Week 37; Transfers

Photo Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/QuW5JQQJL6emqhb68 On Tuesday we had an exchange with Southside right before transfers on Thursday. I was with Elder Williams and it was a pleasant day. We had an amazing meal and an amazing reunion with my Grandpa who just finished his senior mission in Philadelphia. We had lunch at The Nook in Pittsburgh and it was so good. Our day was kind of cooked since we had a few lessons that didn’t go through, which pushed everything back. We still had a member meal with crazy Linda and then a lesson with our friend Trinity. We taught a very in-depth Plan of Salvation lesson and the Spirit was strong. Later we found this cool guy named Dave outside his house wearing a Lakers jersey with a Glock at his feet. We chatted with him about the Book of Mormon and set up a lesson with him and his two teenage sons wearing King Von shirts. What a day. We had transfers this week and Elder Heelis sadly left his reign of Northside. Elder Lunsford replaced him. I just love Elder Lunsford. I had a couple exchanges with him back when I was in Johnstown, so it was an exciting reunion. It’s a nice change of pace to be able to lead our Northside and set the pace. I know God can support us and guide us this transfer to find, teach, invite, and baptize. The APs’ African convert, Grandma Grace, has been feeding us a lot lately. It’s been blessed. She feeds us food from her home country in Africa and it’s so good. The funny part is she makes way more than we six missionaries can eat and continues to distribute food on our plates as we keep eating. Let’s just say I’ve gained a few pounds lately. We had the opportunity to take the bus with her on Sunday to show her how to get to church herself and that was a lovely experience. God bless Grandma Grace. One miracle we had this week came from a member outside of our area. She was from the Pleasant Hills ward and she randomly texted early in the morning asking us if we could come with her to one of her friends name Giselle who lived in our area. We were skeptical at first since it was just a random number we didn't know, but we ended up listening to our spiritual promptings. We showed up and met the member Sister Rozario outside Giselle's house and went inside. It was Giselle's birthday and she wanted to grow closer to God. We ended up having a powerful lesson with her friend and it was made possible by this member who simply invited and wanted to help her friend. We set up 2 lessons for this week and are going to continue to teach her and her son and it was a cool miracle. Another miracle came after a lesson with our friend Candice fell through. As we were walking away, a man called out from his balcony asking what church we represented. We went up and talked with him for a while. He opened up about how much he’s been searching for spiritual and mental upliftment in his life. We shared what we call “spiritual CPR” which involves going to church, praying, and reading the scriptures daily to keep your spirit breathing. Then, as prompted, I testified that the surest way to build our foundation on Christ is through baptism, entering into that covenant with Him. As prompted by the spirit, I felt to invite him to be baptized on June 14th, and he gratefully accepted. He has some big mountains to climb before then, but we don’t climb them alone. With Christ, we can move forward and doubt not, fear not, straight toward the waters of baptism. 1 Corinthians 14:9 Paul wrote, "So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air." I’ve been thinking about that verse a lot after this week. Whether it’s explaining the Plan of Salvation to Trinity, talking to Dave on his porch, or helping Grandma Grace learn the bus route, the Spirit only carries weight when our words are clear and our intent is real. As missionaries we can’t "speak into the air." We have to speak so people actually hear with love, with simplicity, and with the Spirit. That’s how invitations turn into lessons, and lessons turn into changed hearts. The Lord is hastening His work here in Pittsburgh. Thanks for all your prayers and support. With Love, Elder Batman