However, we know the Lord has been looking out for us, and is putting us through trials so that when we finally find somebody to teach, our testimonies will be ever stronger. We will be humble enough to respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. We will be closer to Christ, in the way that we talk, listen, and pray.
It's storytime now.
Two weeks ago, Elder Bird and I were knocking the doors of a couple of buildings. That day was rough. We knocked, and knocked, and knocked, and we seriously got the door slammed in our faces every time-- except for this super chill Muslim guy-- and we were getting really tired of that. Or, I was getting really tired of it. After a couple minutes of chilling on a bench, trying to regather my desire to talk to more Spaniards, we came across a building with the door hanging open. Every time I see that, I know the Lord has opened a door for us, and there is somebody in the building ready to hear us.
The moment we entered the building, we both felt strongly that we were going to find somebody golden. We started knocking on the 8th floor, and worked our way down. However, after 3 floors of rejection, I got tired of it, and called it off. I gave up.
However, this last Saturday, we weren't having a ton of success with finding people-- what a surprise!-- and we were looking through the list of people that the missionaries had taught in the last few years that had lost contact. We came across a name, Anna, and she lived near where we were, so we went to go find it. It just so happens that the address we had for her was in that same building that we gave up on a few weeks ago, so we made a bee line for it.
We got to the building, found the gate locked, but inside I saw the door was cracked open. I jimmy-rigged the gate, popped it open, and we proceeded inside. The door we were to contact was on the first floor, so we had skipped it the day I gave up. So we knocked on the door, and a man answered.
We talked to him for a minute, and found out that the lady we were trying to find hasn't lived there for over 2 years. So, we started chatting about the church, and asked if there was a time that we could come over to get to know him and introduce what we believe. Then he paused for a second and said, 'Well, you can come in right now if you would like." Talk about a stunned silence. We were just a little bit dumbstruck, but then we went in and started talking about everything. He is married, and they have a 7 year old child, and they love to read, and they don't drink, and their house is so clean and they are ready to get baptized. Well, I am jumping to conclusions, but that is okay. It is just the first time that we have taught a real investigator in 2 months. Our teaching was a little rusty, but we were able to set a next appointment, so I will fill you guys in next week after this goes through.
We now know that when we feel like there is somebody prepared, we will not quit before we find them. We will endure the slamming doors, and angry, cutting words. We will search, and we will find the elect that have been prepared in this moment.
4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
(Luke 15:4-7)
It is all worth it. It will always be worth it.
Os quiero mucho.
Elder Oliver
No comments:
Post a Comment