Love & Conversion

Hello Everyone,

This week was good we walked, talked and taught! We also were invited and sang “Love at Home” in French for a wedding. All the missionaries were asked because the groom was a returned missionary. He asked us and we were all there for him. (My mom is going to try and put some of a practice video on my blog)

This week I’ve been studying conference and I loved when Dallin H. Oaks said “It is not enough for us to be convinced of the gospel; we must act and think so that we are converted by it. In contrast to the situations of the world, which teach us to know something, the Plan of Salvation and the gospel of Jesus Christ Challenges us to become something” I challenge everyone this week to pick a principal that they are convinced is true and become converted to that point.

I love you all,

Elder Stephens

From Julie: I wanted to include the story Preston wrote to me this week because I thought it was so sweet.

The Journey of the Papaya

A father in the field gives a papaya to his son. His son loved it but decided it would be better if he gave it to his sick sister. His sister was very grateful, but she gave it to her mother who had worked very hard to take care of her. The Mother was very grateful also and decided to save it for her hard working husband. When the father came home he was overjoyed at the kindness of his family so he split the papaya into 4 pieces and they all had the papaya together.

He closed by saying “I love our family”  

Serving big or small

Hello Everyone,

This week we had a big service. There were three converts baptized from two different branches and a kid who just turned 8. It was really awesome. This week my companion and I started to study English a lot so that he can learn it and be able to use it to get jobs when he goes home. On Saturday it rained really hard. One of our investigators house roof was destroyed a couple of weeks ago. So it floods now. We called and asked if we could help and they said yes thank you so much but then when we got there they had already finishedL So we shared a message and went to get ready for the baptisms. I know that when we serve people we can truly feel the saviors love for us. I challenge you this week to find an occasion to serve someone. Small and simple are just as important as the big projects.

Love you all and Good Luck,

Elder Stephens

Mother's Day

Friends & Family,

Preston asked me (Julie) to write his letter today because of Mothers Day he forgot to write a group letter. We really enjoyed skyping with him yesterday!  We are all surprised that he eats mango and avocado every day. And even eat salads now! Preston was our pickiest eater! He says Dexter’s hair is crazy long and can’t get over it. He was so secure and calm. It was wonderful. He’s having a suit tailor made for him. It is extremely cheap there.  They have all their clothes made to fit. He said they have 9 investigators. He loves his mission and the people he serves.

He did give me a scripture to share: 1 Nephi 15:8-11

8 And I said unto them: Have ye inquired of the Lord?

9 And they said unto me: We have not; for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us.

10 Behold, I said unto them: How is it that ye do not keep the commandments of the Lord? How is it that ye will perish, because of the hardness of your hearts?

11 Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?—If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you.

Keep the commandments, pray and strive to stay close to the Lord and you cannot be lead astray.

Elder Stephens

Testimony

Hello Everyone,

This week I taught the gospel and we set 2 baptisms. This week I would just like to share my testimony. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, I know that he loves me, I know he is ready and waiting for us to come to him after we have fallen just like a child when they fall and run to their parents. I know that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can be cleaned from our sins and have the ability to live with our Heavenly Father and Jesus again. I am so grateful for my opportunity to be a missionary and have the chance to share this message with anyone who will listen. The gospel brings me great joy and peace and I know it’s true. I love you guys have an awesome week!

Elder Stephens

Pictures are of a wedding we attended and dinner.

Senior Missionaries

Family & Friends,

Yesterday was a holiday here so all the cybers were closed. On Friday last week I had splits with Elder Constant. (He’s from Guadalupe) Saturday we showed up at a wedding at the end of it L we have people we need to teach and can’t be 5 places at once. That would be interesting. We had transfer calls come in and nothing new for me but Elder Constant will be leaving and Elder Tall will be coming here. I don’t know if you know this but my best friend Elder Sheranian (Paris Mission) was in the MTC with Elder Tall. Kind of crazy! We got a new couple (Senior Missionaries) but they are here for humanitarian aid so they are in Brazzaville. We now have missionary couples in Yaoundé, Gabon, Pointe Noire, and ours The Calls will be leaving before the end of this year. We need Senior Couples so bad in our mission. (They each are in a different country because the Mission President can’t be in all 5) They are like our parents and are awesome. They help take the stress off the dirigent missionaries.  (Sorry I don’t know what they are called in English) I am so grateful for all your support. I hope everyone is doing well and Reads the Book of Mormon. It will change your life. If you have already read it again you will learn new things. Love you all,

Elder Preston Stephens