We have really had a good week. We were able to set up another baptismal date for a young boy named Maikeli that lives in Saioko village. We have had some really good lessons with him and he is coming to church every week. He is excited to be baptized on January 11th. Then as for our other baptismal date that we have, we are going to have to push back a couple weeks because we have had some set backs due to his brother passing away and with him going to Lautoka for Christmas. We are still working hard and we are relying on the Lord to help us in our work and knowing when it is the exact time for them to make this sacred covenant with their Heavenly Father.
We were able to have a really spiritual lesson with one of our investigators named Vuniyani. Last week when we saw him, he asked us if we could explain to him what the purpose of the temple is. So me and Elder 'Ita prepared a lesson about the temples and it went really well. I think the thing that got him the most interested in this is we told him that he could be married to his wife for time and all eternity. When we told him this, it looked like his soul jumped for joy. He said he loved his wife and would really like this blessing. He said that he knows he will go into this temple one day. He even said that he would get baptized. He still wants to finish the Book of Mormon all the way before he makes his final decision. He is about half way done so we are praying for him. This really strengthened my testimony on temples and how they can bring people closer to God. Literally, it is the the House of the Lord.
To many missionaries, this week would have been counted as one of a difficult, tiresome, and discouraging weeks. But for me and my companion Elder 'Ita, it has been one of learning and relaying on our Savior Jesus Christ and asking for His help and direction. We really focused this week on planning out really well what we are going to do and have a back up plan for for every single thing if our plans fell through. It was really frustrating for me and my companion because that's what happened. Everything fell through. Even though we had all these hard times, it seems like we found enough to do. We went through a lot of our former investigators and found out that lots of them have moved and no longer live there. But we stayed strong and did find some work.
I feel that something is telling me to slow down and to get discouraged with this area. I don't know if it is because I am almost finished and Satan does not want me to finish strong. He is throwing these obstacles on us. I remember something that President Layton told me during an interview last week. "No one remembers what you did during the first 3 laps of a race. They don't remember the start or middle, but they do remember the ending. Expecially the last quarter mile. You are now in the quarter mile and you need to finish with a bang." I feel that this is what I need to do, finish with a bang. Someone does not want me to but I know that I have to. I need to keep my head up and give it my all. Me and Elder 'Ita talked about this for quite some time the other day and what we can to do make it, so we work hard.
But we had a really good week, lots of fall-throughs and almost all of the villages we went to were busy with village parties and everyone was gone, But we feel that we had a really good week. We feel that the Lord was pleased with what we did and that is all that counts.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and I hope that you will always remember the true meaning of Christmas. Because of Jesus Christ, we are here. If not for him, there would be nothing. Enough said. Always remember Him and keep him center to your life.
Thank you so much for everything and have a good week.
Love,
Elder Grotepas
"Christ is the Center of our Home"
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| Oqo, Elder 'Ita controlling the the bamboo raft (bilibili) |
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