November
21, 2016
Hey
Everybody,
Another great week
here in Sorriso! And today i want to tell you guys about one of our
investigators. E. Nascimento and I are teaching many people but there is one
guy that i have to tell you guys about. His name is Christiano, and he is an
athiest. Or at least was an athiest.
A little bit about
Christiano. We met him one day while we were talking to people at a public
park, and after we talked with him for a few minutes he made it clear that he
did not believe in God because of all of the unjustices that exisit in the
world and the fact that the bible contradicts its self and teaches prinipals
with which he doesn´t agree. Like women being submissive to men. Although that
and many other principals that he thinks he doesn´t agree with is actually due
to the fact that he doesn´t understand the context in which it is spoken.
After speaking with us
for a little bit, he was impressed by the sacrifice that we make as
missionaries, and he also thought it was super cool that i am American. I mean
he thought it was really, really cool haha after i said i was american he and
his friends wouldn´t stop asking me questions. luckily between the combination
of him being impressed with our sacrifice and enchanted by american culture he
accepted to hear our message.
And here comes the
miracle!! When we went to his house to teach him we spent a good bit of time
talking to be able to understand his beliefs about creation, God, and this
life. We found out that he believes in the idea of an all powerful being but
not in a loving God. After making a few more essencial questions we started to
teach him about the restoration of the gospel. And let me tell you i have never
seen absorve everything that we have to say like christiano. The lesson was
incredible and the spirit testified to him that what we were saying is true.
The best part of the
lesson was when we recited the first vision to him. As i said that Joseph saw a
pillar of light above his head, Christiano smilied and it was as if i could see
the spirit illuminate his mind. It was incredible to see.
Now Christiano is
reading the Book of Mormon everyday and prays to God regularly. He has accepted
baptism, and is willing to make changes in his life.
I don´t think i have
ever been so personally invested in another person in the mission like i am
with Christiano. I want so badly to see him enter in the waters of baptism. And
i will do everything that i can to help him make this sacred covenant with the
lord!
Seeing his progress is
an incredible reminder about how the gospel can change us and how it
illuminates is in our lives!
´´Now,
this was what Ammon desired, for he knew that king Lamoni was under the power
of God; he knew that the dark veil of unbelief was being cast away from his mind,
and the light which did lightup his mind, which was the light of the glory of
God, which was a marvelous light of his goodness—yea, this light had infused
such joy into his soul, the cloud of darkness having been dispelled, and that
the light of everlasting life was lit up in his soul, yea, he knew that this
had overcome his natural frame, and he was carried away in God—´´ Alma 19:6
Let the light of the
gospel shine ever brighter in your lives. Be obediente and make the necessary
changes!
Love,
Elder Rice
