This week, Elder Hansen mentioned that he is noticing that some of the people they teach are more willing to follow through on commitments than others. He and Elder Read have several people who are willing to listen to what they teach, but then don't keep the commitments they make to read and pray and try to develop a personal relationship with the Savior. This makes their teaching difficult, because they find themselves teaching the same thing over and over.
Fortunately, Elders Read and Hansen are also teaching several people who do keep their commitments, and who are progressing in their understanding and acceptance of the gospel. One of these is Bukhosi, a 17-year-old African man who is the brother of a recent convert. Bukhosi has responded well to the Elders' teaching, has been to church the past several weeks, and is scheduled to be baptized on August 8. Another investigator is a young girl, also from Africa, whose parents are members of the church but haven't been attending recently. Elder Hansen said they took the stake president with them to visit the family to encourage them to attend meetings. The father has a job which requires him to work on Sundays, but the Elders are working to get a commitment out of the mother to bring the family to church. We'll see how that goes. Eric was sad for the children growing up in a home without the chance to go to church. It made him aware of what a sacred responsibility parents have for the way they teach and raise their children.
The teaching pool has more Africans than Chinese right now. It is difficult to find Chinese people to teach because university is not in session so there aren't many students around. Eric realizes they will have to shift their focus for awhile until they have a greater opportunity to teach Chinese students.
Other investigators include Manuella, a single mom from Portugal who comes to church every week and has accepted everything the missionaries have taught her, but is getting pressure from her family to remain in her religion of birth. She wants to change but doesn't want to alienate her family.
Will is a 16 year-old who comes to church every week with his friend, the son of the stake president. Will has accepted all that has been taught to him, and wants his friend to baptize him. That will probably happen in late September when the friend turns 16.
"Leeds is great. The weather is nice. Our ward is super amped about missionary work!" Elders Hansen and Read are receiving great help from the church members in Leeds, who go with them on teaching appointments, give rides to church to their investigators, and provide fellowship and kindness. Eric said it makes him want to work harder to have appointments where the members can go with them. He did say they don't get fed as often as they did in Sheffield, but he doesn't mind.
Elder Hansen said their flat is OK, but not as nice as the one in Sheffield (which he had already told us was the nicest one in the mission). They share the flat with the university missionaries, Elder Hull and Elder Hansen. Yes, there are two Elder Hansens in the flat. I imagine that could lead to a little confusion, but I'm sure they'll handle it fine. Eric said the other Elder Hansen and Elder Hull are good missionaries, and he enjoys sharing a flat with them.
Eric shared this experience with us:
Fortunately, Elders Read and Hansen are also teaching several people who do keep their commitments, and who are progressing in their understanding and acceptance of the gospel. One of these is Bukhosi, a 17-year-old African man who is the brother of a recent convert. Bukhosi has responded well to the Elders' teaching, has been to church the past several weeks, and is scheduled to be baptized on August 8. Another investigator is a young girl, also from Africa, whose parents are members of the church but haven't been attending recently. Elder Hansen said they took the stake president with them to visit the family to encourage them to attend meetings. The father has a job which requires him to work on Sundays, but the Elders are working to get a commitment out of the mother to bring the family to church. We'll see how that goes. Eric was sad for the children growing up in a home without the chance to go to church. It made him aware of what a sacred responsibility parents have for the way they teach and raise their children.
The teaching pool has more Africans than Chinese right now. It is difficult to find Chinese people to teach because university is not in session so there aren't many students around. Eric realizes they will have to shift their focus for awhile until they have a greater opportunity to teach Chinese students.
Other investigators include Manuella, a single mom from Portugal who comes to church every week and has accepted everything the missionaries have taught her, but is getting pressure from her family to remain in her religion of birth. She wants to change but doesn't want to alienate her family.
Will is a 16 year-old who comes to church every week with his friend, the son of the stake president. Will has accepted all that has been taught to him, and wants his friend to baptize him. That will probably happen in late September when the friend turns 16.
"Leeds is great. The weather is nice. Our ward is super amped about missionary work!" Elders Hansen and Read are receiving great help from the church members in Leeds, who go with them on teaching appointments, give rides to church to their investigators, and provide fellowship and kindness. Eric said it makes him want to work harder to have appointments where the members can go with them. He did say they don't get fed as often as they did in Sheffield, but he doesn't mind.
Elder Hansen said their flat is OK, but not as nice as the one in Sheffield (which he had already told us was the nicest one in the mission). They share the flat with the university missionaries, Elder Hull and Elder Hansen. Yes, there are two Elder Hansens in the flat. I imagine that could lead to a little confusion, but I'm sure they'll handle it fine. Eric said the other Elder Hansen and Elder Hull are good missionaries, and he enjoys sharing a flat with them.
Eric shared this experience with us:
"This past week we've worked really hard and I think it started to take a toll. On Friday and Saturday I started to feel really ill. I was getting flu-like symptoms and was really weak. On Saturday night I was trying to get to bed but I couldn’t, I was feeling too sick. I remembered that mom packed me a thermometer so I got it out and checked my temp. I had a fever of 101.0!"After some contemplation, he decided to awaken Elder Read and ask for a priesthood blessing. Elder Read gave him a great blessing, following which he was able to get right to sleep. He woke up the next morning feeling great, with no symptoms and lots of energy. He said it was amazing but not surprising, as he knows the power of the priesthood and the importance of the work he is doing.
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