Haha, let me explain. We went to this less active family's house to do service for them because behind their house there is a giant tank of water that is missing the cap thing to keep it from pouring all into the street when it fills up too much. So, it spills out, fills up their gutters with sludge and everything, and it was flooding the street. Also, with all the "classy" people here in Panama that just chuck their trash wherever they want, it all goes underneath and clogs it all up, so it was a mess. I had the pleasure to jump in to the black sludge water gunk to use a metal pole to scrape out whatever was under there. I was hunched over a bit and now since then, my back is killing me, because before that we had dug a little trench with a pick axe to keep the water from falling in there again. It was pretty funny actually, because that water came up to about my waist and I just kept smashing that pole in to get the stuff out. In the end we realized that it was just too thick and the pole I was using wasn't long enough, so had to give up. Best part about it all though was that the guy gave me a pair of brand new shoes that look like Converse, haha, I'm wearing them right now.
This was a great week, I enjoyed it a lot, getting to know the members here better. They are great people. What I'm really learning though about the members here in Panama, and probably all around the world, is that lots of them don't really have testimonies. They go to church and all, every Sunday even, but they don't really understand the Gospel, the doctrine of the church, etc, even some basic things that are taught like the principles of the Plan of Salvation. We're teaching a member now who got baptized 3 years ago, and are just going to his house to answer some of his questions, like "Why are the names in the Book of Mormon so much different than the names in the Bible?", ummmm...because they're from different continents!! haha. Like you won't see the name Gregg Kniff here in Panama, because they're different countries. It has made me think though, if I had random people that asked me questions about the Mormon church doctrine or asked me interrogating questions to try my faith 4 years ago, how would I have answered? I grew up in the church all my life, but if someone asked me "So, prove to me with scripture in the Bible that Christ established only one church, or he was baptized by immersion, or that He gave the apostles the priesthood?" etc, I don't think I would've been able to answer them with my testimony. Why? because I didn't have much of one. Now answering that guy, and listening to the questions that people have, I've realized that I KNOW a lot of these simple answers now and how to answer them, with scriptural proof and with testimony, because there is no stronger duo than that. Members without strong testimonies are easily swayed by people of other religions, and if you can't answer with your testimony, you can easily fall away from the truth.
We've been teaching lots of Evangelical people lately it seems, and they're harder to convince of the restoration and the need to be baptized again, because in their churches, they're taught and practice baptism by immersion. It comes down to the Priesthood authority, but it's hard to get them to understand that necessity, because they always say that they were baptized "de corazón" or that they did it for the right reasons, with faith. But the faith of the person isn't enough to make a correct baptism valid. But, little by little, they begin to understand that it is not only important to be baptized correctly, it is necessary to enter into God's kingdom and arrive at His presence.
With the time running out on the mission, I've thought a lot lately about what I've learned. What have I NOT learned? This has completely changed my life, my existence, my purpose in life. I am the same person, yes, but so much different. Elder Meyer and I have been talking a lot seriously about going to college, dating, getting married, starting our lives, all of that. It's so overwhelming, and I love every bit about it. It's terrifying to think that in 2 months I'm gonna be thrown back into the hustle and bustle of life with temptations of every kind around every corner. That will be my next test which makes me reflect back on that question, "What have I really learned in the mission?" How I answer that will show me and show God according to my actions post-mission.
I really love you all, and for all you do. I know this church is true, if I didn't a few years back, I would've given up a long time ago, and probably gone inactive. Let's be honest, no one wants to face their family and friends as a failure. Sticking it out has been the most rewarding experience of my existence. Read Ether 3:19-20, it is no longer faith when you know with a surety of things, and 2 Timothy 3:16-17, that's the theme of my direct bible, scriptures used to correct and to reprimand when necessary. Happy birthday to my little bro Dominic last week, I can't believe that you're already 15 dude, that's so nuts. Have an unforgettable week everyone, I know it's possible.
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