Greetings from the Great OCM!!!
Amish miracles this week!
In
the beginning of the week we were out teaching with one of the Amish
members and had planned to travel to an appointment about 15 miles away
to see a person who was not too interested. My companion Elder Dubose
got the feeling (also known as the spirit) that we needed to stay in
Danville. So we decided to pray about it as we often do. I received the
impression that we needed to stop by the ex-Amish family whom we met
some weeks ago and have lost contact with. When we arrived the member
told us he felt like he needed to approach the door alone. We all
agreed. It went well and we are back in contact with them! The spirit is
an amazing thing and after a series of promptings we were able to
perform God's will.
Another miracle was one of the evenings this last week, the same
member received a letter from his Amish parents inviting him to come
over (rare due to shunning). His father is one of the patriarchs in the
Amish church in the area. They were able to talk a little bit about the
church. Nothing too exciting but a big step and created a lot of
excitement among the Amish saints.
And then to put the cherry on top: we got permission from another
one of the Amish families to go and contact their son, who is shunning
them. We were on splits this evening so I was not the one to first
contact this family, it was Elder Dubose and Elder Segle. But they began
talking to them and offered service saying "we are on service missions."
They had them begin clearing a hillside of Briers (wild roses). On
Saturday we went back to finish the job and the Amish were all smiles
and super polite and sociable. We finished clearing the hillside and
then we burned the trimmings. They even came out and had smores with us
and roasted hot dogs. We talked with them a lot, but mostly about what
we do as missionaries and not so much about straight up gospel. Mainly
because we are not sure if they know exactly who we are yet and if they
do we fear that they will reject us. So this Saturday we are going back
to milk their goats. Hopefully slowly but surely we will gain some
ground. The Amish saints are just buzzing because of this. They are
shocked that we were even able to talk to them. All in all the Lord is
working wonders here through us his imperfect servants.
Right now we are really trying to focus all our time
and attention on the Amish people because that is specifically what we
are called to do in this area, and I surely want to fulfill the measure
of my calling. The hard thing is we can't fill all of our time with
Amish people because it requires a totally different kind of missionary
work. We are trying to figure out how to go about it and are really
seeking the Lord's help. I want to get to the point where all we do is
Amish work, and no English work. This is literally like a different part
of the world out here.
Well, sounds like an awesome week with Uncle Eric
and the family. I love that family so much. I also crave a slab every
now and then. It is about time I write them again methinks. I am way
jealous about the Easter pageant.
Have a fabulous week my terrific, eternal family!
Love, Elder Beutler
