2 kings 4:16 moment and Alma 26:27 moments

 https://photos.app.goo.gl/DYM8hzqfMfgxUFWZ7

On Thursday night we had finished all of our contacts in the area and we had 15 minutes left and nothing to do. We could have gone back to the apartment and cleaned or done some language study but Elder Lewis pulled out his phone and found we had one person whom we had talked to once nearby. Jesse. I remember him being not that interested but we went over anyway.

We got there and his wife just told us to come inside! They are both from Punjab and speak Hindi! We had a powerful lesson with them. Even though it was the first time we had met them, Harpreet, Jesse's wife, opened up and told us they had been having a hard time getting kids and really really wanted a baby. So we prayed for them and we were able to give Harpreet a Priesthood blessing! As I sealed the anointing several accounts of prophets promising a child to faithful women came to mind and so I did just that. (Most recently I read about Elisha in 2 kings 4 to a woman who let him stay in her home a few times)

I love Jesse and Harpreet so much!

The next evening we headed over to the Gills. Before we went in we said a prayer in our car and as we looked up, Sana and Sandeep were standing by our car waving at us! We went in and gave them the “preview” lesson. Kind of reminding them of our purpose as missionaries, telling them about commitments we will invite them to make, all the blessings and then talking about baptism. They are 100% on board. They gave us a huge list of sobering news and trials they have, so we gave them all priesthood blessings. We finished off the evening by inviting Sana to pray. 

She was a little awkward about it but eventually tried and it was beautiful.

“Father, I don't know how to pray. . .but I know you listen. . .and, I am not the right kind of person to pray, but I will try” 

It was amazing! Nothing I can say or do could have been more powerful. That was exactly what her family needed.

During the weekend one of our dear not-active indian families had us come over for a “prayer-meeting” a loved one had passed away so they wanted some prayers. They invited all of their non-member family as well! Elder Lewis and I stumbled through some plan of salvation doctrine in Hindi and they loved that. Some amazing sister missionaries accompanied us over there and they shared powerful personal experiences and testimonies of the plan of salvation. Even though it was English, the people there that prefer hindi and don't know as much English were still deeply moved by their words. 

Then we all ate a bunch of curry.

The Zone Leaders wanted to exchange with the ASLders, since elder Ardinger is Deaf that wouldn't work- so they just said “Elder Owens, you're coming with us.” So we did TRIO exchanges. It was actually great. I got to be back in the ASL world for a day. We got to go to a lesson about 30 minutes north of mission boundaries! I love asl work lol.

And last night we went back to the Gills! Sana’s parents were with us so we got to show off our hindi and they were impressed! Then we opened up the scriptures and read from 2 Nephi 31! It was amazing! The spirit said “go for it” so we set a goal with them for a family baptismal service on the 23rd of March! They could not be more excited. 

Even amidst all these incredible hindi miracles, I have had my questions and doubts about whether or not the hindi program is supposed to exist in the way that it does. We have plenty of friends who can only be taught by somebody who speaks Hindi but a majority of our work, although not as effectively, could be accomplished by English missionaries.

This has been the subject of many prayers and meditations. However, this week in my chronological reading of the book of Mormon I got to Alma 26. Ammon's mission homecoming speech. There are so many parallels between his experience with Laminates and my experience with Indians. It's such a perfect match I think Ammon said this just for me.

Verse 27 struck me right in my heart:

“Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites (the indians), and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.”

I believe that was my answer.

I testify the scriptures are true and divine. Studying the scriptures will help you find answers to your questions, solutions to your problems, relief from stress, peace in storms, and power in weakness.

Please read the scriptures.