Dear Friends and Family!
Interesting Fact - the 8th of March is International Woman's Day! Happy Woman's Day!
This was an awesome week. We had a lot of teaching opportunities that were just priceless. After about 2 weeks, we were finally able to meet with Yulian! He hadn't come to church for 2 weeks, because of various issues, but this week were able to meet twice in the park and we got him to church again! We taught him some of the commandments, like Sabbath Day, Law of Chastity, Scripture Study, Prayer, and everytime we asked him to do those things, he says, "I want to do those things". What kind of better response can there be? Anyway, He is already in the Book of Mosiah, almost finished. He remembers names and places and dates really well. He one time shocked us by saying that Lorenzo Snow lived in Brigham City, and various other things. He is really prepared and ready. He will be getting baptized this Sunday.
We got a Media Referral from Mormon.org. It is a 90 year old man and his caretaker, Joel and Tatiana. Joel is a Polish man who lived in San Francisco for 50 years and knows English, Russian, and Polish perfectly. He is a survivor of Auswicz and experienced a lot. He just loves us and the church. He knew a lot about us already, and he really wanted a Book of Mormon in Polish and Russian. He has lots of doubts about God, but he did say, "I am 90 years old. Convert me quick!". He is a jolly old guy that you just instantly love. His caretaker is a nice Russian lady as well. Well actually she is Latvian, but speaks only Russian. He is one of the highlights this week.
We started teaching Pasha, who came to church this last week. (The son who we visited in the hospital). That was also a great lesson, but he sees the Book of Mormon not terribly needed. He is looking for the meaning of life! The weird/cool/miracle thign that happened was that we talked to his cousin on the street the day after. We are now teaching him as well. On the second lesson, his cousin, Roma, was present. The Gardiners were there and we had a very spiritual meeting about what the Book of Mormon is. We explained that in John 10:16. that the Nephites are the other sheep that he speaks about. Jesus was called to preach to the house of Israel, not the Gentiles. There were other sheep that were NOT of that fold in Jerusalem, and this is their record. Pasha's and Roma's minds were so enlightened, and it was just an awesome lesson.
Our family is not doing that hot, to be honest. Everything we have taught them has kind of gone out the door. They are willing to meet, but not willing to do anything, like going to church, or reading. So it makes it really difficult to try to help them progress to baptism. In fact, nearly impossible. But we are going to still work with them!
Elder Abbott developed a hilarious new technique to contact - Streetlighting. There is a large intersection next to our apartment with 6 crosswalk lights. So we go in circles and talk to with people at the lights; they can't move and they can't cross, so they are stuck and have to talk to us. That is how we found Roma actually. I commented that he had a cool bike, we just started hitting it off. Missionary work is really the coolest. You are just talking to hundreds and hundreds of people every month.
We then, right after church, took a long, hot, and cramped bus ride back to Peter. We were stuck in traffic for about an hour and a half. But, the neat thing is, we made it to Peter safe and sound. We had an amazing Zone Leader Council with President Lawrance from the Quorum of the Seventy. It was just amazing and I took a lot of notes. I have a big Zone Conference that I have to conduct tomorrow, after which we are racing back to Pskov. I think every single week this transfer, we have traveled... It happens.
Well that is it for this week! I love love love being a missionary here. I have learned so much, and I continue to learn. Just feeling the Spirit's presence in everything you do and doing everything you can possible do to keep His presence is the most fulfilling and awesome work ever. The Church is true! That is something that I will never forget or deny. This is Christ's Church once again restored on this Earth.
Love,
Elder Tekulve
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