Letter from January 30

We have been finding lots of investigators and teaching a lot of lessons these past few weeks, but we have had a challenge with the progress of the investigators.  The majority aren´t keeping the commitments we leave for them, such as attending church, reading the “Book of Mormon”, and praying. It has been a little difficult because we have been working very hard, but for a few weeks now we have been seeing the same results. Some people promise us things, but in the end they don’t keep their word.  This week was no different, until Sunday came around.  We went out early to pick up the investigators, but after about 45 minutes we arrived to church without a single investigator.  I was a little discouraged because we had been working very hard. As we were about to enter the church I said a pray in my heart, asking God to help us have someone in church.  When we entered the Chapel at 9, we found about 4 people (not a huge surprise). One of them was a man that I had never seen before. As we began to talk to him we found out he wasn´t a member.  He had gone to church before in Lima and had listened to the missionaries, but he stopped going to church.  Now he is working here in La Oroya and has the desire to come back to church.  He told us that now is the time to do what the Lord wants him to do.

  

A few minutes later a member entered with a friend that was visiting for the first time.  I couldn’t believe my eyes.  We talked with him for a little while and he seemed excited to meet with us. A few minutes later, our investigator, that has a baptismal date this week, entered into the chapel, happy and smiling.  I was so surprised and felt so blessed. I doubted that we were going to have anyone in church, but it taught me that when we do what we are supposed to do, we should never doubt.  At times the Lord lets us struggle, and things don’t go how we want them to go, sometimes even when we are doing the things that we should be. I have learned that if we keep on going, and trust in the Lord, He will help us and bless us.  It gave me an extra boost to keep on working, and the desire to become more like Jesus Christ.

Things are going well. My companion is the man! We get along great! He is from Arizona, he was going to the University of Arizona and we love eating cake.  What more can you ask for!  Thank you for your support and your love.

Elder Riggs