8/3/2015

  This week was better than the last week, mainly because I am almost accustomed to the different way of life here. Life is good ! I have met many members already, which is cool; however, there are a lot of members who are not attending church. A lot of work on reactivation has to be done. The main challenge from this week was finding new people to teach. Our teaching schedule is not too great so far.  We did have some success. We were looking for new people, and the first door we knocked on the family let us in to teach them. Their names were Rochelle and Tantely. We taught them about the Restoration, and they want to learn again another time. Hopefully they will progress.

   The branch president, is trying to fulfill his calling. He seems to think that he has to accomplish everything alone because he is president. He has said some things that show that he does not think too highly of the capability of the missionaries here, so we will just have to show him how capable we really are. The leaders in this branch are very scarce. The active Melchizedek Priesthood holders are few. It seems that the advancement of the church here will hav to be from remotivating the less active members, who will then be able to take callings. We have been talking to the branch president about the need for a priesthood executive committee, home and visiting teaching program and an effective ward council hoping it will benefit the branch president and also help the members..  President Foote was here this past week to interview some of the missionaries in the area. It was good to talk to him and to hear some of his stories. He also spoke to us about praying and pondering.

 Mom, sorry to hear that one of the missionaries who taught you passing away. It is strange to know that if it was not for him, I would probably not be a missionary now. It also reminds me of the importance of my mission call and how I need to be a great example for others. That is funny that brother Carlyle ran into Elder Hein. What a small world! 

 I guess that is that Dan should have half a year left until he comes home from his mission. That's really strange, especially since we attended the same missionary preparation class.

 My scripture from this week comes from Alma Chapter 8 Verse 31 

"And they had power given unto them, insomuch that they could not be confined in dungeons; neither was it possible that any man could slay them; nevertheless they did not exercise their power until they were bound in bands and cast into prison. Now, this was done that the Lord might show forth His power in them."
  This scripture shows us that sometimes the Lord allows us to be broken down so that he can build us back up through his power. I know that if we trust in God he will bless us.

I don't have much else to mention. I am hoping for a good week. Someone is counting on that. Until next week.

Love,

Elder Pinson

P.S. The pictures are the view from the roof of our building.