Missionary Slim: Get's an education in world religions (Week 26 in Pennsylvania, Week 8 in Pittsburgh, PA)

The devil has been hard at work this week. We've been contending left and right with all kinds of people. Some of them turned out pretty good, others were just downright nasty.

1. A member of the Gideons stopped us and started talking to us. After he introduced himself, I pulled out my own mini Gideon bible which I've been carrying around. He was impressed, but then jumped right into his attack - "I know what you're doing is good and all, but I've read part of the Book of Mormon and know that it isn't the word of God, and I also know that Joseph Smith was a false prophet..."

I AM SO SICK OF PEOPLE SAYING THAT!

I drilled him with testimony, very similar to when I bore testimony to Todd a few months ago in Lebanon. He tried to say some anti-mormon stuff, he tried to refer us to a book written by an apologetic of the church (someone who left, and is now against the true Church of Jesus Christ), he used a few scripture references ("The bible says dont add to or take away from it." Elder Walker jumped right in and corrected him: "Yeah, it says that in both the last chapter of Revelation and in Deuteronomy 2.") We thanked him kindly for sharing, bore more testimony. He then asked if there was any way he could pray for us. I told him not to pray for us, but to pray for the people who don't know about the Gospel. We left on good terms.

2. A Muslim stopped us and gave us a pamphlet about Muhammed and the Qu'ran. He was super nice, and super friendly ("Why aren't you Muslim?" "Why aren't you Christian?") This was the kind of conversation which pretty much was a compare and contrast - not an argument. It was good. He gave us a copy of the Qu'ran and we gave him a Book of Mormon. He fully intends to read it too. Plus, the pamphlet he gave us smelled like incense - he gets bonus points for that! So, that was actually a cool conversation.

3. Right after that, we ran into some Jehovah's Witnesses. They just went on and on and on! There was no way we could even attempt to bear testimony to those people. When we did, the spirit was definitely there, but as soon as we were done, they drove it away with their arguments against what I said to them. They seemed like robots, at least one of them did. The other one was much nicer, more friendly (more human). We eventually had to just say "We have to go," and I tried to end it on good terms by complimenting their missionary work. THEY JUST KEPT CONTENDING! So we just turned heels and walked away.

4. The worst of all came last. We walked by a few dark skinned guys with a video camera wearing Hebrew getup, and they stopped us. The conversation started out nice and friendly - they asked what we believe and we told them we believe in Jesus Christ, and the atonement. Then they went off. They told us that black people were in reality Jews (not uncommon around here, lots of churches around here are based on that idea), and that all white people are going to eternal punishment. They told us that we were not covered by Christ's mercy. We tried to testify of the opposite and use scriptures, but they'd just yell back at us. And they had it all on camera. Our saving grace came when another black guy came out with a megaphone and started reciting the Lord's prayer. With that distraction, we escaped.

Regardless of those unfortunate incidents, we had an awesome week.

We taught an awesome guy named Michael. He was actually found by the sister missionaries in charge of young single adults, and after they started teaching him, they found out that he's actually too old. So, we got to teach him. The lesson went fantastic! He was writing stuff down in his notebook, asked the best questions, and had incredible insights. Best of all, he accepted to come to church, and meant it!

It gets better, though. He actually did come to church yesterday and *bore his testimony!* No kidding. He got up, introduced himself, said it was his first time attending, and then bore a beautiful testimony of the atonement, humility, and the things he's been learning. Everyone was floored (the ward mission leader even texted us during the meeting to ask who this guy is.) Members came up and shook his hand, thanked him for his testimony. He was really happy to be there too, and was really appreciating the fellowship. It was a super positive experience.

The one problem with all of that - he actually isn't supposed to be in our ward. He's supposed to be in another ward which meets in the same building, but at a different time. Because we were not teaching him in his home but still in our area, we assumed he lived in our area. But when he gave us his address and we looked it up, he in fact does not. We were super bummed.The other Elders were there, waiting until after sacrament meeting so they could be introduced to him and we could pass him over to them. We were disappointed, but still glad because - hey! - he is still getting baptized into the one true church! But, not only would we have loved to teach him, but he would have been a great addition to the ward I'm serving in. Oh well. I'm just grateful I was able to teach him that one lesson and hear his awesome testimony. We'll work hard and find someone in our own area as awesome as he is.

We got a text on our phone about somebody who actually called the number on one of the literally hundreds of cards that we've been giving out. He lives about as far away from us as he could, but we still trekked out to meet with him. His name is Mickey, and boy, does he have a sense of humor. He was slightly intoxicated too, but he seems to have some good interest. We'll see where this goes.

Karen is a sweetheart. I think I mentioned her before - she lives right down the street from us, and is always super friendly. Well, this week she topped the cake with a cherry. It was her birthday, and she was having a party. Knowing we couldn't come (mainly because of the alcohol), but not wanting to leave us out, she gave us huge plates of food, and another appointment to teach her! Nice!

I'll mention Brenda too. She's doing good. We had a nice sit-down with her where we watched a DVD about the Restoration. She still really wants to know if it's true, but she just doesn't have the time or energy to do it. We're starting to get frustrated because we keep asking her to do things, which she says she will, but she doesn't follow through. That's always a bummer. Your prayers in her direction would certainly be appreciated. She's got a ton of potential - we just need her to act on what we're teaching her.

One more thing. A long long time ago, in an area far away, I taught a lovely Cambodian family. Well, I just got word today that Rebecca got baptized! Yep! Elder Blake was kind enough to text me and let me know about it, which made me so happy. Elder Walker's been having a hard time with feeling like his efforts are even worth anything, because we haven't had any baptisms yet. Despite the fact that we haven't seen any immediate success, I know that our efforts are not in vain. We are making a huge difference in the lives of everyone we see. Even those people who we don't talk to about the Gospel are influenced by our example and our kindness.

Even those people who contended with us were affected by us - if they opened their hearts to the spirit. All to often, people compliment us for our dedication and commitment to our faith. On average, it takes 7 encounters with missionaries before someone is willing to hear the message. I know that as long as I am setting a good example and impression, many people I talk to will eventually accept the Gospel. Sometimes I reap - sometimes I sow. Just as long as I am working towards building the Lord's Kingdom, I can feel good about my service.

I know that I am a terrible missionary - there is no way I live up to everything I'm supposed to, or do everything perfectly. That's okay. That's life! We're human. What I can do is the best that I can, and let the Lord take care of the rest. In fact, he's already done it all. I just have to strive to be worthy for him to bless me.

Still, all of you praying that we find an investigator like Michael would be neat. ;)

Thanks again for your continued support, encouragement, and love. It means the world to me.

Love,
Elder Anderson, AKA Missionary Slim