CANADA Week 57-August 28, 2018

The legendary 4 man. Elder Purahui showed us some magic method of folding shirts that we thought was Tahitian, but he just learned it from Facebook haha.

Salut tout le monde.

This week slid by in a blink, so sorry in advance if this email is a little sacattered. 

If there has been one thing that this specific area of my mission (Montréal Est) has pounded into my head again and again and again with vivid examples, is the importance and light of the family. I have met literally hundreds of people living here that are separated from their families, and have little hope of seeing them again. I have met men struggling to pay for their families living in a different country by working 7 days a week and shifts that aren't necessarily legal. I have met mothers fighting to balance raising their children and providing for their most basic needs. I have seen bright hope as well as crushed dreams, and I have felt their love and loss.

I love my family. They are the world to me, and I am so proud of them. I will be with them for this life and for eternity, because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. If you would like to learn more about His Atonement you can talk to the missionaries chez vous ;) God has placed us in families because families are an eternal unit. We are all a part of the family of God, and he loves us so much. During my year here in Canada I have literally seen entire lives and futures change because of that simple truth. God is our Father. I can add my simple testimony to that of Nephi`s (I think you just read this Miss Perry) in saying that, "I know that He loveth His children." (1 Nephi 11:17).

I wanted to finish with a quick story of a wonderful family. We met the father of this family a few weeks ago. He has been here in Canada for 5 years, trying to work to pay the way for his family to come as well. He has 2 young children and his wife all living in Haiti. They talk every day, and his wife (being a member of the church) finally convinced him to go to church here in Canada. We recently just had another discussion with our friend and brother Jimy, and we were able to promise him the chance of an eternal family. His eyes were open as he saw the wonderful plan of God, and he said with fervor, "Je le fera". Or "I will make it."

I can say with certainty that the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Plan of God make forever families. I wish you all a great week from the jolly country of Canada, and we will have one as well!

Elder Wilson

CANADA Week 56-August 21, 2018

Allo! eiaha to oe huru (from Elder Purahui) I guess I am an honorary Tahitian now, seeing as I have had 2 comps from the same little island haha.

Elder Purahui is a ton of fun, and he loves the work and the word of God. He has been a member of the church for 5 years, and he has some incredible life stories. He loves people, and it's fun to see how he talks with others. I have a lot to learn from him. 

This week was full of miracles, but we had a moment this week that I will certainly never forget. I'm sure a bunch of you already know, but President Nelson came to Montréal. The members of the church from all over Canada and even from the US gathered to a massive conference center, and we were lucky enough to go. We even got to take the metro to get there, and I love the metro now haha. Throughout the conference, we were addressed by Elder and Sister Bennet, Elder and Sister Anderson, and the Prophet and his wife. They taught us about many things, some of them being revelation, prayer, and Jesus Christ. Also, President Nelson (the prophet) shared with us 10 things that he has come to recognize as eternal truths, because he is a witness and the mouthpiece of God and Christ.

As a missionary i have also been called to stand as a witness of Jesus Christ, and in turn, his Prophets. So I would just quickly like to share some of the things I know.

God loves us

The Atonement (life and death) of Jesus Christ allows us to be forgiven for our mistakes

The Spirit of God and His word changes hearts and lives

The Church of Jesus Christ is restored on the earth today and led by a living prophet of God

God has prepared a plan of happiness for us that leads us to eternal life with our families

The way that I have come to know these things, is by following an invitation repeated often in the scriptures. In the Bible James invites; "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God..."(James 1:5). The prophet Moroni exhorts; "that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true..."(Moroni 10:4). And Jesus Christ Himself; "Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened."(Mat 7:7). 

Sometimes it seems as if the truth is uncertain, or not even there. But as you can see we have received many open invitations to find the truth, if we are willing to ask. I love you all, and I love the light that comes from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It changes. 

Have a fun week, and reach out to someone you haven't spoken to in a while! They miss you

President Nelson

Sending off Elder Tueller and Elder Brenchley with a bang haha. I love those dorks!

One of the most incredible members I have ever met (Jhonel) praying with a man he met in the metro and testifying of the love of Christ.

We went to go visit one of our friends this week, and for unknown reasons his stairs were wrecked... so we snuck around the backside.

Our wonderful neighbor just brought us food... He is a legend.

 Elder Hall made us pizzas last night. PERSONAL ones haha. We almost died trying to eat them.

Canadas mounted warriors haha. The Haitian people love it.

CANADA Week 55-August 14, 2018

Je suis en balloon . . . . 

That title doesn't actually make any sense, but it makes me laugh every time haha. It is a Quebec way of saying that I am pregnant . . . Elder Amichia just taught it to me this week. 

I have certainly seen and received a clear knowledge of the fact that by the Lord brings about great and wonderful things by small means (1 Nephi 16:29).

We even had some experiences with that truth this week. Ex 1- We were discussing with one of our friends who recently has been going through a time of change and difficulty in her daily life. We decided to open the Book of Mormon, and we were prompted to let her choose which chapter she would like to read (previously she has only read a few chapters). So she hesitated and flipped some pages and turned to Mosiah 24... So we started to read it, and afterwards she let us know that it was like the book was speaking to her. The word of God is powerful, and brings comfort as well as change. This is one of the verses that she really appreciated:

"And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord."

Ex 2- A few days ago we met a Haitian lady on the road, and she had to get to her bus, so she kinda just yelled her address at us. We didn't hear too clearly, but we thought we heard a number and a road so we passed by another night. We got there, and it was a large block with 8 apartments... We only had 5 minutes, so we took a moment to think and decided to go to apartment 2. We knocked and it was a man. We asked if Asafie (the woman) lived there, and he said no, but they happened to be friends. She actually lived on an entirely different road, but we started talking with this man, and now not only can we find Asafie, but we will be able to teach her friend.

From my experiences, it has always been through the small ways that the Lord has shown me His love. I love Him, and I know He loves all of you as well, so don't miss the small signs!

Oh and Elder James will be leaving Thursday..... We experienced some incredible things together, and it will be really sad to see him go (the 4 man will never be the same), but the things he taught me will stay with me forever. And I will be receiving Elder Purahui, another Tahitian! It will be a great 6 weeks.

And thanks everybody for your support with the live Facebook discussion! We will continue to figure out better and more effective ways to teach with the tools we have received, so thanks again for your feedback! I love you all, and make this week awesome! 

Elder Wilson

We moved a massive fridge out of a stairwell with minimal casualties. Il faisait chaud...

Elder James working on the setup for the Facebook video.

Canada is beautiful!

Missionary work makes even the hardest of floors feel like a cloud.

You are only a real Haitian if you drink this Haitian malt stuff that Elder Amichia is holding. People always think that he can speak Créole when they see him.

CANADA Week 54-August 7, 2018

I got to learn with and from Elder Hall this week! Feat: the famous library poop in the back corner...

Allo 

I am officially the worst at telling people what happens here in Quebec, and Quebec is the best place in the world, so I'll give a quick run down of sweet people and things and stories.

-This week we were walking down the road and said hi to an Italian man named Peter. He asked an inspired question (Have you guys eaten?) and then literally just pulled us into his house. He yelled at his family and told them that we were there so they all came out. His wife just started making us salad and they warmed up some RIBS for us as well. We had a great discussion about families and the Book of Mormon, and I saw another example of the goodness of the people here. And the fact that God knew that we were hungry haha.

-We have become friends with this awesome Haitian man that is always riding a hover board while dancing and balancing a water bottle on his head. Impressive stuff.

-One of the incredible friends we teach named Jean is so touched by the restored gospel of Christ that he has been studying Preach My Gospel so he can share this message of joy with his friends. Also, his family lives in the Dominican Republic so he works every day so that he will eventually have enough money to bring them here, but he finds time for us, and is trying to come to church.

-I went on an exchange with Elder Tueller who went to high school with me. He is an inspiring missionary.

-NOBODY in Canada has air conditioning so we haven't stopped sweating since June haha. Sometimes we even think fondly of winter...

-There is a member named Jhonel here that calls us every day to come out teaching with us. He is going to be the best missionary ever!

Those are just some of the things that came to mind, but my days have become filled with miracles and important moments. Above all, my experiences have shown me that God loves His children and He loves to speak with us. We have been promised over and over again that if we seek, we will find (James 1:5, Matthew 7:7, Moroni 10:4, President Nelson April conference 2018). Like Elder Neal A. Maxwell said, "To those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, it is clear that the Father and the Son are giving away the secrets of the universe!"

I pray and hope that vous-autres have made use, or will make use, of the wonderful gift of personal revelation. My comp Elder James and I are living witnesses of this gift. We know that God wants to answer us and show us His divine love.

Pray and wait and seek answers to the things most important to you, and He will gladly open your eyes! I will be working on the same thing, so we can do it together!

I love you all, so thanks for you support and stories and love. 

Elder Wilson

Big shout out to the wonderful James Family! They sent us some pizzas and brownies, and we all were so full we almost died. 2nd dinners are the way to go!

Elder James has officially made it through the "Hump Day" of his mission haha.