Livin Dominican: The inactive mission leader

Well folks, a lot of really amazing things happened this week. I adore this branch and the excitement that the members have and their dedication to help with the work. The Lord really does bless the work when everyone works together and when He knows that the seeds we plant will fall into good soil and then be nourished. Who makes it good? The members. Conani has been blessed with wonderful people to cultivate this soil and care for these seeds and that is why we are seeing such success. President told me that he was planning on moving me last transfers but felt a very strong impression that there was still work for us to do here. I feel very humbled to be here still.

As part of our missionary correlation meeting we have been giving trainings on how to be everyday missionaries to the members. We have received many wonderful references this week because of it. We also contacted some new families, and listened to a few people talk for HOURS (literally...one lady talked without stopping for 2 hours one day and we couldn´t figure out how to interrupt or leave so we just listened and it actually paid off even though it left us exhausted). All of this is perfect because we baptized a lot of our investigators and have been searching. We do have 2 people with dates for September. Dariana, who was a reference from Juan Jose is doing awesome and has even started going to seminary before her baptism. Alexandra, who was a reference from Victor, is also progressing a lot. She has a hard time reading because her eyesight is bad and can´t afford glasses but she has a lot of desire to change her life which I love.

We had a really cool lesson with our ward mission leader, Deyvi this week. He went inactive a couple months ago and we´ve been working to get him back in church. He has come the past two weeks. This week we decided to talk to him about callings and especially the importance of his calling. He is only 19 and has been a member for a little over a year so I don´t think he realizes sometimes the importance of a ward mission leader. When we first got to his house he told us he was too busy and didn´t have time to talk to us (this is always his response). I asked him to give us just 10 minutes and put an alarm on the phone. We shared about what a calling is and the great opportunity he has to be able to serve the Lord. The member with us shared an experience of when he felt overwhelmed and like he couldn´t fulfill his calling and like he was the only one working. The spirit was really strong and it was exactly what Deyvi needed to hear. When the alarm went off Deyvi said, "put 10 minutes more." We kept talking and Deyvi explained why he stopped leaving with the missionaries and some of his worries. I was on exchanges that day and the sister I was with said something interesting and asked, "Would you rather be loved or worthy of trust?" Then she explained that everyone is loved by God but only a few people are selected to help in His work. I finished up saying, "A few weeks ago you told us that you needed a reason to come back to church. You have a really important calling and we need you. Let that be your reason. The branch needs you and the Lord called you for a reason." Afterward Deyvi asked us when he could leave to visit investigators with us. That is the first time in my time here in Conani that our mission leader has shown interest in who we are teaching. It was absolutely incredible.

When we feel overwhelmed or like what the Lord asks is a lot, we need to remember what this sister said...that God loves everyone but only a few people are selected to help in His work. He thinks we are worthy of His confidence and wants our help in building the kingdom. We should never complain about that wonderful opportunity whether we have a lot of support from others or not. I know that when we take time to love others they have the desire to come unto Christ. We don´t need pretty words or fancy handouts or inventive programs...all we really need is to help others know that we love them. When we do that, we start to really do what the Lord would have us do.

I hope you all have a wonderful week! I love my mission, I love you all and I know the Lord does too!

Hermana Ewell