Dear Family
and Friends,
What a week!
It was a bit of a tough one, but we learned a lot. We were rejected a lot and
honestly I had the opportunity to feel the sorrow our Heavenly Father feels
when his children do not come unto him. My main purpose as a missionary and
most important in my opinion is to invite others to come unto Christ through
his restored gospel. It is a simple and yet complex purpose, but is so
rewarding. This week was full of challenges and I won’t lie, I got a bit discouraged.
I felt like I wasn’t fulfilling my purpose. We were rejected so much, our appts
fell through all week, out scheduled baptism fell through 20 mins before it
started and we were just not seeing the "fruits" of our labors. I
came to a conclusion. A prayer filled answer really. We were inviting and doing
everything we could (100% obedience has always been my goal), but we don’t have
control of how others will react to our invite or if they accept it. Christ was
not accepted by everyone he met. He was rejected day after day until his
eternal sacrifice, why would I be exempt from being rejected as a
representative of Christ? Rejection really means we are doing the Lords
work.
On Thursday
we had a testimony building experience with this idea. We were searching for an
address and stopped in front of a house. We clapped at the gate and a man came
to the door. We asked for directions and he started yelling questions about
what church we belonged to. We told him " A Igreja de Jesus Cristo dos
Santos dos Ùltimos dias". He replied "oh those Mormons!!" In
that moment he started angrily screaming that Joseph Smith was not a prophet,
the Book of Mormon condemned God, that we were part of a cult that didn’t
believe in God, that only the bible was truly the word of God and he continued
for a while screaming. He asked a few questions and really the spirit took
over. my companion was a nervous wreck, staring at him (she even asked for a
cup of water!! haha). Our convert Jamilli was with us and was shocked. I was
surprised to find myself completely calm and answered every question with the
Bible and the Book of Mormon. After answering a few questions he stopped
looking at me in the eyes. He talked about a book he had that talked about
other religions. I didn’t want to "Bible bash" or debate so I just
testified. He didn’t stop screaming, but we calming testified of truth and said
good afternoon.
My testimony
was strengthened during that 5-10 min conversation. Knowing that we stood our
ground and defended the true gospel of Christ. I invited him to search for himself,
to pray and ask God. We invited him unto Christ, he just chose not to accept
our invite. I know that the Lord was guiding our words and thoughts that afternoon
and that he knew the power 10 mins had to strengthen my testimony of this work
and gospel. I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. He paid for
every one of our sins, and that only through him we can one day return and live
in the presence of our Father in heaven. I love my Savior and am so grateful for
his example of truly enduring to the end.
Have a
wonderful week!!
com amor,
Sister Sender
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