All of our missionaries know that during each change cycle we have a theme of study, usually Characteristicas de Cristo, from Chpt 6 of PMG, or other type of Doctrine. This change we were studying Knowledge/Conocimiento. It was a wonderful to hear these fine missionaries in their preparation. Each know that anytime within the change, they may be called on to share a 3-5 minute talk that they have individually prepared themselves, in their personal study of the subject. They can be called upon to share at zone classes, zone training, and especially zone conferences, when we hear from 3-4 each day. This is some of what they shared....
We had a spiritual message from E. Baum, using DYC 28:21, reminding of Unity. Then Elder Bolentini, originally from Argentina, volunteered with permission from Presidente May, to give his talk in English. What a great example to all! He had put together his thoughts well, told of his personal impressions with Knowledge and learning about it, then share and read scriptures and spoke with power and authority, even in English. The spirit was their we were all touched with his humble and effective testimony.
We also heard from Hrma Marinos, which also was sweet to hear. The next day, E. Pollard shared a spiritual message to start, which is good for our new missionaries to hear from a great, seasoned missionary, speaking powerfully and with conviction. Then we heard from E. Melancon and H. Sears, but really touching again, was Hrma Mendoza, who is actually from Argentina, and as she ended her talk on Conocimiento, she began sharing her testimony in English too! Slowly, deliberately pronouncing each word as she had practiced, so that she could saw what was really in her heart. It is amazing how the spirit has touched her, helped her blossom and given her courage. Months ago she would not have ever wanted to talk in English, and now here she is doing it with the spirit. The Lord works miracles in the lives of these great missionaries, and they are all being converted to Him.
Read more!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
New Missionary Training... Fase 1 and 2
We had great sessions with our new missionaries. Fase 1 training we hold after they have been here about 10 days. They come back the next Friday after they arrive, so they now know what questions to ask, how to do things, and what they need help with since they have arrived. We have an interactive meeting and then followed by nice lunch for each of them and their trainer/companions too. The following month, when they have been out for 1 change or about 6 weeks, then we have the new ones come back for Fase 2, this time the whole meeting in Spanish, and without their trainers/companions. They are fine by now, getting around on the metro, buses and can really converse fine and understand the majority of what people say. Here are some of their comments and thoughts about what they are learning, saw, heard, experienced in their first change here in Chile Santiago North:
1. "One woman said she had never heard of the church before, but when we started to explain about Jose Smith we felt the spirit and powerfully, as if someone else where teaching her about it, so she paid real close attention."
2. "Our investigator had a very strong prejudice against Peruvians, but she told me that even though I am from Peru, her heart was softened towards me as she always saw me smiling, and being helpful. That was what made her want to listen to us, where my companion said she wouldn't listen to just him before."
3. "A teenager started gaining more trust and confidence in his parents, after he began having personal changes in his life from the gospel. He used to be a deliquent but the gospel helped him express more love and appreciation to his parents. I did the same in my country, after I learned about the gospel. I was much more obedient and unselfish with my parents' requests after I joined the church."
4. "I really feel the power of prayers here in just these short 10 days. The Spirit was really powerful, and sometimes this is the only time I really can understand what is being said, during the prayers, by the spirit."
5. "I can't believe I'm really here, finally in the mission field. I feel like I've been waiting for this all of my life. I talked to a man yesterday who told us many things he needs to repent about, including crimes and serious stuff. But it touched me to see him crying and wanting to change."
6. "The first night we arrived, we bought some groceries, put my suitcases in the house, and we went out. It started raining, I was drenched, by my companion and I both didn't mind, we said what a great way to start out, because the people felt sorry for us, and everywhere we knocked, people let us in! I remember Pres. May telling us to go the extra mile, and then it is true...we were more than blessed!"
7. "I was not used to riding a bike like we need to in Los Andes, and I fell off 4 times when I first started, but I kept trying and now I am better at it."
8. "My trainer is so great, he practically runs to the appointments, but he knows everyone in this area, and now my leg muscles are really strong! One lady put a baptismal date and then after we were teaching her, she wants to move it up and do it sooner! We are having lots of lessons with whole families and see miracles in them."
9. "We were talking to a woman who said she was busy, and then she told us she would give us just 5 minutes. Then she soon let us in her home. Then she told us that she has attended or tried many churches all around the neighborhood, but never been in ours. She was excited to hear that we are missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ, because she loves to talk and learn about Him. She was thrilled we invited her to come and attend out meetings this week. She must really be prepared!"
10."I read DyC 11:12,15--This made me really feel that when I am testifying and trying to share my thoughts, the spirit fills me too, with joy. Just like the scripture says, and I can understand how it makes us want to share it more."
Read more!
1. "One woman said she had never heard of the church before, but when we started to explain about Jose Smith we felt the spirit and powerfully, as if someone else where teaching her about it, so she paid real close attention."
2. "Our investigator had a very strong prejudice against Peruvians, but she told me that even though I am from Peru, her heart was softened towards me as she always saw me smiling, and being helpful. That was what made her want to listen to us, where my companion said she wouldn't listen to just him before."
3. "A teenager started gaining more trust and confidence in his parents, after he began having personal changes in his life from the gospel. He used to be a deliquent but the gospel helped him express more love and appreciation to his parents. I did the same in my country, after I learned about the gospel. I was much more obedient and unselfish with my parents' requests after I joined the church."
4. "I really feel the power of prayers here in just these short 10 days. The Spirit was really powerful, and sometimes this is the only time I really can understand what is being said, during the prayers, by the spirit."
5. "I can't believe I'm really here, finally in the mission field. I feel like I've been waiting for this all of my life. I talked to a man yesterday who told us many things he needs to repent about, including crimes and serious stuff. But it touched me to see him crying and wanting to change."
6. "The first night we arrived, we bought some groceries, put my suitcases in the house, and we went out. It started raining, I was drenched, by my companion and I both didn't mind, we said what a great way to start out, because the people felt sorry for us, and everywhere we knocked, people let us in! I remember Pres. May telling us to go the extra mile, and then it is true...we were more than blessed!"
7. "I was not used to riding a bike like we need to in Los Andes, and I fell off 4 times when I first started, but I kept trying and now I am better at it."
8. "My trainer is so great, he practically runs to the appointments, but he knows everyone in this area, and now my leg muscles are really strong! One lady put a baptismal date and then after we were teaching her, she wants to move it up and do it sooner! We are having lots of lessons with whole families and see miracles in them."
9. "We were talking to a woman who said she was busy, and then she told us she would give us just 5 minutes. Then she soon let us in her home. Then she told us that she has attended or tried many churches all around the neighborhood, but never been in ours. She was excited to hear that we are missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ, because she loves to talk and learn about Him. She was thrilled we invited her to come and attend out meetings this week. She must really be prepared!"
10."I read DyC 11:12,15--This made me really feel that when I am testifying and trying to share my thoughts, the spirit fills me too, with joy. Just like the scripture says, and I can understand how it makes us want to share it more."
Read more!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Powerful Experience with the Book of Mormon
(Please excuse this story in Espanol. It was too good to not put in just as it was written, in Espanol...Thanks to Elder Dunshee, Asst. to the President.)
El poder del Libro de Mormón
Hace casi un año encontré a Octavio. Tocamos su puerta y nos contestó, pero pareció que no nos quisiera ver. Nos dijo que estaba ocupado y que pasáramos otro día. Anotamos su dirección para pasar otro día.
Unos días después estuvimos pasando por su calle y decidimos tocar su puerta de nuevo. Fuimos allí y golpeamos su puerta. Su mamá nos contestó. Ella se animó en vernos y nos hizo pasar inmediatamente. Al entrar nos explicó que ella misma no tenía interés en nuestro mensaje, pero su hijo Octavio estaba muy mal con muchas cosas, (depresión, alcohol, violencia) y quería que pudiéramos ayudarle a él. Nos explicó que justo había peleado con su novia y por causa de aquella pelea él fue echado de la casa de ella y se separó de su novia. Estaba mal porque no podía ver a su hijo, el cual vivía con su novia. Al escuchar a todo esto, su madre nos pidió que compartiéramos con Octavio, porque sabía que necesitaba a Dios. Sacamos una cita para volver otro día.
Cuando volvimos pudimos pasar y empezamos hablar con Octavio. Él estaba viviendo en el garaje de su Madre, y no tenía nada. Estaba muy triste y nos expresó que no estaba feliz y que quería ver a su hijo de nuevo. Supimos que él tenía solo 25 años, que no estaba trabajando y que tomaba y fumaba. Por tres citas escuchamos a sus problemas, y al regresar para la cuarta cita nos dimos cuenta que su alma se había vaciado y que estaba listo para llenarse del Evangelio restaurado.
Empezamos enseñarle mucho. Poníamos mucho énfasis en el Libro de Mormón. Cuando se lo enseñamos a él le encantó. Nos asegurábamos de que siempre leyera el libro, y después conversábamos sobre su lectura. Poco a poco vimos los cambios que se llevaban a cabo mientras que él leía el Libro de Mormón. Leía él cuando estaba sólo, y después de unas semanas ya iba en Alma. En poco tiempo, ya no tomaba, ya no fumaba y quería vivir el Evangelio completo. Veía a milagros en su vida. La situación con su novia se arregló, y su felicidad crecía cada vez más que leía el Libro de Mormón.
Mi compañero y yo analizamos un día los cambios que se llevaron a efecto en la vida de Octavio. Él se había cambiado 100 porciento. Nos dimos cuenta de que no habíamos hecho mucho nosotros, sino que el Libro de Mormón, con todo su poder, había hecho que un hijo de Dios reconociera la verdad, y en muy poco tiempo. Cada vez que pasábamos por él, nos hablaba del Libro de Mormón. Daba las gracias en sus oraciones por el Libro de Mormón. Después de su bautismo, el Octavio pudo dar su testimonio al barrio. Dio fuerte testimonio del Libro de Mormón, y dijo “Si esta iglesia no es verdadera, entonces no hay una iglesia verdadera. Si Dios no existe, entonces ¿porque y me siento tan feliz?” Fue un momento espiritual que jamos olvidaré.
El Libro de Mormón pudo cambiar la vida de Octavio. Y puede hacer lo mismo con cada persona que deja que ocurra en su propia vida.
Elder Dunshee
Misión Chile Santiago Norte
Read more!
El poder del Libro de Mormón
Hace casi un año encontré a Octavio. Tocamos su puerta y nos contestó, pero pareció que no nos quisiera ver. Nos dijo que estaba ocupado y que pasáramos otro día. Anotamos su dirección para pasar otro día.
Unos días después estuvimos pasando por su calle y decidimos tocar su puerta de nuevo. Fuimos allí y golpeamos su puerta. Su mamá nos contestó. Ella se animó en vernos y nos hizo pasar inmediatamente. Al entrar nos explicó que ella misma no tenía interés en nuestro mensaje, pero su hijo Octavio estaba muy mal con muchas cosas, (depresión, alcohol, violencia) y quería que pudiéramos ayudarle a él. Nos explicó que justo había peleado con su novia y por causa de aquella pelea él fue echado de la casa de ella y se separó de su novia. Estaba mal porque no podía ver a su hijo, el cual vivía con su novia. Al escuchar a todo esto, su madre nos pidió que compartiéramos con Octavio, porque sabía que necesitaba a Dios. Sacamos una cita para volver otro día.
Cuando volvimos pudimos pasar y empezamos hablar con Octavio. Él estaba viviendo en el garaje de su Madre, y no tenía nada. Estaba muy triste y nos expresó que no estaba feliz y que quería ver a su hijo de nuevo. Supimos que él tenía solo 25 años, que no estaba trabajando y que tomaba y fumaba. Por tres citas escuchamos a sus problemas, y al regresar para la cuarta cita nos dimos cuenta que su alma se había vaciado y que estaba listo para llenarse del Evangelio restaurado.
Empezamos enseñarle mucho. Poníamos mucho énfasis en el Libro de Mormón. Cuando se lo enseñamos a él le encantó. Nos asegurábamos de que siempre leyera el libro, y después conversábamos sobre su lectura. Poco a poco vimos los cambios que se llevaban a cabo mientras que él leía el Libro de Mormón. Leía él cuando estaba sólo, y después de unas semanas ya iba en Alma. En poco tiempo, ya no tomaba, ya no fumaba y quería vivir el Evangelio completo. Veía a milagros en su vida. La situación con su novia se arregló, y su felicidad crecía cada vez más que leía el Libro de Mormón.
Mi compañero y yo analizamos un día los cambios que se llevaron a efecto en la vida de Octavio. Él se había cambiado 100 porciento. Nos dimos cuenta de que no habíamos hecho mucho nosotros, sino que el Libro de Mormón, con todo su poder, había hecho que un hijo de Dios reconociera la verdad, y en muy poco tiempo. Cada vez que pasábamos por él, nos hablaba del Libro de Mormón. Daba las gracias en sus oraciones por el Libro de Mormón. Después de su bautismo, el Octavio pudo dar su testimonio al barrio. Dio fuerte testimonio del Libro de Mormón, y dijo “Si esta iglesia no es verdadera, entonces no hay una iglesia verdadera. Si Dios no existe, entonces ¿porque y me siento tan feliz?” Fue un momento espiritual que jamos olvidaré.
El Libro de Mormón pudo cambiar la vida de Octavio. Y puede hacer lo mismo con cada persona que deja que ocurra en su propia vida.
Elder Dunshee
Misión Chile Santiago Norte
Read more!
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