The Power of a Testimony

We visited some waterfalls today.

The weeks keep moving along faster and faster than the last. I can´t believe that I´ve been here for over three months already. But really they have been some of the best ever. I love the opportunity I have every day to be a missionary and spend all my time focused on that without the worries of money, a job, girls, etc. I feel blessed to have these two years to leave all of that behind. I love being able to see people´s lives change as the Spirit of our message enters into their hearts and they begin to make changes in their lives.

This week we have seen many miracles in our work here. On Tuesday we had a great day, even though we spent most of it in the streets contacting. We met an older gentleman that day in the street, and as we started to talk to him he told us that he had no time nor any interest in what we had to share. As we persisted in trying to share what we knew would bless his life he started to change. The look of "I´m never going to change, I´m too old to change," became in an instant as we shared our thoughts about our families, an expression of hope. As we bore testimony that if he followed Jesus Christ he would be able to live for eternity with his family he started to slowly move away. He said to us, "You both are very convincing and I have to go" It wasn´t us that had convinced him but the truthfulness of our message that had touched his heart. I wish I could say that he had then given us his phone number and that we´ve been teaching him but I can´t. I can however say that I hope that the next time that he talks to missionaries he will remember what he felt when talking with us. The power of a testimony is that it can never be denied by anyone else. The way that we feel can never be denied by anyone else. In 1 Peter 3:15 we read "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" (Fear being translated in Spanish as reverence). I love this opportunity to always bear testimony of who Jesus Christ is and why He is so important to the world and all of mankind. I challenge all of you to be always willing to give an answer to those who ask why you believe what you believe.

Also this week we have been able to do a lot of service which has been a great blessing. On Tuesday we were on our way home for the night and we made one last contact before the piso. It was a woman named Marilo and she told us that she had no time to talk or anything but as we stood there and asked her more about herself and shared our testimonies of the gospel she opened up to us telling us of her beliefs, but again reminded us that she had no time to meet with us. We offered to help her as a means of service and she readily accepted. It was a great opportunity to get to know her better. Another miracle was that as we were helping her the rest of her family stopped by and we got to know them and share who we were and what we are doing here in Spain. It was really cool to see that as we serve the people they are so much more likely to listen to us than if we simply stopped them in the street. We will have the opportunity to meet with them this week to talk with them and share our great message of happiness. 

Another miracle this week was a lesson that we had with our investigator, Tania. We had an amazing lesson with her and committed her to baptism. It was a great lesson that was guided by the spirit. I am excited for her and know that as she chooses to act and do her part she will be able to receive her answer that this church is true and that baptism is the gate that leads to eternal salvation. Victor was not able to come to church this week because he was sick, which was really disappointing because it means that we must push his baptism back. Always there is something that comes up before a baptism.

Other than that for this week, just know that this is the best area in all the world and I am grateful to be here with Elder Giforos. I know that we are always happier when we are doing what is right and that as we share our testimonies they grow. The more that we share our testimonies the more we seem to have. It’s an amazing principle.

I love you all,

Elder Gustafson

Today for P-day we went to a water fall. It was super cool and had mills all along it. The hut picture is one such mill. The mill stone would turn by the power of the water running underneath the mill in little canals. It was a beautiful place.