Elder Olsen was all packed and ready to go for Ethiopia. We did a long road trip of 4 and a half hours to Birmingham which is where the airport is. One last thing we needed to do was a quick COVID test so he could actually get on the plane. We felt a little sick earlier that week, but we figured it was just a common cold or maybe a stomach flu so we were confident. The doctor did the whole cotton swab nose thing and of course, out of all 11 months Elder Olsen has been in Alabama, he chose now to be positive for COVID-19. We call our Mission President to try and find out what we can do. He said "Well... Turn back to Daphne then." Wow. That's 4 and a half hours in the opposite direction and now we gotta tell our district leader that our whole District has been exposed to it. They're gonna have to quarantine. Of course, we should be used to being locked inside as missionaries since a lot of us did experience the brink of the beginning of quarantine, but it's still not a joyful time. I was supposed to get a new companion, but he was told to stay put in his old area since he can't be with us just yet. As of right now, we just made it through our quarantine and we haven't gotten word on when Elder Olsen will be able to leave. Not being able to taste or smell much is pretty crap but it is what it is.
On to a brighter note, Daphne is booming right now! We teach non-stop in this area, I can't say I've ever been busier on my mission. We had a baptism in a swimming pool a week or so ago since the water pipes in the church broke all of the sudden. It was with a little girl named S in a part-member family. I don't know if I've talked about her, but even though she's only 10 years old, she been drinking coffee and tea since she was 4. It was a literal sacrifice for her to make in order to be baptized and she was so willing after some convincing. She told us later on "I gave up coffee and tea for God 🤷♀️." Yes you did and He's very proud. I was able to confirm her right as soon as she got out of the pool in a beach chair. Crazy experience, definitely won't forget it.
We've got another guy named J that knows so much about the church and wants to legitimately be baptized, he just has a super busy life and it's frustrating. He's got a wife and 3 kids and he said if you can get me baptized, I'm bringing my family with me. The problem is that we can't meet with him as much as we need to! We had a church tour with him and taught the Restoration and he fully believes it! He said "why would I doubt that God would call another prophet? Makes good sense to me." I hope that a way can be paved so that his schedule can be freed up.
I think that's all for now. We do a lot of member work in making sure active members stay active and less actives come back. It can be scary at times to be bold with less actives and help them remember their testimonies, but we don't have time to be fearful. I heard a quote that says "to worry is to lack in faith." I've definitely been trying to be a more bold, confident missionary recently. If you're bold with love, you can never be too bold. That's the truth.
Have a blessed week,
No comments:
Post a Comment