So...we had a pretty exciting week. On Tuesday we were knocking on doors and we met a family that just moved in from Oklahoma (well, 4 months ago=just). They told us if we went to their church that they'd come to ours. Well, we had a night to fill and so we made arrangements and asked President. It was quite the experience!
It was a non-denominational. First thing I noticed was that I was the only white person. It was all African Americans, a Tongan (Sis. K.) and me.....yep....
The prayer lasted 5-10 minutes and was being screamed into a microphone as the drummer and pianist were playing randomly. The "prophet" talked to us about extortion and how if we didn't give everything to the church that we were holding back. We shouldn't by gaming systems we should give the money to the church....and him, consequently....Him and his big ole diamond cuff links.... It was intense.
While sitting there for the 3.5 hours that it was....yeah....he kept telling us to praise god and repent. They were doing it with their hands up, but I was praying! I prayed that I could feel the spirit, even a little inkling of it. I felt so void of Spiritual truth. I wanted to cry (but I don't do that). It made me truly appreciate the spirit. Even though there are always tons of little kids screaming and crying it church, the spirit is still there. There is a calm, a peace about the church. I was longing for it but for three and a half hours, there wasn't that. I never want to feel that again!
So at the end, the last 30-40 minutes was him prophesying that we needed to tithe. He MADE all of us do it...he didn't stop his sermon. There were three of us sitting there while everyone else was in a line to tithe. He told us that we only needed to donate $22. I thought, "1-$22.00 is a ton of money! I have none...especially as a missionary! I've giving my life to God right now. 2- Stop your sermon...I'm not going to donate. 3- Stop telling us that you are a prophet and we are being disobedient to God by not giving you money right now" Finally, he told the members of the congregation to "move" and help us out....the lady that brought us paid mine because I was not going to tithe. Sis. K. gave $20.00 bc she felt bad. I felt bad that my lady had to pay, but I was not going to help out that ministry.
It was one of the worst and best experiences of my life. It was good because I was able to realize a lot of things that I didn't truly appreciate about our religion before. We don't treat the church as a business. The main purpose is to uplift and teach about Christ. He is the focus of what we do....not manipulating people to get money. It was bad because I felt so sad that the people were being manipulated. He was reading scriptures out of context and telling them they weren't good enough to be around him.
We've been having some amazing experiences. Oh! Good news! I. has decided that she wants to be baptized. Her date is January 8. We are going over Thursday night to see if her whole family wants to investigate. She has three kids, 14, 13, and 9, and her husband G. The YM program is stoked. The kids are coming sometimes to the Wed activities and it is strengthening their numbers...they only have 8 young men right now, so these 2 are helping them all have more fun. Things that used to be hanging I. up are now ok. Everything is ok...It is amazing. I love her and am excited to continue to teach her.
Hmm...what else? Thanks for everything ya'll do. I really do appreciate it. My family is so great! I love you all! I hope that you have a good week and I will talk to you later! Bye!
OH! JK....I'm thinking that we will call at night after our dinner on Christmas....is that kosher? We are eating dinner around 5 on Christmas night, so probably around 7 our time so six Utah time and I don't know what time in Iowa and Illinois.....We still have to ask...but I'm thinking that will work...OR....early in the AM. We are eating breakfast at another members home so that might work too.....basically....let's plan on me calling you, ok? Oh, and I only have 30 minutes.....fyi....
I love you!
Jackie
p.s. the picture is of P.M.'s family (her mother, and the two girls--I. and L.). We made a gingerbread house with them. It is fun. They want to be baptized but they have an interesting situation...so we teach them and we love them....
Do you like my socks? haha...too bad they were patterned or I'd be able to wear them tracting! ;)
This picture is of a Sisters Training Day....There is Sister B., me, Sister W., and Sister R.... They are so fun!
We went to decorate the office last Monday. I put a huge ole bag of ornaments on that tree. I got everyone on! It was great. We ate sandwiches, had some fun, and I got to climb in the attic...that was fun. I guess E. S. tried to climb in it later and he broke the ceiling a bit....I guess I was just the right size! haha....aka...I was the smallest one in the office.
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