DaJiaHao!
What a week! So many memories, many of which have become highlights of my mission!
We had my first Mission Tour in the field this week, conducted by Elder Scott D. Whiting of the Seventy. The meeting was a great positive experience for me. It inspired me to be a little more committed to this work then I currently am. I sometimes struggle with the thoughts of if I'm doing enough or how I can better improve myself. Elder Whiting had some very powerful things to say, for which I am grateful. I also got to provide a special musical number, "This Is The Christ," which was great!
My favorite part of the week was our Visitor's Center lesson. A week ago we received a phonecall from Pres. Frandsen, asking us to teach a man and his son who'd come from China to investigate the church. Fridaymorning, we rove up to Oakland and were introduced to Bros. Liang WenFeng (father) and Liang YangShou (son). Bro. Pinkerton, their member connection to the States, accompanied them on the visit. He informed us that Bro. Liang WenFeng is a very well-noted businessman, and was interested in helping to open the doors for the gospel to be preached in China! Thus, he had come to meet with the missionaries and learn a little more about the church. Elder Li and I both felt terrified and so excited: we are the only companionship of missionaries currently in the mission that both share experience e with living in the Mainland, and we had waited for an opportunity like this for EVER! In some small way, I feel that Friday's proceedings were one of many reasons why I was called to this mission. China means so much to me, and the idea that I could have a small part of opening the doors to the preaching of the gospel there is something remarkable!
My favorite part of the week was our Visitor's Center lesson. A week ago we received a phonecall from Pres. Frandsen, asking us to teach a man and his son who'd come from China to investigate the church. Fridaymorning, we rove up to Oakland and were introduced to Bros. Liang WenFeng (father) and Liang YangShou (son). Bro. Pinkerton, their member connection to the States, accompanied them on the visit. He informed us that Bro. Liang WenFeng is a very well-noted businessman, and was interested in helping to open the doors for the gospel to be preached in China! Thus, he had come to meet with the missionaries and learn a little more about the church. Elder Li and I both felt terrified and so excited: we are the only companionship of missionaries currently in the mission that both share experience e with living in the Mainland, and we had waited for an opportunity like this for EVER! In some small way, I feel that Friday's proceedings were one of many reasons why I was called to this mission. China means so much to me, and the idea that I could have a small part of opening the doors to the preaching of the gospel there is something remarkable!
The meeting itself was a little interesting. It seemed more like a business transaction that an actual teaching scenario. Though very intrigued by the temple and the presentations at the VC, Bro. Liang constantly asked Elder Li and I "How can I help you?" We didn't really know what to think, so we both shared our experiences of living in the Mainland as active members, and from what we've experienced needs to be done from here. It was an incredible experience, and I pray that it is the start of something very special.
(Please note: this does not mean in any way that the gospel will now be available to China. We simply fulfilled our assignment, and I have no other information as to the future of China and its relationship to the church! That is all! But still, HOW COOL IS THAT?!?!)
Elder Li and I have talked a lot about trying to find new ways to find. We have been struggling with that for a while now; it seems like whenever we get a new investigator, after our first meeting, they are blown off the face of the earth...I guess I need to be more patient with that. But until then, we will try some new locations for finding this week, in a hope to reach out to someone! In an effort this week, we managed to stumble onto a Bible Discussion Group on the campus of San Francisco State University, and they welcomed us warmly. We talked to a guy named Chris about the Book of Mormon, and he had a lot of challenging questions. It was a cool way to spend our early afternoon.
We've also spent more time with our Branch this week. One of our sisters had a baby shower for her first son who is due in January, and we had a fun game night with our YSA members, where we played a game called "Secret Hitler." Simply put, its a game where everyone receives and identity and then everyone has to figure out who Hitler is. It was a LOUD night!
Love to you all! Things are good, a little wet and a little lacking of a teaching pool, but good. Have a fantastic week!
TianFu Ai NiMen!
Elder Butters/Bao ZhangLao
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