April 13, 2015
I can't decide if allergies are worse here or in Georgia. Probably about the same. Spring is definitely here. There's pollen EVERYWHERE. There's inchworms hanging from trees, crickets chirping at night, and nightly thunderstorms. Spring's good and all, but why the pollen? Like we ride bikes for ten minutes and our black slacks are no longer black, but rather, a hazy greenish yellow. I sneeze every thirty seconds and my eyes itch like crazy, but hey, what can ya do?
Good news! The work is finally starting to progress a little more. We were finally able to make contact with our former baptismal date, E. We stopped by yesterday and taught him a nice lesson. We set expectations and he's ready to begin learning again. So we invited him to start reading and praying again, and then we're gonna watch the testaments this Thursday. Hopefully we can build his faith to come to church and maybe even involve his older brothers. That would be great.
We also met with our Cholito friend A. We taught a really great lesson on faith, because he thinks he has none, and we really emphasized that if he does not act in some way, his faith will not grow. So we invited him to think about coming to church and he said he would, but then he quickly changed the subject. So, we kind of just need to be straight with him. He finds some peace when we come over, but if he wants lasting peace, he needs to act on our invitations.
Here's the ridiculous story for the week. So on Friday we talked to these two black men smoking on the porch of their apartment. Their names are M and J. So we just had a nice conversation with them and they really commended us for our service. So then we left. Well, the next day we came back to the same apartment complex and M was there again. He's a big black man with dreads. So we're having a good talk with him. He shares his beliefs and how he respects latter-day saints and how he'd like to get back in to church again. A few minutes later, this squirly looking white kid comes up and sits down next to us. He was super skinny, had gross yellow teeth, was covered in dog hair, and was frankly very trashy. The only good thing that came from him was the Lord of the Rings music coming from his phone. Anyways, so turns out he's Atheist. Actually, he's much like Korihor from the Book of Mormon (if you're not familiar with the story of Korihor, see Alma 30.). So he's just super blasphemous and disrespectful, dropping a swear word every three seconds. He begins to explain how God does not exist and how we're crazy for doing what we're doing. Turns out he has a horribly incorrect idea of who God is, but that's usually the case with non-believers. They usually think God just wants power and glory, when in actuality, He's merciful and loving, only seeking the well-being of His children. Well, we tried to explain everything, but he wasn't listening. Then he keeps saying "I really gotta pee" and he asks our friend M to use is bathroom. M wasn't having it, so he ignored the request. So Mr. Korihor contemplates going behind the building, but we told him there were kids there. Then he asks us if it would be a good idea to pee on the bush that was right next too us. M says "I wouldn't do that if I were you." So then Mr. Korihor sits down and we talk for another five minutes or so. Finally he gets up and starts toward his house, but then comes back toward the bush and pees on it, right out in the open for everyone to see. So Marcus turns to us and says "Y'all need to leave." We're like "what?" "Y'all need to get outa here. I'm about to beat this kid's face in." so we just got up and walked away. So big M gets up in his face and everything, and then eventually Korihor sprints away with a scared look on his face. So then M comes up to us and apologizes for the situation and explains that ten years ago, he would have stomped the kid out. I'm glad he didn't. It was very disrespectful what Korihor said and did, but hey, he's still a child of God. Maybe he'll come around one day when he realizes his life is miserable. Funny thing is, he had a date that night. Hahahaha poor girl.
So that's our week and the story to go along with it. On another note that same day some nice kids fed us hot dogs. Opposition in all things, I suppose.
And that's why I love missionary work, especially in North Carolina. North Carolina is home to some of the weirdest, strangest, most disgusting people on the planet. Good thing we shower every morning.
Well I hope y'all have a good week.
-Elder Landon Carroll
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