Week 99 - Speaking in Sacrament Meeting, Baptism after Church, and Splits in Bekasi

SELAMAT PAGI SEMUANYA!!! APA KABAR?

Things in Indonesia are going amazing!

Don't feel alone Kaitlyn, I too had to give a talk in sacrament meeting. My topic was, "Have you received His countenance in your image?" The main sources were chapters Alma 5 - 7. Verse 14 reads,

 " And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?"

Yesterday, we witnessed Alexander fulfill this verse by being baptized! It was such a wonderful experience. The baptism was held right after church and many members stayed and supported him. One of the members baptized him and next week he will receive the Holy Ghost. He has truly received the image of God in his countenance. The Atonement changes lives and gives us hope that is needed in a world that seems to be going the other way. In Alma 7, not only is there one of my favorite scriptures about the atonement, I shared this in my talk and also with a new investigator that came to us this past week. She has two little boys that are around 5 and 3 and has since been separated from her husband and has faced many challenges. It reads, 

"11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

 12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

 13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me."

He has performed such an act so that he could help us in this world. For that, I am eternally grateful. No longer should we feel alone. We take on the hardships of life with a better attitude and with more faith in the Savior. 

Yesterday after church, we had an interesting experience. Our whole day fell through after church which allowed us to go out and find more people. We hopped on the bus knowing where we were going but not knowing for how long and where we should go after that. When we got to the final stop we were held up by other crowds trying to get on the bus. Suddenly, an older lady came over and  said, "I have been given the Book of Mormon and I really feel peace and joy when I read it, do you have time to come to my house right now?" We of course had the time. She said that she needed to run to the ATM and for us to just stay right there and that she would return. So we waited, and while we waited we started talking to people. We were there for about 2 hours and 30 mintues waiting for this lady to return. It did not feel like 2 hours and 30 mintues because just by sitting there, we taught 2 lessons and talked to SO many people and had a ton of success! It was a miracle even though the lady never returned, we felt we had to be there for something. We have now given this lady the title of the mysterious lady.

We spent a good portion of our week on splits in one of the neighboring cities, Bekasi. We had a blast and just went out and worked with the missionaries there. Lots and lots of good things are happening in the mission and things are getting super exciting! We are having lots of fun and just working our tails off to find those people that are ready out of the 10 million that live in this city! 

We have been planning with President and others for the things that are upcoming. President and Sister Donald head home at the end of June and then there is a new mission president and his wife coming in. It will be a crazy time for the mission!

Alma continues in chapter 5, 

 "And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?"

Hopefully we all still feel so now! I know I do! I love you all and know this church is true!

Elder Hayes

This picture makes me happy!

A beautiful picture

It was a great day!

I'm just a giant!!

no comment... I just don't fit

Splits!

Elder W

Hello from the other side  #"WHITE SHADOW".....also the ones that will find you, and will teach you haha

Check this out.....the basketball crew. We are now teaching a few of them

Week 98 - Flying Plates (Piring Terbang), and Be An Example Unto the Belivers Like Captain Moroni!

Another week of hard work and getting dirty! 

If any of you know anything about the Indonesian language, you would know that "piring terbang" translates into "flying plate." That is the description Indonesians have given to the great and wonderful Frisbee! Elder Tuttle and I put the frisbee to work this week and it catches the people. On P-day we went to the beach and threw it around. Within minutes we had a huge circle of people learning how to throw the frisbee. They really enjoyed it and thought it was a plate! We were able to share the Gospel with a good portion of them and the plan is to use the "piring terbang" more often. The "flying plate" has powers! 

This past week we picked up some great new investigators of all backgrounds. Some are Muslim, we talked to some Buddhists, talked to some Hindus, and found some Christians. It is such an awesome experience to learn a little about those religions too! There is so much in common between religions that it makes it that more interesting! 

A is still on track for the 29th. HE IS SO AWESOME! He will be interviewed for baptism tomorrow and is just soaking the Gospel in. Every time we review his reading in the Book of Mormon he is always farther and farther and can't stop. He always studies the lessons we will teach before we meet and then when we meet, we just explain in further detail what he has learned and answer his questions. He is somebody that has truly been prepared by the Lord!!

We have tried to pick up our focus on less-actives again. We have seen a few come back to church with as little as a phone call from us. We feel really good. As we visit and talk to them excitedly, it makes them excited and you can see them start to remember the feelings they once had. 

As a mission, we finished reading the Book of Mormon this past week and that was such a wonderful blessing to read it again. My testimony of the Book of Mormon has grown so much here! Probably my favorite character would have to be Captain Moroni. He continued to show forth his testimony while others didn't. As he did that people followed him and many miracles were brought to pass. That fits a scripture in the Bible that goes, "Be an example unto the believers." Captain Moroni is for sure an example unto others! 

Yesterday was stake conference!! The stake here was created exactly 5 years ago and continues to grow. The building that they rented out didn't really fit everybody which was really cool to see. The church is growing quickly and more testimonies are being strengthened. The church is still small enough though that at stake conference it was nice to run into old friends and meet them. The talks given were filled with the spirit and it was an awesome stake conference! 

I know the church is true! We are all pioneers in our own way!!

Elder Hayes 

A. after stake conference!!

With the stake patriarch and his wonderful family

everybody left.......I wonder why....

Good ol' tasty Sate!!

Found a friend! In Indonesia, there are stray cats like stray dogs in South America! So many cats!!!
(You can decide for yourself why there are not as many stray dogs)

the "mormon metro mini" :)

all of my companions have knocked out on this couch

Week 97 - A Sick Companion, Bearing Pure Testimony, Giving Thanks to God

This last week was AMAZING!! It started off with that great skype call with the family; from there it just got better and better!

A is doing awesome!! He is still on date for the 29th of May and is super excited. It is such a wonderful opportunity to teach him and help him get prepared to make covenants with the Lord. He soaks up everything that we teach him! This past week we have focused on the commandments. Every time he heard a commandment you could see him just want to live it, he has truly been prepared by the Lord to receive this glad message. His testimony is growing and he will be a great new member! 

We experienced more and more miracles. We were heading back home from an early morning appointment. As we got off the bus, we were followed and this guy tapped us on the shoulder. He is originally from Surabaya and has seen our church. Something urged him, he said to follow us and just ask what we had to share. We gave him a Book of Mormon and made an appointment a few days later where we explained the Restoration. He has not come to church yet but is still interested in learning more. Most of our miracles have been pretty close to the same. We have been talking with everybody!! Because we are talking with everybody, there are people we just forget who they are. This past week we just had people calling and texting asking if we could meet. Most of them truly wanted to know what message we had to share. Those are just a few examples of the daily miracles that we witness!! 

I have seen the blessings that the Gospel brings to our family! Without it, we might be scattered all over the place. It brings the joy and the happiness that we all experience and unites us. 

I spent half of Saturday working with President as Elder Tuttle suffered. He wasn't felling so well and we had a busy day at the mission home. We had a family of 6 come to the home and we were able to share a little about the plan of salvation. They mentioned how they were Muslim and were not interested. The fact that they took the time as a family to come and listen was just great and now the seed has been planted. Directly after that, a man came and we also taught him the Plan of Salvation. He too is from the Muslim faith and even accepted a Book of Mormon. One thing I have really learned here in Jakarta is just sharing pure testimony is the best thing to do, that is how they really feel the spirit. Elder Tuttle was feeling better in the evening so we were able to go out and meet Alexander at a member's house.

Yesterday in church, a member gave a great talk. He quoted a scripture that really hit me for the rest of the day. Usually when I think of Alma 7, I automatically go to Alma 7:11-13 about the Atonement. This brother read verses 23 and 24 which say, 

23 And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.

24 And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works.

I can just feel the Christ-like love that radiates from these verses. It teaches some of the attributes that will make us better people and teaches us how we can "always abound in good works." I also like the teaching on prayer, " asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive."  We can literally ask for ANYTHING in our prayers. We cannot forget to give the thanks back to him! When we give the thanks back to Him that is when we have those attributes of Christ. That is one thing I have really learned from Elder Tuttle and I am personally trying to apply more of the Christ-like attributes! 

The church is true and I love you all!!

Elder Hayes

the magical sword!!!!

My companion has had better days.

Week 96 - One More Degree, and an Awesome Skype Session with the Family

"At 211 degrees, water is hot. At 212 degrees, it boils. And with boiling water, comes steam. And with steam, you can power a train."

This is a pretty powerful quote to me and goes hand in hand with going the extra mile! This past week at MLC we talked about just doing a little bit more. This article goes on to say, "Many of life's failures are men who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." As a missionary, you just never know who is going to accept the message. We never know if we are one contact away, one step away, or one person away. We just never know!

This past week has been filled with more and more miracles. Elder Tuttle and I are just among the midst of miracles! We have been targeting more families and seen the reward from that! We met with a Muslim family this past week here at the church office and talked about the Plan of Salvation and about how families can be together forever! They were just one of the many that we have met and talked to this week!

We were able to meet the man on the bench again and teach The Plan of Salvation to him. He was very happy and excited and really wants to come to church! We now have 2 investigators with baptismal dates one of which is looking like 100% for the 29th of May!! With that, we had 5 investigators make it to church, one of which was in Bali. This guy is a self referal online so we called him and gave him the address. He lives pretty far from where the church is, but yesterday texted us saying he was sitting in the congregation. He sacrificed his day to make it to church! Afterwards he mentioned how there was just more out there and he wanted to know. It was pretty cool! We will hopefully be able to meet with him over skype this week with the many other miracles we have going on here.

I know the church is true! We just never know when that one will receive the gospel!! #MIRACLES!!!!!!! Missionary work is awesome!! Hope all is well! Skype was pretty awesome as well!!

Elder Hayes

Skype with the Family

this building just stands out in the middle of no where and is tall and skinny hahaha 

Sister Ingersoll and her family came back for a visit

Picture from MLC

 

Week 95 - 2 Crazies in the City, A New (And Last) Companion, And Missionary Work in McDonalds

MAYDAY, MAYDAY there are 2 crazies running around Jakarta! Those two crazies would be my companion and I. :) Elder Hariyadi as well as my former companion, Elder Panjaitan and others finished up their mission this past week. It was pretty weird to see them go. On Tuesday, my new companion arrived. His name is Elder Tuttle AKA Elder "Turtle" to the Indonesian people and to President "Private Tuttle" from the MASH series. He comes from a family of 9 and he falls at number 6 of the Tuttle Bunch. Him and I actually have almost similar stories back home. He was born and grew up in New York until he moved to Utah where as I was born and raised in Colorado and then moved out to Virginia! We flip flopped. I am super excited to work with him!

Where do I begin with what happened this past week?? SO many cool things took place and I think it was because of our hard work and diligence. We will start with one of the member referrals that we received. On Thursday, this member set up an appointment for us to come and teach some of her family members that asked to meet with us. President Donald came along with us....he drove...I navigated, pretty impressive team you might say. :) We showed up and the referrals actually could not come. This member's husband was there who is also not a member of the church but has been learning for a while. We started talking with him when the referrals showed up! It was a miracle for all! We taught about the Restoration and they took it in very well. They said they have been searching for truth but have yet to find it. They were unable to come to church this past week because of transportation but the member came up to us and explained that they took one of the old motorcycles and have been working on fixing it up so that they can make it to church! 

Next up, Mike and his beautiful family! On Saturday night we were walking into a mall to meet other people. Waiting out front was a family of 6. We walked by and debated on talking to them. We initially didn't talk to them and walked in. As we made it in, we both turned around and both had the same feeling that we needed to go talk to them. We walked back out and introduced ourselves. They knew exactly who we were. We got to know the family and learned more about them. As we were talking, we noticed they knew a lot about the church. Turns out he used to be a Pastor and once dated a member of the church. He expressed their fear when we walked by the first time but gave his great gratitude for us taking the time to turn around and talk to them. They had 4 little kids and it was such an awesome experience! It was a very beautiful family. We were able to share a restoration pamphlet and gave our numbers.

As we have been going crazy in the city, we have been just opening our mouth with everybody! We ended up talking to people that were highly interested in coming to church yesterday. They both didn't come because of work meetings but it was cool to just right away invite them to church. We will contact them this week and hopefully they will be able to come next week.

On Friday afternoon, we were sitting in McDonald's doing a little planning and getting a little snack when more miracles happened! A guy from Spain who saw us walk in followed us and introduced himself. He works here but knows who the missionaries are because they often go by his house in Spain. He just asked us questions about our lives here and from there we were able to teach just some small and simple truths. We only talked for about 5 minutes but it was short and powerful. As we went back to planning, more people interrupted us. One of them showed us pictures of him and his friend in front of the Oakland California temple. We stopped planning and taught about the Restoration and the Book of Mormon. It was a pretty busy day just in that one spot. Lots of miracles!!!

Saturday morning as we went out, we passed by a man sitting on a bench in front of some ATM's. We stopped to take money out and also we took a seat next to this guy. We talked for just a little bit and he told us how his daughter who was only 15 or 16 passed away not even a year ago. We talked about the Plan of Salvation and how families can be together forever. The Holy Ghost was super strong. We exchanged numbers and went on our way. He called us last night asking when we could meet again. We will be trying to meet with him this Tuesday. Elder Tuttle and I have walked by that very spot where we met him many times since meeting him.......there is no bench there.

Our long time investigator came to church yesterday and we were able to teach him after church. It was such a great lesson. We are seeing miracles EVERYWHERE!! We are talking with anybody in sight and just seeing miracles happen and so many more that I couldn't write in here. Lots of good things are happening!! I know the church is true!

Elder Hayes

Going home!!

Former Companions

At a member's house and a bunch of his friends that listened to our lesson!!