It's been such a busy week. Haven't done so many things like this for a while, the overall explanation: Enthralling.
The new companion is a funny guy, green and humble. His name is Elder Valentine, he's actually originally from Tallahassee, FL but came from Herriman, UT. He's an interesting 18 yo, class of 15, fresh and spunky kid. It's been fun training thus far and we actually teach in unity really well. There's been several flashbacks to my days with Elder Hoyt.
How grateful I is to train again, I'm actually Valentines "Grandpa"
E. Meloni (my first greenie) trained him his first 6 weeks in the mission and I will get him his last 6 weeks. It's been an adventure thus far it has :)
President Bennion latest method of hastening the work, Zone Trainers and Sister Training Leader Trainers. Basically everyone in leadership is training the new fleet of missionaries. Last week about 15 went out (e. Johnston included) but 28 new in, fresh form Provo. We're told this next transfer another buttload with 15 new sisters added. People change yet the work and love remain the same and overall our Zone is doing fairly well.
Corey Sneed and Deyshawn and Jose are all doing alright. Still working on trying to make it to church and keep commitments, they're receiving lots of different opposition. We've had some really good lessons and now it's all partly Gods timing and their agency. What my goal is by the end of the time I leave is to see one of them enter the waters of baptism.
We are also teaching a Nepalis lady, Shristi and Bro Landers (Part Member) who both made it to church yesterday. Teaching a Hindu the basics of Christianity is fascinating. Shristi and her fam moved from Nepal to America after an earthquake happened there this past year.
Shristi fully enjoys church and the member support that has been involved in helping her obtain a license and job. I really wish I knew more Nepalese or information about Nepal though because the language barrier is quite thick and there aren't any members who know Nepalese.
**Quick funny: we were sharing with Shristi the concept of prayer, while we were teaching we side tracked into the subject of dinner in a members home and she at first was not up for the idea. We told her it would be fun and that we would even cook some rice, at that statement she was astonished and said "You eat rice?!" We told her yes, and she said, "I thought Americans only ate junk food" hahaha. We resolved her concern as missionaries do, and she said she would come sometime to eat and hopefully watch Meet the Mormons. We know there's that Nepalese Humanitarian who if she watched would help her learn even more. Her story itself thus far is a miracle, again church and service are foreign to her but she does enjoy gospel principles and our culture.
To see the process of her and members who have been helping grow in spirit is, as Alma describes, the greatest of joys. Keep her in your prayers and that a translator will be found.
As well as Bro Landers who has kept his commitment and came to church yesterday for sacrament, we had a lesson with him later last evening (again Valentine and myself seem to teach very well together) and he is definitely opening up more to us and trying more to learn. He's been kind of shut to us and his wife, but bit by bit he's coming around. I really love the guy and his incredible tales. It's all just Push gently pull persistently I say and the members have been really supportive of him too. Did I mention I love the members?
Home I do miss, yet lately haven't fully remembered what are mountains? What is dry heat? What are seagulls? Is there a RMTC? Is there a Trainer I can have for my first 12 weeks home? 😂
That's it for now, this week will be a good week. I thank you for your prayers and support, Godspeed!
Love,
elder black