This week was super good. We almost got Claire (name changed for privacy) scheduled for a baptism date. It was way close. She has a problem with the Church's position on abortion and homosexuality. We talked about it and tried to help her understand. She said okay, but does not want to commit to being baptized yet. We will keep working with her. She is so close.
But, the miracle of the week...are you ready for this?! So when we were on splits on my birthday, Elder Hansen and Elder Borchensky were waiting for a bus and a van pulled up next to them. A lady named Juliet said, "Elders", in English. So they went over to talk to her. She is from Uganda, and was baptized there many years ago. She said she does not get to go to church because she works every other weekend, but she wanted to go back. She didn't know if there were any LDS (Latter-day Saint) churches in Denmark. They told her where the church was and got her information. She said this week would be bad but to call her in a week.
Well, a week and half later we called her and set up an appointment to go through the church on a tour, to show her around and talk to her little girls. They said yes! So, fast forward to this week. On Thursday we met with them at the church, and we had our Ward Mission Leader with us. It was Juliet and her 12 year old and 6 year old daughters (names omitted for privacy). Juliet said her goal was to get herself active in the church again, and to get her kids involved. We gave them a tour of the church, showed them each room, and talked about why we go to church and do what we do. We have a beautiful baptismal font in this area, so when we came to the baptismal room the Spirit was so strong, and felt so good. The next thing I know, the 12 year old daughter is asking us questions about baptism and all the good stuff. As we answered their questions and talked, they told us that they had this very comforting feeling in there.
Fast forward to yesterday, Sunday. We received a text from Juliet saying that her daughters would be at church. We were way confused about what she meant...like, without her?! Next thing we see is a Danish guy with three African kids on bikes. Juliet's atheist husband rode his bike, with his daughters, to the church to drop them off with two teenage boys whom he had never met before. We sat with them at church, took them to class, and had a good time after church. We asked them how it went, and they said they loved it. We are going to meet with their family this week and see what we can do to start preparing them for the first step on their path back to our Heavenly Father. And who knows, maybe their father will join in and want to come. It's too early to tell. Well it was a great week, and I am so happy to see how things go.
Transfers are Wednesday. Me and Elder Hansen will be together until the visas come in for those that just finished in the MTC (Missionary Training Center). He will be leaving, and I will be staying in Frederiksberg.
I love you and want you to know that I know this gospel is true. Even though there is a language barrier here with me right now, I know the Lord has blessed me and will continue to bless me with that because He would not call me to fail with the language...or anything for that matter! Well, love you and have good week.
Med Kære Hilse
Elder Madsen
Chocolate Milk and Stinky Cheese (August 5, 2013)
Saying Goodbye to Friends in Denmark (August 19, 2013)
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| Basketball on Preparation Day Elder Madsen is in the pink shirt |
