Week 91

The good Lord gave us mountains so we could learn how to climb -Lonestar (Mountains)

K3 Branch finally has a church.

This week has been quite a miraculous one. We have seen a lot of blessing as we have started proselyting in the new branch's area full time. The big thing that has had us excited this week has been a long time coming. You'll remember from my previous emails that the K3 branch has had a long, hard journey since the church got shut down by the government last year. The other branches (K1 and K2) made recovery relatively quickly, but when it came to re-opening the K3 branch they hit a brick wall. The government had been very kind to us, but they weren't able to allow us to rent another building for K3 based on the current rules. This made the situation difficult for my companion and I while we were there, but watching the faith of our amazing members gave us extra drive to work harder. 

I have long since been transferred away from K3, and received the same companion again

All three pictures were from Facebook

that I whitewashed K3 with, but as zone leaders we have been able to keep careful watch of and have a hand in the rebuilding of K3. This week became eventful as it was the first week that K3 was able to meet in it's own building in it's own area since the shutdown over a week ago! Even better, with us serving in the newly created K4 branch which meets at 11:30 we were able to attend the meeting!! It brought the deepest feelings of joy to watch the branch meet in it's new location for the first time with over 111 people in attendance. K3 previously had anywhere from 50 to 70 people attend each week which was great considering the circumstances, but it blew our minds to see such a quick response. I have never seen people so overjoyed to WALK to church! I can't help but recognize how the difficulty of tested faith has strengthened and deepened the conversion of K3's congregation, helping it to be much better than it would be at this time without the struggle!

"The trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory..." 1 Peter 1:7 For these wonderful saints of K3 I would say that their trials truly have become more precious than gold! God gave them a mountain, they learned how to climb, and the difficult journey has been "consecrated for their [eternal, non-perishable] gain" (2 Nephi 2:2). They have reached the summit of this mountain, and though others are left yet to be climbed they are one step closer to being what God wants them to be. I am so grateful to have been around to witness these wonderful events, and that God is using me to achieve his purposes at this time. I know that our challenges, when looked at with optimism and through the eyes of faith, can truly become blessings in our lives!

Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Winn

Celebratory Dance