We got permission to go to the internet center today! And now the story of Mayor´s baptism. We had two lessons with him and the elders last week. We had to keep talking about his testimony and desires and the answers he´s received from God. Thursday night was also his baptismal interview, and he needed to decide if this was going through or not. He said he had had a dream the night of our last visit, and he wasn´t sure what it meant and wanted more time to think about it. Our district leader Elder Castillo passed me a note saying that if he tried to change the date now, he would never commit to be baptized, and I could definitely feel how critical that evening was. Hna. Harden talked about moving forward in faith, how we are required to act first and then receive a witness. Elder McDonald talked about how Mayor´s dream was consistent with revelation through dreams in the scriptures. And I just talked straight with him, exactly what I felt compelled by the Spirit to say. I said that I knew that he had recieved several answers that this was the decision he should make, that the Lord had chosen him to recieve the gospel at this time and be a leader in the branch in Villa Gonzalez. I said that we had been accompanied by the Holy Ghost and by angels in our lessons. I was like, ¨We testify that this is the right thing to do, but we can´t force you to do this. But if you don´t Satan wins, and we don´t want that!¨ And I know that´s true. Mayor had his interview with Elder Castillo, and they talked for a long time. When they were done, Mayor said he would call us in the morning.
So during planning the next day, we planned his baptismal service in faith and then he FINALLY called! And there was much rejoicing! Saturday was crazy and stressful preparing for the service because it ALWAYS is before a baptism, but he came and eventually ward members and other investigators came. And at the very end Mayor bore his testimony, and it was the best part. He said he felt a warm, burning sensation as he entered the water, and that it was still going. He was super happy, and said he knew that the Lord does answer prayers. He said that anyone who was doubting commiting to baptism should go through with it, and he felt like he had entered into the family of the church. I was super happy. I am so glad he knows now.
Lately I´ve been exhausted, hot, and sweaty (summer is back), but I feel like I can see the Lord´s hand in our day-to-day lives and that we have been lead by the Spirit more often. I´m feeling pretty good about our work. We are trying to improve in obedience and strengthening our relationships with the ward members (charity), and these things facilitate the Lord´s work.
Hna. Buchanan (hit with the moto) has gone home to recuperate because her burns need two months to heal, but she´s doing fine and will come back. The driver lost control while poping a wheelie. That sounds ridiculous, but the motorcyclists here do it ALL THE TIME. The little boys learn how to do it on their bikes. They can ride pretty far down the road on one wheel. And I have thought to myself a billion times over, ´They can´t pull that off successfully everytime´ and I was right. Thankfully no one died, because usually I see Dominicans doing dangerous things and hope I´m not going to see a hideous road accident like other missionaries have. I have not felt really in danger my whole mission--cautious but never really scared. If I weren´t a missionary it would be different story. I am confident there are things for me to do right now, and the Lord can´t afford to pull me out anytime soon. I have had several blessings that have told me I am being protected, and I trust in that completely. So no worries!
Till next week,
Hna. J.
So during planning the next day, we planned his baptismal service in faith and then he FINALLY called! And there was much rejoicing! Saturday was crazy and stressful preparing for the service because it ALWAYS is before a baptism, but he came and eventually ward members and other investigators came. And at the very end Mayor bore his testimony, and it was the best part. He said he felt a warm, burning sensation as he entered the water, and that it was still going. He was super happy, and said he knew that the Lord does answer prayers. He said that anyone who was doubting commiting to baptism should go through with it, and he felt like he had entered into the family of the church. I was super happy. I am so glad he knows now.
Lately I´ve been exhausted, hot, and sweaty (summer is back), but I feel like I can see the Lord´s hand in our day-to-day lives and that we have been lead by the Spirit more often. I´m feeling pretty good about our work. We are trying to improve in obedience and strengthening our relationships with the ward members (charity), and these things facilitate the Lord´s work.
Hna. Buchanan (hit with the moto) has gone home to recuperate because her burns need two months to heal, but she´s doing fine and will come back. The driver lost control while poping a wheelie. That sounds ridiculous, but the motorcyclists here do it ALL THE TIME. The little boys learn how to do it on their bikes. They can ride pretty far down the road on one wheel. And I have thought to myself a billion times over, ´They can´t pull that off successfully everytime´ and I was right. Thankfully no one died, because usually I see Dominicans doing dangerous things and hope I´m not going to see a hideous road accident like other missionaries have. I have not felt really in danger my whole mission--cautious but never really scared. If I weren´t a missionary it would be different story. I am confident there are things for me to do right now, and the Lord can´t afford to pull me out anytime soon. I have had several blessings that have told me I am being protected, and I trust in that completely. So no worries!
Till next week,
Hna. J.