August 31, 2015 - Yeah Orioles Birthday

Sports are an often overlooked ministering opportunity. Elder Dustin and I went from throwing down basketball with some hoodlums to playing soccer with a bowling ball to an insane match of volleyball, all with strangers. Coasting down the road with our car parked back at the apartment with 1397.3 miles out of 1400 for the month, we were pretty darn exhausted. The summer humidity seems to never end and is at the point where I honestly think it was easier to withstand the lasting winter death freeze than this. Still we went through Centreville on foot, looking for people we have never met before, a hard task for us in our crazy little home town. After walking for about 30 minutes on an off road we discovered a housing development we had never been in before. Time to tract.

Around the first bend of road a massive yard-sale came into view. This was at about 7:30 p.m., so we thought it was a strange strategy setting up so late. Naturally we investigate. Cars blanketed the outskirts of the street around this home, which was strange since absolutely no one was outside the front. An older woman saw us standing outside looking around and said, "Go on out back. You young folk belong back there." With an agreed shrug we walked through the open garage and out to the backyard. I kid you not, a full fledged stereotypical college aged party was underway in front of us. In the massive backyard stood a full grass volleyball court, a huge grill, and at least 30 people eating BBQ and drinking a lot of beer. All of them looked about my age or a little older, but we immediately stuck out like a sore thumb. Everyone stopped what they were doing or saying and just stared at us. Then a red neck 45 year old looking guy from the porch yelled, "It's the Jesus boys!" and everyone cheered. The 45 year old was named Timmy, a very racist yet happy guy who apparently met with missionaries last summer and ten years ago before going into prison. Oh man did he cook some mean burgers. Those were incredible. We met his nephew Cody and a few other people who asked us why we dress up the way we do and why we don't drink. Everyone took it well then they stood around as if they didn't know what to do.

Elder Dustin and I looked at each other, then looked out and challenged them all to a volleyball tournament. Totally inspired. We may not look it, but Elder Dustin and I are killer good volleyball players. Maybe it had something to do with our opponents all were drunk to some degree....nahhhhh ;) We ended up schooling them all, even the huge weight lifter bro-tank guys, and gained some serious street rep and "OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHH"s, all while wearing our white shirts and ties. The majority of these people I guarantee would have normally slammed their doors in our faces if we had tracted into them, or would have simply turned away. Now (as long as they remember that night) they will have a profound friendship with any missionaries they see, specifically with Elder Dustin and I. 

True gospel truths cannot enter a heart if it is not laid with a foundation of friendship. It's that simple. No one will care until they know you care about them, and there's no way you can care about them if you don't build a friendship with them. Why else would the Savior Himself teach His disciples the fullness of His gospel if they weren't His friends? He cares for each of us, knocking on the doors of our hearts like the perfect aroma of apple pie to a famished missionary. All we have to do is our part in building a relationship with Him, going out of our way to love those that may normally hate us, caring for those who throw no-soliciting signs at you as you walk neighborhoods, and smiling a real, true smile to those who call the cops on you though all you are trying to do is to love. 

It's the name of the game, the first and the last, the complete message of Jesus Christ. Love God with all of your might, mind, and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself. The higher law is far more taxing than the lower, but believe me when I say it's worth it. :) 

Keep baking apple pies. Pumpkin too.

xoxo

Elder Burgess