Good Day,
My week was brilliant. Boy do I love this work. Let me tell you about it.
We met with one of our friends who is from Turkey and who was raised in a Muslim family. He's a big time bro. He really likes playing basketball with us but he is also really interested in learning about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. He's mentioned that a few things have had a profound impact on him, but he also told us he only understands us about 40% of the time because of the language barrier…so that's interesting. But we'll work with it. That's how we do. The missionary shuffle.
Another one of our friends who was recently baptized showed us his Hemp plants that he used to use as a source of income when he dealt Marijuana. Now he just likes to grow them as a pastime. He's just this massive Nicaragua guy, and he sure is hungry for the Bread of Life. He loves to learn and goes above and beyond in teaching his friends.
We get to attend the addiction recovery program that is hosted once a week to support a member of our congregation. It is such a sacred and precious time to me. A most precious doctrine is made strikingly clear here, "The Savior is never closer to you than when you are facing or climbing a mountain with faith." How enabling to know that even in our darkest hours we are attended to ever so closely by our loving Savior, who will help us overcome our challenges, progress and reach new heights. These people turn to Jesus Christ in these trials, that are some of the most challenging this life can offer, and they are transformed by His amazing grace.
Conversely, I also have the privilege of interacting with some of the richest human beings in the world. With anything they could ever possibly need or even want at their fingertips, they refuse to accept Christ's message because they don't feel they are missing out. As I have pondered what His Gospel could offer to one with as much as these it has led me to see what our Redeemer really has for us. His Gospel provides us not only a place to be loved but a place to learn to love others. His Gospel provides not only a place to be accepted as we are, but a place to become something more. And most of all, whether you're rich or poor, black or white, bond or free, male or female, Jew or Gentile, heathen or saint, Jesus Christ's gospel offers greater hope, joy, and peace than anything else in this world. The Master of ocean and earth and sky Himself spoke the words,
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
Brothers, Sisters, and Friends, no matter who or what you are, no matter what you have or do not, I testify and promise that Jesus Christ can change your life in a real, tangible, and infinitely positive way if you will give Him a chance. "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you."
I love you, I really do. Don't you doubt for a second.
Musik
Salt Lake City (Girl)–The Moss
Storm Cloud–The Moss
Cheerio,
Elder Winegar
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