"Island Storm" "Waiting in the Rain"

Island Storm:

Recently, they changed up our districts so we've been with a new district and a new district leader who I went on exchange with last week. This week, I went on exchange in his area with his companion, Elder Kairo. The forecast was looking like rain which was really bumming me out because it's a bike area and I've never been a strong biker, let alone in the rain.

Morning came though, and so did the rain. And as you already know about Texas, when it rains it pours.

We mounted our bikes and charged into the storm to contact Less Actives. At first I was being very careful to avoid puddles because the back tire would flick water onto my back. Then someone in a 20 year old Mazda intentionally splashed us and we were drenched. I didn't get mad, though Elder Kairo, if he were given the chance,  would have punched them so hard multiple ambulances would have been required for any witnesses within 15 feet. I thought about Joseph Smith and how he sealed his testimony in blood, so really being wet, hot, cold, or tired isn't really a big deal and I resolved to never complain again. 

I began to sing all the mission favorites about adverse weather:

"It may never stop raining. Been two weeks since I've been dry. Something something something, God is good, yeah, God is good we've come so much farther than we thought we could." 

"Missionary, missionary tracting through the snow. Now even though people might say no, let your heart be warmed!" 

And many more merry melodies like that. 

We got to the first door and the man took one look at us, and said. "You're too wet you can't come in." And he closed the door on us. That's pretty much how the rest of the day went except for one golden moment when this Mexican guy invited us to stand in his garage until the rain passed. He had 0 interest in the gospel though. (The rain never did pass by the way)

At one point I saw Elder Kairos  bike dip down while we were in the rain and I assumed it was a curb but I realized it was a massive puddle with water almost up to my knees. Right after I got out of the puddle a guy intentionally swerved to hit us but he saw me with a smile on my face and that kind if caught him off guard so he didn't me. 

What a great day.

Waiting in the rain:

My bladder was about to explode. I coukd see the headlines: "Boy dies because he couldn't find a toilet in time." The down pour was not helping me take my mind off it. 

We were going to a lesson and I prayed the person would be home but according to my luck he was not. The only person home was his roommate who wasn't too interested the last time and looked like he wanted nothing to do with us. He said the person would return in 5 minutes which in Africa means 2 hours. I wasnt going to quit though I needed to relieve myself so I begged, "can we wait inside for him and can I use your bathroom?" 

He let us in.

After narrowly escaping an overnight stay at the hospital or worse, I rejoined Elder Shiday and the man, Maurice. Maurice was watching a reading of Psalms on YouTube and after getting to know him we sneakily asked if we could put on some Mormon messages. After watching a couple of Bible videos he started asking questions and we started with The Restoration. He really liked it and knew right off the bat to pray for truth. He allowed us to come back and is also ok with missionaries contacting his family in Africa 

I love this gospel so much and honestly it's the only gospel we can be spiritually nourished in. 

Je vous aime,

Elder Murdoshay