This is the special experience that I said that I would share. On the bus ride from the Korean Temple to the airport, I was blessed to sit by a young Korean man...Kobi. He asked about my badge that I was wearing (our Missionary Badge) and I started talking! He spoke a little English and I was in H e a v e n !!! We started talking and we didn't stop until we got to the airport..one hour later!! Kobi was a nice young man who inquired of the Lord and I invited him to 'come unto Christ'. He was interested, he asked for the church web site, plus anything else that I had that would introduce our church to him. He said that his mom is a Christian, but that he really didn't believe in God. He more believed in Buddha or somewhat had a belief because of his country and their relationship with Buddha. Well, in that hour, Kobi learned about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and about the Plan of Salvation...............m-m-m-m I don't believe he knew (and I couldn't believe that I did it) that he had just been taught several 'discussions' in one hour!!! He kept asking questions - pondering, seeking. My only prayer is that the Spirit will continue to nurture him and will guide him as he goes online to lds.org.
Wow!!! We have definitely been blessed with the spirit of missionary work! Elder Sartori is amazing!!! He always helps people understand in the most kind and loving way and the Spirit is with us so strong so the people can feel of the witness of the truths that we teach. We often teach students, because there are many universities here in Khabarovsk and some of them wonder, even to feeling afraid, what their families will think. Satan has really been trying (as he has from that first prayer in the grove) to persecute the Saints. It is no different here than in any other part of the world. This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ and this is the way to eternal happiness. Satan hates that, because he can have no part in it. We must all remember the strength that the Lord, Jesus Christ, can be for us. No matter how hard it is, we must fight for the gospel truths, strive to live with obedience to the commandments (all of them!), keep inviting others unto Christ and keep our covenants that we have made. IT WILL ALL BE WORTH IT!!! Eternity is a very long time and we are so blessed to have the true gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives..to have a strong testimony of the truths found therein...and to be able to share these truths with others.
Russia is proud of it's cultural heritages. Khabarovsk has many large, beautiful buildings dedicated to art, music, museums, theatres (for musicals and plays and performances) and other cultural opportunities. We have been blessed to be able to attend some very good events. Two of our investigators have performed in the latest events. Natalya sings with a company of actors and singers who perform musical productions. Kate danced on a program that showed many forms of dancing. Both performances were very nice to attend. Kate is a student from Kamchatka, Russia and is finishing up her university studies right now. She is 'majoring' in art and 'minoring' in graphic design. Majoring and Minoring in subjects are English terms, but they are equivalent to their diploma terms. Kate has felt the spirit as we have taught her the gospel, but baptism without sharing this with her family is hard for her. She believes, she knows the truths, but hesitates. She is a wonderful young lady with so many good and positive character traits, that it is so easy to love her. Please pray for her that she will have the courage to share with her family the desires of her heart.
Spring here in Khabarovsk is beautiful....just like in Utah. It has been so fun to see blossoming trees, leaves growing on trees, city workers cleaning up and painting. We have huge fountains in the park we walk through each day and they are pretty and refreshing. The challenge of speaking understandably in Russian is ever present, but with our little time to study the language, we are thankful for our preparation time of studying before we came. We know enough to get by and continue to learn a word here and there. The people are kind and patient with us and we are kind and patient with them as they try to speak English. At meetings on Sundays, the elders interpret for us. This is sometimes very exausting for them and is so appreciated by us. It is amazing how the Spirit teaches us in our Sunday School and Priesthood/RS classes as we follow along with our English manuals!
We love you family and friends and think of you often. We thank you for your prayers on our behalf. We know that Heavenly Father wants us here now and is helping us and strengthening us each day. THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST IS ONE OF OUR GREATEST GIFTS FROM OUR LOVING HEAVENLY FATHER. Our love, Elder and Sister Sartori
