About two months ago we talked with a man, whom I'll call Jose, about the Plan of Salvation, the plan God has for us. As we finished up we asked if we could pray with him. He said no, so we explained to him why we pray and the importance of prayer. I asked him if he believed God answered his prayers or even heard him. He shook his head with sadness. We testified and read scripture that He does hear and answer our prayers. By the end he was okay with us praying and was grateful for the simple but fervent prayer we offered. We were pleased with how well it went and were excited to help him continue to grow in his faith in Christ. We tried many times but he was never at home.
Last Saturday we were walking down the street to visit a recent convert and Jose called out to us. I didn't recognize him, but I quickly remembered him. I was excited to meet him again. What a miracle! The Lord placed us in his path at the exact time so we could reconnect and invite him again to learn more. We invited him to church and he was excited to come. But Sunday came and went and he didn't come to church. We called him but there was no answer. It was slightly discouraging after finding him so miraculously and then him disappearing just as quickly.
But it doesn't end there. We went again to the same recent convert's house on Monday. Which seemed kind of silly at the time visiting someone we'd just seen two days in a row, but we felt we needed to visit. So we went. We knocked and to our great surprise Jose opened the door! One more miracle! He was very apologetic about not going to church. Something came up and he couldn't get away. But he invited us back for the next day. So with great anticipation we went back the following day.
Our plan was to teach one thing but as we talked with him we followed the spirit and ended up teaching him something else. As we concluded talking with him and answering his questions we invited him to be baptized. He bowed his head, looked up at us, and said, "Yes. I want to be baptized." His heartfelt and true desire was evident on his face. He agreed to be baptized at the end of the month.
I don't know if I can explain the joy that filled our souls as we walked away. We were filled with joy. We had witnessed many little miracles. Especially the one of seeing someone have a true desire to follow Christ and be baptized by someone holding the priesthood authority of God. There is much more we have to go through to help him make that step but I have no fear or worries. The Lord is in control and knows our desires and the desires of Jose.
I am just a worker in the Lord's vineyard but oh what a glorious work it is! I'm so grateful I am a missionary and can see those little miracles. That I have the privilege of helping someone come unto Christ through baptism. To see someone gain a better and more firm faith in Christ and His atonement is the best thing ever. The church is true and we are guided by the Holy Ghost. Trust in him and you will never be lead astray. I love my Savior!
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