It's raining a lot out here and starting to cool down a little, but i'ts mostly just hot. I am not sure what to write about today since transfers were supposed to happen, but everybody is staying in the same area. It's kinda funny, there is absolutely no changes in companions or areas. Some elders are kinda miffed about that because their companions are not the greatest and they tend to have problems. So that's interesting. We have an elder in our house who thinks he is the best missionary in the world, but his companion could probably tell him otherwise. ha ha. But hey, that's the way it is. I think this is a good opportunity to learn how to trust our leaders and make sure we are following what they say and become more obedient in the mission. The more President Kretly does, the more I believe he is an inspired leader. It seems like when you look back in the end, everything he has done is for our good and has benefited us in some way , although its hard to see it in the moment.
As for this past week, not much has happened, but I did have another experience with doing contacts again. It just seems like every time I set out to do something with a goal in mind and include the Lord in on it, I can do so many great things. We had a lot of contacts to do to get to our goal like over 20 in one hour and that's almost near impossible usually. I had an idea to pray first that we could reach our goal and it just seemed like out of nowhere, every person that we met was meeting the requirements that we were looking for. It was crazy and a really big testimony builder. I can't fail when I include the Lord in my work and give my best. It's a simple truth and it works. It's so simple I am surprised I haven't come across it before. It's like 2 plus 2 equals four and I know without a doubt that it works. You just have to pay attention to see it working. As for our investigators, I think I need to figure out the formula a little better for that one. We are having trouble getting people to church and figuring out how to best get them closer to Christ and also getting them to commit to the things that they say they will do. It's superannoying to go to somebody's house time after time and tell them to do the same thing over and over and over again because they keep forgetting or they don't have the faith or some other excuse :P (I know, I know, it's payback for all the times I did that), but I have learned my lesson or at least I think I have. I just want to learn that lesson so I don't have to deal with it any more or find an effective way to get people to follow through. I think I have found the answer in D&C section 121 (that's a really good section). At the last part it talks about maintaining leadership and directing other people, but these positions can not be held by force. You may initially gain them by force, but you will never hold on to them that way. So I think the solution is in the long suffering, meekness, kindness and love unfeigned. It makes sense right? No one wants you leading them if you're just a jerk the whole time. So how can I expect to lead others to baptism if I am not willing to do those same things? I am not saying don't be firm (I still believe in tough love ha ha), but be considerate and pay attention. Don't give advice before you have heard the whole story. Just like you want your answer to be understood, other people want to feel they have been listened to. I believe that is the source of most arguments. When people just want to get out and say what they want to say first and don't necessarily care what the other one said. You would get mad too if that was you. One of the greatest commandments that Jesus Christ gave us all was AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, LOVE ONE ANOTHER. It's so simple... use the golden rule and your problems at large could very well be solved. If you just check your natural man at the door. It's kinda funny how you can put yourself in the way of helping other people. It's not enough just to say you love someone, but it's better if you show it. I think maybe I should get off my soap box and get to work! ha ha ha
Anyway, happy anniversary (para bens) Mom and Dad. I hope this year is filled with lots of blessing and lots of learning experiences, and I only say learning experiences because that's what we are here to do, right? ha ha But I love you guys and I am glad I have awesome parents like you two. I learn the most when you two are together and when I hear the hymn, "Love at Home" I think about my home and the people I live with and who they are to me, but especially about how much I learn from my parents and how hard they have worked to get me to where I am right now. It's because of those 24 years of marriage in the house of the Lord that I can sit here in some obscure country in Africa and write a really long letter to you. I am glad that Heavenly Father saw fit to give me such good examples as parents. Sorry if it sounds like I am bragging a bit, but I have to, they are my parents and as far as I am concerned they are the best. So, happy anniversary mom and dad.
To answer some questions: the biggest surprise for me here in Africa has probably got to be the people and the culture. I could not even try to explain one- tenth of a hundred things that happen here and at that you probably wouldn't believe me. It really is kinda like a different world over here and crazy things happen so often its hard to tell you anything because I have gotten so used to it. It's nothing like you think it is, but then again, it's everything like you think it is. The culture is rich here and sometimes that can be a problem because most people still believe in witch doctors or things like that, so that gets a little annoying, but hey, all you can do is teach with the spirit and hope they are listening.
Probably one of the the best things about my companion is his ability to speak Portuguese. People actually think he's Brazilian, but he's not, he's from Chile. He also walks pretty fast, so I get a work out every day! ha ha ha ha I do admire his ability to say exactly what he wants in the language. It really gives me hope that I might be able to do the same thing one day. He also likes to cook, which I don't have a problem with.... ha ha ha
Well, I think I have made this letter long enough, so I think I will close.
Love you guys,
Elder Proksch
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