Transfer 4:4 The Sacrifice Is Often Its Own Reward...

You know, the most interesting thing about this work is that the more you do it each day, the more you get used to it and the more natural it becomes. Now I know that that isn't anything too special, because that's true with just about anything we do in life, but it stands out to me especially in the mission field because you are doing something that not many people in the world take time to even ponder, and that is to use every fiber of your being to share what you know about Jesus Christ to just about everyone you see regardless of if they know English or not!

For this week, due to time, I will focus on the highlights. 

1) The mission standards have been raised, so we worked extra hard to meet our new weekly goal of ten new investigators this week and we both saw the Lord's hand truly guide us when we least expected it to find these wonderful people.

2) I have been blessed to have the responsibility of being a trainer and leader at this time. As challenging as it is, I am learning so much about the love and patience of our Savior and how I can do more and more to let that shining example into my work here in Rwanda. I love having Elder Mdletshe as my companion! He is powerful and he has taught me how to be an even better missionary!

3) As a District Leader, one of my privileges is to interview those getting ready for their baptism. I got to do two of these this past week, but there is one that stood out to me that I want to share a little bit about. The name of this man is Seth. He was orphaned by the Genocide and has been helped by the government to make up the difference. I have never before met someone with such a pure spirit as Seth! In his interview, I could almost feel physically the power of his testimony and his desire to be baptized! It just reminds me that the Lord truly prepares people for His gospel, and that He also gives us moments like this to help us build our own Testimonies. 

4) This last one is interesting, and I'll be brief about it. Long story short is that our Branch of the Church has been closed by the government. So, that means that we didn't have Church at Kagugu yesterday. Instead, we went to the Branch in Town, because it had been reopened the day previous. We are hoping and praying that soon our Branch will open again so that we can successfully invite people to it again! But the Lord will provide a way!! 

To close off this weeks email, I just want to say that I truly love what I'm doing. Sure there are times when I feel like it is the most difficult thing that I've ever done and that I might not be the best at it, but then I see the love that these people I meet each day have for the Savior and what I am called to teach. I also begin to remember the blessings that this gospel and Church have brought to my family and to me, whether I saw them before or not. 

To all of you, know that I always love you and that I am grateful for the time you take to read these emails as a part of your life. I hope that they are worthwhile. Each of you are wonderful people, and I know that you are capable of doing all things that come your way. 

-Elder O'Hagan