Elder Crocker: A Referral or Two Makes a Good Week
With referrals, Elder Cabeza and I got a lot done this week. We weren’t even able to work like we regularly do because of MLC, but we still got out and did a lot of work.
We had two fun experiences:
Three generations of Finance Secretaries. That’s Elder McLaughlin on my right. He was one of the District Leaders in the zone, so I got somewhat close to him. Really good guy, and I’m really happy that he’ll be in the office because I know he’ll work hard. Elder Jenkins, who replaced me, is on my left. (Missionaries remove shoes upon entering.)
Referral One
Elder Cabeza and I are really focusing on finding new, prepared investigators who will progress. On Friday we went by a member’s home who had mentioned that they had a referral. When we arrived, they pointed out the house, and we walked over. As we walked up, there was an old man sitting in the doorway. He called to us in English and asked us to come in and share. That’s one of the best things a missionary can hear! We came in and sat down. There was the man who lived there, Brother Leon, and then his friend, Brother Felix, the man who had called to us. In perfect English, this 72 year-old man asked us to teach him about what we need to do to obtain salvation.
These are the leaders of the Philippines Cavite Mission. We met together for MLC (Mission Leadership Council).
I thought to myself, “We can do that. We do that every day.”
What we didn’t expect, however, was that Brother Felix is a pastor from another denomination, and wanted to share with us too. There was no debate, to be clear, and we agreed upon most things that we shared. The part that we couldn’t get past was receiving the Holy Ghost. He said that if we really have received the Holy Ghost, the manifestation thereof is speaking in tongues. I tried to explain to him that I was speaking to him in Tagalog at that moment, but he didn’t accept it. Oh well, we still have a return appointment with him. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that the Gift of Tongues was so that every man could hear the gospel in his own language, just like those converted on the Day of Pentecost.
On the way home from MLC.
Referral Two
We dropped by another member to ask them for a referral. After some thought, she beckoned us to follow her and we walked down the street. We approached some individuals playing cards in front of their house. As she introduced us, some chose to listen while others disappeared like smoke in the wind. Those who did listen to us were two women, and we shared a very nice lesson with them. After the lesson, we asked them if they knew anyone who would be willing to listen to our message, and one of the woman enthusiastically said, “Yes, my Mother!” Turns out her mother lives right down the street. When we arrived, we found a whole family who we were able to teach. Another referral!
Referrals do so much to help the Work of Salvation.
Until next week,
Elder Crocker
Philippines Cavite Mission
Elder David Neal Crocker
The picture with the hammock… The hammock broke moments after the picture. Luckily, everyone just laughed.
It’s hard to not do a clown face.
Elder Crocker pauses at the long and winding road.
A stop at Jamba Juice and then back to work.
We had a fun team building activity during MLC. Click HERE to view a view of this.
We like to eat.
A Few Questions and Answers:
Q:How is the flooding in Carissa compared to Manila?
A:There are some places that flood here, but it’s doable.
Q:What do wards in Carissa do to encourage referrals?
A:We’re organizing a “missionary fireside” right now, where we’ll teach members in the ward how to prepare referrals.
Q:Which hymns are your favorites to hear?
A:The two theme songs of my mission have become “I’ll Go Where You Want Me To Go” and “Hark, All Ye Nations.” My favorite versions of the song are the ones coming from “The Work of Salvation” broadcast last June.
