April 30, 2018

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY

HELLO!

Well, I would like to introduce you all to Ivan. Ivan is 20, covered in tattoos with a nose ring and the most kind genuine heart you could ever meet. He will be baptized on the 12th! 

How did we find him?
Jesus brought his buddy to us this week on Tuesday or Wednesday and since then he has had all of lessons 1-3, is loving the book of mormon, and fits right in with the branch and all the YSA and Jesus will be performing the baptism on the 12th of May! (Which if I get transferred, could be my last Saturday here, but honestly, I don't really know what's going to happen right now.) But wow! I feel like we have known him forever. He fits right in! He arrives early so he can read the Book of Mormon before the lessons, and both he and Jesus are out to rescue all their buddies from off the streets. It's amazing!!

We got Jesus a white shirt and Lander gave him a tie (already done up, and he saves the knot so he doesn't have to learn how to tie it haha. Don't worry we learned, so we can teach him haha.) He was able to bless the sacrament and Leo, even though his grandma didn't come, came and was there to pass it! I am so grateful for worthy priesthood holders and to see them both grow and become men of God! Jesus continues to grow and change more everyday.

David, baby steps indeed, but is moving along!! He voluntarily prayed and told us that he wants to read the Book of Mormon morning and night! I can see his faith growing and the light he carries too!

The gift of tongues was a real miracles this week! We had one day were we taught 2 lessons in Italian. No I didn't start speaking Italian, but the miracle is that I could understand them and my companion (who grew up in Italy) and our investigators could understand me! One of them, Sylla, is from Senagall and was translating from French to Italian, my companion from Italian and Spanish, and me from English to Spanish, and the spirit worked through and he has a fecha right now for the 19th! It was amazing!

I love being a missionary with my whole heart! I feel the excitement growing in the islands. Jesus has really excited the member that they too can see miracles and share the gospel. With a little motivation of cookies and/or brownies and a point system, they are latching on!

I am so grateful for the love of my Savior, for a companion at my side, a chapa (name tag) over my heart, and a testimony burning strong and bright from within. Many have told us that the light in their eyes really is what sparked their interest in the initial contact. 

Wish I had time to tell more, but too many amazing things are happening!
More miracles are on the way!
With all my Love,
Hermana Read

(Now go get to work!)