This week has been so wonderful! We started biking every other day and it has been quite an adventure! Missionary work has just gone to a whole new level for us. We seriously feel like our eyes have been opened even more. It's kind of hard to explain, but I'm just really happy for the experience every once in a while.. lol. We have found all kinds of different people and although the sidewalks in Louisiana SUCK or are non-existent.. I'm loving the experience.
One bitter-sweet thing that has been going on is that we end up meeting these super awesome men, we try to start teaching them and it seems like its going good.. but then in texting they think they are just talking to me and call me "bonita" and ask if I'm married and stuff. It's honestly quite annoying to have to clarify that that is not our purpose and we're going to have to give them to the Elders if they keep it up. But its like not even just one... idk. It's frustrating, but I say it's bitter-sweet because I'm grateful they have even the slightest interest to learn more... that's whats most important! :)
I'm pretty sure I haven't shared about the French/Creole black family that we met from Haiti! One day we were looking for this less-active family (again) and they had moved and this family moved in.. so anyways.. the mom can barely understand us but she was so happy that we came and invited us in & we bore real simple basic testimony and she was telling us how she met with missionaries over 10 years ago when she lived in Haiti.. So cool!! So anyways, we were determined to try and find a french book of mormon to give her and french pamphlets. We got some from our mission office & luckily the Lord loves us a LOT -- by the way, this is NOT coincidence -- There are 2 elders who are serving in downtown New Orleans.. one is from Haiti and the other is from Africa and they speak both Creole and French! Tell me that is not a miracle?!?! We were so darn excited. The other day we went with the Elders to go teach her and even though we just sit and listen and bear little testimony, we have seen how this womans faith has increased. I am SO amazed and SO excited for them. We had this POWERFUL lesson with her and the spirit was stronger than ever before. The Lord truly has prepared her. She loves it when we come over and says it fills her home with a good feeling. I can't really explain the kind of love I feel for this family, but it amazes me how the Lord knew we were going to find her and this specific time for these elders to teach her. I mean, honestly.. the majority of the missionaries in this mission are Caucasian and from Utah. Chances of finding TWO African American elders who speak that specific language is unreal! I am so thankful!!!!!!!
We also have this woman from Nicaragua.. her name is Lucy and she goes to the English class that we teach and we have also been getting to know her better as we go over to teach her. She is SO great and has such a sincere desire to learn more but her husband told her that she can't be going to all of these different churches and he wouldn't take her to church. So we decided we were at least going to get to know her husband to find out why he was being like that. we were in her neighborhood one day and we went to knock on her door but she wasn't home -- and her husband answered the door! yayayyy!! So anyways, we got to talking and were figuring what his thoughts were and it was the COOLEST thing EVER. I'm not sure how we got on the topic, but we ended up inviting him to come to church and so he takes the paper that we have with the churches address and picture on it and he's like "I've been here before" (of course all in spanish) and then we're like WHAT?! hahahaha. and he's like.. "yeah, i dropped off one of my friends at that church twice. wow, that is God. That is a sign." So we were like jumping for joy inside like NO WAY! And then I felt really prompted to start talking about the book of mormon. So then we talked about prophets and why god calls prophets and how god calls prophets to lead his people and that it doesn't matter where you are at in the world, but he will find a way to have you led and guided by someone who he gives his authority to.. and then I asked him what he thinks happened to the people in the ancient americas and then he says "I don't know..(and asking with true curiosity, with a little smile on his face - asks..) Do you know?!" I was like well, yes, indeed we do!!! :D He takes the book of mormon and holds it to him and says, "This book is meant for me, this is exactly for me. You were sent here by God today for me" And thanks us over and over again,. My goodness. I left that place beyond ecstatic. It was such an incredible experience.. and for a little sidenote. we were at his apartment doorstep the whole time while his neighbors are blasting latin music and some of brittany spear's latest music. But did that interfere with this mans attention span or interest? Absolutely not. And you want to know why? He is SO prepared.
I really hope you all can continue to search for those miracles and little tender mercies the Lord puts in your path! He is preparing you all for something more than you could imagine. Keep growing, loving, and learning!
Love,
Sister Corina Selene Cuevas
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