THE LORD PREPARED ELDER R.
My husband received a urgent phone call from a stake president in South America with the sad news that the father of one of our missionaries, Elder R., had passed away in tragic circumstances. We were just heartsick! Our office couple, the Carollo's, and we mourned together at this news.
Because this elder serves in a remote place with poor cell reception, it was hard for President Mann to even get word to our missionary that he wanted him to come and meet him at the closest stake center (a 30 min. drive for us) to discuss this difficult news. Finally, a text message did get to our missionary. and arrangements were made to meet in person for President Mann to tell him the unfortunate news.
Elder R. and his companion arrived at the stake center. President Mann met alone with our missionary to tell him the news about his father and the unfortunate circumstances of his death. He told President Mann, "I had a dream last night about my father"... and then went on to tell President Mann his dream, and saying to him "When I got your text to meet you here at the stake center, I already knew what it was about."
Elder R.'s parents are not members of the church. His father had led a rough life and had been involved with people who are likewise as rough. The circumstances of his home country are often dangerous. He loved his father very much and had hopes that through his own teaching and his example that he would join the church. How comforting is the gospel, to know that the blessings of the gospel will be offered to Elder R.'s father in the Spirit World, just as he himself works every day to share those sweet blessings with the people here in Mexico City!
(Our missionary has been a member of the church for 2 years. His 16 year old brother is the only other member of the church in his family. He worked in construction to earn the money to pay his way on his mission. He hopes his family is well and that his brother remains faithful in the church because for the 4 months of his mission he receives no letters of emails from home.)
President Mann and Elder O., (Elder R.'s companion) gave him a sweet, comforting priesthood blessing. Elder R. was very emotional and wept quietly throughout the entire meeting. Afterwards President Mann told him he certainly could take what time he needed that evening and into the next day to grieve and rest, but he said "I want to keep all our appointments and visits. I want to work." And that is what he did.
In spite of the tragic circumstances of his father's passing, Elder R. chose to not go home to the funeral, but stay on his mission. This was the counsel of his stake and mission president as well.
His missionary companion and fellow missionaries have been kind, compassionate and supportive of him as well. He continues to work hard each day, grateful for the opportunity to serve and teach the good people here in this part of the Lord's vineyard.
We were so grateful that the Lord prepared, comforted and continues to support this faithful missionary!
Because this elder serves in a remote place with poor cell reception, it was hard for President Mann to even get word to our missionary that he wanted him to come and meet him at the closest stake center (a 30 min. drive for us) to discuss this difficult news. Finally, a text message did get to our missionary. and arrangements were made to meet in person for President Mann to tell him the unfortunate news.
Elder R. and his companion arrived at the stake center. President Mann met alone with our missionary to tell him the news about his father and the unfortunate circumstances of his death. He told President Mann, "I had a dream last night about my father"... and then went on to tell President Mann his dream, and saying to him "When I got your text to meet you here at the stake center, I already knew what it was about."
Elder R.'s parents are not members of the church. His father had led a rough life and had been involved with people who are likewise as rough. The circumstances of his home country are often dangerous. He loved his father very much and had hopes that through his own teaching and his example that he would join the church. How comforting is the gospel, to know that the blessings of the gospel will be offered to Elder R.'s father in the Spirit World, just as he himself works every day to share those sweet blessings with the people here in Mexico City!
(Our missionary has been a member of the church for 2 years. His 16 year old brother is the only other member of the church in his family. He worked in construction to earn the money to pay his way on his mission. He hopes his family is well and that his brother remains faithful in the church because for the 4 months of his mission he receives no letters of emails from home.)
President Mann and Elder O., (Elder R.'s companion) gave him a sweet, comforting priesthood blessing. Elder R. was very emotional and wept quietly throughout the entire meeting. Afterwards President Mann told him he certainly could take what time he needed that evening and into the next day to grieve and rest, but he said "I want to keep all our appointments and visits. I want to work." And that is what he did.
In spite of the tragic circumstances of his father's passing, Elder R. chose to not go home to the funeral, but stay on his mission. This was the counsel of his stake and mission president as well.
His missionary companion and fellow missionaries have been kind, compassionate and supportive of him as well. He continues to work hard each day, grateful for the opportunity to serve and teach the good people here in this part of the Lord's vineyard.
We were so grateful that the Lord prepared, comforted and continues to support this faithful missionary!
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