Well, this was the only week I felt like we weren't going to have
anything going on so we had two exchanges. I got to so serve in
French! With sister Tekurio. She's from Tahiti (Heaven on Earth... She
adds. But you know, she's from Tahiti so can't really argue with that)
and actually here for two transfers from temple square! There's a lot
of Haititians and Africans here and they speak mainly French and
Creole so she's here to help with the French. She's companions with
Sister Gonzalez and they split their time in Cumorah and in the
English ward where they have French translation. Then I went on
exchanges with Sister Mitchell and she's super cute from Orem, Utah and she
played the violin for Elder Holland and goes to BYU Provo and did a
study abroad all over Western Europe. She's like my double. It was a
lot of fun.
Baptism! Ok so her name is Irma. She's super interesting. It's been
really interesting. She comes from very humble circumstances in
Central America. (I imagine like a small village out in the middle of
nowhere where the people live in almost makeshift houses...) going
into her apartment is kind of like entering a third world country.
Bright blue walls and a bunch of kids running everywhere and
everything's everywhere and super hot with a kind of weird smell. We
wanted to drop her so many times, but she was keeping all of her
commitments, so I just decided to pray for charity instead. The woman
not only reads the Book of Mormon, but studies it! One time we came
and the first thing we always ask about is Book of Mormon reading, and
she flipped open to the index. She'd been studying the definition of
Hosana and what it means. Church was very interesting with her. There
was one Sunday where her pastor from her past country was calling her
and she would answer during church! We prayed hard and the Lord did His
wonders! Because we were worried she wouldn't be able to make her date
but the Sunday before it was like everything had clicked. She was
teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in Sunday school! And then the
Plan of Salvation! So we set up an interview and prayed really hard.
She loved it. When she got out of the water she was singing a hymn
about baptism from her country. The best was when she was confirmed.
The branch presidency was setting up the chair and microphone for her
so you know, the pulpet was empty. So naturally that was her first
stop. She walked right up there, introduced herself and started bearing
her testimony! Our branch president was so sweet and patient. He just
came and stood by her and when she stopped to take a breath asked,
"Would you like to receive the Holy Ghost and be confirmed a member?"
"OH YES!"
We love her and really the credit has to go to the members. She has 3
families living in her complex and they have just taken her under
their wing. It's been a really neat experience to see obedience to the
prophets counsel from this last conference. One member even took her
to the temple to show her and walk on the grounds! The members are the
ones who have really made a difference. I love it here.
We had dinner with the YSA and we had to leave because it had been an
hour and we had an appointment. It was so sweet. They were all begging
us to stay. A less active we work with even came with her boyfriend
and begged, "Don't go! Y'all fun" It was the one of the nicest things
I'd heard all day. Especially after a HOT day of tracting.
Last night we had the sweetest dinner ever. It was just a mother and
her daughter. No dad in the picture but she has a son on a mission.
You could tell it was very special for her to feed us. She had
candle lights and hymns playing and the table was set up so fancy in
her very humble apartment. It was so tender.
I am so grateful for this privilege to be a part of the Lord's work. I
love it so much. The Lord loves His children and he helps us love
them! I know Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and no one is
excluded from the Lord's saving grace made possible through Him. We
just have to repent and follow Him. "His hand is stretched out still" 2
Nephi 20
I love and miss you!
Hermana Wallis
Sent from my iPad
If you want to write to Madeleine please use: Madeleine.wallis@myldsmail.net
