This week we found ways to serve a couple members in their
yards. We had some powerful lessons with our investigators. One was with
Dengerald, a 17 year old boy that really wanted to be baptized before but his
mother is strictly against it. Ever since he hasn't been regular to church. We
taught him a powerful lesson about trials, about darkness that comes before the
light just like Joseph Smith, that Satan knows and repeatedly tries to hedge
our way from doing the things that matter most. It was powerful, and even
though Dengerald didn't go to church we know he still has it in his heart and
we told him that someday he can become a great missionary.
We've been visiting a 15-year old recent convert lately
named Rhenier. He is absolutely incredible. He heard of the Book of Mormon from
his aunt and felt a strange desire to read it. He asked for one from his
classmate that he knew was Mormon. He started reading at his house the
Introduction, and then decided to ask God if it was true. He was scared to pray
at first, he had never prayed with real intent before -- he was used to
memorized prayers from his religion. As he prayed the room grew quiet and the Book
of Mormon grew hot in his hands, then the feeling went straight to his heart.
He was so shocked. He told his family but they told him he was going crazy. But
he knew, without a doubt in his mind, that the Book of Mormon was true. He came
to church and was baptized fast. Ever since, he told us, he has shared the Book
of Mormon with EVERYONE he knows -- all his classmates, all his friends, at
school, at home, everywhere. He's been persecuted too -- his grandparents don't
believe it and his parents aren't with him anymore -- one died when he was
little. He had a dream that he was to become a missionary someday that he was
to receive a call letter. He worked with us this week along with some other
young adults and testified to the people we met. He wants to work with us every
week now. He is living evidence to me that the Lord does his own work. Rhenier
is a special kid and his story fills me with faith in the Lord.
We decided to fast this week for investigators to come to
church and it worked! We had two part member families come to church for the
first time so hopefully we can start teaching them. Emilia Rosario came to
church. We are having a hard time with her because she really wants to be
baptized and has come to church for a while now but she is still not converted
and says she doesn't know if the church is true even though she has felt it in
her heart. We had a powerful lesson with her but she still needs some help but
we are shooting for December. Nuevo Dumaging came to church for the first time
too -- we had a powerful lesson with him too about finding answers, and acting.
He is searching for the truth because he hasn't found it in other churches that
he has visited. We believe he can make it and be baptized in December too.
Angelitio De Leon who was baptized in October is having a
hard time and needs reactivating of his family. But he is strong in his
knowledge and belief in the Book of Mormon. We are going to work on that. Wally
Licuanan is doing good -- he was ordained a priest yesterday and spent some
time with the YSA's so hopefully that will give him some fellowship.
Cultural note: Investigators are loving giving us the fruit
of the season -- PAPAYA and SUHA. It's super delicious and our desserts all the
time.
Filipinos love to tell jokes -- the cheesier the better.
Often playing on words. If you ask someone how they are doing -- instead of
mabuti (which means good) you can say mabeauty (play on english beautiful)
Love you all!!!!!
Sister Porter
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