Opposition

Hello Family and Friends,

We had dinner with Sr Ruth again. (See picture) She’s an Ami. She works and she is a teacher and she sells stuff too. She’s awesome she wants to pay tithing but apparently here you can't pay tithing before your baptism. She is a strong woman of faith.

Our Stake President told us 6 months after he was baptized he was called to be the Branch President and then he was facing opposition in all things because the members took it upon themselves to show him where it says in the scriptures we will face opposition. They were giving him opposition.

I got sick this week so every day when I got home I went straight to bed. I cut my ingrown toe nail as Julie L instructed so I hope that feels better soon. It has been very painful and we walk a lot.

Remember Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.

This was the scripture I chose for my mission plaque. It was important to me then and means even more to me now.

I hope everyone has a great week,

Love,

Elder Stephens

Republic of Congo, Brazzaville Mission

Preston.stephens@myldsmail.net

Two weeks in one

6/13/16

Ok this week in the Congo,

We played soccer and we found in the park they put a workout section where you have machines but they just use your own body weight as the resistance that was awesome so were going to run there in the mornings and work out. Hopefully the other elders can keep to their word for that. We had an ami feed us and oh my goodness that was so so good. We were stuffed and could barely walk after we ate. I want you guys to know I’m praying for you. You learn to pray about every second of  your mission your praying for the lessons and your praying more than your teaching and your praying to know what to say what the people are even saying it’s fun haha. I know that the church is true and that through Joseph Smith the Lord has restored his gospel.

6/20/16

We had more baptisms this week. I’ll attach photos. We are working with one guy who likes beer. So we told him he would have to drink the kind without alcohol. And he said “NO, that’s for women.” I died laughing and my comp did too. The Bishop called the out the people of the ward out for not being on time and respecting the sacrament. He said if the President came and was giving out $ you wouldn’t be late you would be on time. It was funny. (But true) The mission President doesn’t want us going to that park to work out. He says it’s not safe. We think it is but President does not… Life in Africa….. The Sister missionaries have been asking me to translate for Sr. Bills (she works in the mission office and only speaks English) I would love letters for my Birthday coming up. I’ll have my mom put the address on again. But you can email too. Please visit the temple. Have a great week.

Elder Preston Stephens

27 Avenue De Le Base La Frontiere

Moungali

Brazzaville

Republic of Congo

Love,

Elder Stephens

Republic of Congo, Brazzaville Mission

preston.stephens@myldsmail.net

Acclimated

There was a baptism this week not for us but for other missionaries which my companion and I witnessed. This week was more less the normal we walked a lot. We started teaching a new investigator who’s been coming to church but we haven’t gotten to meet with him yet but he’s been coming to church so were basically just flying through the lessons because he’s already been taught them at church in gospel principles... (Taught by the missionaries) so were just did you understand that do you have any questions just like one on one stuff so it’s easy haha. I’m going crazy! It was 85 the other day I had to put my jacket on. One of the elders from RDC was soaked and I was wearing a jacket haha my companion and I like to wear our jackets. I’m so very grateful for my mission call and I know that the Lord has sent me here for a reason. I love all your letters and emails they make me smile and laugh. Love you guys. Read your scriptures they are the way that the Lord has given us written instructions and answers to our prayers.

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Love,

Elder Stephens

Republic of Congo, Brazzaville Mission

Preston.stephens@myldsmail.net