July 16, 2012

Hey,

So this week was a fight. After leaving the internet cafe last week, we went to visit our investigators Marcos and Marìa. It was a tough lesson. We taught the last few commandments, using the scriptures and testifying a lot. It was very spiritual. And then we got to tithing. There are many verses about tithing in the Bible which we used. In Genesis 14 and 29, as well as Malachi where it asks, "will a man rob God?" They seemed to be quite sure about not robbing God, but at the same time, VERY against paying a ten percent tithing.

It is interesting because "tithing" in Spanish is "diezmo." It has the word "ten" in it. That makes it super easy to teach because it is quite obvious that God requires a ten percent offering. The problem was, they didn't want to. And they got very mad at us. We stood our ground though, telling them that the commandments of God cannot and will not be changed. They accused us of wanting nothing but their money to build our church buildings and temples, etc. And were so angry, they kicked us out of their house, telling us to leave and that they were not getting baptized.

As we left, without even closing with a prayer, I asked Marcos if I could hug him. So I did and we left.

I felt confused. We had prayed nonstop for days, we had made a lesson plan to know what to share and how to teach them well, we worried all day long and it looked as if it had blown up in our faces.

But we continued faithfully thinking, "they will get baptized."

The following day, Marcos called us during our lunch. Elder Howard and I went outside and he explained to me that they had repented and prayed all night long. He said that he had had a change of heart and desired so much to permanently change and be a better person that he and his wife were going to pay their tithing and be baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ on Saturday.

So they got baptized!!! It was fantastic. Their eyes were shining when they came out of the water and were so happy it was incredible. Marcos even cut his hair off and showed up all clean cut. They both looked so changed and happy; it was a testimony to me of the power of God in our lives if we humble ourselves and choose to obey His commandments. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true.

I'd send pictures but these computers don't have SD card slots.

Thank you for your prayers and support!

I love you all,

Elder Garrison