Marc's baptism and Transfers!!

Hey everyone!! How is everything going?

This week was so incredibly good. It was such a good refresher. Sometimes, the work can get very discouraging here in Boston. But it's weeks like these ones that remind you of why you love this Gospel so much.

Member Lessons

There were many lessons taught this week. I want to explain President Packard's vision real quick. We work this system called "What's Next?". To explain, there are MANY members that really do have a sincere desire to share the gospel, but they just don't know where to start. So the idea, is we invite people to let us "teach" them how to do missionary work. So we have been trained how to open the minds of the members to the limitless ideas of "easy" ways to share the gospel, like ward parties, FHE, family history, young mens and womens, and the likes. It's awesome, so these people self commit themselves to go and share the gospel in a way they feel comfortable with their non-member friends! Once they have done what they committed to do, we have another lesson where we basically pump everyone up for accomplishing their goals, and say "Alright, that was SO great. What is your next plan with this person?" So we are working with a bunch of members, who are working with their friends! If all goes well, eventually their friends will develop an interest and become full fledged, prepared investigators. It is AWESOME.

We have been working really hard lately on re-activation, as you know. It is a great work! We have a handful of people we meet with regularly, that sincerely do want to come back, just need a little encouragement. I can't even explain enough how important member help is though, if you know someone who is less-active, go visit them! Let them know you care and basically love them back into the church, it is so important!! :)

Investigator Appointments!

One of the more interesting appointments this week was with a guy named Jean-Obas. We found him just chilling outside of his house a few weeks back. We asked if we could stop by sometime soon and have a lesson. Well, we did that this week. We had a lesson with him, and guess what? Turns out he is actually a long-lost member! He was baptized in Okap, Haiti like 17 years ago, but lost contact with the church when he moved! He said he looked for a while when he got to the US, but eventually gave up and started going to another church. So we're gonna start working with him, hopefully get him coming to the Haitian group! He doesn't remember a lot, but he's open to learning again. Who knew? He lives down the street from us too. It's interesting. 

Esaie is still doing great, we took Sameer to a lesson with us this week. They both hit it off well, and we had a great lesson on personal revelation. He was supposed to come to church this week, but sadly he was supposed to sing in the choir at his church, so he couldn't come. Hopefully he can actually come this upcoming Sunday!

Transfers

 Friday was a little crazy. Usually Transfer Texts are supposed to come every 6 fridays, during the morning district meeting, but this time, President Packard was out of town at a mission president's seminar. So it was a little busy for him, and they didn't end up coming that morning. So EVERYONE was just so antsy the whole day. Wondering about where they were going. Just for the record, Elder Lee and I are both staying in Brockton for another transfer, let's goo!!

Marc's Baptism

Sunday, was Marc's baptism! It was SO great. Everything went off without a hitch, and he was so incredibly happy. Late last night, he sent this text to all of us. "To all the elders that taught me and contributed to my decision to be baptized, I say thank you so much. Special thanks for elders: Bourdeau, Coulson, Halling, Lee, and Hodapp." After the baptism he just had the biggest grin on his face, we had a big meal, and the ward gave Marc a bunch of little congratulations presents. It was a great day. 

Elder Lee, Marc and myself!!

This is exciting stuff for us!! So happy for Marc!!

Haitian children= CUTEST KIDS EVER!!

After the baptism we stayed in Boston and went to Bishop Lamy's house for Sunday dinner. It was so much fun seeing all of the Haitians up there from my old area! And Soeur Lamy's food is always amazing, so yeah... we were happy :)

It was a great week in the MBM!

M renmen nou tout! Pase yon bon semèn!!

Elder Halling