It was quite a week. Osvaldo was baptized, though there was quite the drama with his family. From the beginning, they've been very Catholic and have never wanted very much to do with us, no matter how many times we talked to them or offered to serve them or invited them in to learn more. Just a day before his baptism, his daughter invited us in and asked us `Would you like to see his ulcers?' , probably trying to convince us that baptism was too dangerous for him. The doctors had told him that he shouldn't get them wet, but we called Hermana Balden, the mission nurse, and she told us that he`d be just fine if we put on some waterproof bandages and dried it really well after. She showed us his ulcers- they`re an open wound, and have supposedly been getting worse these last weeks. She said she didn't oppose him being baptized, even though she personally didn't see the point of it, but she wanted him to wait another month. We talked with her and explained how it would be, etc. and that we also wanted to give him a blessing of health before. She basically said that we could do what we want, but they wanted as little contact as possible and so we'd have to do it somewhere else. We arranged with the Elders to give him a blessing the next morning in the chapel.
We began fasting, and the Elders asked our whole district to fast with us. The next day came, and I just prayed all morning. When the hour came, we met Osvaldo and the Elders in the chapel, and they gave him a great blessing and promised him that he could be healed through the faith that he was showing the Lord. He is the sweetest old grandpa, and he`s lived literally his whole life looking for the `salvation of his soul`, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the healing from his sicknesses. (He mentions those three things all the time, dear Osvaldo.) We asked him if he felt ready to be baptized that day, and he said he'd be good to go.
This is how Osvaldo marks his scriptures. Dear old man!!
We went back in the afternoon to pick him up, and to our relief, he said his daughter would come to the baptism to support him. She came with us to the chapel, and sincerely asked if anyone was paying us to baptize him. One of his other daughters also showed up, and on arriving, they asked if they could talk to the Elders. Oh no. Poor things, the Elders were talking to them for about 30 minutes before our branch president showed up and we sent him in there to rescue them. Meanwhile, we helped Osvaldo get dressed for his baptism. At one point President Raiqueo took them in to talk privately with Osvaldo, and he explained that no one wanted to rush or pressure their father, and that the only important thing was what Osvaldo wanted. He asked the daughters if they would respect Osvaldo's decision, and they said they would. He then asked Osvaldo if we wanted to wait for another couple weeks, or if he'd like to continue with the baptism that day.
For as much as his daughters say that this is just another baptism, that he doesn't really understand, and that he`s just doing it to please us, that man has a testimony. He's read almost the entire Book of Mormon, he is one of the first people in church on Sunday, and he`s asked us several times when he can start paying his tithing to `begin repaying his debt to the Lord.' He said he wanted to be baptized, because he didn't know what could happen in the future and he really wanted all the blessings that the Lord promised him. So there we were! The daughters wouldn't take pictures with him, but they seemed surprisingly interested in the baptismal ordinance- they even took pictures.
And so Osvaldo was baptized! The members that attended were very touched by his dedication and exemplary testimony. Though we're not allowed to go by his house anymore, we'll be working a lot with the members to keep teaching him and helping him develop his gift of the Holy Ghost.
Other noteworthy item- She did it. Hermana Nàjera and I had a special mission this week, in which she was going to fast and pray for help with resolving some of her internal struggles. We've been working through it for weeks, and this was what we`d finally decided that we could do. It was Wednesday night, when we had a little extra time in the house, so we spent a good amount of time talking, I prayed for her, and then we turned off the lights and said our personal night prayers. The next morning I was anxious to hear how it`d gone, but when she described it, she was still confused on how the Lord was going to answer her and who the Lord wanted her to be. I've got to say that I was a little disappointed. When we were first put together and she began telling me more about her life, I knew very strongly that we`d be together until she could resolve some of the issues that she has. Hearing of her continued confusion, I started brainstorming for what we`d do in the future to keep helping her.
This Sunday, however, we were in our kitchen making a dessert to take to a Noche de Hogar, chatting away as usual. She's started having the `Leaving a Sector`pains, and I expressed a little of my feelings that I wish I could've helped her more up to that point. She turned to me and told me that she is still confused about some things, but that her mindset and perspective have changed into the state where she knows she can put the rest of her life in order. She feels now that even if hard things have happened in her past, that she can still deserve the Lord`s blessings. Even if people have hurt her before, she can still fully love those around her- love them better, and love them smarter. She isn't afraid for the future like she was before, and doesn't think as much about the things or people that would hold her back. You'd better believe I was crying my eyes out- it was the miracle for which I had waited.
Also, earlier in the week, I got a birthday package from my dear friend, Kristine!! She'd packaged a bunch of conference talks in individual envelopes, each one saying something like "For days when you need Faith" or "For days when you need to read uplifting poetry." It was so thoughtful, and as I sat on the bus meditating about what a good friend she`s always been to me, and how extremely personal and thoughtful the present was, a scripture came to mind. Oh dear, I think it is in Matt 7. (Just looked it up on Lds.org, it is Matt 7;11)
As I thought about that, and how special the gift was to me, I thought of my Father in Heaven and all the extremely wonderful gifts He has also given me. I was riding a bus through beautiful Chile, sitting next to a companion that I love and from which I've learned a lot. I get to be a missionary, which is pretty much my life dream. I talk to people about the gospel all day, and I get to see into the lives and homes of many different people. I was raised in a strong family where my father did not drink, cheat, or beat us. My mother is loving, educated and ever-present in our lives. My little sisters are some of my best friends, and we've never had to fight about anything. My grandparents are literate and loving, also members of my same faith. I have never had to emotionally or economically support my family. I've received a good education, I've had the opportunity to live on my own and work and develop my own skills and talents. I know how to read, I know how to cook, I have good friends and lots of emotional support in what I`m doing. I have all hope for my future and know that my path in the gospel will keep me going through whatever difficulty I might experience. What more could I ask??
More than anything, I have the Savior by my side. Driving through the fields, I reflected on how similar the little bushes look to the Olive Tree in the famous painting of the Savior in the Garden of Gethsemane. It looked just like it, and it is very possible that it actually was an olive tree! The point is, there were thousands of them. Thousands and thousands, for miles and miles. As I thought of all that He`s born and suffered for me, I wondered to think of all the other millions of people that He saved with that same expiatory sacrifice. THAT is the greatest gift of all, and THAT was what made me cry like a baby on the bus. (Good thing everyone else was sleeping!) How blessed I am to have part in that, and to have these small moments to learn more of Him.
Those were the big moments of the week. Love being a missionary, and love being part of this glorious, eternal plan. Cuidese todos!
Yours,
Hermana Oldroyd
p.s. One of my new favorite things is moonlight on a tin roof. So pretty!
p.p.s Chilean Cultural detail- Chilean women are really good with knives. I learned a new way to chop an onion, and I can now open a can with just a knife. Little things you learn on the mission, right?
p.p.p.s This week when I was playing the keyboard to start Relief Society, I accidentally hit the disco music button. Wake-up call, sisters
Doesn't Osvaldo look just like the grandpa in the movie UP?
Arturo and Erica
sheepskin being prepared
No comments:
Post a Comment