Hey Yall! So remember last week when I said that it looked like we werent going to complete the goal, but that I was sure that this very same letter would be full of all the miracles that happened to complete said goal? So....we didnt meet the goal. BUT we did see many, many miracles. The following is an accounting of the hand of the Lord in the Dominican Republic Santo Domingo East Mission.
So to start off, this month our mission baptized 213 people!!!!! A year ago we were struggling to get above 80! As for our Zone espicifically, let me tell you....
So before last week we had only baptized 10 of the needed 26 people. We didnt have anyone that was looking ready here in la caleta and dates were falling on every side. And then, Friday night happened. Elder Searle from another part of La caleta told us hed put 4 dates for that saturday! They were a family that lives right in front of the church, but had never recieved permission from their parents to be baptized. Elder Searle went one last time with our Ward Mission leader and the Lord did the rest. (to keep count, we´re up to 14) Then Valiente called and said that they had found some teens who went to EFY who also wanted to be baptized right away! 3 more (17) Then Boca Chica called, with 5 people! (22) Every single companionship in the zone was going to baptize...except for us. If we will remember, we started from nothing twice here and came into the zone half way through the transfer, so choices were slim. There were some who met the church attendance requirement, but didnt feel ready. We looked and invited and looked and invited, but came up empty. Thus we turned back to an Old Investigator of Elder Searle name Estefani. We ahd visted her before, and she was very ready, but her mom was very....very against it. she had a heart as hards as pharaoh´s. We had kind of given up hope on her, but we invited her to the baptism that saturday so she could decide if she really wanted it.
For the baptism, we watned to make it as spiritual as possible, so we prepared a special musical number and even got our first councilor of the stake presidency to speak. We also planeed with our 2nd councilor to leave with us after to go and talk to Estafanis mom.
The baptism went great and afteward I asked Estefani if she wanted to be baptized on Sunday. One of her friends who had jsut gotten baptized was right next to here and she was like "yes! Do it!" After a pause....she said yes! We left for her house at once in the car of our 2nd stake councilor to visit the beast in her lair.
We found her washing clothes (this is at like 8:20 at night), and asked if she wanted help. She refused and kept washing. Then our main man Cuevas (2nd councilor) took the stage. He proceeded to give the most amazing and spirit guided mini lesson Ive ever seen! I cant give alot of detials but it was just mind blowing! He even got Estefani to stand up to her Mom and say that this was really what she wanted. In the end, the record was signed and Estefani was baptized in the very rainy Sunday afternoon. (23. 3 short, but very close)
On the way back to the house, Pres Cuevas and I started singing "There can be miracles from the prince of egypt". Totally amazing. When we got back, I just imediately fell on my knees and poured out my heart in gratitude. The Lord Loves his children!! AMEN varon! haha I love you all!
Sorry, no photos this week, but this computer is Terrible!
Also, Love you Dad! Thanks for the update!
And Happy Dominican Fathers Day!!!!!!!!!! Feliz Dia de los Padres!
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