I never would have done that

Hello :)

 

I've recieved quite a few questions about Prisca and her family, so I will do my best to answer them :)

 

Prisca was born in Congo, and that is also where her son, Pernel (11) was born.   Paris is  where Jacob (10) was born.  The other three children Prisdy (7), Ryan (5) and Lewis (1) were born here in England. Her parents both died in Congo, and all of her siblings live in Paris now, I think. She is recently divorced, and that is the reason she prayed to God for answers in her life.  Soon after, Patricia, the member in the ward, introduced herself to Prisca at her children's school.  Patricia started helping Prisca around the house and things and invited her to church.  Prisca went to church twice before the missionaries noticed because they thought she was a member!  They taught her twice last transfer, but then went on holiday to Belguim.  She came back soon after this transfer started, so I was able to be there for the majority of their teaching process, which was really such a blessing.  I'm so thankful.

Plus.  Since Patricia was such a good example about member missionary work, Prisca brought her friend Anna, and her young children to church yesterday.  We have an appointement with Anna tonight.  Miracles.

 

Patrick has been a member since October.  He was bus contacted by Sister Bibb who came two transfers before me (and is already home because she got really really sick).  He wasn't interested at first, but after some challenging things arising from the military he contacted the missionaries and said he wanted to be baptised.  Bus contacting is the Holy Grail in the EMM.  It is so hard to do, first of all, and then to follow-up.  But it does happen, and Patrick is really amazing, so it is another miracle.

 

FYI.  Transfers are next week.  There are seven new sisters coming to the mission, which is a ton!  I can't believe it.  Usually the biggest group has been 3, like my group.  But with all these sisters coming in there is going to be a lot of trainers and white washers.  The both get called on Sunday about transfers instead of Monday, so it is likely that most sisters will be called on Sunday.  Woot.  I'm nervous, because I'm becoming an older sister in the mission.  Super weird.

 

I went on exchange this week with Sister Gallozo (guy-o-tho) from Spain.  She is an amazing missionary, and she is going home next week with Sister Low.  I can't believe it. Anyway, Sister Gallozo is a great missionary, and she told me that she couldn't really speak English before coming on the mission.  And they don't have many missionaries do language training in the EMM.  I told her Jordan was struggling with Spanish... and then I watched her try to have a conversation with a boy in Spanish... and she doesn't know Spanish either.  She told me that at the beginning of her mission an Elder told her that when she went home she would have to pray for the gift of tounges.   She said it was completely true.  So I know that Jordan will be fine at getting the language.

 

We have some new investigators named Dave and Julie.  They were formers of the Elders who contacted us (we now have the Elders phone for some reason... did I tell you?  The Zone Leaders are also in the Swinton ward with us).  Anyway, Dave and Julie were taught like a year ago and it sounds like they were progressing, not rapidly but steadily.  Dave said he 'lost his faith' however, and they turned to cocaine.  On a really bad day he was praying and when he opened his eyes he saw the pass along card with our number on it, and remember that the time he had been happiest was when he was coming to our church.  So he rang us.  The have been clean from cocaine and alcohol for something like 14 days which is really great, and they realise that God is the only one who can heal them from these addictions.  I think it will be a process, but I also think that they are sincere about changing their lives.  The Atonement is real, and can bless them, I know that much.

 

I sent you a picture of our zone activity.  It's weird, because we didn't have zone activity in Newcastle because we were all so far away from each other (like 1 1/2 train ride outside the mission far away).  Here in Manchester zone we seem to be closer in proximity or something, although bus rides are really long.  The Manchester Zone is known as the heart of the mission, because it is where President's house is, the office, the main chapel we meet at, etc.  It is a great zone.  I love it.  And I'm like serving in a city.  Sometimes I forget that I have never lived in a city this big in my life!  I haven't been to many cities this big in my life!  Wow.  Every once in a while I think to myself, 'I never would have done that (met that person, gone to that place, eaten that thing) if I would have stayed home.'  And it is true.

 

I love the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is the only way to salvation.  The Atonement is real.  Families can be together forever.  The prophets are inspired men of God.  Heavenly Father loves His children.  And the Book of Mormon can answer so many questions that most people don't realize they have.

 

I love you.  Loves,

 

Sister Hull