In this past week I had quite possibly the WORST lesson that I have ever taught in the mission, all because of intolerance, disrespect, negligence, and other words describing how pathetic some of these Panamanian men treat their wives. As we sat and taught that old guy I mentioned last week I believe, 70 year old Didimo, he just kept talking and talking, being such a hypocrite saying that he's a true disciple of Christ, then turns around and says that his "wife" (who's sitting right next to him), isn't willing to make changes in her life and never listens to him and blah blah; all right with her being in the same room! And he just wouldn't shut up. I told him flat out in the middle of one of his rants, as she's in the background shaking her head, obviously getting quite upset "Sir, you've got to stop, you are being very disrespectful. There are things that you obviously need to change, maybe you should realize that it's not just her that needs to make steps towards improvement. Treat your wife with respect now or we're leaving". But he kept going on and on, she got up and left. We wanted to just talk to her privately, but she was losing our trust because it appeared as though we were only making things worse, trying to resolve their problems. It isn't our responsibility as missionaries to be psychiatrists, but those people really need to rationally talk things out. We just said "Well, we're leaving with a prayer", said it, and left. I have never met a couple in SUCH need of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was unbelievable how frustrated we were getting, simply because there was no communication between those two, because he did all the talking and didn't let her get a word in. He has definitely improved since we met him and after when we taught them both the Word of Wisdom, helping him to realize that he needs to admit to drinking (which he still hasn't), they both listened attentively, the wife enjoyed it and said that she would stop drinking coffee, him too. It was a complete shift, 180 degrees from how the last lesson had gone. Poco a poco they will make changes in their lives. He's come to church twice and enjoys it, I just wish she would come too. So, another facet of the mission work, helping to resolve marriages (or unions because they aren't married haha).
That's the reason that I started out talking about my wife. Whoever she is, I want her to know that I love her and she deserves the best. Marriages can NEVER work if there is no communication. People, if you have a problem with your spouse, for goodness sake talk about it and figure things out rationally. If you don't have your spouse, you're nothing.
We had a really great mission conference this past week with a 70 named Elder Duncan, he's really cool. He made lots of jokes about how bad his Spanish was, even though it was still pretty good. We talked about what it takes to make the "ideal mission". He said that if we want to have 40 people progressing towards baptism, then we need to talk to everyone. The Lord has promised us "ask and ye shall receive", so if we ask for something righteous like that, then He will give it to us. But, we need to put in the effort required. It was a really long conference, but I felt the Spirit pumping through my body for like 7 straight hours, it was great. I got to see Elder Carrillo and Clarke and all my Chitré friends again because they came for the conference. So...Carrillo has gone quite disobedient since I left. He bought an android phone, and he and his Guatemalan friend went off to a night club a few weeks ago. Idiots. It's only a matter of time before they get sent home. I assure you all that I trained him right, but when the parents are gone, kids go wild and make stupid mistakes. I hope he straightens up his act and flies right because hearing that made me so mad.
We've been working really hard, Elder Johnson and me. I feel as though I've never worked as hard on my mission that I have with this guy, because we get along and we enjoy working here. The results will come, I know so. We've tried so hard to get these investigators of ours to come to church, but the ones that have baptismal dates on Sunday were either asleep when we passed by to pick them up, or they had been drinking the night before and slept in. Wow. But the tender mercy of the Lord came, in a couple I had never met before of a lady who's a member who's deciding to get active again after being baptized back when she was 14, like 10 years ago, and her husband who's a nonmember. They just showed up on their own free will and we are excited to go talk to this guy, named Elvis actually, who is really cool and he enjoyed church. We'll go visit them this week for sure, get them to come to General Conference coming up quick, excited for that as well. This is my second to last one here in the mish. The last one will hit me good as I will have like 2 weeks left in the mission, it's going to be a shocker.
I can't believe this change is basically gone already, wow, last week. It's been really fun. Almost guaranteed that we'll both stay together since we came together, which I'm perfectly ok with, I don't want to leave by any means. Good comp, good ZLs, good area, great chicheme, what else could I ask for?
After the zone conference, Johnson and I were talking, saying, "After things like that, I realize more than ever that this Church is true. It changes from a "belief" to a "knowledge". There's no doubt in my mind that the Savior lives and He is personally guiding His church, THIS church. This is His work, and we are all participants in it. Work hard everyone, make your Savior proud of what you do with the time He granted you by shedding His blood. Remember His sacrifice this week as we come upon the Easter season.
We have this week Helaman 3:27-28 which tells us that salvation is granted to all of us if we humble ourselves and accept it. Also there's Alma 43:27 which I love, saying that we are to defend our families even unto bloodshed if necessary. Family, I will defend you always, no se preocupen :)
Have a wonderful week my fellow soldados.
No comments:
Post a Comment