Hola!
How is every ones week going? Time is starting to fly here in Argentina! I want it to slow down; my mission is passing by to quick!
Well last pday when we started working at 6 it was POURING rain (a lot like today) and we had met someone last Sunday that attended church for 3 months in Peru before he moved here. So our goal was find him again, teach him, and baptize him this week. All week we looked for him. We called the phone number he gave us but it was his sister's number and she didn't like us. So she hung up every time we called. We searched for him where we found him the first time (at his work) but we were always missing each other with our schedules. Well anyway, back to the pouring rain day. We went to his house last Monday and searched but he wasn´t there. Well since we were really far from home and at this random building where he supposedly lived we decided to start contacting in that building. This building looks like it's under construction...but it's not it's just really humble and old. Water was flooding down the steps inside from the rain; there was no wall in most of the building,with bugs, garbage, and dogs everywhere. Imagine a haunted house, with weirdly big spider webs and all, and that's this apartment building. We were a little scared at first but we decided it's ok to teach there as long as we have a member with us. But we started talking to the first people we saw and then the next and the next and the next and before we knew it the day was done and EVERYONE that we had talked to, for 2 or 3 hours wanted to know more! This building has so many prepared people it was unreal. We walked away in shock at how receptive every single person was. So thanks to José we found tons of investigators!
Well it was Saturday night and we hadn´t found José yet but we really felt like we could still have the baptism. We felt like if we work as hard as we can we can see a miracle. So, we searched for him and FINALLY tracked him down and found him at work. He told us to come back at 8 when he gets off and he is so excited we found him. We came back at 8 and guess what? The store was closed and we couldn't see ANYONE insight. Just as I told myself not to lose faith I saw someone move and there he was, waiting! We talked to him for a really long time and finally he committed to baptism Sunday at 9:00 PM! After work! We called and got permission from our president (because it's so late for a baptism) and planned the baptism. We decided he needed to attend church at least once here in Argentina before he is baptized so we planned to meet at 8am Sunday morning to teach a little then go to church. 8:00 the next morning, He is nowhere to be found....8:30 same...9:00 same. Church starts are 9. We went to church still telling our selves ´´miracles can happen with faith´´. We got to church and he was nowhere to be found. After the first hour (relief society) we go on our search and find him at work...working. We were so bummed...but still had a ton of faith. Well turns out he had to work for some reason I didn't remember and he was in the hospital last night and that's why he didn't meet us but he still wants to get baptized that night. We told him he needs to attend church and that this week isn't possible but next week he can! The interesting thing was after wards we were talking and we were saying how we are confused because we prayed soooo many times and felt like we could have had a baptism Sunday night and I have never believed something so hard in my life. I had more faith in that then anything before. Well we figured it just wasn't part of the plan and went back to work. We were really successful and we found a family through a reference from some members in the ward. A humble family of 7 . One daughter has special needs and is super sweet and the other 6 are all above age 8 and accepted baptismal dates for April 1st, the Last day of this transfer! What a blessing. A huge, sweet family all wanting to get baptized. We were talking last night about everything that happened and Hermana Sperry said ´´you know what? We could have had a baptism if we wanted to...we choose not to, but Heavenly Father delivered his end of the promise´´. Confused I asked what she was talking about and she said ´´José still wanted to get baptized tonight but we told him no because he hasn't been to church here yet, which was the right decision. BUT we asked for a baptism and felt like it was possible...and we had the opportunity... and because we had the chance to baptize him. Our intentions were pure and we wanted him to be faithful and go to church. So, God blessed us with the family of 7 who all accepted baptism´´ So moral of the story, Heavenly Father always delivers his end of the promise, just not always the way you expect it! It's kind of like the saying we all know ´´with faith you can move mountains´´, but is not always technically mountains of dirt, but mountains of fear, doubt, sadness, weakness etc. Heavenly Father will never let you down!
Were working harder than I have ever worked in my life and it's paying off. I see how my progression in the gospel language and life in general is helping others and I am so grateful to be a part of the mission work for this awesome gospel! I love you all and hope your week is fun and full of missionary experiences too! xoxo
Hermana Marchant
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