Miracles Alert

Well let me tell ya, it's getting hectic here in Berri my dudes. Lets get into it!

So first and foremost ...... we found someone that wants to be baptized! And it's a dude! So he will be able to hold the priesthood one day! His name is Ben! Ben is absolutely one of the most down to earth, loving, aussie bloaks that I've ever met. He is really trying to turn his life around. He's got some word of wisdom issues but he is willing to give them up. We have had some spiritual lessons with him! He is keeping commitments and is going to progress so well! I'm so excited for Ben and the decision he has made to want to be baptized! About 3 months ago my last companion and I found him in Barmera which isn't where he lives, he lives in Waikerie. But he said to come down and teach him.  We went to the appointment and he wasn't home. Since he's a 45min drive and we didn't have his phone number at the time we said we will just leave him for now.  A bit later Elder Burgess and I felt prompted to go to Waikerie and we contacted him and he invited us in and he basically said, "I want to be baptized by immersion" Elder Burgess and I were like... YES! Our prayers have been answered! So now we have appointments set up with him 3 times a week, 2 over zoom and 1 in person. Please pray for Ben. 

Another miracle we had this week was with our friend Johnathon. He deals with paranoia pretty badly so it's been hard to get him out to church.  About 3-4 months ago me and my last companion were teaching him and we were talking about keeping the Sabbath Day holy. And the spirit prompted me to tell him "If you come to church you will be healed" Those words just came out of my mouth!  So fast forward 3 ish months.  Elder Burgess and I have been bringing our returning member to lessons with him and they get along really well. This is great becasue Johnathon doesn't ever leave his home because he is so afraid to talk to others because of his paranoia. But, he loves us coming over because good things always happen after we leave his Home. So back to me and Elder Burgess having this lesson with Johnathon and the member. We felt prompted by the spirit to talk about faith in Jesus Christ. As we talked, we helped him notice that he really just has to choose to make the step to come to church or else it's always gonna be scary and he is never gonna want to come. And he said, "I'll think about it" which is what he has been saying for months! But we really didn't think much of it. Then Saturday night at about 5:30 we are getting a call from Johnathon (we never get calls from him) we answer the phone and the first thing he said is "What time is church tomorrow?" We said, 9:30, are you wanting to come with us? And he said "I'm highly considering it!" So we said we will walk with you to church.  We will be at your door at 9. When we got there to his door the next day he was ready to go and was a little scared but he made it. Everyone just welcomed him with open arms! People were giving him hugs, they were sitting by him and he felt so at home. He seemed to be having a good time. In a lesson with him a couple of days later, and we asked him how church was and his said "Not too bad, I didn't feel paranoid at all. I've had the confidence ever since attending church to talk to others and go to the bank to figure out my finances, and I used to never do that, because I was too scared". This story is remarkable!  The spirit doesn't lie. Church attendance healed him of his paranoia. God is real. Johnathon has completely changed! All of the sudden he wants to read the Book of Mormon now and keep commitments. He loves church. Soon enough he will be baptized! He even invited the members over to watch footy with him and eat KFC! That is sooo not the Johnathon I'm used to.

Hahaha and something funny was, I got pulled over by the cops! At first I was really confused because I was so sure I wasn't speeding and then I get the window down for the cop and he says, "Can you turn your lights on please? that's all" and I was so relieved hahaha! I thought I was gonna have to Pay another 300 dollar fine.  

We had another cool miracle!  Elder Burgess and I have been praying for a refferal that wants to be baptized. After about 2 days of praying, we received a refferal! Boom! We called him, got in contact with him and got his address. He lives in the absolute middle of no where! And that is really saying something for Berri which is already the boonies. So my companion and I knock on this door that we thought was his and this massive dog starts barking and and like is charging at the screen door and jumps and hits it like 3 times! I was like holy fetch I'm gonna die! This guy came and it was definitely not who we were looking for! He was shewing us away and I was yelling because the dog was so loud and asking do you know where this guy lives and he like oh just a little further up the road. It didn't help matters that is was pitch black outside and we can't see nothin'! We got out our flashlights and we see the next building and its these sheds that look abandoned and then this RV. It's DARK, no lights whatsoever. So we were like is this it??? We decided to yell his name, Sitiveni!... and all the sudden a light comes on in the RV and he was like "Brothers!! So good to see you! We met with him in this shed thing. All there was to sit on was a bucket and it's freezing! We start talking to him and he said he wants to be a member of the church! So we asked if wanted to baptized and he said yes! Woohoo miracles let me tell ya! Please pray for all of my friends!  The Lord needs Ben, Jonathon and Sitiveni to grow this humble branch in Berri that desperately needs some priesthood holders. 

Berri is good! Six more weeks till I'm home!! Can you believe it!? 

Love,

Elder Bishop

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