Today we had a difficult choice to make. We had set up the entire day with teaching appointments when we got notice that we were invited to go to Christchurch to an ARP meeting. We were a little torn. We had finally started getting some people to attend our ARP meetings and we probably needed more training but we already had set up the day. We decided to stay home and do the teaching appointments because we are called to be missionaries. We surely are glad we chose to stay.
Our first appointment was with a lady that we met briefly before the missionaries knocked on her door. Because the mssionaries are no longer allowed to teach single sisters alone, they gave us her name so we could contact her. We had already set up one appointment which she had to cancel because of another appointment. We were kind of tentative thinking that perhaps she may cancel again. It was quite the opposite. She welcomed us warmly and listened to everything we said with deep sincerity. We taught her many things and she was so receptive. She is coming to church on Sunday and we have a return appointment next week.
Next, we visited a man and wife who we have known almost since we arrived here. He had walked up to us in a business, looked at our name tags and invited us to come see them at their home. He had not intended to go to that business nor had we. We both decided to go on an impression and we all felt the spirit guiding us. We taught them almost the same set of lessons that we taught the first lady. These lessons included the dvd "The Restoration" and some short clips from another church dvd. There was a strong feeling in the room and we felt that we made much headway especially when he was challenged to pray about what we taught and he said, "I think I already know." We will see them again next week as well.
Our third appointment was with a fellow we have been teaching along with his young son. He is a man we met in an op-shop shortly after we arrived and had only a brief "Hi, how are you?" kind of conversation with. We happened to drop in to his home one night. We did not know it was his home and really didn't remember meeting him until he reminded us. He had been looking for us. He has been praying, reading and coming to church regularly. He has committed to do what we have asked him to do. He has been having "feelings" he has never felt before for some time now and we set a tentative baptismal date for Dec. 1. He is so nice and so sincere. He really wants what is best for the future of he and his son.
All of these people have had difficult lives. One of them said, "If you had come a few weeks ago, I would have said no. Today, I am in the right place and I am ready." We would have loved all of them regardless of whether we were allowed to teach or not. There are many here that we love even though we know we may never get the opportunity to teach them much about the church except what they see. Today was remarkable in that we had two good choices to make. One, to go to the meeting and learn more about the ARP or two, to go out and share what we hold so dear with some wonderful sons and daughters or God, our brothers and sisters on the earth. We are so grateful that Heavenly Father led us to make the choice that was just right for this particular remarkable day.
No comments:
Post a Comment