Banjir!

There was a giant flood that started on Tuesday that affected some of the members and investigators in our area. Our home was just fine and the water wasn't even close to our house. But in the areas that were caught up in the flood are pretty bad. There houses were flooded up to 7 feet high! The water is all gone now and everyone is just cleaning out all the mud in their homes. We have been helping all week shovel mud and it has been a great service opportunity for us. Not very many people were harmed. This was supposedly the biggest flood that has ever hit Manado. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be here and serve these people. I love them so much and I have learned so many things from them. One thing that I have learned is how to be happy. They truly value things that matter most such as family, friends, and God. It is amazing to see. The people here are all working hard to clean out their destroyed houses and they do it with a smile on their face the whole time. I haven't heard one person complain and they are laughing and smiling as they work. I will never complain about my washer flooding ever again! I am so blessed to be here and I am grateful for everyone's prayers.

Elder Litster

Salam kasih dari Manado!

Kami sangat baik di sini. Saya sangat bersyukur dimana saya bisa kirim surat setiap minggu ke sana. apa kabar? Semoga masih sehat dan hebat!

I hope things are going well back home! We are working hard here and we are finding new people to teach all the time. This last week we got back from a Zone Conference. We flew over to the island of Java and went to the eastern portion to the second biggest city in Indonesia called Surabaya. It is super hot and humid there, but right now is rainy season so the furnace is not on right now in Surabaya. It's a whole different world in Surabaya. Everybody is Muslim and everything is bigger and there is a lot more traffic. We had a great time meeting the missionaries there and learning from President Donald and Sister Donald. They are truly inspired and have helped us so much with our missionary work. 

President Donald taught us many things, but one of the things we learned was how to "rent" a Book of Mormon. First, everybody missionary who travels by foot and by busway or angkot (minivan taxis), must carry a Book of Mormon in their hand. Next, you contact absolutely everyone you meet! No being shy! We start contacting by whatever method we would like, I like to ask where they are headed and then let the conversation go from there. Then after a minute or until you feel comfortable and they feel comfortable with you, you ask if they have ever read the Kitab Mormon. Then you give the Book of Mormon and have them read the first paragraph from the Introduction. Next, you ask if they would be interested in reading it. Usually, more often than not, they say yes! It's incredible! Then you "rent" them the Book of Mormon. You tell them that we will be able to give them the Book of Mormon for free and that they can read it. And we can later follow up. If they like it, they can have it and we can teach them more about it. If they don't like it, it's all good, we will just take it home (and probably ask for a referral while we are at it haha). 

I tried out this new method that President taught us as soon as we got home. I met a man on the way to Koha and he said he would love to read it and he asked us when we could come to his house! We told him we have time next week. We got his phone number and then he jumped off the angkot (blue minivan taxi). He was a super nice guy and told the driver he wants to pay for us! We told him it was alright, but he paid anyways and went on his way. I pray that he finds peace and happiness in his life through the great blessing of the Book of Mormon. 

I know the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God. My testimony has grown so much and I know that this gospel is true. The spirit is so strong whenever I learn and teach about this restored gospel. 

Thanks for all your love and support.

Elder Litster