Elder Logan Hendrix: Week 22: Spiritual Gut Punch

This week was crazy!!! So much to share!

So we're teaching a Venezuelan named Eddy. He's super cool! He's been reading a lot and really wants to learn! He's super evangelical and really knows his bible, so developing a testimony of the Book of Mormon is a struggle for him... But he's doing good! He loves meeting with us and discussing our beliefs! We met with him this week and had a super good lesson! He's so interested! He even takes notes during our teaching. Anyway, at one point in the lesson, I had some trouble finding some words in Spanish. He would help me out a ton and was super respectful, and I explained to him that I'm still learning. And then he responds, in perfect English, "Oh well we can just speak English if you want." What the heck dude. Turns out this guy is actually an English teach in Madrid. It was super funny haha. But yeah this guy is awesome. We invited him to come play fútbol on Wednesday night, and he came! We play every week with the youth/investigators/less actives. We had a ton of fun! Until I accidentally nailed a 5 year old in the stomach with the ball. Oops. I scored though. Cool stuff. He's ok.

Here's a crazy story! We watched a big truck drive into an overpass of a bridge. I don't think he realized his truck was too tall.... But he lost like half the truck. It kinda just fell apart. I hate when that happens.

SPIRITUAL STORY NUMBER UNO

Elder Hendrix and Jerson

We had a mission day with the youth this week! All the missionaries went on splits with the youth. I got to spent the entire day with a priest named Jerson, who can't speak a lick of English, but he's a stud! He and Elder Bartholomew's companion came over Thursday at 7 in the morning to work out with us, have personal study, then companionship study, and then we got to work. Me and Jerson had a super great day together! We saw so many miracles! Like check out this sweet story... We spent the entire afternoon contacting people on the streets. Jerson seemed a bit discouraged about how little success we had. He opened up to me about feeling really doubtful toward his mission. He said he really has no desire to go and that he just feels so pressured to do this. He's turning 18 this year and doesn't know what to do. I did my best explaining to him how amazing the mission really is and how great of a blessing it can be. We found a bench and sat down for a second and said a prayer together. We started walking again, and not even 30 seconds later, Jerson stops. He turned to me and said we have to turn around. And so we did so, and within a few minutes we found a man sitting on a curb. Jerson approached him and introduced us as missionaries, and they just started talking! And didn't stop! Jerson taught him the entire first lesson! And placed a Book of Mormon! And got his address! The dude gave Jerson a big hug and said thank you so much. This guy had never even heard of our church. As we walked away, Jerson just started shouting I'm going on a mission! I have to! I want to! And he was just so happy and excited! That night, all the mini missionaries gathered at the church and we had a little testimony meeting, and Jerson just killed it. He talked about how this guy on that bench answered his question about serving a mission. He talked about how it was no coincidence that he turned around. It was a prompting of the spirit, and he recognized it. Ah he's a freaking stud. I'm so proud of this kid! He said he doesn't know whether or not that man will continue meeting with us or be baptized, but he does know for sure that he's going on a mission. Ah it was such a sweet day!

SPIRITUAL STORY NUMBER DOS

A few months ago, I went on an exchange with Elder Phillips. He and I had only been in Spain for about a month, so we were still far from being able to comfortably express ourselves in Spanish. We taught a woman named Ruth from the Dominican Republic that we had met in the street a few weeks prior. I was reading in my journal this morning about that day, remembering how awkward it was. I remember we made our best attempt to teach her about the restoration of he gospel. We had given her a Book of Mormon and invited her to read. (At least I think we did) I have no idea how much she understood from what we were trying to teach, but she was super nice about it! That week, she left for Italy for 2 months, so we lost contact. Well a few days ago, we got a phone call. It was Ruth. She said she had returned from Italy and would like us to come to her piso asap. And so we rushed over that afternoon. We sat down with her and talked for a little bit, then had a prayer. We asked her if she had the chance to read at all in the Book of Mormon. She was silent for a few seconds. The spirit filled the room. I will never forget her response. "Yes. I finished it. And it's true." Ruth had read the Book of Mormon, prayed about it, and received an answer. She's getting baptized next month. I've had goosebumps for like 3 days now haha. But as I reflect on this miracle, I am reminded the importance of teaching by the spirit. Elder Phillips and I may not have known very much Spanish a few months ago, but we didn't need to. Ruth felt something that day. And look where is she is now because of it. Ahh being a missionary is the greatest thing ever!! I love how powerful the Book of Mormon is! It changes lives! As Moroni promises, if you read the Book of Mormon and ponder its teachings with real intent to learn, you will receive a testimony of its truthfulness through the power of the Holy Ghost. Like Ruth, I know that this promise is true. I love so much witnessing the effect that this book has on others. Ruth is moving to Italy next week, but has made the commitment to continue reading and praying and reach that baptismal date. She has actually already contacted the missionaries there and is excited to work with them. THE GOSPEL IS AMAZING.

So we've got an exciting week ahead of us! We've got a lot of lessons scheduled. I'm so pumped and super happy to be here!

Les amo muchísimo!!! Les echo de menos a todos un montón. Gracias por todo de su amor y apoyo. Hasta ver!

Btw, today for P day, we went to a town south of Madrid called Toledo and went on an awesome hike. Here's a picture!

Un abrazo,

Elder Hendrix