Tilgjengelighetslisten
Kjære familie og venner,
Wednesday, we arrived for our appointment to teach P. Waiting for us was her friend S. from French-speaking Africa! They are neighbors and their kids like to play together. He asked if it was okay to be apart of the lesson. Of course! S. has been taught by missionaries before and has a great connection with a couple in our ward, who often takes his kids to church. He has a strong faith in God and invited us over to teach him and his girlfriend! He came to church and enjoyed it. He loves God and wants to follow Him!
We've also been brainstorming how to work with our ward missionaries more effectively (ward refers to our congregation; aka the members in the congregation that are officially called to work with us). We borrowed an idea from the Drammen ward and made a Google Form called "Tilgjengelighetsliste". That means "Availability List". On that Google Form, we ask the ward missionaries (and other ward members) questions like:
Do you have a car you can offer to drive people we're teaching? If so, how many seats?
What languages can you speak? (This one is helpful because we teach so many people that Norwegian is their second or third language).
Are you a convert? If so, what is your religious background?
When are you available to teach lessons with us?
Are you willing to open your home to activities to fellowship (i.e. family home evening, service, dinner appointments)?
This way, we are getting ward members excited as we go forward together with focus and power. The key to finding, teaching repentance, and baptizing converts is: THE MEMBERS.
Friday, one of our ward missionary couples, J.I. and C, had M. and us over for dinner. It was wonderful! We could tell that M. loved making new friends. She is a student from Bengladesh and hasn't made many friends yet. She told us she felt frustrated that to fit in and make friends she would have to party and drink. But, she doesn't feel that's right, and as a result, is lonely. To her surprise, the ward, especially J.I. and C. enveloped her with love! We reviewed with her the Restoration and taught her how to pray. There is a special spirit in their home - and all member homes - that the people we teach can feel. The priesthood power that binds our families together and the Holy Ghost present make our homes a haven.
Later that evening, we were on our way back from dropping by a returning member family in our ward, and were waiting for our bus home. We had actually just missed our bus home, but decided we could take a different one instead. It was definitely meant to be because, guess who walks by? E. B! We've been working with her and hadn't gotten ahold of her in a while. That was a miracle. She was surprised to see us and happily invited us over the next day! We took our bus and made a connection. Guess who was on the connecting bus? I. T! She is someone we taught previously. We got to meet her whole family who was on the bus with her! I think of how Heavenly Father, knowing us so well, connected our paths and helped us minister to His children. He guides His work the whole way.
My favorite highlight of the week was yesterday. Sunday is always refreshing, by partaking of the sacrament and serving with these faithful members. Sunday is the final day of a missionary week. We work hard all week to prepare people we teach to come to church. Three of them came! It was the cherry on top! S. came (that we began teaching this week). We also had two that came for their very first time, in full suits (without being asked)! It was sweet to see how much they care about showing God reverence and respect. The Bergen ward culture is warm and welcoming. Many of the members travel far each week to come to church (and often times during the week as well) or are dependant on public transportation. Often times the only buses that run on Sundaymornings mean the members are at church very early. Many of the members use that precious time to greet everyone else as they come in! Whether you're a tourist, a non-member, or a regular, leave it to the members to make you feel at home.
Have a great week! Love,
Søster Jessica Brimhall
St. Olavs Vei 3B
5052 Bergen
Norway
Pictures:
Søster Mumford & I outside the Jan & Gilda Leuschner's home for a dinner appointment.
They eye of the tiger! ;) Norwegian strawberries are known for being so good!
The Bergen church building.