Spanish Town - 12

This week was AWESOME. Everything really tied together yesterday when we had several investigators come to church. Elder Patrick and I have been really blessed with the opportunity to be teaching some very elect and prepared people. It's been very fulfilling to see the change in their hearts.

Veron met the Sister Missionaries in Kingston about a month ago. The Sisters offered to carry her bags for her to the bus stop and then invited her to the attend the Boulevard Ward in Kingston. Veron was so impressed by the selfless service that she attended that week, and the proceeding 3 weeks as well. Veron actually lives in the bush outskirts of our area, so we're now teaching her and she is attending our ward. Veron is GREAT! She loves the Book of Mormon. She's already in Jacob. We had a great lesson with her yesterday after church addressing her questions on the Creation and Adam and Eve. Elder Patrick brought out the Pearl of Great Price and started introducing the Book of Moses. In my mind I was so worried about this because not many investigators like to hear about Joseph Smith's translation of the Bible, but as he explained it to her, and then as we compared it with Genesis, it all just 'clicked' for her. "It all makes sense now! For decades I've always been so confused with some parts of the Bible; I've always felt like some of it is just missing!" Veron is 100% pumped and ready for baptism on March 26.

Bro. Anderson (the super prepared one who 'went Jamaican') is also doing well. We were able to see him twice this past week. We brought Bro. Harrison (a convert of ~2.5 years in the bishopric) with us to teach a Book of Mormon lesson, and I learned a great lesson from Bro. Harrison. Often times we forget the main purpose of the Book of Mormon. Often times we just stress the "You can know what we've taught is true if...." or "You can know that Joseph Smith was a prophet if....." or "You can know this is the true church if.....", but we forget to mention the Book's purpose! As Moroni said, the Book of Mormon's purpose is for "the convincing of Jew and Gentile the JESUS is the CHRIST." Bro. Harrison's strong testimony of the Book of Mormon was exactly what Bro. Anderson needed to hear - even though he already has a strong faith in Christ. His testimony was 100% solely on the fact that Jesus is the Christ, the Redeemer, and Savior. His testimony was that this Book has strengthened his testimony in Christ immensely. Definitely a great lesson for me to learn that afternoon.

Jason "Fire Banton" also came to church with his 2 young daughters. We contacted him earlier this past week. At first glance you wouldn't think this guy would want the gospel in his life. He has dreadlocks and some nasty facial hair. "Fire Banton" is his DJ names at parties. But we had some great lessons with him, and he came to church with his 2 young daughters yesterday and they all loved it! We're going to try to start teaching his baby-mother this week as well and hopefully get them married!

The Zone Leaders gave us our transfer calls this past Saturday. After serving together for 2 transfers, Elder Patrick will be leaving to Linstead. The Zone Leader then told me I was waiting on a call from the APs. Soon after, one our APs called and told me that the Lord wants me to train a new missionary. He said that before they pick zone leaders or anyone, they first pick the trainers. He told me that I'll have the largest impact on this new missionary's first 12 weeks, more than President Brown. I'll also be serving as the District Leader in Spanish Town. Very excited for these opportunities to serve. Excited for these great learning and growing experiences.

Elder Ritchie