Hey, friends!Sorry there wasn't a letter last week. I'll do better.
Over the last couple weeks I have gotten to know some crazy-wonderful people. FIRST: Antwan and Watima (I know, those names rock). I wrote about Antwan last time, and since have been able to meet with him and his wife Watima! Watima is a very spiritual person, doesn't necessarily care about religion but will pray and discuss "the word" with anyone who wants to. And we always want to :) The first time we met her, she kind of prophesied to us! Pretty much, she thinks that Sister Maughan will teach large groups of women in conferences (future Relief Society Pres!) and she says I will be teaching children in Africa how to dance. She gave us lots of motivation, too. Direct Quote: "The things that you see as flaws, those are what will make the difference. God says: Be encouraged" So that was kind of cool! We've been over to see them twice now, I wish it could have been more, but there was a huge house fire two doors down from them. Which leads me to my next story!
So there's this area we have been focusing on that has had like four houses burn down in the last year. There's just abandoned foundations every six houses or so. Kinda terrifying. They're all abandoned except one, behind it there is a garage with a couple old cars and a tent. We asked a gentleman for a referral one time and he pointed to this shack.. Turns out a nice man named Joe lives in it! He has a tent with a recliner and TV inside his barn-like garage. Despite his situation, he knows God has blessed him tremendously with his health, daughter, and happiness. We talked for a while and I was so impressed by his level of humility. It's incredible to me how quickly and simply people like that make an impression on me and motivate me to better myself. I hope to make positive impressions on others every day, and I think we all can!
MIRACLE: Okay, remember Gayle? She has come up a few times now. She's the "DID YOU ASK IF I'M A MORMON?" lady who came back to church and brought her daughter. Hopefully that is enough of a refresher! Anyways, she has been telling us about her neighbor Betty who has shown a little interest in learning about the LDS Church. We've been waiting for the OK to go knock on her door and Gayle kept wanting us to wait. One evening we went to see Gayle, talked about missionary work, and left her with a little gift-bag that had a Book of Mormon, a Joseph Smith movie, our card, and a Gladys Knight CD to give to Betty. We kinda forgot about this, and on Friday afternoon BETTY CALLED US. This may not seem like a miracle to you, but no one calls us. I think in my 5 months out here I've given away our number like a thousand times and maybe one person has called and asked us to come over. But Betty did. So we came and taught the Restoration that night! She seemed very excited to read the Book of Mormon and feels comfortable asking questions and talking with us. We love her and are so excited to go back :) THANK YOU GAYLE!
Truly, the mission is far from all sunflowers and snowfalls for me. This transfer has been rough. Many of our long-time investigators are telling us they don't want us to come back. We have been trying so hard to fulfill our purpose and invite people to do things to bring themselves closer to Christ, but so many are not willing to make changes! One day after being dropped by our dear friend Joe, we called Ulysses to let him know. (They were going to be friends) And I love what Ulysses said to us : "Well, don't get down. It's too beautiful of a day for God to lose a soul. He will come back" I desperately need faith and optimism like Ulysses. And I am working on it every day. I love this place, I love these people, and I love being a missionary. Everyday people tell us the world is too scary for us young Sisters to be out sharing the Gospel, but I think that is exactly why we are needed. Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Have a blessed week!
Sister Bartsch
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| I'm not sure why she send this picture. Creative styling? Or maybe because we keep asking if she's seen any crocs. |
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