Miracles and Mourning
Hello everyone! I'll start with the miracles this time cause I feel they didn't get equal time last week cause I ran out of time to write my email. There aren't a ton of big ones but just restating the older ones.
David got baptized this last week on Sunday and Elder Little, my comp, is the one that baptized him and I was the one that baptized June, the other 20 year old guy. There is a huge lack of priesthood in the area of Cambodia, so it really is an amazing miracle that we have two future strong priesthood holders get baptized. Both are receiving the priesthood this next week and also going to get their temple recommends as well so they can be ready for when the temple is opened. That Sunday (yesterday) was so busy!!!! Right after the baptism we met a new referral whose a lit college student and seems really interested. And the second is a guy who is incredibly interested but also told us he is gay. So another son of God that needs saving just like the rest of us! I know for a fact that this Gospel is the true Gospel of Jesus Christ and is meant for everyone! There's more but if you want more details gonna have to email me personally 😆
Okay now for the sadder stuff, but don't worry I'll try to end it with a hopeful and inspiring spiritual message.
So first is Thailand and Cambodia are in a border disputed war. I'm sure some have seen on the news and stuff like that but anyways over in Cambodia all the news is saying Thailand is evil and everything is probably skewed as well. As far as I know, which is probably too much attention a missionary should give it is Thailand wants some of Cambodia's land and temples that are near the border. They say it was theirs before the French came in and drew the borders and then left. Thing is, way before that in ancient times there was only Khmer people, which are the people who live in Cambodia, so those ancient temples are Cambodia's anyway. What I don't agree with is all the hate from both sides and blaming and lying. It's all just plans of satan to drive people a part and to hate each other. Super sad to watch. For people worrying about me because missiles were launched on both sides, don't worry I"m safe and will forever be safe as long as I"m a missionary. I have full faith in the prophet of the Lord and they will pull us out before it's overly dangerous for us. If they don't, then we are supposed to be here. Moral of the story, I trust God and His plan is what will happen since we are all His missionaries doing His work.
Okay this is the real mourning part of the week, I'll try to keep it short and brief. so the three people we baptized last Sunday, the mom has another younger son-so they younger brother of the two little girls. They are ages 11, 9, and 7. Anyway, as soon as they left the baptism they went home and their kid had a fever so they went to the hospital, after a couple days they identified that he had dengue fever and so he started bleeding internally and it just kept coming out of his mouth. Anyway, us Elders went there Saturday and gave him a blessing and comforted the family as he lay unconscious on the bed with three or four different machines hooked up to him. We had church and our baptism as normal and slept easy that night hoping he would get better in the next week or two. Well the next morning I get a call hearing that he died that morning which is our Monday, or p-day morning. So we quickly got dressed and ready to go and we go buy flowers for the mother and father and stuffed animals for the two girls. We go to the house and the boy is just laying on the bed with candles around him as everyone mourns. So please pray for their family that they will feel the love of Christ and be able to push forward in faith. I was doing just fine, just a sobering experience up until Elder Little asked the 9 year old adorable girl what she would name her stuffed animal to which this little strong, full of smiles and laughter girl pointed to her brother on the bed and then started bawling her little eyes out. Ofc we wrapped her up in big arms and held her as she cried with her sister, mother, and father while our own tears fell on each other as we all hugged and comforted each other.
To my family and my friends, I love you! I am so grateful for the time that I've already had creating memories with each and everyone of you. This event has really put life into perspective and this mission is really changing my life. I'm learning through all of these experiences that I am so incredibly blessed. When I see the people's state of living here and the illnesses that take precious boys' lives in just one week, I'm reminded that I have no right, no excuse to complain about things that are hard for me or things that don't go my way. I am so blessed! Thank you everyone for helping me grow in life and preparing a way for me so I can be on this mission. Especially my Grandpa and Grandma and my Papa and Nana and ofc my parents. They together have covered most, if not all, of my mission costs and I'm deeply grateful for their sacrifice so I can be here doing the Lord's work.
Life is short but also death is not the end. That little boy is doing a great work in the spirit world. If you don't know what type of work he's doing, email me and I'll tell you all about it! That's why I'm a missionary😉 This experience truly has refueled my fire and desire to be as perfect as one can be so that when it is my time to meet my maker, I will be worthy to hear the special words saying; "Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou has been faithful over a few things I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Matthew 25:21
Once again, I love all of you and I invite all of you to go to your siblings and say I love you, even if there are conflicts. Do things like it's the very last chance you have. You truly never know when their, or your, last day is on this earth. Go say "I love you" to all of your family!!!
I love each and every one of you, all my family and friends and past friends! I love you all and I'm so grateful for each and every one of you. Carry on with joy because we all will have the opportunity to live with our families again in the eternities. Again, if you didn't understand everything I said about the religion part and the after life, send me a message and I'll give you the schpiel.💗🫶🫰
Love your Elder Acton
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