Helping and Praying for a New Member

CLEMENTE AND CANDIDO
Tonight we find out about changes. I love this area, a lot. I realized yesterday how much the ward members and investigators here have come to mean to me, and how much more can come to mean to me. Another three months here would make this one of the most treasured and wonderful places of my life. San Francisco El Alto is a name that will always bring cherished memories. We’ll see what happens…but stay or go, it has been such a blessing to serve here.
Saturday, Clemente told is he wouldn’t be able to come to church on Sunday. When we asked him why, he told us that some missionaries from another church invited him to go to church with them and he wanted to go. We asked him if he could just come to bless the Sacrament and then he could go, and he said maybe.
We came home sad and discouraged that night. But, I knew that Heavenly Father was aware and would help. I fasted that evening for His help.
Sunday, Clemente came to Sacrament Meeting. His good friend Candido stopped by to pick him up. Candido was baptized a few months ago and has a wonderful testimony. After Sacrament Meeting, Clemente left to go to a different church with the other missionaries as planned, but when he stepped out of the gate, he stopped, turned around and came slowly back in. I was glad he came back. It was really hard to see him leave.

He had a lot of sincere questions and was really stressed. He is being pulled in many directions by many different churches and people. It almost seems more then anyone could handle. His old preacher is talking with him a lot, the other missionaries are being persistent and his father continues to be disappointed and disapproving. Clemente feels lonely, burdened and persecuted- and rightfully so.
We spent a bit of time with him after church answering questions from ´´Why are our songs different from other churches?`` to ``What does a Prophet mean?`` to ‘’Are we allowed to dance?’’
We bore humble and sincere testimony that we have no doubt that this church is true. I told Clemente that I am only on a mission because I know, 100%, that this is the true church, that we have the same authority and keys Christ bestowed on the original twelve apostles. I was grateful for the help of the Lord. The peace of knowing that this church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints really is true, gave us the confidence to help Clemente with all of his doubts.
We taught him, among many other things, the importance of prayer and searching for answers and a stronger testimony in the scriptures. We told him, once again, that God loves him and will answer his prayers. We talked to him about the importance of praying sincerely and honestly. God knows us, and understands how we feel. When we really open up to Him in frequent and fervent prayer, that is when the Lord can really help us and teach us.
We left the room, leaving him with the assignment to pray.
In the meantime, we talked with Bishop Lopez about Clemente. We explained his trials and concerns and asked for the Bishop’s continued help. Bishop said something interesting, he said, ‘’You don’t need to worry. Clemente is going to stay in the church. That is why all of this is happening.’’
I remembered all of the experiences our family has had and how they were so hard at the time, but we came out with firm testimonies and a determination to follow Christ always, no matter the consequences. The same will be true for Clemente.
Clemente came out of the room looking more discouraged than before. He began to cry, with the weight of a very heavy world on his shoulders. We took him down the hall to the bishop’s office. The bishop welcomed him in like a loving Father ready to help. The Bishop took a strong liking to Clemente from the start. I am grateful for that. They will be great friends and I do not think it is a coincidence that Bishop Lopez is Bishop here and now, helping Clemente as well as Yessica, Migdalia and our other Recent Converts here.
They talked for about 45 minutes and both came out peaceful, filled with the spirit, and motivated to continue to press forward.
I am so grateful for Bishop Lopez and for the other members who help so much here. Members are KEY in missionary work. Without them, our work is in vain. I can leave this area knowing that Clemente will be taken care of, and I do not need to worry. He is doing wonderful things. Yessica and Migdalia will also pull through their difficult trials thanks to the help of their member friends.
I love you all! I love being a missionary and having the mantel of a representative of Christ. I know that this is the Lord’s work. I can feel the Lord guiding me every step of the day. He is on my right and on my left, and he really does go before me preparing the way for this marvelous work and wonder to go forth. He also can stay behind me, and dwell forever with my Recent Converts here, and I am grateful more then ever for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
I hope you all have a wonderful week and that the pictures sent okay. Sorry I couldn’t email yesterday, there was no power in all of San Francisco and Momostenango…maybe more. (That’s like all of Utah County not having power all day…except a little different, because we don’t use much electricity here,)
Love you all!! Hermana Finch