Monday, May 9, 2016
Monday, April 11, 2016
Bruinsberg Waterfall
We woke at 4 am this morning to meet up with our zone. We went to Bruins-berg, a really cool waterfall...however it takes forever to hike over there. On the way to the waterfall...I fell A LOT...not fun. I dont even enjoy hiking but it was fun being with the missionaries, especially the sisters, which are in different areas, so I do not get to see them often. Anyways I was able to hear the waterfall as I looked up (as I fell again), it was super slippery for some reason...and it was beautiful! We climbed up, it was really cold but oh so beautiful. My mission is AWESOME!! I love being able to enjoy all nature that Heavenly Father created for us.
We finally saw Elizabeth again, as she was in Guyana due to her back surgery, we invited her to conference and she said: "Sisters I wont miss it! I wont allow it, nothing is going to hold me back. Nothing...she then stops and says: okay maybe one thing and that is death but other than that not nothing is keeping me from coming to church." And as promised she came! In fact she was half an our early for Saturday and Sunday meetings. At the end of General Conference she said: " I feel very good inside, my heart feels good. Its the Holy Ghost."
We also got a call from someone called Hanan. My companion and I both did not know him, he sounded very panicky over the phone and asked if we can come to his house that night. He kept saying: "I need the missionaries to come over." We invited a member to come along just in case Hanan was crazy. As we arrived at the beginning of his street, he was already waiting outside his house for us and said: "Hurry, hurry." We then rushed inside and he explained that his sisters baby is very sick and hadn't been eating or sleeping, he´s constantly crying. The mothers baby was worried and asked if we could give the baby a blessing. Luckily we had a worthy Priesthood holder with us, so he was able to give the baby a blessing, as soon as he said "Amen"...the baby started to laugh and be its normal self. They are not members but the guy, Hanan, who contacted us, is an investigator in Paramaribo. He told his sister that we can help.
I am so grateful for the Priesthood, I am so lucky to have worthy male members in my family that were able to give me a blessing when I needed it!!
The child's mother felt the Spirit and wants to know more about the church; we will be able to have a lesson with her before she goes back home to the Netherlands.
I love you all! I love this gospel!!
Sunday, April 3, 2016
Church historian, the rescue, big "mosquito", the Sannas kids
Our P-day was changed in to Tuesday due to Easter, this week Elder Richard E. Turley came to Surinam. He is a church historian. We had an hour and a half with him. And he told u so many cool facts about the church but mostly about Joseph Smith, it was very spiritual and so cool. Wish I could share something but I do not have my notes with me right now.
The Rescue...my companion and I are basically trying to get all less active members back to church. We´ve been "hunting" so many down but there´s a lot more in Kwatta. I am so excited for this though because so far we have met some very cool less actives and most of them just know they need to come back to church. For example Patricia, actually lives in French Guyana due to her work she comes back every month to Surinam for a few days. She´s had it very rough these last couple of months, but she has been reading her Book of Mormon every day and prays. Her testimony is strong but something is keeping her away from church and honestly I've got no idea what it could be, she loves the church and still does. She has mentioned that her sister does not approve of her being a member. So that could be the reason for her not to attend church anymore as she´s living in French Guyana with her sister. As I was bearing my testimony about the church...she started to cry. She told us how much she misses going to church and to partake of the Sacrament. She then bore her testimony about the Sacrament. Too often I forget how special the Sacrament really is! I was very grateful to be reminded by her this week, I know that by partaking of the Sacrament that we really do have the Spirit within us. I am so grateful for the Savior and for giving me the chance to become better.
Lately we´ve been having a lot of new investigators. And I want to talk about Rogan, Big Mosquito and the Sannas.
Rogan is an older woman, she came to the Paramaribo Ward and demanded to have DVD´s about Jesus Christ. Apparently there were elders that promised her a few months ago that they will stop by and give her some DVD´s but she still haven´t received any. We asked her which missionaries told her that, she said:"I dont know...they´re all white and look the same".)
We found out that Rogan is in our area, we went by and gave her the DVD´s, she was super excited and we got a return appointment, unfortunately when we came again she told us that her brother got shot, so she has to go to the hospital right now. After we said our goodbye´s , my companion and I were talking to a member we took with us, Rogan than comes back out and says:"I have got my fake teeth in today" She then takes them out...it was random but really funny ;)
Big Mosquito and Josephina, she´s a referral that we´ve received from the elders. We finally had the chance to go by her, her husband then comes outside, shakes our hands and says:"Don´t be scared of my name...I am big mosquito" My companion was so confused, I just started laughing, it was so funny mainly because you did not expect it. Anyways his last name is Mochete which sounds a lot like Mosquito. He told us some really funny stories which I wish I could write but it would take way too long. They are both in their 70s, they are definitely being prepared. I love them, they are just so much fun.
And now the Sannas...I´m pretty sure I have talked about them before, I love those kids, they are the best. 3 children, 2 boys and 1 girl...they come to church every Sunday by themselves. Two are baptized, however their parents never had any lessons with the missionaries so far. We were able to have our first lesson with the entire family. What I loved most was to see those children faces! They were so happy to see their parents reading the Book of Mormon and to finally just have a family home evening lesson together!The Spirit was so strong! And I know they felt that!! I just know that if they keep reading the Book of Mormon and live the gospel, that it will strengthen their family in so many ways! I might have shed some tears whilst bearing my testimony at the end of the lesson. I am so grateful for being able to grow up in the gospel with my family!
I love you all so much! Thank you for everything!
 |
| Elder Richard E. Turley |
The Rescue...my companion and I are basically trying to get all less active members back to church. We´ve been "hunting" so many down but there´s a lot more in Kwatta. I am so excited for this though because so far we have met some very cool less actives and most of them just know they need to come back to church. For example Patricia, actually lives in French Guyana due to her work she comes back every month to Surinam for a few days. She´s had it very rough these last couple of months, but she has been reading her Book of Mormon every day and prays. Her testimony is strong but something is keeping her away from church and honestly I've got no idea what it could be, she loves the church and still does. She has mentioned that her sister does not approve of her being a member. So that could be the reason for her not to attend church anymore as she´s living in French Guyana with her sister. As I was bearing my testimony about the church...she started to cry. She told us how much she misses going to church and to partake of the Sacrament. She then bore her testimony about the Sacrament. Too often I forget how special the Sacrament really is! I was very grateful to be reminded by her this week, I know that by partaking of the Sacrament that we really do have the Spirit within us. I am so grateful for the Savior and for giving me the chance to become better.
Lately we´ve been having a lot of new investigators. And I want to talk about Rogan, Big Mosquito and the Sannas.
Rogan is an older woman, she came to the Paramaribo Ward and demanded to have DVD´s about Jesus Christ. Apparently there were elders that promised her a few months ago that they will stop by and give her some DVD´s but she still haven´t received any. We asked her which missionaries told her that, she said:"I dont know...they´re all white and look the same".)
We found out that Rogan is in our area, we went by and gave her the DVD´s, she was super excited and we got a return appointment, unfortunately when we came again she told us that her brother got shot, so she has to go to the hospital right now. After we said our goodbye´s , my companion and I were talking to a member we took with us, Rogan than comes back out and says:"I have got my fake teeth in today" She then takes them out...it was random but really funny ;)
 |
| Zuster Jorgenson, my awesome companion |
Big Mosquito and Josephina, she´s a referral that we´ve received from the elders. We finally had the chance to go by her, her husband then comes outside, shakes our hands and says:"Don´t be scared of my name...I am big mosquito" My companion was so confused, I just started laughing, it was so funny mainly because you did not expect it. Anyways his last name is Mochete which sounds a lot like Mosquito. He told us some really funny stories which I wish I could write but it would take way too long. They are both in their 70s, they are definitely being prepared. I love them, they are just so much fun.
And now the Sannas...I´m pretty sure I have talked about them before, I love those kids, they are the best. 3 children, 2 boys and 1 girl...they come to church every Sunday by themselves. Two are baptized, however their parents never had any lessons with the missionaries so far. We were able to have our first lesson with the entire family. What I loved most was to see those children faces! They were so happy to see their parents reading the Book of Mormon and to finally just have a family home evening lesson together!The Spirit was so strong! And I know they felt that!! I just know that if they keep reading the Book of Mormon and live the gospel, that it will strengthen their family in so many ways! I might have shed some tears whilst bearing my testimony at the end of the lesson. I am so grateful for being able to grow up in the gospel with my family!
I love you all so much! Thank you for everything!
1 1/2 days in Trinidad
What an unusual week this was. So Tuesday I flew into Trinidad with Zuster Parker. I really love Trinidad, I kind of didn't want to go back to Suriname, but I also really do love Surinam, I feel like both countries are so different from each other.
While visiting with Reynold, we saw this guy running, Sister Summer asked him how his run was, we contacted him and he already knew that we are missionaries because he´s been to America a lot and he´s training for the Olympics. I wrote down his name but I cant find it at the moment.
It felt great not having to bike for 2 days,on the Motorway you´ll see people selling food, car equipment, stuffed animals, balloon and everything else.
On our way to Trinidad
In Trinidad I was in companionship with Zuster Summer and Zuster Roubidoux, they are cool missionaries, I´m so grateful that I was able to serve with them for 1 1/2 days.
We were teaching a 8 year old girl who is about to get baptized. Her name is Princess, she´s hilarious, we asked her what the Book of Mormon is and the she said; "It´s the word of God" We then asked: "Princess, why do you want to get baptized?" Princess answered:"Because I love God!"
Its just so simple, this little girl already has a testimony! It was so nice teaching her and just realizing that we need to become more like children. Too often I see many people going the wrong path and they start making their lives complicated. But when we love God and follow our Savior´s example our life will just be so much easier.
I also met an awesome young woman in Trinidad. Her name is Rebekah, she´s my age and has been investigated the church for 2 weeks. When I met her she was baptized 2 weeks ago and she´s now doing her mission papers. She´s also a vegan which isn´t important but it was cool finally meeting someone who doesn´t eat meat. Rebekah is awesome, she´s so sweet and she´s already an amazing missionary, she goes out with the sisters almost every day after work. What a great example she is to me!
So I know everyone is wondering if I have eaten meet on my mission. And the sad truth is...yes I have, but only twice. The first time I ate it I felt bad for the member. But I got really bad stomachache after I ate it. After that...I refuse to eat meat again, I try to avoid it at all cost. In Trinidad a less active member made us some food which looked pretty sketchy, so I only ate the rice, however Sister Sommer and Sister Roubidoux had all of it.
Me eating only rice
Contacting in Trinidad is different than in Surinam. The missionaries here have to yell: "Hello, good day inside". Which is so weird, then it was my turn to do it said Sister Roubidoux, when I did my voice cracked and it just sounded super creepy. At the end of contacting we were so thirsty but none of the sisters knew the area too well. I then saw a woman walking, I tried to get her attention but she must not have heard me. Normally I would have just left it as she was further away. But somehow I ran after her, as I catched up with her I asked if she knows any stores in this area. She did not look happy in fact she looked really sad. Normally I would have just thanked her and left...but something kept me there and encouraged me to keep talking to her. As she was done explaining where the nearest shop is, I said: "Thank you, I have another question for you. Do you know that God exists and He loves you?" She then started to smile and said: "Yes I believe in God". Her daughter has recently passed away. We assured her that she will see her daughter again and that they can be a family again. The other sisters took her info, we hugged and left. I wish I could stay in Trinidad to see her faith grow.
Everything is going really well. I´m excited to be back in Surinam and I am so motivated to do work! I also really love my companion Zuster Jorgenson, she´s so cool and I have learnt a lot from her!
 |
| This is Reynold, an awesome member |
 |
| My Trinidad companions |
 |
| a view on Trinidad |
 |
| Rebekah & Reynold |
It felt great not having to bike for 2 days,on the Motorway you´ll see people selling food, car equipment, stuffed animals, balloon and everything else.
Enjoying my ride as long as possible ,)
Some yummy food...called Dubbles..really yummy
 |
| Sister Roubidoux killed a cockroach on her arm |
 |
| Sister Summer is holding a turtle in it´s cage |
 |
| Enjoying Dubbles |
Monday, March 14, 2016
Broken bike, investigators coming to church, findings of Elder Vernes, Trinidad.
Thank you all for emailing me, I love reading what´s happening in your lives. it´s also weird seeing Charlie (my nephew) changing into a boy!!
My new companion Zuster Jorgenson is AWESOME!! I love her, she´s super hard working, funny, extremely kind to every one! I´m so glad that we are companions, we are going to have so much fun together this transfer. And I cant wait to see our area improving.
During weekly planning we were flipping through our area book. Zuster Jorgenson then looks at me and says: "Whoa, thats weird..." I say: "What? Let me see." I look at the teaching record and I see: Elder Vernes´s handwriting and his name on all these old teaching records!! It was so cool seeing that, we also found an old Dutch dictionary and in the front it says: Elder Vernes.
Alot happened this week. My bike broke every single day of this week which was not fun at all. Actually it was very frustating and I started to freak out because I thought we wouldn´t have the chance to see many people any more. Luckily Zuster Jorgenson knows how to change tires and all those other things. However sometimes we had to make a decision to either stay home and fix my bike which takes hours or to bike with one bike whilst the other companion is sitting behind the person biking. So alot of times we had to do that. I know it´s not the safest but we didnt want to cancel on people and I hate being at home if there´s still work to do. Lucikly nothing bad happenend, we got to the appoinment safe and we had some very spiritual lessons.
Elizebeth is currently on her way to Guyana for a back operation. However...she´s not scared at all! A broeder (brother) at church gave her a blessing. She said that she now feels calm and loved. We were teaching her about missionary work and she got so excited, she then said that when she´s in Guyana...she will talk to every single person about the gospel! I have no doubt in that, she´s amazing.
On Sunday an investigator finally came to church. I was so suprised seeing him in church. He´s the one who prayed so that Heavenly Father will help him to stop daydreaming during the lessons. He seemed to really enjoy church and I cant wait to speak to him more about it.
We are teaching Zuster Zeegelaar (my previous companion) brothers girlfriend and her Dad. To our suprise he came to church, was awesome seeing him there. On Sunday we had the chance to have Family Home Evening with them and the Spirit was undeniable strong. And I have a feeling that Broeder Zeegelaar will be coming to church more often. He also loves playing checkers just like me but he´s crazy good, he has a ton of books and studies different moves every day. I told him that he´s going to make me the best checker player, so since then he has showed me a lot of moves and different techniques. I even beat him once!
I love the Zeegelaars, they are so nice, I just hope that we´ll be able to help them to come back to church so when my previous companion will return from her mission...they can be sealed in the temple!!
Sorry that this email is short, but I hope that all of you had a good week. I´ll be leaving Suriname at 3 in the morning to fly to Trinidad. I will have to go to Trinidad every 90 days because of my visa. I´m excited to go there though so then I can learn from the Trinidad sisters!
I love you all so much!
My bike broke and we had to call some members, so Broeder Hamid and his wife picked me up. He was holding my bike whislt being in the back of the car as the back wouldnt close, his wife was driving and my companions had to bike home.
My new companion Zuster Jorgenson is AWESOME!! I love her, she´s super hard working, funny, extremely kind to every one! I´m so glad that we are companions, we are going to have so much fun together this transfer. And I cant wait to see our area improving.
During weekly planning we were flipping through our area book. Zuster Jorgenson then looks at me and says: "Whoa, thats weird..." I say: "What? Let me see." I look at the teaching record and I see: Elder Vernes´s handwriting and his name on all these old teaching records!! It was so cool seeing that, we also found an old Dutch dictionary and in the front it says: Elder Vernes.
Alot happened this week. My bike broke every single day of this week which was not fun at all. Actually it was very frustating and I started to freak out because I thought we wouldn´t have the chance to see many people any more. Luckily Zuster Jorgenson knows how to change tires and all those other things. However sometimes we had to make a decision to either stay home and fix my bike which takes hours or to bike with one bike whilst the other companion is sitting behind the person biking. So alot of times we had to do that. I know it´s not the safest but we didnt want to cancel on people and I hate being at home if there´s still work to do. Lucikly nothing bad happenend, we got to the appoinment safe and we had some very spiritual lessons.
Zuster Jorgenson getting dirty fixing my bike...again!
Elizebeth is currently on her way to Guyana for a back operation. However...she´s not scared at all! A broeder (brother) at church gave her a blessing. She said that she now feels calm and loved. We were teaching her about missionary work and she got so excited, she then said that when she´s in Guyana...she will talk to every single person about the gospel! I have no doubt in that, she´s amazing.
On Sunday an investigator finally came to church. I was so suprised seeing him in church. He´s the one who prayed so that Heavenly Father will help him to stop daydreaming during the lessons. He seemed to really enjoy church and I cant wait to speak to him more about it.
We are teaching Zuster Zeegelaar (my previous companion) brothers girlfriend and her Dad. To our suprise he came to church, was awesome seeing him there. On Sunday we had the chance to have Family Home Evening with them and the Spirit was undeniable strong. And I have a feeling that Broeder Zeegelaar will be coming to church more often. He also loves playing checkers just like me but he´s crazy good, he has a ton of books and studies different moves every day. I told him that he´s going to make me the best checker player, so since then he has showed me a lot of moves and different techniques. I even beat him once!
I love the Zeegelaars, they are so nice, I just hope that we´ll be able to help them to come back to church so when my previous companion will return from her mission...they can be sealed in the temple!!
Zuster Zeegelaar and Zuster Wood
Sorry that this email is short, but I hope that all of you had a good week. I´ll be leaving Suriname at 3 in the morning to fly to Trinidad. I will have to go to Trinidad every 90 days because of my visa. I´m excited to go there though so then I can learn from the Trinidad sisters!
I love you all so much!
 |
| Love the Surinamese people |
 |
| Zuster Zeegelaar doing the braids |
 |
| Rocking our braids - Zuster Wood & me |
 |
Friday, March 11, 2016
Translating is hard work but I would do it again!
I´ve got a lot to tell you...okay so my first transfer call...I´ll be serving in Kwatta which I´m still excited about because now I do not have to work in two areas any more. And I will be serving with Zuster Jorgenson; she´s super sweet and very hard working so I´m excited to being able to serve with her. Although I´ll miss Zuster Wood and Zuster Zeegelaar.
 |
| Me and my sweet pink ride |
On Saturday we had a service project at a members house, Lucille, I must admit Zuster Wood and I didnt think that many people would show up...but as we arrived, her garden was full of members!! It just warmed up my heart and I could´ve cried. You could tell that Lucille was very touched, her life hasn't been easy but it was so great to see how members showed up and helped her. I love my ward here, the people are so different than in England or Germany, but they are good people and I feel like I am part of this huge loving family.
We are teaching a young man, he´s about 19-20, he´s super funny. He´s really fun to teach. Anyways we invited him to say the closing prayer. In his prayer he then says: "Oh and please help me so I wont daydream during the lessons with the sisters", it was kinda funny. People are just really honest. We invited him to get baptized and he accepted. He will be baptized on April 16th. I´m very excited because his Dad is actually the Bishop of our ward and his step Mom is sealed to his Dad. I just know that through the gospel their relationship as a family will become stronger.
 |
| Bought a new skirt |
Hugo is another investigator that Zuster Zeegelaar and I contacted. He´s so cool! He has come to church every Sunday, he even had the chance to witness 3 men at church receive the priesthood. After our lesson he looked at us and said: "You now, I really want to get baptized, the church is so cool and I cant wait when I can receive the priesthood by the laying of hands.
His wife isn't really interested and she a little "cold" towards us. However in our lesson we showed Hugo the Restoration video. At first she was in the house, through the door crack she would watch the video. After a while the door opened more and more, she then took a chair and sat with us outside...still a bit at a distance, she then comes closer and closer. It was so funny to witness. It was so cool cuz whilst we were watching the video Hugo would take his Restoration pamphlet and look in there and then back to the video so he could grasp as much information as possible! He always tells us that he wants to know EVERYTHING!!. He even said: "I want you sisters to come and teach me twice a week." I just love it when you see investigators feeling the Spirit and they just crave more.
I love teaching Odessa, she´s getting really excited about the gospel, she´s just so sweet. She´s a woman that Zuster Jensen and I contacted. After our lesson, she told us that she loves us coming, that she can feel the Spirit and she just feels peace. She also told us since we have been meeting up with her...her husband has stopped drinking and smoking. We haven´t taught her husband yet, but we are working on it.
 |
| huge mosquito! |
It was so funny, Elizabeth then told us that she has been praying a lot for her daughter to return to church.
I love you all so very much!! Hope everyone had a good week.
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Monkeys, Puppy rescue, never boring, snake attack and loving missionary life!
This transfer is going way too fast! I know I´ve still got a long time until I get back home but I really dont want it to go so fast...this is so much fun! I have met so many cool people that love the gospel. I am so lucky being able to serve the Lord this very short period of time. I wish that I could serve for 2 years instead of 18 months! ;)
So I´m not sure if I have ever mentioned this before but Zusters in Suriname aren´t allowed to be out after 7 pm because of safety reasons. However it got announced a few days ago, that our Mission President has changed this rule!! We are now allowed to serve till 9:30 pm...how cool is that?! The first night though was pretty scary cuz it was just so weird, but I love it now!!
We went to visit a less active sister, she´s not very open and doesn't give you full answers...but she has been coming to church and other sister missionaries have been trying to get an appointment with for months. However she will never see them. And I asked her if we could stop by and she was actually there! We had a really cool lesson, we read in Moroni 10:32 and 33
32.Yea come unto Christ, and be perfected in Him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ, and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.
33: And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.
After our lesson I noticed that she has a monkey! I was so excited because I LOVE MONKEYS...I asked if we can take a picture. I though I would be able to hold him but her son said that he is "evil" so I only held his hand. I dont think it helped that Zuster Wood was pulling faces at him, especially because when she wanted to hold his hand....he tried to grab her hand and bite her!! Luckily he didnt.
Dog owners are so mean to their dogs, its really sad to see when they hit them and kick them. So whenever the owners dont look I give the dogs water, some are really skinny, I just cant help it. We were on our way to another appointment...I see a puppy in the middle of the street and a car coming at full speed at it! Luckily I was able to tell the driver to stop...I then tried to catch the puppy but it was so scared, so it would run away towards more cars. Eventually I caught it and gave it some love and water. Now the hard part was to try and figure out where this puppy´s house was. I saw a house not too far away with a ripped fence, which I think the puppy just went through it. As I was trying to bring the puppy back, the puppy´s mom was going mental at me...first she started barking then she went off and came with all her friends. I quickly set the puppy in front of the broken fence and ran! It was scary but at least the puppy is back home ;)
Missionary live never gets boring!! A few days go when we arrived back home at night...I took off my shoes and stepped inside our house...however I stepped into this massive puddle!!!We turn on the lights and to our surprise...our hose was flooded!!! We then noticed that Zuster Zeegelaar used the washing-machine...so we thought the water comes from that but it would not make any sense if it came from the machine. I walked away to see how bad the damage is, there was water EVERYWHERE ...it was horrible! I hear my companions scream...I find them completely wet!! The water came from another bathroom sink which we never use. Zuster Wood thought she could fix it and started to mess around and the sink just exploded with water and would not stop!! I run to grab the phone and of course my camera and yell: "I´m calling the Elders". Luckily we somehow figured out how to stop the water. The the "fun" began and we had to collect all the water with towels...it was a long night!
Okay the title "snake attack" might be a bit too alarming...here´s the story: this week we had another exchange with Zuster Ashkraft in our area. We were biking from Kwatta to Balona park after seeing an investigator. To get to Balona are many different ways but there´s a road which goes quicker and it is also right next to the jungle. It looks beautiful and sometimes you can here the monkeys. Anyways so as we were biking we just talk about random things. First I hear Zuster Zeegelaaar 6 Zuster Ashraft say: "Ew, thats gross" and then "AAHHHHHH" I look behind me as I was in front and just see my companion having her legs on the steering wheel. I look down and there is a snake slightering away. It was crazy fast. But Zusters thought it was dead which is why they said :"Ew" It was a little scary but funny.
On Sunday my investigator Elizabeth came to church!! it was so so so good seeing her!! She will be baptized on March 19th. It was her first time coming to church, we have always invited her but there was always something that came up. In our previous lesson with her she was so excited to come to church. She´s been having some skin problems and has been sick for awhile but she just said: Satan wont get me. I´m coming to church, even if my skin is itchy, even if it rains, even if I´m sick it does not matter. I will come to church"!! She´s just the best! She´s one of my favorite investigators, so loving and so kind. All her children are baptized but she isn't. She´s Guinese, which means we teach her in English, which is a lot of fun. At church her son Jimmy translated for her. It was just so great to see every one hugging her and trying to speak in English and welcoming her to this gospel family! It really touched me, I couldn´t help but think thats how people will welcome us in the Celestial Kingdom. All our ancestors will just hug us and welcome us back home.
We also had a less active come back to church. He hasn't been for over 8 years. It was so crazy to see him, he even brought his friend with him. They are great guys and they loved the church! We will see hem tonight, I cant wait until all these empty chairs in church will be filled with people!
I love you all and hope your week has been amazing!! Keep reading your scriptures and be the light for others that are still in the darkness!!
So I´m not sure if I have ever mentioned this before but Zusters in Suriname aren´t allowed to be out after 7 pm because of safety reasons. However it got announced a few days ago, that our Mission President has changed this rule!! We are now allowed to serve till 9:30 pm...how cool is that?! The first night though was pretty scary cuz it was just so weird, but I love it now!!
We went to visit a less active sister, she´s not very open and doesn't give you full answers...but she has been coming to church and other sister missionaries have been trying to get an appointment with for months. However she will never see them. And I asked her if we could stop by and she was actually there! We had a really cool lesson, we read in Moroni 10:32 and 33
32.Yea come unto Christ, and be perfected in Him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ, and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.
33: And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.
After our lesson I noticed that she has a monkey! I was so excited because I LOVE MONKEYS...I asked if we can take a picture. I though I would be able to hold him but her son said that he is "evil" so I only held his hand. I dont think it helped that Zuster Wood was pulling faces at him, especially because when she wanted to hold his hand....he tried to grab her hand and bite her!! Luckily he didnt.
Dog owners are so mean to their dogs, its really sad to see when they hit them and kick them. So whenever the owners dont look I give the dogs water, some are really skinny, I just cant help it. We were on our way to another appointment...I see a puppy in the middle of the street and a car coming at full speed at it! Luckily I was able to tell the driver to stop...I then tried to catch the puppy but it was so scared, so it would run away towards more cars. Eventually I caught it and gave it some love and water. Now the hard part was to try and figure out where this puppy´s house was. I saw a house not too far away with a ripped fence, which I think the puppy just went through it. As I was trying to bring the puppy back, the puppy´s mom was going mental at me...first she started barking then she went off and came with all her friends. I quickly set the puppy in front of the broken fence and ran! It was scary but at least the puppy is back home ;)
Missionary live never gets boring!! A few days go when we arrived back home at night...I took off my shoes and stepped inside our house...however I stepped into this massive puddle!!!We turn on the lights and to our surprise...our hose was flooded!!! We then noticed that Zuster Zeegelaar used the washing-machine...so we thought the water comes from that but it would not make any sense if it came from the machine. I walked away to see how bad the damage is, there was water EVERYWHERE ...it was horrible! I hear my companions scream...I find them completely wet!! The water came from another bathroom sink which we never use. Zuster Wood thought she could fix it and started to mess around and the sink just exploded with water and would not stop!! I run to grab the phone and of course my camera and yell: "I´m calling the Elders". Luckily we somehow figured out how to stop the water. The the "fun" began and we had to collect all the water with towels...it was a long night!
Cleaning up
Okay the title "snake attack" might be a bit too alarming...here´s the story: this week we had another exchange with Zuster Ashkraft in our area. We were biking from Kwatta to Balona park after seeing an investigator. To get to Balona are many different ways but there´s a road which goes quicker and it is also right next to the jungle. It looks beautiful and sometimes you can here the monkeys. Anyways so as we were biking we just talk about random things. First I hear Zuster Zeegelaaar 6 Zuster Ashraft say: "Ew, thats gross" and then "AAHHHHHH" I look behind me as I was in front and just see my companion having her legs on the steering wheel. I look down and there is a snake slightering away. It was crazy fast. But Zusters thought it was dead which is why they said :"Ew" It was a little scary but funny.
On Sunday my investigator Elizabeth came to church!! it was so so so good seeing her!! She will be baptized on March 19th. It was her first time coming to church, we have always invited her but there was always something that came up. In our previous lesson with her she was so excited to come to church. She´s been having some skin problems and has been sick for awhile but she just said: Satan wont get me. I´m coming to church, even if my skin is itchy, even if it rains, even if I´m sick it does not matter. I will come to church"!! She´s just the best! She´s one of my favorite investigators, so loving and so kind. All her children are baptized but she isn't. She´s Guinese, which means we teach her in English, which is a lot of fun. At church her son Jimmy translated for her. It was just so great to see every one hugging her and trying to speak in English and welcoming her to this gospel family! It really touched me, I couldn´t help but think thats how people will welcome us in the Celestial Kingdom. All our ancestors will just hug us and welcome us back home.
We also had a less active come back to church. He hasn't been for over 8 years. It was so crazy to see him, he even brought his friend with him. They are great guys and they loved the church! We will see hem tonight, I cant wait until all these empty chairs in church will be filled with people!
I love you all and hope your week has been amazing!! Keep reading your scriptures and be the light for others that are still in the darkness!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)