Exchanges, meetings, and leaving behind suits dozens of miles away added up to the end of August, leaving Elder Wind and I with few miles left for the final week. This meant we would proselyte on foot (since I can't bike because of my surgery a year ago ;)) no matter how far our appointments were. Just so happened that they were on the opposite side of the city for us. Throw in 100 degree weather and you have a 9-10 mile round trip trek for a single appointment. Off we went with surprisingly high spirits, off to teach our boy Olakunle from Nigeria. A couple hours later we were drenched in sweat with mouths like cotton, but we finally reached our destination.
You guessed it. No one was home.
Many sighs followed, then we turned back in order to get to our dinner appointment on time. Two old hood women mocked us right off the bat, and jeering from flying cars pushed us onward. Our heads drooped lower and lower as our hamstrings cramped tighter and tighter, until we wearily arrived to dinner. Refreshing as it was, our plans for the rest of the night were shot from cancellations, leaving us to freestyle proselyte like the olden days.
Before embarking into the evening, we said a prayer together specifically asking for someone to cross our paths ready and willing to learn the Gospel. The prayer came from the bottom of our hearts, sincerely and with real intent. About a mile's walk later we turned down a shoot off street looking for some doors to knock. A small crowd of adults were in a conversation down the block. When they spotted us, a man jogged towards us and shouted, "Hey! Can I have a Bible?" His niece, nephew, and sister followed him and a miracle happened. We began to teach them the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the Prophet Joseph Smith and all of their hearts were hooked to each word we said. Soon more and more people streamed out of their homes one by one, carrying a chair or a bible, and before we knew it we were teaching an old fashioned sermon. They treated us with unbelievable respect and hospitality, washed to a shine when contrasted by the adversity experienced only a few hours earlier.
Each person literally begged for us to return to teach them more. Sincerity works wonders. I've learned that all the knowledge in the world is useless unless paired with a sincere, humble, and loving heart. Instead of blood sacrifices from the Law of Moses, Christ asks each of us to offer a broken heart and a contrite spirit upon the altars of our pride as a sacrifice to him. The blessings rained from heaven are real, and they are powerful. Whenever you feel that life has you down and you feel alone, reach out with a humble heart and a willing mind to our Eternal Father in Heaven. I promise you He will answer in palpable truth, unparalleled by the vague vanities of the world.
Sadly, Elder Wind is transferring to Pennsylvania this week, but my new companion is Elder Ashby, who is actually coming from a six month service in Hancock, MD, one of my former stomping grounds! I bet there will be many stories to share and many more on the horizon.
xoxo
Elder Burgess
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