. Of course, we did our
best to leave peacefully but he got all the neighbors out of their apartments
too. It was quite the sight. I am happy to say though that Elder Anderson and I
stood our ground and testified of Jesus Christ. Nobody was converted and we
didn't have any return appointments, but it felt good to stand up for what we
believe. In Romans 1:16 Paul says: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of
Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believe' to
the Jew First, and also to the Greek."
I encourage you all to find
opportunities to share your testimony with others. It is a great way to strengthen
your own testimony and you never know what impact that testimony will have on
that person.
We do have a great
opportunity this week. Elder Gary Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve is
coming to visit our mission on Saturday. It is going to be such a killer
experience to be in the presence of one of the Lord's apostles. I will let you
know the details next week.
I love you guys. Have a
great week!
The Rapping Missionary,
Elder Obray
No comments:
Post a Comment