Week #39

Hello Everyone!

This week was super awesome! I hit my 9 month mark this last week which is super crazy for me. Time is just flying by. We had a fantastic week of finding and teaching.
We had an amazing lesson with Kalof this last week with Brother Weerwind who is a recent convert. We taught him about the word of wisdom which we were a little nervous about teaching but by the end of the lesson when we extended the commitment for him to live it he goes "Ik Moet!" Which means "I have to!!!" It was just amazing and the spirit was so strong. He will be getting baptized on the 16th of April! This last week we had 101 people in church. That's the first time I have seen it over 100 on my mission. It's super strong right now and the branch is flourishing. We also had the opportunity to  have 1 of the 2 church historians in Suriname. That was just such a cool experience. My testimony about personal history keeping and about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith have just grow so much. Elder Hunt is awesome and we are just having such a good time! This week was just full of so many spiritual experiences that I don't have enough time to write about all of them. I also want to give a shout out to my amazing family who write me emails. I am sorry I always run out of time to email you all but know I love you and appreciate your reaching out to me!

Lobi Elder Lewis

Week #38

Hello Everyone,

This week was a good one! We had a very successful week. Our number one investigator came to church for the 4th time in a row!! He's getting baptized on the 16 of April and we are so excited. Kolf is on fire. He will literally do anything to follow God and is accrediting his change to the gospel and the Book of Mormon. It has been so amazing to be a part of that change in his life. We are also busy with two families right now and it's just so much fun to teach them. We are seeing slow progress with out less actives but it's okay, they are making progress and we're excited to see all of their progress. We had two very miserable days of contacting in the hot sun because literally every appointment fell though but we found some very elect people. It has been fun to see our teaching pool grow and expand and just seeing the spirit change people. Elder Hunt had to go to the dentist this week to get a permanent crown but on, he was happy that didn't have to do any drilling. We saw so many miracles with member referrals and finding. Elder Hunt and I had fasted for a new progressing investigator through contacting and we found one! His name is Perry and he's solid. He's been praying that God will show him the way and then we showed up. We are seeing him tonight so we are excited hopefully to see if he has received an answer if the Book of Mormon is true. This has been a very good week. Scripture of the week is Helaman 5:12. It talks about building your foundation upon Christ so that WHEN the winds of the devil come, you will be prepared and cannot fall. In live it is not a question of IF the temptations of the Devil come, it's WHEN they come and we must be prepared for them and if we are built upon the Rock of our Redeemer which is Christ Jesus we can not and will not fall. I know this Gospel is true with my whole heart and know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and is written for YOU. I have seen it change so many lives and that is only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I love you all and have a good week!

Lobi

Elder Lewis

Week #37

Hello Everyone!!

Transfers were on Wednesday so I am with Elder Hunt this whole week and man he is awesome!!! We are just having the best of time and he's teaching me how to be cleaner. We had an awesome week. We have finally been able to see a spark in the eyes of the less active members we have been teaching. That has just been so so so so cool. Three of them came to church so that has been super rewarding! We had 90 people in church on Sunday which was super awesome. It's been fun to watch the branch grow over these last 7 or 8 months...I have lost count how many but it's been so much fun! We have had fun sharing the scripture Enos 1:27 about how there is a place prepared for us all in the kingdom of heaven if we just do what we are supposed to do. People have really seemed to like that. My ponderize scripture for the week is Mosiah 3:19 about putting off the natural man and becoming a saint through the Atonement of Christ. This scripture is the theme of my transfer as I strive to inherit the attributes described in that verse. Meek, humble and submissiveness and willingness to submit to everything the Lord sees fit to inflict on me. I know that as we strive to become saints we will see these attributes becoming a part of us and we can permanently change our nature and not just our behaviors. I love you all and hope you all have a great week!

-Elder Lewis

Peeling something...???

District Photo

Last photo with Elder Hardy

Israelia, the cutest little girl in Suriname

My favorite fruit that I have no idea what it's called

Week #36

Hello Everyone!

This week was a fantastic one! We received transfer calls this week and I am staying in my area for a 6th transfer and getting my 4th companion in this area! I am also staying a District Leader! I am super excited to stay in this area, because there is obviously a reason why I am still here and I am determined to find that person that is waiting for the Gospel! This week I was able to work a little farther on obtaining my Visa for Suriname so that was super fun. The miracle for the week was with our investigator Kalof. He is so prepared and getting baptized on March 26th so I am super excited for that. He came to church this last week and I think loved it. That was by far the best part of the week. This week we got our hands on a Branch list and are currently going through and trying to find all the less active members. We have found like 25 people already with more to go. We are excited to continue that work. But everything is going really well and just happy as ever. 

My Ponderize scripture for the week is Alma 46:22 cross referenced with Alma 5:19. The thought for the week is over covenants. The people of the church have sworn to make a covenant unto death and that if they transgress they shall be trampled under feet just like their brethren. In this time of war among the Nephites and the Lamanites the people of the church have risen up and promised to be faithful. It makes me think of a quote that Elder Renlund shared when he came to out mission. He said, "You pledge your entire identity when you covenant." We as Latter-Day Saints must treat it as so. We have all made a covenant. Whether that be at baptism or those who have gone through the temple. It does not mater. They must be honored and cared for just like the people in the scriptures. I love all of you! Thank you so much for the emails and prayers on my behalf.

Lobi, Elder Lewis