Hello Family and Friends,
I have now completed 2 weeks of my mission. Time is an interesting thing. Days feel like weeks; weeks feel like days. But every day is a new adventure and a new opportunity to bless the lives of God's children. The work here is amazing. We have 14 investigators that we teach regularly. Not to mention the number of less active families that we also teach. They are all such wonderful people. I'm at the point where I know these people well enough that it pains me to see them struggle and even worse when they lose that desire to find truth. It can be difficult to get that desire back but we work hard to help them find it. We work hard to help them keep it. They just need to realize how much the Gospel of Jesus Christ can bless their lives. I won't give up on them, though. I know that the Lord can and will help them as they strive to do what is right.
Occasionally, we have more appointments than we have time or multiple appointments at the same time. In these times we go on "splits". We will try to get male church members to go with each of us to teach a lesson. We had to do that this week. What an experience I had. As the primary teacher between the member and myself, I had to rely heavily on the guidance of the Spirit. The lesson went well and the investigator understood what we taught. (Our lesson was on the comforting role of the Holy Ghost and how to invite those feelings into our lives). The Spirit was present throughout. We finished the lesson, and I closed it off with a prayer. Upon completing the prayer we noticed that she was weeping. It was amazing to see the Spirit working in her so much. We testified about all that we had said and what she was now feeling. It was nearing another lesson entirely after the prayer. But we set a return appointment (for tonight) and we will explain to her about the gift of the Holy Ghost and tell her that she can receive it after being baptized. If we are directed by the Spirit, we will commit her to being baptized. I have high hopes for her and the progress she will make.
Last week, I told you about Harry and how he is already doing his own missionary work even though he won't be baptized till next month. His brother has informed us that he is officially investigating the church and formally taking the lessons from us. Our first lesson with him was amazing. His brother, Harry, gave his personal testimony throughout the whole lesson on basically every point we covered. The Spirit in the room was unbelievable. We committed him to be baptized also and it is likely that his brother will be able to perform that baptism. The joy of that occasion will be undeniably spectacular for both of them. And I look forward to it.
Let me talk a moment about the importance of church members in missionary work. It's about the most important thing. Members are essential in bringing these people into the gospel. A newly converted person who has no fellowship in the ward will likely go inactive soon after baptism. Likewise, many of them have no transportation to the church on Sundays. Missionaries cannot drive investigators. They need your help. I can't stress the difference it makes when a member is there during the lesson. Their added testimony is a powerful tool. The experience that they have in life sets them apart from the missionaries. Members are able to connect with these investigators of the Church in a way that the missionaries can't. They need friends. They need people that will care about them well after the missionaries have gone home. Take part in this work and receive the blessings that come with it. Offer your services to the missionaries, I challenge you. Remember, "Every member a missionary". I promise that you will find joy in your service and that you will greatly lower the stress of the missionaries in your areas. Great blessings are in store.
I love you all and I wish you all the very best. Stay strong and true to what you know to be right. I look forward to hearing from you.
Occasionally, we have more appointments than we have time or multiple appointments at the same time. In these times we go on "splits". We will try to get male church members to go with each of us to teach a lesson. We had to do that this week. What an experience I had. As the primary teacher between the member and myself, I had to rely heavily on the guidance of the Spirit. The lesson went well and the investigator understood what we taught. (Our lesson was on the comforting role of the Holy Ghost and how to invite those feelings into our lives). The Spirit was present throughout. We finished the lesson, and I closed it off with a prayer. Upon completing the prayer we noticed that she was weeping. It was amazing to see the Spirit working in her so much. We testified about all that we had said and what she was now feeling. It was nearing another lesson entirely after the prayer. But we set a return appointment (for tonight) and we will explain to her about the gift of the Holy Ghost and tell her that she can receive it after being baptized. If we are directed by the Spirit, we will commit her to being baptized. I have high hopes for her and the progress she will make.
Last week, I told you about Harry and how he is already doing his own missionary work even though he won't be baptized till next month. His brother has informed us that he is officially investigating the church and formally taking the lessons from us. Our first lesson with him was amazing. His brother, Harry, gave his personal testimony throughout the whole lesson on basically every point we covered. The Spirit in the room was unbelievable. We committed him to be baptized also and it is likely that his brother will be able to perform that baptism. The joy of that occasion will be undeniably spectacular for both of them. And I look forward to it.
Let me talk a moment about the importance of church members in missionary work. It's about the most important thing. Members are essential in bringing these people into the gospel. A newly converted person who has no fellowship in the ward will likely go inactive soon after baptism. Likewise, many of them have no transportation to the church on Sundays. Missionaries cannot drive investigators. They need your help. I can't stress the difference it makes when a member is there during the lesson. Their added testimony is a powerful tool. The experience that they have in life sets them apart from the missionaries. Members are able to connect with these investigators of the Church in a way that the missionaries can't. They need friends. They need people that will care about them well after the missionaries have gone home. Take part in this work and receive the blessings that come with it. Offer your services to the missionaries, I challenge you. Remember, "Every member a missionary". I promise that you will find joy in your service and that you will greatly lower the stress of the missionaries in your areas. Great blessings are in store.
I love you all and I wish you all the very best. Stay strong and true to what you know to be right. I look forward to hearing from you.
Elder Kirk
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