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Two Weeks in Suriname

Here are Emily’s last two weeks of emails with the newer one first. She is still not 100% since the accident, but she’s doing her best and learning a lot. She and her companion are very busy covering two areas and acting as assistants for the Elders that have taken over the Vermeeren’s duties. They just had zone conference. My impression was that is was good but stressful because she taught during zone conference and didn’t feel confident in herself. She still has a smile that lights up a room and a personality that puts others at ease. 

October 15, 2019 Why are you the way you are?

WOW! I learned so much this week. Title comes from our friend silas who is constantly surprised about why we are here as missionaries and why we try so hard. I thought it was funny. Its the gospel, goshdangit silas. Anyways, so many spiritual experiences this week. Heres a few...
--got a blessing on Tuesday. It was super special. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has the power of God to heal, comfort, and perform ordinances like baptism. If you come and see and experience, you can just feel it. It's not made up. It is real and something I will never be able to deny comes from God. 
--met SO many new people because in one of our areas 5 of our investigators dropped us this week. That was sad, but I love contacting and meeting new people;its probably my favorite part of missionary work. 
--had an interesting lesson with these two very inappropriate men. We totally rebuked them and then biked away. I'm not much of a fighter or bible basher, but wow I've never testified so hard in my life. They were both confounded by the end. Still not ready for the gospel, but it built my testimony and I know they felt the spirit slap them in the face haha. 
--had zone conference yesterday. It was amazing! We basically just had a counsel as a suriname district and decided we needed to work harder and do better. I love the quote from one of the Elders "the drought stops now" Suriname should be preparing itself for some miracles! I was reminded of the importance of working selflessly until there is nothing else to give. I love the missionaries here. Me and zr. Mac cant wait to get new sissies next transfer! 

Yeah, so missionary work is awesome. We were talking about it with one of our new converts, cavin, and he told us he feels like no one wants to talk about God when he tries to share the gospel. We promised him that as he prayed daily for chances to share the gospel, they would come and he would feel joy in sharing what he knows. The same promise applies to yall out there! God is already preparing people..he's just waiting for you to open your mouth. 

Love you guys! Have a great week.
Zuster Mergenthaler










October 8, 2019 Pictures Galore

Wow this week was crazy....those pictures at the bottom are from random times, but I don't have time to organize them. I have to buy a camera because mine broke, but the phone camera is pretty good. Anyways, some stuff that happened....
--Said goodbye to Zus. Orchard. Sobbed my eyes out at 4am. I told her if she doesn't move to America, I'm just gonna have to come get her in South Africa and bring her back. We miss her tons.
--the Elders made us quesedillas and we sat on the street and ate them. Not too bad...you can tell it's the only thing they've made their whole mission, so they've gotten a lot of practice ;) but our dream district is split up and it is verdrietig.
--GENERAL CONFERENCE. It was soooooo good. I can't even pick a favorite talk. I decided to write down questions like we told all our investigators and new members to do. All my questions were answered!!!! All the missionaries watched it in the English room at the church. So I was surrounded by 24 sweaty boys for 8 hours this weekend. Me and Zr. Mac can't wait to get more sisters here! We are praying for their visas to get in. If they get their visas, we will be training 2 each.
--On Friday, Zus. Mac and I stopped after a lesson to call a few potentials before going to our next lesson. While we were standing there, the owner of the house we were standing by rolled up. He came over and I was kinda worried he was going to yell at us for being on his property, but instead he invited us to look at his pool haha. We ended up sharing a little of our message and saying a prayer with him. After we finished praying, he looked at us and goes, "Wauw, ik voel me zo een lekkere gevoel!" He felt the spirit just by praying with us. It was awesome. We are hoping to get an appointment with him this week.
--our new member in Kwatta, Shantrella, had a miracle too. She told us how she didn't know where she would get money for school supplies. She was feeling hopeless and worried about it. She'd done all she could to earn enough, but still came short. She decided to read in her Book of Mormon and just as she opened it, she got a call from a woman saying she was going to take her shopping for school supplies! I know God was watching out for her and blessed her for her diligence in living the gospel.
--we found this Brazilian man that speaks negative 1 English named Claus and he came to General Conference!!!! (he's the dude with dark hair in the pics) Elder Giordanni, our only Portugese speaker in the mission, was just sent back to Suriname early this transfer and I know it's to teach Claus. SO COOL. 

I love you guys and hope you have a great week! 
Zus. Mergenthaler











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