The promptings of the spirit

I have had a great spiritually uplifting experience this last week and the week before. When Elder Koenen recovered and got out of the hospital we got a call that very same day. A Member asked us to go to the hospital and visit a man that had just gotten hit by a car and was in the ICU. Elder Koenen and I dropped everything and drove to the Hospital. We asked the nurse to show us the man in question and we gave him a blessing. He is still in a coma, but his health improved a little.

As we were walking out of the ICU Elder Koenen and I were standing by the door and Elder Koenen was talking to one of the nurses about that man. I was looking around and saw a girl of about 18 years old looking at me. I saw her and waved at her. She looked really bad, but she slowly lifted her arm and gave me a little wave and slowly put it back down. We then left the ICU and went to another part of the hospital to visit one of Elder Koenen's old "roommates" who expressed that he wanted to learn more about the Book of Mormon. As we were teaching this man I was continually thinking about this girl. I had the feeling to go back, but I did not know what to do. When we walked out of the lesson and down the stairs of one of the hospital buildings, I told Elder Koenen that I felt that we needed to go back. He said that we could and we did.

I asked the nurse if I could give her a little book. She said that it was ok and I walked over to give her a little leaflet about the plan of salvation. She was sort of sleeping and not looking very good at all. She seemed completely drugged. I put the book by her bedside and left thinking I had done everything.

Throughout the day, I caught myself thinking about her. I did not know what to do. I felt that I needed to do something, but I did not know what. I decided that I was going to fast and pray about it and for her. I fasted to know what to do and for her health to improve and decided that we were going back to the hospital the next day.

We did. I knew exactly what to do. I was to give her a Book of Mormon. We went to the ICU and to my surprise, she was not there. Her health improved overnight whether it was because of my prayer and fasting or something else, I do not know. The nurse told us her name, I did not even know that, and told us where we could find her.

We went to the ward and found her sleeping. I put the Book of Mormon next to her bed on the table and left. This happened last week. A few days ago we went back to check up on one of Elder Koenen's "Hospital Friends" and walked across the hall to check up on her as well.

She was sitting in a chair. She looked a lot better and was not connected to ant pipes and IVs or anything like that. I asked if she had received the Book and she said that she had. I promised her that the Book would help her. We said a little prayer and left. We will not be able to visit her because she does not live in Paramaribo. She lives in an area where we do not work as missionaries yet.

I may never know the effect the Book of Mormon will have on her and if she will ever read it, but I do know that that is what I was prompted to do. I know that prayer is real. I am so thankful for it. I have been able to see the effects of it so quickly. Our heavenly Father really does hear and answer prayers and he does love his children. Sometimes he will use us to help others. I do not know what would have happened if I had not fasted, but I do know what happened because I did. I think heavenly Father gave me this to learn of the importance of prayer and I am so thankful for it. I do not think I will ever see that girl again, but I sometimes wonder about how far that Book of Mormon will make it and how many people it may help. I am so thankful for all of this.

Elder Koenen is doing well. He ate something that was not good and he got sick. The funny thing is that I ate the same thing and I did not have any problems. Doing things alone as a Zone Leader was not easy and I am glad that he is back, so we can handle these things together. The transfer is almost up and Elder Koenen and I will work together zntil he returns home in 6 weeks.

I love you all.
Jeff

Who are the Mormons?

Very busy...

Thank you for your e-mails this week.My companion has been sick and I had a very busy week, running around. I would love to write everyone e-mails, but I just do not have the time to do that. We have 30 min to write a weekly report to our mission president and 30 min to write the family at home. I wanted to write letters, but I just do not find the time to do that on P-Days because there is always something to do. As Zone Leaders, we need to provide support to the other missionaries, and there are always Elders that need something and we often do not get home on our p-day until 5:30 or 6pm and then we need to start our missionary work again. I am grateful for alll the love and support I receive from my family and friends at home. You are great and I love you all.

Things are going really well. We have been having a lot of success. I will have to keep my message very short today. You are great and I love you all.

Love, Jeff

Love One Another

We are accountable for our goals...

As you might have guessed, we had another great week. We were able to baptize 2 people and 3 new members were able to be ordained priests in the priesthood. Sacrament Meeting was amazing. We did not have as many people as last week, but the meeting was great anyway. With the confirmations and things like that the spirit was very strong.

Zone Conference was great as well. We were able to pick up everyone on time and get them to where they needed to be. President Gamiette is an amazing man. We had planned for him to do interviews with the missionaries on Wednesday. And we told him that we were going to pick him up at noon or so. When we got to the hotel he was not to be found. We asked the people at the front desk, but they did not know where he went and we went up to his room, but he was not there. We decided that we were going to walk around in the back of the hotel to see if we could find him by the pool or anywhere else. As we were walking around the garden area I saw what looked like President Gamiette in the gym. We walked in and he said, "Argh...I just needed 10 more min.", than he looked at his watch and said, "Alright, I'll come." He is in such good shape. He had decided to work out a little to relieve himself from some stress. And then he went and did some of the most spiritual interviews with the missionaries. He is a great man and wonderful leader! He works very hard and really loves the missionaries and members.

Our Zone Leader Council Meetings are done via LDS Meeting point. This will save a lot of time and money. It is quite a good program. Then once a quarter we have to go to Trinidad for more training and instructions.

I was very happy to learn about the goal for the Europe area to double our sacrament attendance by inviting less active people back to church and others to come unto Christ. I am sure if we as members do all we can, we will be able to reach that goal. I have been able to learn that on my mission. If we set a goal we are accountable for it and we need to report to the Lord. It will take every member's efforts.

Love, Jeff.