March 5, 2018 ~ Transfer 14, Week 2

Hi everyone!

This week we've been trying to find new people to teach which has been pretty interesting, I'll explain some of the experiences haha. And the weather has been crazy, we had snow one day and the next day it was in the 50s/60s haha. And now rain.

We talked to a lot of people this week and we've seen multiple people who recognize us (Ponferrada isn't all that big). And we did a lot of new things to try to find people who are interested. At one point we sat on a bench to make some calls and had conversations with 6 people hahaha, they would walk by and talk to us or sit down and talk. It was hilarious. We even saw a guy we talked to last week and he stopped and said hi. I guess we are more approachable sitting down then if we are walking around trying to talk to people.

We also contacted big groups of youth telling them about English conversations that we are doing. And that was pretty fun because they are usually fairly open to talking/stopping and listening.

And this week we even got to talk to the guy who tells us "go back to Philadelphia" and he actually didn't have anything to say when we tried talking to him haha. It was super funny. The guy's name is Gonzalo and he only was saying go back to Philly for no reason apparently haha, he didn't have any explanation.

And then we talked to people in the pouring rain and wind. And wow it was windy. And one of the best rejections was the "I'm hiding behind my umbrella and can't hear you" one. Some people have it mastered haha.

Some other funny conversations:
1) A conversation directed towards a lady walking in the same direction (all in spanish):
me: "hey, do you know of an Asturian restaurant close by?"
Her: "pero, que dices?" (What are you talking about?)
Me: I'm looking for a restaurant, do you know where one is?
Her: pero, déjame en paz! .... Que pesado! (Just leaving me alone! I don't know what you are talking about...how annoying!)

(And she stormed off just ticked...for no reason...for asking a question maybe? But it was pretty funny.)

2) us: Hey! Great weather we are having here! (While it's super rain and cold, and we keep walking away)
Them: yay, it's "wonderful"!

Us: Hey great weather we are having here! (Us stopping)
Them:....(nothing).....

Hahaha it's great.

Some other things we tried were talking with other churches and seeing if they had any service opportunities. It didn't work out too well for us haha. We called and they were super surprised what we were asking for. They couldn't believe that two people wanted to help out the community I guess haha. But they would almost always say "sorry, I'm not sure if I heard you correctly...will you repeat that" and then they asked what organization we are from, who we are...it was great haha. It was funny and fun to surprise them. And the best conversation was a pastor saying: "do you know who you are calling? Do you know what church this is???" It was hilarious. I think we surprised him that Mormons were calling him and wanted to talk to him about helping out the community. People here in Spain have a weird idea of who Mormons are and what we believe.

Then we went to the library and we did some Facebooking. We trying to go to more public places rather than to just go to the church, making it easier for people maybe to see us or approach us. And we walked into a room in the library with about 40 study desks, with books lining the walls and a tangible silence haha. And when we entered all eyes were on us haha. It was funny. And very quiet.

This week we also got to help a friend who I will call Maria with the translation of her résumé and she was so pleased with it and so happy that we were able to help her out. Apparently I ended up translating more than she expected. And she told us she is still reading the Book of Mormon and that when she gets a job and finds a new place to live she will be able to focus more on meeting with us (and honestly right now her situation is quite rough).

And on Saturday we had a lesson with 'Danny'. We called him on a whim and he answered! What a miracle! We haven't been able to contact him all week because he hasn't read our messages or answered our calls. And he answered! We had a lesson with him that night and it went really well! He's so cool. We are so excited for him because he's keeping his commitments. He read and he seems to have been praying. He actually kept his word about saying the last prayer too when he didn't want to say the first one (last time he didn't want to pray at all).

It has definitely been an interesting week! It's also been a pretty trying/difficult week. When you have a lot of desires to help other people and share with them a message that is so important to you because of how it has helped change your life, it's rough when people reject your help or your message. But the truth is that this is God's work and all we have to do is keep going and trying to help others even when they reject it. Eventually we will find those who want the help.

Eter 12:6, 12
6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.
12 For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith.

I love these verses. We don't receive a witness until after the trial of our faith. It's so true. We need to trust in Heavenly Father and His promises but we really can't know (receive that witness) until after our faith is tested. As a missionary, our faith is always being tested. When we choose to talk to people we try our faith - we don't know if they will allow us to talk to them or if we will be rejected. We have to try and test that faith first. I know that Heavenly Father loves all His children and allows us to have trials so that we can learn and grow.

Have a great week!

With love,
Elder Openshaw

NEW ADDRESS:

Elder Martin R. Openshaw

Avenida de Tenerife, 11

28703 San Sebastián de los Reyes

Madrid, España