In 1 Nephi 8 it states that a vapor of darkness came upon all those in Lehi's dream, blinding them from the tree of life or the love of God. They needed to continue to press forward grasping to the rod of iron, or the word of God to feel of that love. If they lost focus at anytime they would wander off and become lost.
This week we experienced our own vapors of darkness...literally. Some of you might remember a few weeks back I mentioned about suffering for Christ and how we didnt have water. (We still dont have water) and for the past 2 weeks our generator has been broken and to top it all of our solar batteries decided to die on us last week. And those that have forgotten Kailahun is 3 hours from the next city with missionaries and 7 hours from the mission home, so its not easy for things to get fixed easier out here. So that past few days when the sun goes down it becomes very dark.
Sometimes that fact that we don't have water or electricity and that its hot is very discouraging. But thinking of Lehi's dream as well as when Christ command us to "take up or cross and follow [Him]" makes it a lot easier. As I have learned a lot about the Gospel itself while being here. I have come to a greater understanding of what it means to put Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ first. And I am happy to say and testify that there is last joy and happiness for putting Them first.
Enough about my problems though, this week we were able to help a lot of people with their problems as well.
Kailahun continues to never disappoint with what you see and experience. The idea of integrity or telling the truth just does not apply here which makes it frustrating when you contact over 40 people and everyone tells you that they will come visit on Sunday, and not a single one comes. But I am still grateful for the chance that I have to share about The Restoration of the Gospel. The mission has put a big focus on contacting people with The First Vision, in response to the bicentennial celebration. I love it too. It is so fun to be bold and just speak what I know. My favorite moment this week was teaching one YSA woman about Joseph Smith. The only question that she had at the end was "Did this actually happen? ". It was awesome to be able to tell her that I know for a fact that on that spring morning in 1820, Joseph Smith saw our Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. How I know that through Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith was called as a prophet to open the last dispensation. And that through him the Lords Kingdom was once again established on the earth as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Its little things like that that make not having water and electricity okay.
This week I also had the chance to go on exchange with Elder Sabau. He lives with us in our apartment and the four of us are all in the same branch but it was still nice to be able to give him some advice and help him as he continues to train his companion and grow. We went into his area and it was a really nice and we both were able to learn a lot from each other.
Elder Gittins is still crazy and funny so we are still enjoying and working hard. Also there is a guy from Colorado here that is doing some small business start hep here, dont ask it confuses me too, but he went and graduated from Gonzaga. So Im still deciding if I should rub it in his face that BYU is just the more dominant team. Thoughts?
Elder Hendricks
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