Ia ora na!
It's been another short week. It feels like this week Elder
Millett and I were caught up in a lot of zone business, and that involved a lot
of driving around in between areas and helping the other missionaries, and
naturally the amount of lessons we taught this week was pretty small. But the
magical thing is, when we need to go over to another area, the lessons that we
had planned during that time are miraculously cancelled by a phone call from
our investigators. So in the end, Heavenly Father arranges things for us so
that we can get things done that we need to. I'ts awesome.
We had a solid lesson with T-------- this week, the
investigator that we found last week trying to contact an old investigator. We
taught the Restoration, and I tell ya there is nothing better than teaching
that lesson super well with your companion so that the investigator completely
understands and feels the Spirit. We had just finished testifying near the end
of the lesson, and before we even had the chance to invite, T-------- asked us
"What happens if I'm baptized twice? Cuz I'm already baptized
Protestant." We explained to him the need of authority in baptism, and
that without it baptism cannot be done and be accepted by God. He understood,
we invited him to be baptized by someone holding authority, and he accepted!
Only the second visit and he accepted, he's truly been waiting for this
message.
With N----, the brother of T--------, he accepted a date as
well, for the beginning of November. We're sure that he'll be ready way before
that, but he didn't wanna do it any sooner. He's so awesome! We did a follow up
with him on the Book of Mormon, and it turns out that he had a pretty powerful
response to his prayer that the book is true. N---- is honestly super humble
and open to the Spirit, it's no wonder that he got an answer fast enough! He's
already gotten over some hard trials, and he is truly becoming happier and
happier every time we see him. I love the guy!
This weekend we had our stake conference for the Papeari
stake. It was an awesome experience, and I sure learned so many great things
from the leaders. We had the privilege of Elder Adolf Johansson of the Seventy
came and shared some outstanding messages with us. Perhaps one of the greatest
things when he shared a Tongan saying with us (I'm not even gonna try to spell
it) that means "small and significant". He talked about how in the
world, the islands are small, but so significant because there are Priesthood
holders to be found even on these islands. He also talked about how God will
not fail. Joseph Smith saw our day, and when he sent missionaries out in the
islands he knew that the church would flourish there. He said himself,
"The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the
work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may
assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly,
and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime,
swept every country and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be
accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done."
Sometimes I, personally, feel small and insignificant in my
weaknesses while working in the Lord's vineyard, but God will not fail, so
neither can I. As Ammon stated, "I will boast of my God, for in His
strength I can do all things." There seriously is nothing to fear or doubt
in missionary work. Even though we're one person, we're still a part of it, and
with His help we can get it done.
That's the week! I love you all and I hope that you all have
a great week this week.
Ma te aroha,
Elder Ball
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