So I think I mentioned in my last email that they have us practice teaching investigators almost every day. The investigators are played by the teachers, and they are real profiles of investigators the teachers had when they were missionaries. So all the challenges the teachers had to overcome with those investigators, we do as well. Even though we aren't actually teaching a real investigator the spirit is super strong at times. Our first investigator was Micaela, and she was very excepting of the gospel, there was only one major obstacle to overcome with her, and maybe I'll tell you later. But our second investigator was Estefenia, played by the same teacher as Micaela. Estefenia is completely different, we've had two lessons with her. In the first one, she didn't want to have anything to do with prayer, or repentance, or anything like that. She refused to participate in a prayer with us or anything. The only thing she wanted to know, is why a loving heavenly father would allow good people to suffer. We were expecting something like that, but we totally blanked, and we couldn't think of what to teach her.
So for our second lesson, we prepared some scriptures, and we were going to teach her about the importance of trials in this life and how they are for our good, but we decided we had to make sure she was going to seek the answers for herself. So we started the lesson talking about prayer. We taught her that the only way she could know the truth for herself was to pray, and God would give her the answers she needed. She said that she would respect our beliefs but she didn't believe in prayer. We both bore our testimonies, and eventually, she agreed to participate in a prayer, so one of us offered a prayer. When it was over the spirit was super strong. We asked her what she felt, and she said she didn't know. We talked a little bit about how we can receive answers to our prayers if we have faith and a real intent and all that good stuff - and guess what she said. She said when she was younger her father was a very bad person. He was always drinking alcohol, and being an awful father. Eventually, he left, and to this day she has no idea where he is, but that her life is better without him. I felt impressed to ask her to pray right there, so I did. She said it would be better if one of us offered it, but I said no, it is better than you do it. Then my companion said, Five years right, it's been five years since you prayed? I know your Father in Heaven wants to hear from you after all that time. She had previously told us she hadn't prayed for five years. she agreed to offer one. She got as far as "father." There was a long pause, then she looked up with tears in her eyes and said I can't. We asked her why, and she told us her story.
One day, five years ago, two Mormon missionaries came and taught her about prayer. They told her if she had faith, real intent, and sincerity, she would receive an answer to her prayer. Through tears, she told us that she prayed, the whole night long, with so much faith and sincerity. But she didn't receive an answer. She said, she didn't expect her father to change magically, or anything, but five years have passed, and she still hasn't received an answer. After another long pause, I felt the prompting of the Holy Ghost. I said, What is it you would like to talk to Heavenly Father about? She said I only..... I only want to know why he didn't answer my prayer. Then I said We don't know why he didn't answer your prayer, but He does. Will you ask him? After another long, teary pause she said yes, then she prayed. It was one of the most powerful prayers I've ever heard. After the prayer, it was way past time to go. We taught her what she was feeling was the Holy Ghost, and then I said, One of Heavenly Fathers favorite ways to answer prayers is through the scriptures. Will you read the Book of Mormon tonight and search for answers? and she said she would.
More to follow on that next week. I'm sorry I'm out of time,
Love you all. Adios.
