3rd Week in Genoa

Dear Family,

We tried something that Anziano Barnes and Ibba did a few weeks ago- visualizing seven new investigators that we would find for the upcoming week. During weekly programming, we took a little extra time to think about their spiritual and temporal needs, their physical and spiritual characteristics.

 After lunch, we headed out to the park. After a half hour we found number one on our list. She met the following pre-inspired description- yellow shirt, single african woman who would readily understand the need for the Book of Mormon. Check. She was more than happy to set up an appointment at her house for that week. Fast forward a week, she has come to church and has a baptismal date!

Okay, let's go back to our finding experience at the park last Friday...after an hour, we saw a man sitting on a bench without shoes. We did not know why, but in planning the night before we knew we needed to find someone without shoes. As we approached and began a conversation with him, we were a bit confused because he was not making sense. It seemed as if he was high on drugs. After wrapping that up, we turned around and flash, Darwin walked towards us. We shook his hand and delivered our pre-planned power statement- "This life is an opportunity to change and become a better person." He immediately asked us to sit down with him on a vacant bench. Darwin opened up and said, "For a month I have not wanted to talk to anyone about this, but since I do not know you two I feel more comfortable talking about it. My wife and son left me because I have not treated them well. After they left, I've started to turn to God. I want to change and repent so badly." As he talked and cried you could feel his sorrow, and great desire to come to Christ....

I will not relate our entire experience but Darwin fit the perfect description of our second investigator on our list. As expected, he was a 35 year old man who needed the power of the Atonement in his life. We had a powerful lesson with him and a family in our ward yesterday.

These miracles bear testimony to me of the blessings that come from planning prayerfully and specifically. Heavenly Father is capable of guiding us when we were first show our desire to be prepared for who he places in our path. There is no doubt that He is guiding our planning and our work. He is helping Sorella McFadden and I to know His children on a deeper level.

Lots of love!
 
Sorella Oakes