Hi, Dec. 18th, 2008
Another week has flown by. The weather is still cold with some rain. Our area is doing very well. We’ve started teaching another family in the southern area of our area – the suburbs. It’s called the country by the rich people in our area who retreat there on weekends, but it still very expensive. The family is living in humble circumstances. The apartment (including kitchen and 4 inhabitants) is close to the size of a double bed hotel room. We sat on the floor and taught. They feed us the whole time – a very kind gesture of respect. We appreciate it, but are full and beyond. I can hardly walk after having my legs crossed Indian style for 2 hours, but I love the family. The 8 year old is very hyper and runs around naked as we teach. The mom is a poet and gave us a signed book which has 10 of her poems – another gesture of kindness. The people in the southern part are much kinder and approachable. The father is well read in the bible and actually uses it to back up what we say comes out of the book of Mormon. The parents said that we are angels sent to them. The 20 year old son sits at the computer the whole time – he wants to be a progammer. I’ve been given a part in our Christmas party program. I will play god and read 6 lines in a deep Korean voice. It should be fun. Many of the other people we teach are in their 20’s. All seem to be very bright. Many attend what seems to be one of the best universities in Korea. During our English program time, I am amazed at the genius minds of these people. One of the kids will major in philosophy and writes essays in his free time. He is amazed that we are learning Korean - he says “It’s not even an essential language.” He compared us to Christ’s apostles. We told him we try to live like Christ but are not worthy of such a statement. One of the girls is studying Chinese Studies and is fluent in 3-4 languages. She is very quick. We are questioned on everything we teach, but she seems to like it. She feels that all religions are true. We explained that all have truth but only one has all of the truth and is God’s church. Many people are very impressed that we do not get paid. We lost many investigators do to false statements and pressure from their preachers or ministers. The investigator will even admit that they believe that what we are saying but just can’t join our church because of family pressure. It is very heart breaking. Church is very much a business here, and many of the people to do not like it. We bring a very different religion, free from the desire for money or status. It is God’s church, not mans’.
One man we are teaching is 44 yrs old, divorced and studying American studies in a grad. program. He is very well read in our religion. He has no religion b/c he has never agreed with other Christian faiths description of the plan and God. He felt God is not fair if things are so black and white with heaven and hell. He loved the plan that we taught him. He told me how he’s read about Brigham Young and the exodus of the saints. He felt very bad that such persecution had existed in a country that proclaims religious freedom. He was very impressed that we held to our beliefs, despite the persecution. He’s also read about our social and charity efforts in America; specifically mentioning our work in New Orleans after the hurricane. He read about it in Time magazine. He also said he read that Pres. Bush thinks favorably of our church. I was surprised that he had read so much. It goes to show that our actions are seen by many people. Knowing that our stake was apart of these clean up efforts gives chills to my spine. This is God’s church. Even someone thousands of miles away, in Korea, has read about our work. The favorable impression that he has of the church comes a lot from the efforts of the members of my home stake.
We are a light on a hill, our light shall not be hid, but shall be for all to see and come unto. He is very interested in our church. Our actions each and everyday are so noticed, even in distant lands. Thank you to all the church members who have contributed time and money to these welfare and charitable efforts. I love you all. Thanks for your letters and prayers. Remember, people are searching for truth. After all, Righteousness is happiness. And who doesn’t want to be happy?
Love,Elder Britsch
No comments:
Post a Comment