October 10th, 2011
Dear Family and Friends,
We are continuing to have much success in finding people. We are not worried about finding people to teach anymore. The big problem for us is helping these people understand. Some of them don't understand why we go by their house and think that we just go to do a "bible study." We realized that we need to be more clear and bold with people. I have told some people very boldly that this is the true church and that we are here to help them change their life and be baptized. Our lessons with them should be life changing and the most important thing that has ever happened to them in the eternal perspective. If they don't understand that, they aren't prepared. We do it with love by telling them that we care about them and we bear our testimony of the Savior, but we do tell them the simple fact of the matter as well.
We have a huge teaching pool, but some of our investigators are having difficulties with their commitments. Novotna and Barbara are flaking out now. They are 15 and 17 year-old Haitian girls. They are both reading and praying, but they have had difficulty coming to church and they aren't really working towards baptism. We are planning on having a serious talk with them next time we come to see them. We will see them on Tuesday. Ernst and Carrine are having the same marital problems. It is really sad and also frustrating. They don't ever spend time together anymore, sleep in the same bed, or even talk to each other. Ernst feels that Carrine isn't doing her part, so he wants her to start doing counseling and then he will follow after her. Carrine is ready to be baptized, but she doesn't want to be baptized until the marriage problem is resolved. We are not sure if they should still be baptized when they are having marital problems like this. But not all marriages will work out. It may be the spouse's fault or something like that. If they fulfill the requirements in the interview, I guess that is what is most important. That shows that they are doing their part.
We blessed a Haitian family. Jezila, Paul (her cousin), and Marrise ( Paul's wife), and other people live in that house. It is full of Haitians. They all think it is funny that we speak Creole. Jezila is a seventh-day Adventist, but last night in our second visit with her, she told us that she was baptized into the LDS church when she was 18 because she had a whole bunch of friends in it, but then a year and a half ago she got baptized in the Seventh-day church. However, she is interested in reading in the Book of Mormon, praying about it, and coming to the church. She agreed to come to the church and we said we would find her a ride for her first visit back in a long time.
On the fifth Sunday a month ago, the ward called 50 percent of the less actives during a combined meeting and got a status check up on them. It is called the Shepherding List. We have contacted several of them who have agreed to let us bless their homes. One of the families we are visiting is the Louhidan family. Their mom is less active and the kids aren't baptized yet. They are awesome. We gave them the picture book of Mormon and agreed to throw them a pizza party if all three of them read the whole book.
Gulbert came to church for the first time! Plus his brother Roni randomly showed up. We weren't expecting that at all! I hope they had a good time. Carlo came again and was the only one in the Gospel principles class, so Brother Richens, the ward mission leader, answered his questions for the whole time. After church, he fed us and Brother Melkisedeck rice and beans and pork with spices in it. It was amazing!
Well,
I am out of time! I love you all! I know the gospel is true and I will preach it everywhere until I am done. Bye!
Love,
Elder Seamons
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