Boca Chica - 2: Pday

Boca Chica - 2: Pday

Overlooking "Boca Chica" inlet on P-Day

Hola!!

OK, so things this week down in the DR were pretty crazy and I had a ton of amazing experiences. But the work down here is awesome. The people are so receptive to hearing about Christ and everybody when you ask them how they're doing will say "Todo esta bien, gracias a Dios" almost every time. Even if they're in the worst situation, the smallest house, the dirtiest clothes, anything: They have their family and God which is enough for them. Which really makes me sad but happy at the same time. The people down here are just amazing and strong people. Sure, there are some people that hate Americans and don't want anything to do with us. But most people, even if they have no interest in our message about the LDS church specifically, want to just talk about God. It amazes me how much faith these people have even though they have so many trials in their lives.

Lunch out with companions - P-day

         There are two experiences I want to share though. One of them is with one of our investigators Elisa. She is progressing so fast. She's came to church six weeks in a row, she's reading the Book of Mormon and she's doing everything she needs to do to be baptized. She's such a strong person in this gospel already. But she has a "tigre" for a boyfriend (which is like a thug), and they are living together which is hard because he doesn't have the money to get married and he doesn't want to live seperately. So we were having a hard time dealing with that situation. We tried everything we could talking to her boyfriend Miguel to help them but he just didn't want to listen. So, my comp and I decided we'd just try our best, keep teaching, and leave the rest to God.  So we fasted and prayed and worked as hard as we could to help them and two days ago at one of our lessons we were just talking before we were about to start the lesson and learned that Miguel decided to move out! We were in shock. He told us that he changed his mind.  He felt that if this Church and our message was that important to her, he didn't want to stop her from getting baptized. So she's getting baptized on the 20th of December along with five of our other investigators if all goes well. But that was such a strong answer to our prayers and it just goes to show if you do your part, and if you have faith, God WILL make up the rest.

Service project with machetes at the house of the Domicci family

          Another experience I had this week was with one of our other great investigators named Alfredo. He's an amazing guy but he does so much work just to provide the basics for his family that he has a hard time reading, going to church, and having lessons. But anyways, his sister Sencilla de Jesus de los Santos was in Bon Aires about 2 months ago and she got really sick. But instead of going to the hospital, she went to a witch doctor to cure her. So while she was there she picked up a bad spirit and she has been living with it ever since. But on Saturday, he called us and asked if we would go over to her house with him and give her a priesthood blessing because he told us he had faith that we could help her. So we made sure it was OK to do beforehand and everything then we went over to her house with him. When my companion and I went into the house, we could instantly feel like something was wrong. The spirit in the home just didn't feel right and it was super eerie. But we went into the room where she was staying.  Her brother and father were there with her. She was sitting on the bed with an IV in her wrist that was attached to the ceiling. She was in really bad shape. She couldn't talk. She couldn't really move at all.  We explained to her family what a priesthood blessing was and we shared a scripture in James where it explains the use of oil for the blessing of the sick. And we proceeded with the blessing. After the blessing, we looked down at her and she looked up and shook both of our hands and started talking! She said "thank you so much brothers" and we talked a little more and then we left. Alfredo, when we got back to the house was in awe. He told us that she hadn't talked in 4 weeks and she couldn't hardly function. It was amazing. But unfortunately, that night, his sister passed away. We don't know why. My comp and I didn't know what to do. Alfredo was stressed out and wanted to talk to us immediately. He also explained to us that he has to pay for everything: the funeral, the casket - everything. And he hardly makes enough to sustain himself. But he came to Church on Sunday and we came over and talked with him at his house right afterwards. It was such a hard experience. He was crying and was just super depressed. We honestly didn't know what to say. But we shared with him about the Plan of Salvation and I felt inspired to share the 122th section of the Doctrine and Covenants with him, which is about Joseph smith in Liberty Jail. It just talks about how if everything is against you, if you feel like you have nothing, just know that Christ knows how you feel. Because Christ passed through EVERYTHING we will ever pass through in the garden of Gethsemane. He told us that even though his sister passed away he knows what we are saying is true and that he still wants to learn more and have us teach him. We are now trying to organize a fundraiser for him and just help out any way we can. It was just such an amazing experience. 

 

 

Surfers in Boca Chica

I just want to let all of you know; if you ever feel like you're alone. If you ever feel like the Lord has abandoned you. If you ever feel like no one is listening; Christ and God are. They are the ones we need to turn to in our situations of stress and grief. Because they know exactly how to help us. This has helped me so much out here in the mission. Cause there are times when it's hard. But Christ knows exactly how we feel and He has a plan for us. See you all in about 22 months!!!!

Love,

Elder Graff