Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Romans 12:12-13
A ward missionary has been trying to get us to visit a lonely woman in a care centre (English spelling until we're off our mission) for over a month. We kept having other "priorities" get in the way, I'm embarrassed to say. We finally got around to visiting her and one other lady in the same centre today.
One woman told us the care center was like a prison where people never were taken out to see the world around them. How very hard to keep hope alive under those conditions! These people are being lost and forgotten in such places. Often we hear they have never had visiting or home teachers. Fortunately, for some people, ward members remember them and do visit. More often than not, the care center residents get few visits from anyone here and in similar facilities in the U.S. The one difference in the states is there are buses that take people out for rides and activities, and in Utah there are LDS services for the residents.
I noticed there is no private bath in the room we visited. There's a chair with a pot in it. The humiliation and tribulation the residents of these places must face is something none of us want to even become aware of, since it is so disheartening to see how they must live compared to our standard of living.
What can we do when we visit people in these circumstances? What possible hope or comfort can we give? It seems when a missionary (or member) is sent in circumstances like this, the Lord does use them to fill a need. The first thing we do is pray in our hearts we will know what to say and do. Next, we listen and hope to hear something that will indicate a thread of faith we can strengthen with a scripture and prayer.
It was one of those coincidences that are small miracles orchestrated by God that when I happened to bring an old Ensign magazine, a copy of a song, and a picture of Christ to give to whomever we might encounter. While listening, it came to light the one lady was laden down with guilt over something that happened years ago. Flipping open the Ensign, there was a main article on the Atonement! She also mentioned she didn't understand why the people crucified Christ when he was only doing good. The cover of that Ensign had a depiction of Christ giving his apostles the Sacrament at the last supper. We were able to explain he gave his life voluntarily for us so we can live again and be forgiven for our sins. She seems relieved and grateful by the time we left.
The song was, "He Sent His Son, Children's Songbook #34 (see lyrics below). Just what she needed!
We were supposed to meet the ward missionary member at Morrison's and she was going to take us to the care centre. Instead, the lady's cute little husband (he always said "aye" for "yes because he is from Yorkshire) was found in the large foyer at Morrison's grocery store, where he sits on a bench every day. Another friend, who visits his wife regularly, along with the husband, ended up being our guides to the care centre. We had fun walking together because they had knowledge of the history of the area. I wasn't aware that the Muslims trained missionaries and sent them out all over. They are very aggressive according to the one man. He showed us the missionary training centre for the Muslim missionaries.
These two men, because they hang out downtown all day (nothing better to do), they know people all over town. They were greeting the Muslims in front of their shops and asking about their welfare. One Muslim hugged Elder Blain and called him "brother." These two lonely men go about spreading sunshine in people's lives. Though neither one is active in church attendance, they both are living Christlike lives. Once again, our hearts were deeply touched by the great love we felt Jesus Christ has for these humble individuals. They are the little sparrows he will not forget.
Since enduring faithfully to the end seems the theme for people dealing with many trials and tribulations, below are some scriptures we used during our meeting today:
But that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions. Alma34:41
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| Look deeply into the soul. There is more beauty and value to behold than shows on the outside. -R. Blain |
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| Yes, roses are out in the yards and I couldn't resist as we walked by! |
I noticed there is no private bath in the room we visited. There's a chair with a pot in it. The humiliation and tribulation the residents of these places must face is something none of us want to even become aware of, since it is so disheartening to see how they must live compared to our standard of living.
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| This yellow rose is different than anything I've seen with pink highlights and darker pink spots. |
It was one of those coincidences that are small miracles orchestrated by God that when I happened to bring an old Ensign magazine, a copy of a song, and a picture of Christ to give to whomever we might encounter. While listening, it came to light the one lady was laden down with guilt over something that happened years ago. Flipping open the Ensign, there was a main article on the Atonement! She also mentioned she didn't understand why the people crucified Christ when he was only doing good. The cover of that Ensign had a depiction of Christ giving his apostles the Sacrament at the last supper. We were able to explain he gave his life voluntarily for us so we can live again and be forgiven for our sins. She seems relieved and grateful by the time we left.
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| The picture was the one of the huge statue of Christ in the Visitor's Center in Salt Lake City (Christus) |
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| Here you see our two guides (the one on the left is walking with the ward missionary. The man in the front is the husband of the woman in the care centre. The two men hang around town and know many people there. |
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| The typical shop area in Blackburn |
The song "He Sent His Son" -
How could the Father tell the world of love and tenderness?
He sent his Son, a new born babe, with peace and holiness.
How could the Father show the world the pathway we should go?
He sent his son to walk with men on earth, that we may know.
How could the Father tell the world of sacrifice, of death?
He sent his Son to die for us and rise with living breath.
What does the Father ask of us? What do the scriptures say?
Have faith, have hope, live like his Son, help others on their way.
What does he ask?
Live like his Son.
Click below on the link to hear the song on You Tube.
Since enduring faithfully to the end seems the theme for people dealing with many trials and tribulations, below are some scriptures we used during our meeting today:
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 8:35
If you continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel . . . Colossians 1:23
For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death; and he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven. Doctrine and Covenants 58:2
But that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions. Alma34:41
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