A Hard And Rewarding Week

From: Elder Andrushka Dated: December 03, 2007

Well it’s been a hard and rewarding week. We have worked with all our heart might mind and strength. I could never imagine how it feels to work with this much effort.

We (my comp) baptized J*** G*** and his wife attended his baptism. I couldn’t be more proud of this baptism. At the same time I know it’s the Lord that allowed it to happen so smoothly. We walked him and his wife home after the baptism and he was glowing. The next Sunday we set him apart. J*** G*** was my first person that I taught all the way and helped him through the whole process. I am reminded when we first found his house. We first talked to him he was not that interested but as time went on, as he prayed he got the strongest testimony of the Book of Mormon. When we taught him about the plan of salvation you could just feel the spirit open his eyes. The thanks he had for knowing what life is more about.

His whole family is Baptist and he has gone to many churches but never joined one or was baptized. It is true the Lord has prepared people for us who are ready to hear the gospel. I talked with his wife and I think give her some time she will join. She told me never have I met a Mormon before. So our next work is to work on his family.

They invited us to dinner after the baptism but we were fasting. They invited us again the next day for lunch. Hope to start teaching the rest of the family. We also found 3 more families to teach who are great. It’s hard to teach a whole family but its the Lord’s work.

Its been 6 weeks. I can't believe how fast the time flies. In 5 days it’s my birthday! I can’t believe I am turning 20. I was watching the Christmas Devotional and I got homesick. I was thinking about all the pretty lights, all the memories I have of my house and my loving family. I will love it down here. There is a spirit that I am exited to celebrate Christmas with. To share the gospel with more people.

I am in an area called Rene Polanco. I don’t know if you will be able to find it on a map. I think I (will) serve here for 6 or more months. It is close to Managua, Nicaragua. I don’t really know how to describe it more.

There is much work to be done. I feel like I have just begun living and I am turning 20 years. I am so exited for life! I am so exited for all that I have learned. The Lord truly loves me! I know that with all my heart. I love my Savior Jesus Christ.

We talked to a first person here that didn’t believe in Jesus Christ or God. I could not understand. What hope do you have if there is nothing. As I was watching the Christmas Devotional I couldn’t help but feel the thanks for being so close to the heart of Saviors gospel. How blessed we are. How for granted I took having conference in Salt Lake. What spirit there is in Utah. I love being a missionary. E*** and V***** were not baptized. She thinks that Mary will save her one day. She has a really strong Catholic background. It is amazing to me! One day she was glowing with the spirit. She felt so happy. The next day she went to a Purisisma or something like that where they worship Mary. Her whole image changed. The light vanished from her eyes. You could just feel the emptiness. We’ll work and more work with her to help her understand that Jesus is the Christ and only by him we are saved.

Love you all let Carissa know that I love her and happy birthday!

More P-day pictures.

From Elder Paul Freeman, dated December 4, 2007

Change of Plans

From Elder Paul Freeman, dated December 4, 2007

Last night we get a telephone call right after we went to bed. It was the Zone Leaders asking us if we could do some service on wednesday up in the Mountains all day. It sounded like fun so we agreed and they told us to have our preparation day today. So, we went to the Polynesian store and I bought some sweet basketball shorts with a cool surfboard/flowery iron on design that says "Samoa", and now we're here at the library doing email. Conveniently enough these computers will cooperate with my camera and I can send pictures and videos. I'm usually the one taking the pictures, so I'm not in very many beside one where I had a boil on my face. The rest are mostly us missionaries. I got some fun video clips of different stuff too. I hope you enjoy.

Love,

Elder Freeman