Ia ora na tatou!
Its been a fantastic week this
week for Elder Twede and I, very tiring indeed, but we have had some great
teaching experiences, as well as some not-so-great... thats the mission right?
Last Monday we had a family
night at Y--- and H-----'s home. Im so stoked for the day when Y--- becomes fully active, cuz he'll be a powerhouse in the missionary work. For the family
night he invited a couple nonmember friends to come! It was a good family night
and the spirit was strong, but sadly one of the friends wasn't to open to our
message. The other accepted, but he lives outside of our area. It was a good
family night, and we were way impressed by Y---'s desire to share the
gospel already. I love those people.
Tuesday we had another good
lesson with H---. This lesson she was way open and talked so much more than
she had before, and she said that she knows that this is the true church. So we
committed her for baptism for the 31 May, and she said shell pray about it and
tell us next week. We're really praying for her so that she can accept this
date, because we know its whats best for her!
Later that day we started the lessons with a new investigator named M---. His
story is interesting. He does canoe racing, and in November he took part in the
annual races that go from island to island. When he was on the island of Tahaa
during the races, he actually took the lessons from Elder Twede and agreed to
be baptised. Sadly, after the races ended, he returned to Tahiti and never got
in contact with the other missionaries. But, the good news is, we found him
last week! It was certainly an answer to Elder Twede's prayers. M--- still
wants to change his life and follow Christ. It wasn't coincidence that we
crossed paths!
Wednesday night was another great lesson with M---- and her
kids. The lesson went very well, and we committed them for baptism like we
planned. M---- said that she wasn't sure yet because her husband hasn't been
present for the lessons and she would like him to follow her. But her son,
K------, agreed to be baptized June 7th! We're hoping that the rest of the
family will be able to follow on this day as well. The Spirit is truly working
with this family.
After we had our lesson with Y--- and H-----. Sadly they refused to go with May 24th for their baptism. Their family wont be able to make it down in time for their wedding, so they
said they'll agree for a date in July, maybe August. When you look at it, July
or August is perfectly logical to plan a wedding but for a missionary, waiting
that long is an eternity! We asked them to pray more about it, and we'll do a
fast here soon to figure out a good date.
Thursday, I participated in
probably my first bible bash. We taught this family who was a reference from a
member, so we went with the member to visit them. We weren't quite expecting the
teach a Sanito, a member from that Reformed Latter-day Saint church. This
investigator was a deacon... and she was tough. The whole time she was arguing
why women can have the priesthood, with no biblical reference. She was starting
to get a little angry, screaming in Tahitian and spitting all over the place.
We weren't getting anywhere so we called it quits and thanked her for accepting
us. Wasn't really what we had in mind, but for the future i think ill avoid the
bible bashing idea. The Holy Ghost ain't there. (And for those who want to
understand why God gave only men the priesthood, I'd like to refer you to
Dallin H. Oaks' talk during the Priesthood session of the recent General Conference.)
Those are perhaps the
highlights of the week. We've had a lot of blessings and miracles occur, and I
know its because of obedience. When Elder Twede and I strive to be exactly
obedient to the mission rules and the commandments, that's when we succeed.
Spiritual thought, since its
Easter! Just a verse from the Book of Mormon in 2 Nephi that explains the
importance of Christ's atonement and resurrection. "Wherefore, how great
the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth,
that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of
God, asave it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the
Holy Messiah, who blayeth
down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the
Spirit, that he may bring to pass the cresurrection
of the dead, being the first that should rise." I know that Jesus Christ
lives. He was crucified for our sins, and on the third day he did rise again.
Thanks to his sacrifice and resurrection, we can one day be resurrected and
live with our Heavenly Father again.
Voila la semaine derniere! Je
vous aime, et je vous souhaite une bonne semaine!
Elder Ball
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