This week has been such a great week! SO many miracles and so much work was done and I am so EXCITED for what the Lord has in store for us! Actually, I’m a little bit nervous too... Today is the day where transfer calls go out and I am a little nervous on whether or not I am going to be getting a call or not...SCARY!
Anyway, we had a super awesome week! This past week, I have truly gained a testimony of the power of fasting. It was this past Thursday when I decided to fast, in hopes of finding someone who is prepared to receive the gospel and that we may cross paths with them. It was a long day of finding and inviting people to learn more but we just could not find anyone that was prepared to receive the gospel. We went and contacted a couple formers. One of them was pretty cool. Owns a computer shop here in Port Alberni. Wasn't really that interested though. He went on and on about the free masonry and the church. I honestly don't remember half of the conversation because he was speaking nerd and using all of these sophisticated words. Anyway, soon after that appointment, we went out finding again, and end up on running into this guy named Francois (Fran-swah). Really nice guy. We start talking and he just basically spews out his whole life story and how he had been in an armed robbery, did a lot of drugs and alcohol, but that he has been clean from it for 18 months. The man went on and on about his life, and how he really wanted to change it. We testified what we knew to be true, and talked to him a little about our church, and told him about the power of the atonement right on the spot. All of the sudden, everything got quiet. Now, when things get quiet, you know that the spirit is working on someone. I also gained a testimony of the power of silence as well. Anyway, the silence lasted about 20 seconds give or take. He was kind of half bent over, and he really seemed to be concentrating really hard, and we couldn't see his face. Another couple seconds passed by and he raised himself up. We could see that he was crying. I have never seen someone so lost in my life, and I could see that this man truly wanted to change. There have been very few moments on my mission where I have felt the feelings that I felt at that moment. The feelings I felt, I believe, were comparable to how the Savior and our Heavenly Father feels when we are lost or scared. I felt a deep residing sadness for this man, and it was truly unmistakable that that was how the Savior and our Heavenly Father feels for him. The sadness prolonged for about a minute, and that's when Elder Zieler asked Francois if it would be okay if he said a prayer right then and there. As he said the prayer, on probably one of the busiest streets in Port Alberni, with people walking by and buses and cars driving by every minute, I could feel the spirit so strongly. I don't remember the words, and Francois or Elder Zieler probably doesn’t either, but what we felt there, was truly unforgettable. After, the prayer had ended; I felt the impression to just give this man a hug. I hesitated, wondering why I would hug such a stranger. I did it anyway. As I hugged him, a warm feeling overcame me, and I knew that this man wanted to change, and that he will get baptized eventually. It may not happen with us missionaries, but it will happen and I can guarantee that. Just after the embrace, as we were letting go, he talked just loud enough for me to hear, and he said "Thank you". We exchanged phone numbers and set up a return appointment which was Sunday. The return appointment went great. We taught him the restoration, and he said that he wants to give up everything, but he is afraid that his church, Jericho road, will basically converge upon him because of his transition to another religion. He even wants to be baptized, but doesn't want to do it here in Port Alberni. He wants to do it in Victoria. Needless to say, it was kind of sad that the chances of us baptizing him here were lessened, nevertheless, I am excited for our return appointment this coming Tuesday, and I cannot wait to speak to this wonderful man that has been prepared by the hand of the Lord. I am so honored to be chosen to be given this wonderful opportunity in this man’s conversion process.
Not much else happened this past week. We went out to dinner with Roy and Gail. Gail McCully is a recent convert and he husband is a non-member, but they love the missionaries. They spoiled us this past Christmas season though. They gave us these really awesome ties and matching socks to go with them. They then feed us wonderful dinners. They took us to the Starboard Grill which is at the foot of the harbor key, and the windows were looking out to the ocean. Very delicious. They went all out and got us prime rib, told us to get the bigger portions, and got us dessert. It was sooooo good. The meat just melted.
Everything else has been going great though. Elder Zieler and I are getting to know each other a lot better, and our teaching gets better and better every time. I am so thankful for the wonderful opportunity I have to take part in this wonderful work. There is so much to do and so little time!
I hope everything is going well on your end! Sure love and miss you all! Love you guys so much!
Love,
Elder McCown
