Hi everyone,
Welcome to Great Bend Kansas. Never heard of it? Oh, that's okay, me either! Just to give you an idea.... it’s at the end of the world or in other words, the end of the Missouri Independence Mission boundaries. It’s a little tiny town with nothing there but a Wal-Mart and then more of nothing. It’s occupied by hick Kansans, Spanish folks and lots of farms. We cover Great Bend plus 19 other tiny surrounding towns that I can guarantee don't exist on a map. The Senior couple serving in the area, the Knudsen’s told me it was okay to breakdown. They all did when they first got here. I thought they were kidding but they weren't. My breakdown came Friday morning. It came and then it went, and now I'm good to go.
I'm only a few hours from my first area, Junction City...well, more like 3 hours but whose counting? We are technically in the same zone. My wonderful, former, companion Sister Fie'eiki is now serving in Junction City so I get to talk to her on the phone once in a while plus we’ll see each other at zone conference in a few weeks :)
My new companion is Hermana Mendez. She is from Chiwawa Mexico and has been out for 2 transfers. She can't drive while she is here in the states so that is up to me, and we get along great. She is an awesome Spanish speaker as well as English. She really wants to learn and work hard. She's a great missionary.
Thankfully we have a senior couple with us here in the area. The Knudsens are an answer to my prayers. Leaving the Jail was so hard, but leaving the senior couples that I had become so close to was even worse. I'm so thankful to have the Knudsens here with us in the middle of nowhere. They are the sweetest, most loving and adorable couple ever. I completely love them.
This area itself is really difficult. The last baptism was last January. There is some Doctor in a surrounding town that finds all the recent converts and somehow brainwashes them into hating the church. I’m not even kidding! The last 10 converts since 2008 have all become "Dr. Durham victims." I would like to meet this guy and punch him in the face.
We have one very small chapel with only a few active members. Our ward list is about 13 pages long but only 2 pages of it are filled with active members. It’s the smallest ward I have ever seen. We had 70 people in Church yesterday so it feels more like a branch. When the Knudsen's first came to the area they tried to make Elder Knudsen the Bishop! They just don't have the support, or priesthood that is needed here.
Walking into church yesterday was an experience. The chapel itself is half the size of a basketball court but has the basketball hoop included! However, the members are awesome, especially the women. They are what hold this place together. They have rock solid testimonies, and the kindest hearts.
The Lord has blessed us immensely. One investigator, Jayden, has been taught since early spring. He's had 5 different baptismal dates but hasn't gotten close to any of them. Last September another baptismal date was scheduled for this coming Sunday. The previous sisters hadn't been able to see Jayden in months. When I arrived, the Stake President called and asked us to do our best to make it happen. We called Jayden's Grandma (who is a member) and Jayden just happened to be staying with her for a few days. We saw him Friday, Saturday and Sunday and were able to finish all the lessons. We have his interview scheduled for this coming Saturday and his baptism (fingers crossed) will be on Sunday. He came to Church yesterday, prayed out loud for the first time and is reading from the BOM. It’s been a complete miracle. Jayden is so ready. We have faith this baptism is going to go through. Please keep him in your prayers.
This area really has so much potential. There is a reason Hermana Mendez is here (they haven't had Spanish sisters here in over 2 years). There is a reason the Knudsens are here, and apparently there is a reason why I am here. We are doing everything we can to help this area grow. We have been working on the area book since I first got here. I have never seen an area book this bad before. We are no where near done.
This just may be my hardest experience yet, but I'm taking it for what it is and running with it. I know the Lord needs us here. I am so grateful for the trials He gives us to help us grow. "All these things shall give thee experience and be for thy good". The Lord has called me here for a reason. "Who the Lord calls the Lord qualifies." I have complete and total faith in that. We can do this.
I love each and every one of you. Be safe,
Sister Hall
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