The subject to this email can probably summarize this week and what I have experienced and learned. This week has undoubtedly been a trial for me and has most definitely taught me an important lesson.
(What perspective do you choose?)
Our Progress this transfer has been steadily increasing
every week. Our investigators have been devouring our Words and have been
basking in the wonderful peaceful feelings that the spirit provides.
John was able to go to church and meet the members. He's
been progressing faster than you could imagine, and is undoubtedly ready to take
upon himself his Savior's name.
Tabia and Delaxsin have been very receptive to the spirit
and have told us they keep feeling so peaceful and good when they pray to God
and read the Book of Mormon on their own.
The fruits of the gospel were evident through the joy we as
missionaries were feeling and our investigators have been experiencing. It was
a Blessing to be very new in the mission and to have already seen lives be
blessed and changed by the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
However, there is opposition in all things.
(Danish horses in a pasture near our apartment)
To help explain this situation I will tell more of John.
John is a refugee form Nigeria. He is living in an old military camp in
Søndeborg. He has been able to live in Denmark because he works on different
ships and could be moved at any time and to anywhere in Denmark. When we began
teaching him he said it would be very unlikely for this to happen soon. So we
continued with bright hopes. John progressed incredbily well and anxiously
desired to get involved within the church.
One day we try to call. Nothing. Next day, we try to call.
nothing. Day after day through out this week and nothing. He didn't show up to
church. The family in our branch who wanted to have him over for dinner also
could not get a hold of him.
We currently have no idea if he was moved suddenly or what
exactly happened. Whatever is the case, it has been painful to not be able to
see John Again and know he is able to be baptized. We hope and pray that he
will find missionaries wherever he is and be baptized promptly.
Tabia and Delaxsin have been so great. Sibblings at a Young
age with a father who wants to teach them to do the right thing and help them
become better people. After accepting the invitation to be baptized September
2nd, Satan found his way to place seeds of doubts in their precious Hearts.
They are unsure and nearly don't want to be baptized because they don't know
for themselves. It is hard when they said they wanted to be baptized because it
feels right and it feels good. To see they have received a witness and then to
allow doubt and fear from the adversary take over.
Now I do not say this so anyone will feel sorry for me.
I do not write this to show what trials I am facing and how hard a mission may be. I share these things because the reality of life, the reality of challenges and trials are just that. it's reality. Despite the reality of life, It is our choice what it is we will do.
(Breakfast of Champions this morning!)
"When you feel your Heart is pounding, fear the devil's
at your door, there's no place to run, you're frozen to the floor. What you do
then is you force yourself to wait it out and say, 'It's this day not me,
that's bound to go away!' Hold on, hold on, the night will soon be by. Hold on,
hold on don't even ask how long or why, CHILD HOLD ON TO WHAT YOU KNOW IS TRUE,
HOLD ON TILL YOU GET THROUGH."
These lyrics from the Secret Garden depict exactly what we
must do when trials come our way. When it seems the fruit of our labors have
burned in the refiner's fire. "hold on to what you know is true."
These few verses in John 15 are the Words of our Savior
guiding us to what we should do to hold on till we get through.
John 15: 9-17
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue
ye in my love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love;
even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might
remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I
have loved you.
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down
his life for his friends.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant
knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things
that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and
ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit
should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may
give it you.
17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
I pray that we become friends of our Savior Jesus Christ. To
love one another and serve each other. Charity never faileth. If we seek and
work to obtain charity, and become as he is, we will be strengthened through
Christ. He is the way. He is the only way. Though stumbling blocks will
consistently fall before us. We can use them as Stepping stones. What a
Blessing!
I am absolutely grateful for the opportunity I have to serve while
representing Jesus Christ. His love can surround you. Let him in. Let him
Change you. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Elsker,
Ældste Haruch
Ældste Haruch
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