September 1, 2009

E-mail was a day late again, but at least this time we got an explanation. Bank holiday.

For the second straight week, we start out with some bad news.

"So this morning at 6:40 our neighbor knocked on our door and told us to go look at our car. Pretty sure our passenger window was shattered and our car had been broken into. Fortunately there wasn't much in there...except my digital camera. I almost never leave anything in the car but yesterday was p-day so I was taking pictures all day and left in the glove box. It wasn't even visible, there was nothing of value visible but someone still smashed our window and took my camera. A camera is replaceable but the 4gb memory stick with all of my pictures over the past 9 months is not. So I'm pretty upset with myself for leaving it in there."

We share his sentiments. The loss of the camera is insignificant. In fact, it gives us something to send him for his birthday. But I'm saddened at the loss of so many irreplaceable photos. I'm just hopeful he'll be able to get copies of photos his companions have taken which might help to fill in some of the voids. Needless to say, he will probably send his memory cards home more often now. The main feeling that comes from this incident is gratitude that it was only stuff, and that he was kept safe from harm. Eric described several other incidents of damage or break-ins that have happened to missionaries in Leeds, but fortunately missionaries weren't hurt or endangered in any of them. I am comforted in the hope that the Lord will watch over his servants.

Like last week, the news gets better. Sonya still isn't doing well, but Nikki is doing fantastic. She wrote Eric a letter telling him how he could get more Chinese people to join the church. This is what Eric said about a meeting with her:

"She said earlier this week, after we retaught her the plan of salvation how much she has changed. She said when she was a little girl her communist dad always told her that when she died that was the end and she was really afraid of death. She said that now that she knows it is true it gives her so much comfort and peace of mind. I asked her how she knew it was true now, after all the first time we taught it she said that it sounded ridiculous and she was really suspicious. She said that God had answered her prayers many times."

Eric said he and Elder Kacher are anxious to find more people to teach. They have been praying real hard and searching for a family, with married parents and children, who will listen to their message. He says it is difficult in England, but he is anxious to bring the blessings of the gospel to entire families.

The support given to the missionaries in the Leeds 1st ward has been increasing lately. The bishop recently taught a class with all the adults, where he introduced all the people who have recently joined the church. He encouraged the members of the ward to help the missionaries bring the message of the gospel to as many people as possible. Since that class, many members of the ward have offered to help teach with the missionaries or to open their homes for the missionaries to teach their investigators and new members. Some have offered to give rides, invite investigators for tea or take them to special meetings and firesides. Eric is really excited at this show of support, and believes it will help them succeed. It will also help the people they are teaching, as well as new members of the church to feel the warmth and welcoming spirit of the ward. We look forward to sharing success stories that will surely follow.