"Hi Elders"

Dear Everybody,

   Elder Bingham and I were delayed getting out of the apartment on Saturday. We received a surprise phone call, which led to more phone calls, which led to us missing the train that comes once every hour, etc. When we finally got out of the apartment, it was one of the awkward times where there is too much time to simply stand there and wait for the bus, so we went to visit the less active who lives a couple apartment houses down from us. After our visit, we started street contacting. There was a man on a bicycle coming towards us. Then something happened that happens much less often than we would like. The man stopped and started talking to us. We being the very prepared missionaries that we are, were not at all surprised that a man on the street who was riding his bike would stop in order to talk to us. We were not even phased when he said something we had never heard before. "Hi Elders". With the quick reactions of a well-prepared servant of the Lord, Elder Bingham said, "Are you a member?". He said, "No, but I have been to your website. I believe that Joseph Smith is a prophet. I am tired of the problems with drugs and my girlfriend. I want to change my life." We responded with all the eloquence of someone with the gift of tongues. "Uh... Ok...", followed by desperate rummaging for planners. There was a quick exchange of information, a pass along card with the address of the church and our phone number was given, (always kept on hand), and an appointment was made. What is the moral of the story?

   1. You can pray to find prepared people. Or you can pray that they will find you.

   2. The church website is awesome.

   3. If you really want a good laugh, say hi to Elders in English when you are in a place where they do not meet members all the time or speak English.

   4. If the Lord really wants you to find someone, as long as you are prepared, He will make sure that you meet that person. There are a lot of people that are ready for the Gospel that we "find", but when it really matters, the Lord takes care of it personally. We just have to give what we can.

sincerely,

Elder Perez