A lot like a storm cloud, it seems like God is just raining down the tender mercies and miracles this last week. Along with some rough times come some very sweet and tender moments. It's hard to describe everything, but essentially this is what happened:
The first was that last week we got a call from one of our previous investigators, who we dropped because we felt like she and her friends wanted to bible bash more than anything else... and refused to truly listen to our message. When she called us out of the blue, we were a bit hesitant to meet her... but we need to always be willing to open our mouths and share with someone who desires to listen. As we met her and her friend, they told us that another friend would be joining us that evening--it was a man who actually studied a lot about the bible and speaks at conferences about it. Talk about our hearts skipping a beat. BUT! As we met with this man we were able to discuss a lot of Christ's gospel--especially faith, repentance, and baptism. He was genuinely interested in the Book of Mormon--both its origins and the teachings it contains. We gave him a chapter to read and pray about. And he said he would read the whole thing. We're not to sure where it might lead, but the meeting actually turned out way better than we could have hoped for.
Also!! This last week we were able to finally contact an investigator who I was originally teaching when I served in Dunsan Ward (she lives in Samsung area with her mom and grandma... the daughter is ten). We received them as a referral from the sister serving in Dunsan now, but we were unable to meet them for the longest time! But, we felt a prompting to send a text to her and ended up meeting her that same day last Friday! We have high hopes for her and her mom, as the daughter has a strong desire to be baptized and has actually attend church a couple times with her mom (who said she wanted to take the lessons, too).
Also, we contacted another previous investigator that also lives in Samsung area and who I taught last year around Christmastime. I haven't seen her since the beginning of this year and wanted to see how she's been! She invited us to help her prepare and also attend her one year wedding anniversary this weekend. We helped her clean and cook for a little bit, and as we were doing so she opened up to us about her worries and concerns... which have led to her questioning the purpose of life, and also what happens after. We had a good discussion about it, and we gave her a Liahona we were inspired to bring which had a message specifically after life after death (and the plan of salvation). When we gave it to her, she was speechless and clearly touched. Kept asking how we knew, and then said she knew God loves her. Called it a miracle. It was perfect!! And all led by the spirit... we are going to meet her again later this week.
Also, at her party later that evening we met a ton of people who asked us a lot of questions about missionary work. At the party one of the woman there seemed especially interested, and opened up to us about some of her own questions about God. She agreed to download the Book of Mormon app, read it, and pray about it. We got her number, and are hoping to refer her to the Busan Mission missionaries, where she lives. She is an incredibly sweet and loving woman.
Throughout all of these experiences I was again reminded of how great God's wisdom and love is. He is aware of each of us in our circumstances and situations. He reaches out to us in many means and ways, yet it's up to us as far of if we are wiling to accept and regonize it. I am so very grateful for the opportunity to be serving here in Korea. Also, for God's wisdom in allowing me to remain in contact with those we I met in my last area... it blows my mind how great God is!
Love you all!
Sister Marissa Hatch
해치 자매
The first was that last week we got a call from one of our previous investigators, who we dropped because we felt like she and her friends wanted to bible bash more than anything else... and refused to truly listen to our message. When she called us out of the blue, we were a bit hesitant to meet her... but we need to always be willing to open our mouths and share with someone who desires to listen. As we met her and her friend, they told us that another friend would be joining us that evening--it was a man who actually studied a lot about the bible and speaks at conferences about it. Talk about our hearts skipping a beat. BUT! As we met with this man we were able to discuss a lot of Christ's gospel--especially faith, repentance, and baptism. He was genuinely interested in the Book of Mormon--both its origins and the teachings it contains. We gave him a chapter to read and pray about. And he said he would read the whole thing. We're not to sure where it might lead, but the meeting actually turned out way better than we could have hoped for.
Also!! This last week we were able to finally contact an investigator who I was originally teaching when I served in Dunsan Ward (she lives in Samsung area with her mom and grandma... the daughter is ten). We received them as a referral from the sister serving in Dunsan now, but we were unable to meet them for the longest time! But, we felt a prompting to send a text to her and ended up meeting her that same day last Friday! We have high hopes for her and her mom, as the daughter has a strong desire to be baptized and has actually attend church a couple times with her mom (who said she wanted to take the lessons, too).
Also, we contacted another previous investigator that also lives in Samsung area and who I taught last year around Christmastime. I haven't seen her since the beginning of this year and wanted to see how she's been! She invited us to help her prepare and also attend her one year wedding anniversary this weekend. We helped her clean and cook for a little bit, and as we were doing so she opened up to us about her worries and concerns... which have led to her questioning the purpose of life, and also what happens after. We had a good discussion about it, and we gave her a Liahona we were inspired to bring which had a message specifically after life after death (and the plan of salvation). When we gave it to her, she was speechless and clearly touched. Kept asking how we knew, and then said she knew God loves her. Called it a miracle. It was perfect!! And all led by the spirit... we are going to meet her again later this week.
Also, at her party later that evening we met a ton of people who asked us a lot of questions about missionary work. At the party one of the woman there seemed especially interested, and opened up to us about some of her own questions about God. She agreed to download the Book of Mormon app, read it, and pray about it. We got her number, and are hoping to refer her to the Busan Mission missionaries, where she lives. She is an incredibly sweet and loving woman.
Throughout all of these experiences I was again reminded of how great God's wisdom and love is. He is aware of each of us in our circumstances and situations. He reaches out to us in many means and ways, yet it's up to us as far of if we are wiling to accept and regonize it. I am so very grateful for the opportunity to be serving here in Korea. Also, for God's wisdom in allowing me to remain in contact with those we I met in my last area... it blows my mind how great God is!
Love you all!
Sister Marissa Hatch
해치 자매