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| Hermana Hannah Avery Chile Vina del Mar Mission |
It has been an AMAZING week here in Chorrillos!! Here's what went down:
First off, we had our zone conference with the mission president on Tuesday! We had a really great time, and got to talk a lot about the things that we will be doing in the mission to make the rest of this year, and the quickly approaching 2015, an amazing year for the mission too! Just a fun fact for you guys... our mission (Viña del Mar) was the top baptizing in ALL of Chile this year! WOOHOO! :)
We had "milenesa," which is basically a dish from Argentina (where my mission president is from) for lunch, and it was AMAZING. Super yum! I will have to learn how to make that so that I can make it for you guys later :)
We also had a baptism this week! L** was FINALLY baptized yesterday :) He was the happiest little old man I have ever seen! I would say his baptism was one of my favorites of the mission, just because the Spirit was SO strong, and it was really amazing to me to think that God loves L** (and each one of us!) SO much that he sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to atone for our sins and show us the way back to Him.... beginning with baptism! It was the sweetest thing to think that 85 years worth of sins were washed away in just a matter of moments, and that L** is now one step closer to having exaltation and eternal life with our Heavenly Father :)
We had a really amazing experience yesterday in the street while we were contacting houses. We got to one house, and a woman walked out and looked extremely grouchy, but we aren't intimidated by that anymore. So we started to tell her who we were as she walked closer to the fence to see what we wanted. We explained to her that we are missionaries and she just kept saying, "I really am not interested and your church is just like all the others." So, we proceeded to tell her that our church is definitely NOT like the others and we would be happy to explain why. Her mom then came out and joined in the conversation. They continued telling us about how they had gone through almost every religion, have read books, and just can't find the truth. They don't know why they are here on Earth,
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We began to testify of the Restoration, and explained to them that the Book of Mormon is an additional scripture written by prophets on this continent about our Savior, Jesus Christ, and that it is a companion to the Holy Bible. At the beginning, we tried to give them one and they said, "We have already read everything. Not your book, but we aren't interested in reading anything else."
So, we kept following the promptings of the Holy Ghost and said everything that we were directed to say. We gave portions of almost every lesson that we teach as missionaries, and helped resolve many of their questions and doubts. What started as an argument with a grouchy woman changed, through the guidance of the Holy Ghost, to two new investigators, who are excited to read the Book of Mormon. We will be meeting with them again next week!
It was a truly incredible experience for me that, when we follow what the prophet says, "dare to stand alone," miracles will happen. In standing by what we believe, two confused women are now reading the most true book in the world (the Book of Mormon has only been translated one time, where most other books of scripture have been translated again and again by different groups of people for different purposes). It will answer every question and erase every doubt. What a testimony builder it was for me to see that even the hardest of hearts can be softened by the Holy Ghost :)Well guys, I hope that you all have a wonderful week! I can't wait to talk to you guys NEXT WEEK for Christmas! Remember what it is all about... Christ! :) Share the gift! Accept the gift :) I love you!
xoxoxoxo Hermana Avery
Talk to you next week!
He is the Gift (December 8, 2014)
Merry Christmas from Chorillos (December 22, 2014)
