August 3, 2009

"What a wonderful week it has been. So the updates for this week are pretty similar to the updates last weekend except a little better. Manuella and Bukhosi will be baptised on Saturday at 3p.m. by Elder Read. After which we will drive to Bradford where one of the Chinese investigators there has asked me to baptise her. Bradford is also working with a couple other Chinese investigators that I found while on exchange that are working to be baptised on the 22nd. This past week Nikki came to church again and she brought another Chinese friend with her this week. So the Chinese work in the stake is going well."

That's how this week's e-mail started. Eric went on to say that Nikki is doing alright, but is struggling to understand and accept doctrines that are so different from what she grew up with. She was taught not to believe in God or an afterlife, so needless to say, it is a large mountain to climb. Eric feels like she is accepting it bit by bit, and hopes the time will come when she will receive a spiritual witness that what she is being taught is true.

Nikki also told the Elders this week that she wants to go to the US to study business for a year, and she is trying to decide where to go. Eric suggested BYU, so she looked into it. She discovered that it is relatively inexpensive to attend, and has a very good business program, so now she wants to apply. That would be an interesting development.

Other than Nikki, Elders Hansen and Read aren't really teaching any other Chinese people. They both feel like they need to focus more on the Chinese, but this is somewhat difficult for Elder Read, who doesn't speak the language. I think this will continue to be a challenge for Elder Hansen as long as he is with English-speaking companions.

Weather report: July was mostly wet and cold. June was much better weather. However, Eric says he's used to it, so it's ok.

In response to a question, we learned that Cindy in Sheffield (remember Cindy? She was the Chinese woman who left her boyfriend so she could be baptized) had a very nice baptism and continues to enjoy her membership in the church. Eric was disappointed to not be able to attend her baptism, but is thankful that she has accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ so completely. He is also thankful that Elder Shen is there to help her in her progression. Eric said he keeps hearing great reports about Elder Shen from the mission president and his assistants. Elder Shen is apparently becoming quite an excellent missionary.

We quoted the beginning of the e-mail, so let's also quote this testimony from the end:

"I have a testimony that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. His atonement rescues us from death and hell. His resurrection is the greatest victory in the history of the earth. Of all the heroic tales that have been told none is more glorious. I know we will all live again and if we make and keep sacred covenants our family will live in celestial glory and receive the blessing of exaltation. The Holy Spirit has whispered these things to my soul. They are true. Of that there is no doubt."