Hola Familia

Hola familia y amigos!

This last week was just one of the craziest in my mission. Yes. Just an emotional coaster of sorts. jaja. Super fun.

Lets start off with our dear friend A. We met with him, and he was doing some intense exercising, (ie. speed walking.) and stopped his work out to have one of the most intelligent conversations of my entire life. We had our second visit this last week. He's a doctor, a professor of sorts, and super nice, but just does not believe in God. That said, and he made it very clear, that he does not deny the existence of God. This lead a lesson that grew my testimony immensely in what we teach. We read Alma 32 together and spoke about truth, and what it is. He explained to us that he believe the truth is anything that you can test multiple times and receive the same or similar results. He explained as well that even the Law of Gravity which was thought to be "true" for decades has just been modified to be more accurate, so in short he told us: "Podria ser equibocado" (I could be wrong)

We explained that he, time and time again, could test the experiment that we were leaving with him and he would come to the same conclusion. God lives. This is true.

We then later in the week had a night of Muslim. Yes 4 back to back lengthy Muslim... "discussions..." jaja We met a man who claimed to be a Muslim missionary, and had a painful, very painful discussion with him. He doesn't think God answers prayers and that... thats just.. just plain wrong. We left that, and although I was whistling "I have sunshine in my soul today" I was not happy... and the spirit was long gone. haha oh goodness, well we then went to a park and waited to meet out friend from S Y. When he finally came, he spoke french and very little Spanish. We tried to explain our purpose as missionaries and that we'd like to start with a prayer. We said a prayer, and upon finishing he abruptly stopped us, "espera espera, a quien estabas hablando?" (Who were you talking to?) He told us he then was in a hurry. We told him we'd make it short, we asked him if he had to go to work he said no. He then told us he needed to shower... y se fue... He just got up and left... We sat there for a couple minutes... uhh.. was he going to come back?.. Then guess who came down the little park path? Our good ol Muslim missionary friend.. yess...

He then proceeded to explain the entire plan of salvation Muslim style. Its quite interesting honestly, it's ours with Arch-Angels everywhere and minus Jesus Christ. I had the goal though during all this to help the spirit touch this man's heart. So we let him talk, and talk, and talk till we really had to go. We left him with the same invitation to ask God.

We then rushed to our visit with A. We sat down and we came to the quick realization that all of that... that Muslim lesson 2 we just had was to be able to teach this man. He had married a Catholic women, even though he was a devout follower of Muhammad. He had a couple good questions, and my goodness we were able to show how Jesus Christ plays a crucial rule in our salvation. We testified of how Christ paid a price that no man can pay. Explained that that is why he must have been the Son of God. Because we spoke with the context he understood He was willing to listen. I felt the spirit as we closed with a prayer. It was the worth the frustrating lesson God knew we needed to hear:)

The following morning we hustled to the train station to miss our train haha... We got there and in a desperate attempt to run for our train we paid in cash, spending all we had with us. The vendor handed us our tickets and looking out the window at the now leaving train "teneís que correr..." ( you've gotta run..)

Zone conference was perfect. It was the first with our new president. He is amazing and he said exactly what we all needed to hear. I got to play my violin, gotta love that.

President spoke about the reality of our calling. We can truly receive revelation for those that we are to teach. I love him.

We rushed home for our 3 family home evening's we had planned. We got to the bus only to realize we had no money. (Thank you train fiasco) we scavenged around in out bags and we were 7 centimos short. And the bus driver was just done with us. So we sat down and at the next stop he just kicked us out. We then received calls and all our visits let us know that it would have to be another day. And we were an hour out of town.. in the middle of no where. We made our way home, it was a most a complete failure but we found M on the way home. He arrived here only a couple days ago. We got home finally and I hit the hay.

Woke up this morning and we made our way to our area, and this beggar approached us. This is my least favorite thing, but we told him we can't give him money, and went to leave. But he then pursued us.. And began yelling the few words he knew in English. He literally began chasing us. I didn't know what to do. Everyone was looking at us. We started walking very fast almost running. And he then began to hit me with this wooden club thing he had with him.. what the??? And so I turned to him said the first thing that came to mind. "Sprichst du Deutsch??" WHAT? Some how... haha I thought that if he thought I was some innocent German tourist he would leave us alone. Haha great logic... didn't work. We just keep run walking and eventually he left.

Yes well that's it for this week.

I just want to invite you all to really think about the lesson we had with A

. Think about the experiment that lies in Alma 32. I feel that at times in our church we get an answer to our prayers and we are to now just remember till we die. That is part of it. But the thing is God really does exist. The book of Mormon really is true. You can, if you question this, ask tonight and you will receive the same warm and comforting manifestation of the Holy Ghost. You can do this time and time again, and you will receive the same result, because It. Is. True.

All My love

Elder Gardner