Return With Honor!

The Smith Siblings

More from the Smith Baptism

Saying Good Bye to Fortunat

Dear Family,

Well this is the last weekly email I'll be sending out. How thankful I have been to serve here in the Nation's Capital. Soon to think it will all be memories. There will be things I miss, other not so much. I'm thankful for a companion who helped pushed me to the end, to keep me working and busy. But most importantly I'm thankful for the relationship with my Heavenly Father I have been able to build. He has helped me through the rough times, rejoiced with me through the happy times. 

Rejoicing moment, this weekend the Stewart kids got baptized. To think just a few months ago as we taught their mother, they were all hiding in their rooms. Now saying goodbye to them as members of the church. The ward has been fantastic at helping us fellowship people into the gospel. I cannot think of a Sunday where we had someone there and no one talked to them. Members saw a new face and made it a familiar one. They truly showed their love and support at the baptism. I had the honor of baptizing Marcus and Andre (A story all within itself). Elder Chamberlain had the pleasure to baptize Kayla and Kamille. There is this vigor spreading through the ward with missionary work. 

Hard Moment, Boy do I not enjoy saying goodbye to people. This last week has been a rollercoaster of emotions, excitement, peace, sadness, happiness and so many others. I got to say goodbye to the Perez family, the Harris family, the Stewart/Middleton family, Fortunat, the Smiths, and so many others. Every time fighting back tears as I bid them a farewell. Truly I have come to love the people out here, the members, investigators, people on the street, those who oppress, and my companions. 

How lucky we have been to have a House of the Lord so close with a visitor Center. The spirit who leads the elect to this gospel, testifies of truth, comforts us when needed. I have enjoyed being able to take our investigators to the V.C. To allow them to feel of the sacred spirit that is there. I am thankful for the opportunity I had to see Gildas get sealed to his wife for time and eternity. For the opportunities we had to go and attend sessions there. The push of the mission to get recent converts to the temple.

This gospel is true. It is for everyone. I love how Nephi puts it in 2 Nephi 26:33, "33 For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile." Being here in the melting pot of the world, never knowing who could answer the next door you knock on. I've seen it affect people from all around the globe. Anywhere from England, to Congo, to Bangladesh, to Brazil, to Central America, to Gabon, to Nigeria. 

I know that this is God's church once again established on the earth. That we can be cleansed of sin through the atonement of Jesus Christ, and that the Lord has a plan for each one of us. I am thankful for these two years that I've had out here and hope to continue on the path of Discipleship.

Love,

Elder Bentley

Last Full Week in the Mission

District Activity at Fort Washington

Me and Brother Williams

Dear Family!

This has been a pretty great week! It all will come creeping to a close, but there's thing that need to get done by then!! For this week just a few highlights.

Tuesday evening we were able to go and meet with the Agwu family! We really have been cranking out these new member lessons to Ume and Ugo. Ume will have surgery here soon so we want to make sure he gets completed before then. On Sunday he came walking in fifteen minutes to start and sat down with the deacons to pass the Sacrament! That was very exciting to see that. We will get to go teach them potentially one last time before I have to go.

Wednesday morning we started the day off down by Vielka's home contacting. The lesson that we had with them was about prayer and the importance of finding out for themselves if it's true. Her two kids are completely on board for baptism, but we can't let them continue until she finds out for herself that it's true. We were a bit disappointed when she didn't show up to church on Sunday. But we will give her a few more chances.

Wednesday evening we got to meet with Keysa and her kids. We have been scrambling to get them taught so they all can get baptized this coming Saturday. We taught the Plan of Salvation to them and after they only have the commandments. It's fantastic when you ask for someone to say the prayer and they all want to say it. We also dropped in Thursday evening to start the commandments. The two girls are completely taught and the boys have one more lesson. Things are looking up for them! They came on Sunday again, I think it makes 9 weeks consecutive since we knocked on their door. What a blessing this family has been! Keysa is interacting with the Ward, she made food for the Ward linger-longer and stayed to participate.

Friday evening we got to go to the Smith's home for a new member lesson for Melissa. They are one of the families that are going to be hard to say goodbye to. Sister Smith and her mom made us some fish and chips which were delicious! But since her mom is an older British lady she used a lot of words I had no idea what they were. One for example was fly tipping. But we had a great time with them and taught Melissa the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Saturday I went on exchange with the Zone leaders and got to go up into Anacostia. They say it's one of the scariest areas on the mission, but it just reminded me of Brooklyn Park. We had a fantastic day up there. I got to be with Elder George, who's trainer's trainer was my trainee! We ran into a couple of crazy people while we were there, but had a day full of teaching. They also have quite the meetinghouse. The church purchased it from a different religion and made it feel like an lds meeting house. The baptismal font though is up behind the pulpit in the Chapel so that's different.

I hope everyone had a fantastic week! Sorry it's a bit shorter, we are headed into D.C. For my last trip!

Love,

Elder Bentley