Our new assignment from our mission president after our daily work at the archives is to keep the new converts active and reactive those who have already become less active. A big job! The Edinburgh Ward had 60 converts in 2009, many more than any ward can fellowship effectively, provide with a calling, and teach. We are also teaching the Young Single Adult class in Sunday School (great youth in this ward) and will begin doing spotlights on LDS culture for the new converts at the beginning of the weekly gospel principles class. We could be busy 24/7 without our 40 hours each week in the archives if we didn't have to sleep and eat!
Scotland Edinburgh Mission Home (before the snow and bitter cold)
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We are attending all the baptisms and getting to know the new members before and after baptism. Many of the new converts here are Chinese and are students at the University of Edinburgh. The Chinese elder in the picture is a dynamo and has been so effective in bringing in Chinese converts. They are so ready to receive the gospel. They are also amazing students -- many working on their masters and PhD degrees here.
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A sister from Romania is baptized by a returned US missionary who served in Romania who just "happens" to be living in the Edinburgh Ward getting his masters degree at the U of Edinburgh. Communication with all of the foreigners in this very international ward is a big challenge. Of the five baptisms held in the ward since our arrival two months ago, all are foreign from China, Romania, Nepal, and Nigeria. We are working with a mother and her daughter who are from South Africa and another mother/daughter from Portugal.
That is so cool there is such a diverse group being baptized! What a wonderful influence these people could have when they visit their home countries. Sounds like you keep pretty busy!! Such wonderful work. I can't wait to serve a mission some day.
ReplyDeleteLove the mission home! Keep up the good work with those converts!
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize how behind I was in looking at your blog. It's been over a month. I really enjoyed looking and reading about Scotland and what you are doing. Your pictures are great. Keep it up! I remember going to Stirling Castle and the Edinburg Castle. I think I remember the "toilets" and how they kind of sit out there in their own little space. Is that right? Well, loved seeing all the snow and it's wonderful that you are in a Christian country where everyone celebrates the season. We enjoyed ours here too, just in a different way!
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