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| Elder and Sister Smith |
It is so inspiring to us because we have participated in their service projects and know their experience. We thought you'd all enjoy it also. These are their words:
Dear Friends,
I would be ungrateful if I did not take some time and thank you for the assistance you have given to support our branch and members. While it would be easy to come home discouraged from the branch each week, we have chosen instead to enumerate the miracles we have observed. Each week there are many new miracles from local members receiving the priesthood and administering the sacrament every Sunday instead of the missionaries, to women wearing dresses to church, to the baptism of a 65-year-old Haitian who had a dream that he needed to attend our branch and ask for a blessing for the healing a painful leg. He walks a couple of miles each way each Sunday to attend church even though he does not understand anything being said. While he was being taught, another Haitian translated for him. That translator later baptized him, confirmed him, and ordained him a priest in the Aaronic Priesthood, so he could take family names to the temple and do baptisms for the dead. We could go on and on about the other miracles. This week has been particularly special and your contributions have been a huge part of making it so. The assistance you have provided has been a large part of the miracles we participated in this week.
In January, two of our 40 branch members received their mission calls. Both were called to the San Juan, Puerto Rico Mission. Last Thursday, another branch member received his call to serve in Monterrey Mexico West mission, despite a tremendous fear of being called to Mexico. Last Saturday, our two missionaries going to PR and the mother and aunt of one of them were part of a group of 31 branch members who came to the temple. Each missionary took out their individual endowments in the company of other branch members. Fourteen participated in baptisms including our newly baptized Haitian, and the rest stayed around the temple to enjoy the Spirit of the temple. Sunday was the farewell for the two missionaries. They were well prepared, spoke appropriately and stayed on topic. In the congregation were many non-members who have expressed interest in hearing more from the missionaries. Should these men join the church, they could provide some much needed leadership to the branch. One non-member father and mother asked to meet with me a few months ago and expressed a desire to help support their son on his mission. They left me with 350 pesos ($7.75 US) for his support. We also found out that these missionaries will be assigned to our mission while they wait for their US VISAs.
On Tuesday, we were able to participate in the setting apart of these young men as missionaries and on Weds, I had the opportunity of bringing them to the MTC! Your assistance has been a blessing to these young men in helping them prepare to serve. We do not comprehend the sacrifice it is for them to serve. I observed one faithful, Dominican missionary serving in our branch whose belt loops were made of miscellaneous odd pieces of fabric sewn in the appropriate locations. The seams of his pants were sewn with what appeared to be a strand of twine from a gunny sack.
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| New Missionaries: Jorge Rodriquez and Jael Martinez |
In January, two of our 40 branch members received their mission calls. Both were called to the San Juan, Puerto Rico Mission. Last Thursday, another branch member received his call to serve in Monterrey Mexico West mission, despite a tremendous fear of being called to Mexico. Last Saturday, our two missionaries going to PR and the mother and aunt of one of them were part of a group of 31 branch members who came to the temple. Each missionary took out their individual endowments in the company of other branch members. Fourteen participated in baptisms including our newly baptized Haitian, and the rest stayed around the temple to enjoy the Spirit of the temple. Sunday was the farewell for the two missionaries. They were well prepared, spoke appropriately and stayed on topic. In the congregation were many non-members who have expressed interest in hearing more from the missionaries. Should these men join the church, they could provide some much needed leadership to the branch. One non-member father and mother asked to meet with me a few months ago and expressed a desire to help support their son on his mission. They left me with 350 pesos ($7.75 US) for his support. We also found out that these missionaries will be assigned to our mission while they wait for their US VISAs.
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| Entering the MTC with their families |
On Tuesday, we were able to participate in the setting apart of these young men as missionaries and on Weds, I had the opportunity of bringing them to the MTC! Your assistance has been a blessing to these young men in helping them prepare to serve. We do not comprehend the sacrifice it is for them to serve. I observed one faithful, Dominican missionary serving in our branch whose belt loops were made of miscellaneous odd pieces of fabric sewn in the appropriate locations. The seams of his pants were sewn with what appeared to be a strand of twine from a gunny sack.
I want to thank you for your sacrifices, love, and support. These, too, have been part of our numerous miracles. THANK YOU!
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