Elder Qiu is out!

Our district

He's leaving first thing tomorrow morning. And I'm going to be pretty sad to see him go, but happy for him to move forward. It's been a great two transfers serving with him. We learned a lot together (mostly the hard way). They say you learn more as a trainer than you did as a trainee. Seeing that I probably didn't teach Elder Qiu too much, That statement is true for us! He's going to do great things in California.

This week was pretty interesting. Our area is still lacking in investigators. It's been pretty hard not having people to teach. Being on the streets the majority of the time definitely takes it's toll. We have some set ups this week, hopefully we don't get fang'd.

Miracle of the week:
We were biking last night, trying to feel something, letting the spirit guide us to a place to find. We rode past the baseball stadium, and out in front, I saw a man sitting on a bench staring at his phone. Everyone stares at their phones here. If they're not sleeping, they're looking at their phones. Before I could even think, I told myself, "It's him". We hopped up on the curb, rode towards him, and I said, "hello".
He said, "what?"

All you can eat BBQ!

I said, "We're representatives of Jesus Christ, can we share with you a message about Him?"
"Sure."

His name was Daniel, and he was one of the nicest people I've met in a while. He was taking his work break when we started talking to him. He wasn't willing to set up, but he was willing to listen, and he even said a prayer for us (he's never prayed before). I call it a miracle because it was the first time in a long time that someone sincerely listened to what we were sharing. I believe we'll run into him again, and he said if it's fate that we meet again he'll want to learn more. I know it's something simple, but it's these simple moments that have been keeping me going. Unfortunately there have been days that I just don't want to work. It's hard to keep going. But the miracles come. They may be few, they may be small, but they're there. And that's why I love missionary work. The simple, joyful moments will ALWAYS make up for the struggle.

Jesus is the Christ, He lives. and while He lives I'll sing.

I love you guys. Have a blessed week.

Elder Matua