This week was...well...this week. Everything went by fast and crazy
with hardly a moment to think. There were hours of stress, and seconds of rest.
It's weeks like these that really test your faith in God.
This week we felt it was time to ask one of our investigators to be
baptized. Her name is Mika Nakane. She is a mother of three children, the eldest
being mentally handicapped. Her husband left her when her children were young
and ever since then she's been on her own to earn money, raise the children,
take care of the household etc.. She's truly an inspirational person - she's so
nice. She's been listening to our lessons, praying and she even came to church.
She said she really loved church, and that it was a great place to learn. We
talked about the Plan of Salvation, God's plan for us, and then we focused on
our life on earth. We talked about how Jesus Christ is our example, and that if
we follow him, he can show us the path to eternal happiness. She listened so
intently and asked questions along the way. I was so nervous to ask her, but as
we taught I felt like she was willing, that her heart was ready, and that she
would answer yes. We asked her and she said.....no. She told us her reasons why,
and the big underlining reason is that she believes no religion is wrong, and
that they are all right, so if she were to join our church, she would be saying
that the rest are wrong.
I remember feeling so heartbroken, but a quiet voice whispered to me and
told me it was okay, all I needed to do was listen to her and pray for her and
ask her if she will keep listening to us. That's really all we can do as
missionaries, we can only invite. Whether or not people come to a knowledge of
truth or not is between them and God. This is not the first time I have invited
and been told no, and it most certainly will not be the last.
To be honest, I know where she is coming from. I remember plenty of hours
I've spent on my knees asking God, how come this church is called the "one true
church", and why must there be a "right" church and a "wrong" church. I believe
it is a very sensitive and difficult subject to discuss, but I can only offer
Mika the way I received an answer and the way she can receive an answer, should
she ever want one: prayer.
In the movie Pocahontas, the Native-American princess speaks to the
Grandmother Willow and asks her what direction she should take. Like Pocahontas,
I was wondering which direction I should take, I wondered which path was the
right path for me. Grandmother Willow then answers Pocahontas to "let the holy
spirits guide you" and to "listen to your heart, you will understand".
I know that when we get on our knees and truly pray, God listens. He will
guide us. If we listen to our heart, He will answer us there. Then we will
understand.
