Letters 08/27/2012

Progression

This week has been a huge step for our investigators, especially the stoners. We waited by the door of the chapel until 10 minutes after sacrament meeting started, and we were just about to give up hope, when we saw the two of them half jog- half walking to the perimeter gate. They went through the day, and they said many times how nice it was there and how orderly everything was. The two continue to surprise Elder Mcknight and myself, and we look forward to our teaching appointments with them. We decided to hold back on the word of wisdom until they have a few more spiritual impressions so that they will be more inclined to follow.
     We have been exercising every morning, and we have been eating much healthier. I can feel the difference throughout the day. I have more energy, and working is much easier when your body is well and alert. The members have begun to feed us much more frequently, and we would be getting fat were it not for our schedule. Being in a car all days of the week doesn't help.
     During one of our appointments with a recent convert, she asked if we could watch a video. As I looked through my collection of conference talks, I felt inspired to show her the talk entitled "Children" by Elder Niel L. Anderson, from the 2011 fall conference. We began to watch, and feeling that it did not apply, I thought, somehow, that I chose the wrong talk. As Elder Anderson concluded and we stopped the DVD, I shook my head feeling somewhat foolish. In the following 10 minutes, I received a humbling lesson by the spirit. As this sister reflected upon the words of the apostle, she also reflected upon the blessing of her own children in her life. She then began to unfold a story which she had never before told to anyone. As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes and she thanked us for showing her those things, saying that it was what she needed at that time. She had been fighting with her children throughout the week, and she explained how much perspective the counsel gave to her. As we walked out of her home, I  deep feeling of shame come upon me for questioning the power of the spirit, and I couldn't help but be sufficiently humbled and chastened. The following day, I read D&C 95: 1-2. 
The Lord humbles us in many ways for our growth and progression.

Much Love,
Elder JW Davidson

Letters 08/20/2012

Another Week... or Twelve in Paradise 

transfers are here again, and we just recieved the news that I will be staying in Daveyton to see Elder Mcknight through the rest of his mission. That means I will be here for another 12 weeks guaranteed, and 18 if I will be training... That is ok with me.  We have been gathering weights from around the mission, and we have nearly 200 pounds, a set of dumbells,a straight bar, and an iron gym. We have set a work out plan, and things seeem to be going well. We also found some cheap harmonicas and we have been learning the hymns...the good ones at least. Most of our free time is spent playing music.

Imentioned a few weeks ago about some stoners that we had been teaching, and they have turned out to be some of the best investigators I have ever had. They keep their commitments, they read, they pray, they have come to church, and their understanding of what they receive is astounding. We are told to teach the honest seekers of the truth, and we found a whole gang of them, though two of them, Potatop and Arabi, stand out as the most progressing. We are teaching the word of wisdom next week... We'll see how that goes. I feel that we will be able to get them though, it's just a matter of time.  They have also been inviting more and more of their friends to be apart of our lessons.

     The month of September looks to be big for baptisms. We have been preparing most of them since I arrived here in Daveyton, and they all seem to have worked out their problems. I guess time always tells, but I feel that Elder Mcknight will go home on a very high note. Things are going very smoothly, and I have been feeling great, so I hope things are going well on the other side of the world.

 

--Much Love,

Elder JW DAvidson

 

Letters 08/13/2012

Africa?

Our zone conference came and went, along with some interesting events. It has been quite cold as of late, and when we left our flat headed towards the car, a strange but not uncommon chill crept into my bones. When we broke for lunch, we were more than astonished to see a small blizzard outside the chapel doors. It snowed for about 3 hours, and it left about an inch of snow. It was odd seeing a bunch of "Men" running around in the snow like a bunch of small children. Apparently it hasn't snowed here since 1981. After we all nearly ruined our suits, we gathered back together for dessert. Elder Mcknight and myself won MVC (Most Valuable Companionship,) and we bought matching smiley face ties to celebrate. 
     The rest of the week seemed to fly by. We have been working hard, and we have finally seen one of my favorite investigators baptized on Sunday. She has been battling with problems since we began teaching her, but she was determined to do what the Lord wanted her to. She has overcome every obstacle that has come her way, as well as sacrificed a great deal in following in the footsteps of Christ. Now, the objective will be baptizing her two teenagers. They are about as interested in the gospel as HIV it seems. Every time we come over, they dart out of the room/ house.
     Aside from this, and another teaching appointment with the Rastafarians, nothing much has happened. This week should prove interesting. It's the last week of the transfers, and they always seem to have some interesting events...

Until next time,
Much love,
Elder JW DAvidson

Letters 08/06/2012

Drunks, Stoners, and Hypocrites

People can be so dumb. We have had several experiences with each of the three groups this week. We attempted to teach a group of  "wanna be" Rastafarians who wanted "to know more about God." I don't know how productive the lesson was, but they kept their reading commitments and invited us back, so we will see... As far as hypocrites, there are to many stories to recount.

One of our investigators has been meeting us at a recent convert's house, and we have been trying to teach him some time. Sister Alinah (the recent convert) has told us he has a drinking problem, and we have seen him several times in the little pub that is attached to sister alinah's house. We recently taught him the word of wisdom, and he claimed to be clean and sober for some time. On Saturday, we went to visit sister alinah, and while we were talking with her, one of her grandchildren ran in saying that this brother was running away. Apperantly, he saw us pull up, waited until we went inside, then started towards home.  We put on our bags and chased after him. We could see how ashamed he was, and his drunk girlfriend kept telling us that everything was ok and they would both be at church the following day. When Sunday came, this brother did not. We went to sister alinah's  house that night, and as we pulled up, we could see him through a glass sliding door. We tried not to turn our heads in his direction, and he tried to sneak to a place where we could not see him. We spoke with sister Alinah again, and we sent her grandson to fetch the poor man. He walked in (drunk out of his mind) and tried to tell us through slow slurs and stinking breath that he was sober. We have a lot of repentance crying to do, as well as truth seeking. One great problem  about the African people would be the amount of lies that they tell. They are not very good at it either. This week went by fast, but I have a feeling that this coming week should be more eventful.

Love,

Elder J. W. Davidson