Well this was eventful well that is starting off eventful too. So let's start!
Bush fires... If you heard news of fires in Australia, that was us! The area I'm in is not quite Outback but is more wilderness but with a lot of trees. It was windy and a fallen over power line sparked a decent size fire. It was a couple miles away from our apartment and cut us off from some of our areas in Nelson Bay and Lemon Tree Passage, ruining our plans for the day. Helicopters and planes were flying over our area for 2 days straight trying to put out the fire. Some people were evacuated, but fortunately no severe damage was done. We just had to deal with the thick smoke that covered the town. All is well though.
My companion, Elder Scott, is the district leader and we have had the opportunity to do trade-offs with the other Elders in the district. So I've had the opportunity to do companion exchanges with Elder Hirst in the Charlestown area and once of our zone leaders, Elder Tobler. These were some of the best days, to see other ways missionary work is done. These Elders are great missionaries. From them I learned a lot about planning, goal setting, effective study and their experience in working with Australian people. These days were productive and felt truly Spiritually driven. It was inspiring and gave me hope that even after a full day of appointments falling through, unavailable friends we're teaching, hours of door knocking that result in "no thanks, we're good" or "that's cool, good for you everyone needs something to get them through" or "what do you have to say about what is said in Revelations about not adding anything more to these things. I've got a Bible I'm good." Then after a full day of what may seem like no progress or good was done, with 10-20 minutes left to make one last inspired visit. We could've called it a day, we had done a lot of work. It was Thanksgiving night and we had plans for a makeshift feast. We said a quick prayer to know where to go or who to visit because we had set goals for the day and we were determined to achieve those goals. Together we thought what type of person to visit and my companion for the day was able to think of someone to visit (since we were in his area).
Then finally, after a full day of what one may see as a failed day, we were blessed with the opportunity to share a message with a struggling recent convert. Before going in, we made a brief plan of what message we were gonna share after my companion briefed me on his situation. We went in and as we began sharing the message, the Holy Ghost began shaping our lesson into something completely different than we intended. We didn't even share what we planned, but we identified this good Brother's concern and struggle and were able to offer a message of hope and sincere testimony because I could relate to him with personal experience. He was struggling with feeling very inadequate compared to the other members who seemed perfect. We bore testimony to him that if church was only for perfect people, no one would be able to go. Church is a hospital for the spiritually sick, which is everyone. We all struggle with our own personal issues and no one is perfect. We told him to NEVER feel too inadequate to come to church. That church is exactly where he needed to be to overcome his issues. We encouraged him also with my favorite thing I've realized through my studies.
Who did Jesus Christ call to be His apostles? He could've called the Pharisees or Saduccess, they were knowledgeable of the scriptures and such. He could've called the rich to find His church and members. No, He called the fishermen. Even if we feel inadequate or small, think of how the apostles felt. However they went on to change the world. A couple of fishermen. Who knew. We are all fishermen in our own way, but Christ will work through our weaknesses as we realize that we need Him and rely wholly on Him. Then as we do this, He will work miracles through us. So my prayer for one opportunity to teach someone throughout the day was answered during this lesson, and it was even better as the Spirit was our companion during the lesson. He was touched immensely and we offered a prayer of gratitude for the opportunity that day.
Then the adventures continue as we make our way to our next trade off in Tamworth which is further inland and more bush/outback. Should be fun as we spend 2 days there. Then to top off the next 2 days, we hit a kangaroo on our way over. All alright, just took out one of our headlights and shook up Elder Scott a little. So stay tuned for our next adventures in Tamworth and in Australia. Strange land for sure. Love you all, take care.
Elder Escamilla
Australia Sydney Mission
에스카미야 장로
호주 스다니 선교부
P.S. We have a baptism on Saturday! First one in our area in a couple years. So everyone's excited. My companion's first baptism
Our makeshift Thanksgiving dinner with our Zone Leaders
the view of the smoke from our flat as we were studying. The smoke and fire was much worse the day before.
the remains of the fire in our area. Ton of smoke afterwards completely covering everything
In our area, instead of pigeons being the normal everyday bird, it's these beautiful parrots!!! I feel like I'm in the zoo because of the wildlife
Weird to drive on the opposite side of the road.
We hit a kangaroo but we are all alright, just took out one of our headlights and shook up Elder Scott a little.