Joyce is someone I have been teaching for about 6 months but regularly for about 3. She has such a good heart, but helping her read is really the kicker. Her eye sight is not 100% so its makes it harder. During the other day we had a lesson with her and all the sudden I found us talking about prayer and everything flowed really well. By the end she wanted to know if God loved her and truly wanted to ask him. She joined in on a prayer we offered and asked him "do you really love me?" and "Is the Book of Mormon really true?" Normally she says I know that it is true because she believes it just makes sense, but we don't want her just to believe what we say, but ask God as well.
Something our Mission president is sharing with us is helping people we talk to do things that they are willing to do. No matter how big or small it is if they can't start a conversation about The Gospel then placing a picture of Jesus Christ a conversation could start. Even helping those pray by having them interrupt our prayer to say something simple.... Helping them go from "0 to 1" (take one step).
Then Jimmy wants to give his addiction up and he went a whole week without doing them! Now he is starting to ask us questions about what we share. and why we continue to come. He is desiring to learn more about God. Even more so then he knows already.
Elder Garcia and I had some fun this week :) I got to go with another missionary for 24 hours into a Young single Adult ward teaching those who are 18-30 and not married. We taught someone named Yosef (like Joseph with a "Y" ). When he was 19 moved to Egypt, by himself. Then to France sometime after that and about 4 months ago came her to AMERICA only knowing 11 words. NO ENGLISH. When we met with him he was carrying on a conversation like my companion and I would! Able to explain everything he wanted to clearly and very little accent! He wants to know what is the truth and where God wants him to be. He has read the Bible, Koran, and Torah. SO COOL to hear his knowledge for being only 24! .
I loved the week!
LOVE YOU ALL! ( I MEAN IT :) )
ELDER VAN KAMMEN