Loved Ones,
I want to first start off this email and just bear my
testimony of God's tender mercies. He's real. I've seen His hand in this work
and I can't deny what I've felt. I'm overwhelmed of all the undeserved
blessings I've received in my life. And what has happened the last couple weeks
have strengthen that testimony.
Just to refresh everyone, I'm in an open area. Which means we
come into a place with no progression or teaching pool. For those RM's out
there, you're first thought would probably be for me to check the area book.
Well, that hasn't been updated in over 1 year. On top of all that, we're the
Assistants and we travel all over the mission, doing exchanges, training,
meetings, delivering supplies and we don't get a lot of time to work in our area. Now,
I say all of these not to complain but that it is my current position. I feel if
that I'm a assistant, my area should be the best example for others. How can I
help other missionaries if I can't balance the time and help myself? I can't be
acted upon and set the example.
So, I've told all of these things to my Heavenly Father. I
noticed throughout my mission my prayers have become more specific and filled
with more gratitude. I've been praying that the Lord would send me to 2-3
families and help me to teach effectively that I get them to progress and be
baptized. I expressed my righteous desires to be a better example and the
stress that I feel. I promised that I would work hard. So I did. After
traveling zone to zone, training missionaries, all the things we have to do,
sometimes we only have a few hours to work. But we made it count. And then we
met Randy Aquino.
I found Brother Randy sitting down eating chicken feet (a
popular Filipino snack) and when I asked where a particular house was. My
companion, Elder B, was talking another group of people close by. As I was
talking to Brother Randy, I felt the Spirit testify to me that he was ready and
was being prepared by the Lord. I then asked Brother Randy if we could teach
him. He gladly accepted us. We sat in his home and started to teach. Brother
Randy's wife left him for another man a long time ago. He lives with his only
son, John, who is 11 years old. Single father trying to make a living for his
small, broken family. We first started to teach him prayer. For some reason it
was the most powerful lesson I've ever taught about prayer. We explained that
if we pray the right way and with real intent, we can feel the holy ghost.
Brother Randy had many questions. We explained the role of the Holy Ghost, how
to feel like it and the importance of the Holy Ghost. The Spirit was strong in
that lesson. At the end we asked Brother Randy with he would give the closing
prayer. He told us that he has never prayed in his whole life. With some
encouragement Brother Randy prayed. I can't express to you the feeling when you
hear some utter their first prayer. It's so simple. So beautiful. I feel so blessed
that I can witness little things like that. When a child of God talks to his
Father for the first time. After the prayer, we all just paused for like 30
seconds in silence. I asked Brother Randy what he felt in that moment. With
tears in his eyes, he said he felt warm like someone was giving him a big,
warm, loving, hug. We then asked him what that feeling was. He looked at us and
said, "It's the Holy Ghost." With tears in our eyes we explained to
Brother Randy that it meant that his prayer was true and therefore that what we
taught him was true. I asked Brother Randy, " Do you want to feel that
again?" He said yes and then we said he needed to go to church. And so he
did. And he's gone to church the last 3 weeks in a row and will soon be baptized.
He reads the Book of Mormon and stopped drinking coffee and alcohol, we're just
working on the cigarettes now haha. Now I understand the scripture in D&C
that the "Spirit quickeneth all things." All the glory goes to
Him.
For my next experience just happened this last week when I
worked up in the Mountains of Baguio, on exchanges with the Baguio City zone
leader and with my mission president. My mission president wanted to work with
every zone leader in their area's to see how the work was going and he wanted one
of his assistants with him. To give a little background, I've been having this
doctrinal question about healing the sick and the Priesthood. Everywhere I go
here in the Philippines, I'm surrounded by disabled, deathly ill, or dying
people. As I read the New Testament and study Early Church History my faith is
strengthened by the miracles and healings that took place. I know I have that
same power. I have faith. The only question is if it's according to the Lord's
will. But how will I know that the Lord wants me to bless and heal someone? Do
I just have to wait around until I feel the burning of the bosom and then go
for it? Or is that really faith? And then when I read in Acts chapter 3 when
Peter and John heal the man at the temple. If you have time you should read it but long
story short, Peter and John just walk up to this man and without asking if he
had faith in Christ they just healed him. And Mormon talks about faith and
miracles. God doesn't change. Miracles can and DO happen today but we need
faith. So I've asked this to my mission president and we talked a little about
it.
Anyway, as we walked and worked in Baguio (the 3 of us) the
zone leader told us about our next appointment was with Danny. Brother Danny
had a stroke and can't use his right hand and he is paralyzed on the right side
of his body. When the elder explained that to us, I asked president,
"president could we heal him?" And discussed about it and then
president looked at us and said, "Do you want to heal someone today?"
Just typing it gives me chills. I was speechless and I just said president, I
hope my faith is sufficient.
We hiked through the side of a mountain and finally came to
a little village. We found his house and that's when we met Brother Danny. He
was sitting on his chair and just seeing him I wanted to cry. I've never met a
more humble, sweet man. We taught about the Restoration and Brother Danny was
very interested in the Priesthood. As we taught, Brother Danny bore his
testimony of Jesus Christ and I felt that it was sincere. As we were about to
close the lesson, President Balledos looked up and I will never forget his
words. It went something like this,
"Brother Danny we feel your faith in Christ. We are His
servants. He is our Master. We hold His Holy Priesthood. We fear no man.
If you have faith in what we just taught and in Jesus Christ and if you so
desire, we can bless you now."
I sat in there in awe. The Spirit was strong and I thought I
could see light shining off my mission president. After some silence Brother
Danny said he believed in Jesus Christ and said he would like a blessing. As we
laid our hands upon his head I felt the Priesthood Power like I've never it
before. It was like electricity running through our bodies. I kept praying in
my heart. President Balledos gave one of the most powerful blessings that I've
heard. One part I will always remember, "We give you a blessing of
strength in your bones and joints." As we blessed him, Brother Danny was
shaking because he was crying. When we said amen, we all paused, and out of
nowhere Brother Danny stood up. I don't how long he has sat in that chair. We
were lost in words and he gave us a hug. One of the most powerful experiences
in my life.
I just want to testify of Christ, that He lives. I believe
in miracles. I believe in the Priesthood Power and I do my best to honor it
everyday. I love being a missionary. I love all of you! Don't worry, I'll be
home soon.
Your Valiant Missionary,
Elder Strader
