Golden Splits. The simple definition is putting together two missionaries, whom have both been out for less then two transfers and sending them out together. On paper that sounds like a good experience BUT in real life it is one of the single greatest things I have ever done. So this past week I had to of these "Golden Splits" with an Elder in my district, which came out the transfer before. Well the first was on Tuesday, and as that old saying goes about throwing children into the deep end to teach them how to swim, WE learned how to swim.
First, this lovely Tuesday we had to go to Wixhausen a small town about thirty minutes to visit a less active. His name is King David (yes he is a legit King from Nigeria, You can look him up on YouTube. Look up "King David, Africa is My Land" Yes he is a singer... ;)). So unbeknownst to us is that the Train line we were on was completely broken. So we travel about five minutes from Darmstadt Hauptbahnhof and then we were herded from the train to buses that went who knows where! I felt like we were cattle be lead to the slaughter... BUT as always the Lord watches after his missionaries and after about a solid 30 minutes of prayer (I felt like Enos) we arrived safely in Wixhausen. We had an awesome Lesson with King David and we got two referrals, one of which is his girlfriend whom we are teaching now!!! Well as luck and this crazy world would have it, The Bus and Straßenbahn drivers decided to go on strike. Which means.... WALKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOT WOOT!!!! Yes we walked and it rained, and we walked some more and it RAINED some more!
But cool side note, We had Zone Conference this week it was great to see all my MTC buddies and to meet all of Josie's MTC friends! So After being spiritual fed, We returned with the Challenge to hand out a Book of Mormon by the time we got back home... and So in the hour and a half we had, we handed out 7!!! It was insane!!! When we have the desire to serve god, He ALWAYS provides a way.
Well As I was telling you I went on two splits so here is the Second Part.
It actually started off the same way with us returning to King David's house, this time the train was not broken so we got there with plenty of time. Well we began teaching his girlfriend Cathy, and what do you know like all Germans she was being ridiculously stubborn. And we are just baring our hearts and souls to this lady and NOTHING. So she getting a little upset because she says our Church asks to much of people like going to church on Sunday and paying tithing. Well finally through Inspiration of the Golden Power! We were able to get through to this lady and start making progress. Next I got to introduce Elder Lee to the Man, the Myth, and The Legend... Brüder Flörig. But as we are both Golden's we got off at the wrong bus stop right as it started POURING rain. This rain was so intense it made South Carolina rain look like one of those small children squirt guns... And as any respectable theater participant would do, I started to feel like Jean Kelly and broke out into both singing and dancing much to the astonishment of Elder Lee. Needless to say, when we got to Brüder Flörig's house, it looked as if both of us had just jumped in the deep end of a pool...
So we talked to our awesome friend about his beliefs and why he is not coming to church and we found out that he doesn't even believe that God has a body it is super sad to see people get baptized even when they have no clue what the gospel is about! So now we basically have to start all over with him because he is Like 100000000000 years old, drinks (and tries to get us to drink with him), lives alone, no family, and watches Catholic TV all day (hence, he is basically Catholic). But I love that man ear hair and all in his alcohol and cat infested house (which he reminds us every time that we are over there) is freshly painted Gold Yellow unlike his little shed which is GREEN Yellow. He is a Son of God.
So what did I learn this week, That as missionaries we are not here to convince people that we have the right church on the earth but We are simply here to INVITE and HELP people find the truth. I was reminded of this purpose while I was with Elder Lee. I am so grateful that I could be here in this incredible time!
Family I love you and miss you like crazy!!! Keep up the good work! LOVE Y'ALL
Love,
Elder Nilson
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