Oh this week was an interesting week. Well, at least the end
of it was the beginning part was pretty normal.
Okay yeah I'm just going to go straight to the end of the
week because I don't remember too much from the middle of it. Saturday was a
nice day. One of the other companionships had a baptism in the morning which we
also attended that was really nice. One of the members that attended it also
agreed to go out and teach with us that day. We had some really good and
spiritual lessons talking about the Book of Mormon and the restoration and some
other topics. Everything actually went pretty well on a Saturday for the first
time in forever. I had been feeling that I was lacking in my focus during the
past few weeks and this weekend I really regained focus and I felt a big
difference.
Sunday, the old ma wasn't feeling well so we didn't carry
her to church which was actually kind of nice even though we like her. Getting
her up that hill is not small thing but it makes me appreciate my able body way
more!
We had some more really great and spiritual lessons after
church on Sunday. We had a great experience where we went to some people that
we had planned to teach, but they were not at home. While we were on their
porch we could see into the compound next door that a man wearing a suit had
just gotten home from church with his boys. My companion and I assumed he was
probably a pastor and it wouldn't be worth it to try talking to him. While we
were walking away I suggested that we try (Even though I hate knocking on
compound gates, good thing I didn't serve in America). So we knocked and to our
surprise the man welcomed us in and sat down with us in his fairly nice home.
He said that he was going somewhere, but that he loved the church buildings he
has seen in Liberia and just wanted to let us in briefly to greet us because he
felt blessed that we had come to visit with him. He was an extremely humble man
that told us he would love to meet with us again another day. He works for the
American Embassy and doesn't live with a woman, but takes cares of his boys by
himself which is extremely rare here (usually it's the opposite). I felt so
happy that I acted on that small prompting even if it turns out to be nothing.
It uplifted me at least for that day.
The most interesting part of the week however came on Sunday
night. We recently ran into a white woman who is from Alaska in the
supermarket. When she saw us she said, "There are those Mormons I've been
looking for!" She basically told us that she is Catholic, but has Mormon
friends and loves to cook for the missionaries. However, "Don't try to
recruit me and I'll cook for you." That was kind of weird, but we went to
her place here which is pretty nice because she works for some health program to
improve the medical practices and things in Liberia so they provide a nice
place to live. She and some other people also working for the same program made
us burgers, great chips and home made salsa and lemonade... Oh man it was not
rice that's for sure. It made me so happy. Just before we left we started to
ask her a couple of questions because she likes to talk. She told us that she
loves feeding missionaries because she feels that she gets fed as well when
they come and she knows that she can have a real conversation with them because
what they are doing is so real. She even told us that she thinks maybe if she
was raised differently she may have become Mormon because she respects the
religion and doesn't have anything against us. She said she's even read parts of
the Book of Mormon and has it on her kindle. She told us that at this point in
her life however, she feels that she can't change and become Mormon now. I
think I understand what she means. She went to Catholic school her whole life
and has been like that for so long, so for her to change now is almost like
she's just throwing away all of the time and effort that she put into
Catholicism away. It's unfortunate, but I can understand where she is coming
from. She was such a kind woman that loves God I really felt compassion for
her. One day it will all be worked out.
I love my mission and all that is happening and I love all of you! Have a great week!
Elder Bush
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