Hey Everyone that I love!
Wow. This week was most definitely one of the craziest and most miraculous that I've had. So here's the rundown:
On monday, Elder Rapata and I travelled down to Gaerwen, which is on the Isle of Anglessey in Wales. Because it's so far away, we both went there to go on exchange with the Elders. It was great. Really pretty country down there. And it's proper Welsh. We spent Monday evening and Tuesday there, and then on Wednesday morning, we travelled even deeper into Wales to Porthmadog. Now that is Wales. There were many people there who English was their second language, Welsh being the first. Their Welsh was better than their English. Crazy. I thought Gaerwen was way Welsh. Amazing. Such a neat language. It doesn't look like it would make any sense, thought. Too many consonants.
Anyway, Porthmadog is a branch and there hasn't been any missionaries there for about 6 years, and this is the first transfer that they have opened it up in that time. We were all very excited to see that. I have never seen members who love missionaries more than the Porthmadog members. they are willing to do anything to keep the missionaries in the branch. It was humbling to see the joy on their faces when we knocked on their doors. Incredible. Plus, it's absolutely gorgeous down there. Wales is a very mystically beautiful place.
We got back to Chester on Thursday. It was nice to be back in our own area again. On friday, we were street contacting by an army base, and we met a man named Louie whose wife is a less active member. They are from St. Vincent, and island in the caribbean. He invited us to his home and we taught him. He is so great! We've taught him again since then and he is reading the Book of Mormon! It's amazing!
As soon as we got out of that lesson, we spoke to the first person that we saw, a man talking on his mobile phone. He just brushed us off, but after he walked about 100 yards, he turned around, hung up the phone, and called us over to him. His name is Mate (pronounced "Mahtay") and he is from Fiji! (Elder Rapata was thrilled to meet another Islander) Turns out he has been having weird dreams that have made him think about God more. He figured that us walkinglking about Jesus was a sign from God for him to listen to us. Absolutely amazing how the Lord works, innit? I love it!
Yesterday, we taught a man named Michael for the 2nd time. He has some special needs and lives in an assisted living place. But his understanding and retention of what we taught is amazing! Usually they don't let us go into his house, but there was a South African woman there who was a Christian, so she let us come in. I love it! Sometimes the Lord's prepared people are not the ones that we expect. Michael has such a tender spirit, it's amazing to be with him.
God is so great. It truly is amazing and humbling to be a part of this work. I am so grateful for the Gospel and the power and truth that it brings to our lives. It's fantastic!
I love you all so much! I hope you have a great week and that you all are safe! Keep up the good work and Keep the Faith! I love it!
Love,
Elder Ashcraft
