Hello everyone! It is almost Christmas!!! I hope everyone is in the Christmas spirit and focusing on the real reason for the season:) This was a busy week. I got to go on two different exchanges. One with with the Spanish Missionaries. But this time I had a spanish missionary here with me in my area. Then a couple days later we had one with the waterloo missionaries. The waterloo missionary has never been here yet on an exchange. So it was fun taking him around everywhere and giving him the East St. Louis experience. They loved it. I love it to because it is a nice switch up and to be with someone different for a change. During one of the exchanges we came up with a new idea. It is called Bridge Contacting. Since our branch boundaries reach out to the middle of the Mississippi river, we are allowed to walk half way across the bridges. There are multiple in our area. Most of them are freeways but there are some for walking too. We do not know if we will try it yet or not but it is just an idea.
Well we went to another funeral this week. The second one we have bent to since being here. This time it was for our investigators father. He died from drinking beer. He had some condition already and when he drinks it just kills him. He was an older man so things were not as tragic as the last one. But still very sad. Everything has been hitting the fan in this family. Satan has been working on them real hard because he knows they are working towards baptism. TJ was supposed to be baptized this sunday but now we are changing the day to either Saturday of this week or wednesday of next week. So please pray that it will happen. He really needs this in his life. We are making progress with a couple other investigators trying to help them to be baptized. We Challenged a couple more people but no one wants to commit to a date yet.
We are trying to convince the branch President to change the time of church from 10 to 11. The reason being is that everyone shows up to church way late. Everyone likes to stay up all night long then show up after sacrament meeting. This is the case for all of our investigators. They all like to stay up all night and show up late. It is irritating. We will get a bunch of investigators at church but no one will be at sacrament. Which is one of our key indicators. Yesterday some showed up for the last 10 mins of the last hour. Please pray that people will be at sacrament meeting.
We have heard rumors of them changing the branch boundaries again. The reason why they condensed the ward to a branch and gave half of the boundaries to other wards was because there was some racism going on with the African Americans and caucasians in the ward. All the caucasians people were running the ward with the African Americans not doing as much. So now the branch is mostly black making it so that all the African Americans have to step up to the plate and start taking responsibility and taking up callings. But many of them have not and the branch is really suffering. Even though many things are happening with investigators and we are baptizing it still has not been enough to support it. So there was something we heard is that the branch might totally be disintegrated to all the other wards that are surrounding. Please pray for the strength of this branch that it may be able to function correctly. It is going through a lot right now. We are starting to make an effort with getting the Hispanic group back.
We had a mini transfer because the group going home this transfer is going home a few week before it ends to be home for Christmas. So in this transfer the Spanish missionaries were moved to St. Charles because they just opened up a spanish branch there. So with our district leader leaving my comp was named the new district leader to finish out the transfer since he had been one many times before.
This week was the Mission Christmas party. It was a ton of fun! It was nice to see everyone again and play games, eat some food, and have a nice fireside. We had out branch Christmas party this week also. It was kind of funny that everyone came to the party and we had like 60 people there and then church the next day only 25 people were there. Well 20 of the people at the part were not even in the branch but still we had a ton of our investigators at the party but then it comes to church he next day hardly any of them show up.
Anyways I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas. Remember the reason for the Season. And have a spirit of giving not receiving:) I love you all.
Love,
Elder Derek Turner
*Serving in Zion*
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
12-12-11
Hola!!! I know I say this every week but when an awesome week this has been!!! Many interesting things have happened this last week. Well interesting things always happen here in East St. Louis. It is kinda expected because of what kind of an area it is... So this week one of our investigators, Marlin, dad died. He died from drinking to much alcohol. Do not drink people. It is not smart. But we are going to the funeral tonight. They told us that they want us to pray over the body and speak at the funeral tonight. SO we are going to bring our Branch president so he can do that for us:) We just find it better if he did it instead of us. We are just not used to how these people mourn and stuff. And after the last funeral we went to we were kinda shocked. It is way different. We set a baptismal date this week!!! Tj will be getting baptized on Christmas day!!! The night before we went over to teach him and his family he had a dream that he was being baptized! This was the first thing we heard from his mouth when we walked inside the home. This one is pretty solid. So we are very excited about that! Moneesha would be baptized with him but her husband is not ready to be baptized... And she said she wants to wait for him and be baptized at the same time. The whole thing is that I do now know how long that will take for Marlin. He has to give up a lot first. So pretty soon we will be pushing her to be Baptized sooner before her husband is ready. Because that family needs examples in it. And when I say examples I mean good ones at that. With the death of Marlins father is made it a perfect oppurtunity to teach about the temple and that Familys can be together forever. But only through being sealed for time and eternity in the Temple. It really brigthened their day when they heard this all. And they really want that.
Yesterday a Miracle happened. This is how the story goes... John Johnson came to church the first sunday I was out here in the field. He came to church with his Girlfriend who is a member. The first lesson we had with him we set a baptismal date with him. We taught him the second time and found out that he was living with his girlfriend. We told him that they either had to be married first before he could be baptized or move out. The sunday after that he dissapeared off the face of the planet. We could not get a hold of him. We went by his house many times finding no one to be there. We called his Girlfriend and she said she did not know where he was or anything. Acting like he did not live with her even though we know they do... He was just gone. So for over a month we had no contact with him. Trying every week to find him. At a point we just gave up kind of. But my companion and I had a spiritual impression that we needed to fast and pray for him so that we could get in contact with him again. Then finally after a very long time he walked into church yesterday. This was one of the biggest faith and testimony builders I have had on the mission so far. It was literally a miracle that he was there. At first it felt like a dream. I could not believe my eyes at first. We talked with him for an hour after church. He said that he went down to Memphis for a couple weeks and he was just having a lot of things going on. His phone had been shut off for a long time now. He told me that he felt like he needed us in his life again. He called us his Angels. It always touches my heart when someone says that. We asked if him And his girlfriend were still going to get married and he said yes they were. Then he asked me to be his best man. I am not sure if we are allowed to be something like that when we are on a mission but he is getting married at our Branches building. So I just said yes that I would be. Seeing that we are probably going to have to plan their wedding anyways. Oh well. This is the second time my comp has had to plan one since being on the mission. We said that we needed to get them married this month so that he could be Baptized before the month is up. But when I went to his girlfriend and talked to her and him about it she was like oh he has to be baptized first then we will be married. She is still trying to act like they do not live together. But we know that they do. So straight up told her that they needed to get married soon. But she tried to play it off. So that is our next big problem to overcome. Because John is ready for baptism. Just his girlfriend is holding everything back...
We have been finding new investigators this week and people that we feel solid about. Our lessons being taught are higher then ever before right now. We have many solid people in our teaching pool. Just pray that we can keep those people solid and start setting Baptismal dates with them! Pray that we find more people also and that we will be in saftey and protection out here. Thank you all so much. Good luck on finals this week!!! Remember prayer and that you can always commune with your Father in Heaven. He loves when you talk to him:) Anyways, I love you all! Merry Christmas!!!
Love, Elder Derek Turner
*SERVING IN ZION*
Yesterday a Miracle happened. This is how the story goes... John Johnson came to church the first sunday I was out here in the field. He came to church with his Girlfriend who is a member. The first lesson we had with him we set a baptismal date with him. We taught him the second time and found out that he was living with his girlfriend. We told him that they either had to be married first before he could be baptized or move out. The sunday after that he dissapeared off the face of the planet. We could not get a hold of him. We went by his house many times finding no one to be there. We called his Girlfriend and she said she did not know where he was or anything. Acting like he did not live with her even though we know they do... He was just gone. So for over a month we had no contact with him. Trying every week to find him. At a point we just gave up kind of. But my companion and I had a spiritual impression that we needed to fast and pray for him so that we could get in contact with him again. Then finally after a very long time he walked into church yesterday. This was one of the biggest faith and testimony builders I have had on the mission so far. It was literally a miracle that he was there. At first it felt like a dream. I could not believe my eyes at first. We talked with him for an hour after church. He said that he went down to Memphis for a couple weeks and he was just having a lot of things going on. His phone had been shut off for a long time now. He told me that he felt like he needed us in his life again. He called us his Angels. It always touches my heart when someone says that. We asked if him And his girlfriend were still going to get married and he said yes they were. Then he asked me to be his best man. I am not sure if we are allowed to be something like that when we are on a mission but he is getting married at our Branches building. So I just said yes that I would be. Seeing that we are probably going to have to plan their wedding anyways. Oh well. This is the second time my comp has had to plan one since being on the mission. We said that we needed to get them married this month so that he could be Baptized before the month is up. But when I went to his girlfriend and talked to her and him about it she was like oh he has to be baptized first then we will be married. She is still trying to act like they do not live together. But we know that they do. So straight up told her that they needed to get married soon. But she tried to play it off. So that is our next big problem to overcome. Because John is ready for baptism. Just his girlfriend is holding everything back...
We have been finding new investigators this week and people that we feel solid about. Our lessons being taught are higher then ever before right now. We have many solid people in our teaching pool. Just pray that we can keep those people solid and start setting Baptismal dates with them! Pray that we find more people also and that we will be in saftey and protection out here. Thank you all so much. Good luck on finals this week!!! Remember prayer and that you can always commune with your Father in Heaven. He loves when you talk to him:) Anyways, I love you all! Merry Christmas!!!
Love, Elder Derek Turner
*SERVING IN ZION*
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
12-7-11
Hey everyone!!!
So this week Elder Malm of the Seventy came and had a conference with us. So we had to switch our pday so that is why you are getting my email today. This week has been a good week. We have found a handful of new investigators. It is nice because we need more people to teach. We are pushing the investigators we already have towards baptism. Ray is going to have a baptismal interview soon. Monisha is ready for baptism but her husband is not yet because he is hardly ever there when we teach her and her brother. So pray that we can teach them all together because Monisha knows this is the right thing for her and her family and all want to be baptized together and make that step together. We challenged one of our new investigators, Robin, to baptism Monday night. That day during the conference the made a big push on us challenging in the first lesson so we did. She accepted! She just has one big hurdle to get over first. Pray for her that she will be able to do that. Also pray that our investigators will make it to Sacrament meeting. They come to church a lot but never make it there on time. Things are going great for most of the people we have been teaching. Just pray that they will all be able to progress towards baptism. I am so grateful for all of you and praying for me and our investigators. I know I say this often but I can not say it enough. I can see the difference it makes in theirs and mine life.
The Elder Malm conference was very nice to go to. We had to go up to Springfield for it which is where Abe Lincoln grew up. We was a very funny man but I know is is a special witness of Christ. He has such a great testimony and the spirit filled the room. I learned a lot from him of how I can personally be a better missionary and how to teach my investigators and teach more with the spirit, and by the spirit. Letting the Holy Ghost work through us is the best way for anything really.
The First Presidency Devotional was amazing. The new video they showed was different but works wonders with the spirit. It lets the spirit do more of the talking in a way. Please do not let Christmas be all about the presents and Santa. President Monson said Christ should be the center of our celebration during this season. Remember the birth of the Savior and what a great event in history it was. And also remember do not let the Christmas tree set on fire... Something we learned from President Uchtdorf. haha
So drunk people really like trying to preach to us for some reason. They will be in the streets and will start talking to us about the gospel. Usually we just be nice to them and not bug them or make them mad. But it happens often where they try to preach things to us. We find it very amussing though. But do not worry we are safe. The drunks are always to drunk to even function right. I am surprised that we do not see any past out lying in the streets. We avoid all the very sketchy areas for the most part. We have only been to a couple of different projects so see members in our branch and stuff.
I hope you are all doing very well this Christmas season!!! I enjoy getting letters from you. It always makes my day and helps me to work harder to know I have people supporting me and cheering me on. Just know that I am doing the same for all of you. I hope school and finals coming up for everyone will go well. Finish strong and you will have a nice Christmas break to enjoy:) I love you all keep following the footsteps of Christ. He is the WAY.
Love Elder Derek Turner
*SERVING IN ZION*
So this week Elder Malm of the Seventy came and had a conference with us. So we had to switch our pday so that is why you are getting my email today. This week has been a good week. We have found a handful of new investigators. It is nice because we need more people to teach. We are pushing the investigators we already have towards baptism. Ray is going to have a baptismal interview soon. Monisha is ready for baptism but her husband is not yet because he is hardly ever there when we teach her and her brother. So pray that we can teach them all together because Monisha knows this is the right thing for her and her family and all want to be baptized together and make that step together. We challenged one of our new investigators, Robin, to baptism Monday night. That day during the conference the made a big push on us challenging in the first lesson so we did. She accepted! She just has one big hurdle to get over first. Pray for her that she will be able to do that. Also pray that our investigators will make it to Sacrament meeting. They come to church a lot but never make it there on time. Things are going great for most of the people we have been teaching. Just pray that they will all be able to progress towards baptism. I am so grateful for all of you and praying for me and our investigators. I know I say this often but I can not say it enough. I can see the difference it makes in theirs and mine life.
The Elder Malm conference was very nice to go to. We had to go up to Springfield for it which is where Abe Lincoln grew up. We was a very funny man but I know is is a special witness of Christ. He has such a great testimony and the spirit filled the room. I learned a lot from him of how I can personally be a better missionary and how to teach my investigators and teach more with the spirit, and by the spirit. Letting the Holy Ghost work through us is the best way for anything really.
The First Presidency Devotional was amazing. The new video they showed was different but works wonders with the spirit. It lets the spirit do more of the talking in a way. Please do not let Christmas be all about the presents and Santa. President Monson said Christ should be the center of our celebration during this season. Remember the birth of the Savior and what a great event in history it was. And also remember do not let the Christmas tree set on fire... Something we learned from President Uchtdorf. haha
So drunk people really like trying to preach to us for some reason. They will be in the streets and will start talking to us about the gospel. Usually we just be nice to them and not bug them or make them mad. But it happens often where they try to preach things to us. We find it very amussing though. But do not worry we are safe. The drunks are always to drunk to even function right. I am surprised that we do not see any past out lying in the streets. We avoid all the very sketchy areas for the most part. We have only been to a couple of different projects so see members in our branch and stuff.
I hope you are all doing very well this Christmas season!!! I enjoy getting letters from you. It always makes my day and helps me to work harder to know I have people supporting me and cheering me on. Just know that I am doing the same for all of you. I hope school and finals coming up for everyone will go well. Finish strong and you will have a nice Christmas break to enjoy:) I love you all keep following the footsteps of Christ. He is the WAY.
Love Elder Derek Turner
*SERVING IN ZION*
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