Chapter 49: New Beginnings.
I was slightly looking forward to having the opportunity
to be introduced into an area instead of training in an area. There was a lot
of pressure to train a new missionary....that was before I got to Vilafranca. Oh goodness. President told me that they just
had three baptisms and that it was a great ward. Well, as I feared, they have
only been working with those three people, and now we are left with hardly
anyone to teach. In fact, I think we have three investigators total. So, it was
back to the streets, back to the doors, but more importantly, gaining the trust
of the members. Members are going to have to be crucial in this area because
it´s quite small, and quite wealthy which makes for a really hard area. So, we
hit the streets running. I love street contacting, and I am not really sure
why. Most missionaries find it to be a waste of time, but I kind of enjoy it. So, I started talking with everyone I saw
(there aren´t many people on the street here....haha) and my companion asks me,
“You do street contacts?” Oh boy. I replied, “I do everything. And that is what
we are going to need to do to get some new investigators!” So, we have been
running from place to place finding new investigators. There was one night in
particular that was really hard. No one was listening. We were waiting for our
train since our area actually covers about 7 towns. It´s huge! But, we were just
contacting, and I said a prayer. I was fighting back tears thinking, “Lord, if
I was in Castellón right now, I would be running from cita to cita with
progressing investigators. If you really want me here to make a difference,
than I need a miracle.” And you know what is great about the Lord?? He never
ceases to bless us when we ask! We contacted this boy that seemed to be really
interested and he seemed great. We went back to meet with him again and he
cancelled. But then we found three
girls who all said they are interested to learn more. I know that the Lord
works in mysterious ways, but he really does bless us. However, talking to the
girls made us lose our train we were thinking of catching. There was one more
train that came, but it came earlier than scheduled, and so there we were stuck
in Vendrell (a town outside of Vilafranca), alone, with no way of getting home.
So we called our mission leader who then in turn called half the ward to see
who could come rescue us. So embarrassing! Luckily, we were rescued by this
newly wed couple that reminded me of Zach and Tausha. It was a great way to get to know them better
I guess. Half the ward looked very concerned Sunday morning, and I was so embarrassed. I
really do know how to make an entrance!! The ward here is actually mostly Spaniards—one
of the only wards like this in Spain . It´s organized and feels a little more
like an American ward. They have really strong faithful members. At church we had another miracle. I was
thinking that we were going to have to work with the members a lot in this
area, and then this member comes up to me and says, “Hermanas come with me. We
are going to have a spiritual experience.” um ok....so we followed her out the
church door, and walked into the shop next door. She pulls out a Book of Mormon
and hands it to the clerk and says, “When I was in here the other day, I felt
like you needed a Book of Mormon”. She continued to testify of the Book of
Mormon, and the clerk replied, “ I can see that this is really important to
you. I will read it.” What?? It was so great, but the greatest part is when she
invited us for dinner... there was a nine year old boy at the table who I soon
learned was her grandchild. They turned to us after dinner and said, “Hermanas,
we have been waiting for the Hermanas to be here to teach my grandchild. He
would like to baptized.” Well, if that wasn´t a direct blessing, I don´t know
what is!! Not to mention, as we taught him, he is the most prepared nine year
old I have ever met. His name is Alex, and he is Catalan, and his mom and dad
are inactive. He wants to be baptized now, but he has to get permission. Please
pray for Alex!! It´s a hard work here in Vilafranca, but I know the Lord is
blessing us. Thank you all so much for your prayers!! Les Quiero,
Hermana Hopkins