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Dear Family and Friends,


The more I think about the mission the more I realize how much we as missionaries are just a tiny part of God´s plan. Really, there are so many factors that go into the conversion of other people. When I think about the efforts of all of us working together, I realize how much what any of us did cant be credited to any of us, because God is who gave us the desire and the love to share. And in the process he is changing us to be more converted too and more like our Savior Jesus Christ.


Victor was baptized and confirmed this Sunday. He is someone who I will always remember if only for his desire to do what is right. He was someone we didnt really think about a lot. He is a security guard for one of the streets that is close to a recent convert´s house. I remember the day we first gave him a pamphlet that the recent convert told us to stop bothering the people. haha He was just joking but honestly I didnt expect much to come from what we had shared in those short two minutes. Victor didnt want to give us his address and so we couldnt teach him.


Well every time we passed by he would come up to us and say that he was going to church. Week after week this happened and he never came. One day about 2 months later he showed up when we were in a meeting wednesday night. We gave him a tour of the chapel and when we showed him the baptismal font we explained how the Priesthood, the power and authority of God that John the baptist had was restored and we asked him if he would like to be baptized with someone who had the same power and authority as him. He said yes. =) He took the steps to pray about the Book of Mormon, keep the commandments and go to church, and so he came to know for himself that really the church is true and that the gospel of Jesus Christ is here on the earth.


Just so you know not everything was perfect. The first date that we had for him to be baptized fell through. He didnt show up. He was nervous. Our zone leaders came upon us in our moment of distress after he didnt show up. They said a prayer with us that he would come to church that day. He came later for the third hour of church and started crying. He felt what hadnt done is what kept him from following Christ. It was so touching to see someone so sincere.


Im so happy for him. I think a lot of times we know what is right and we just dont do it, but when we really repent we remember how good it feels do do what is right and how really repentence isnt such a chore, but a blessing.


I pray that all of you are giving MANY references to the missionaries where you live =) They need your help. And I know that in the process God will help all of us experience the joy of sharing the love of Christ and being a little more like him.


With all my love,


Hermana Bendixen