Dear Family and Friends:
My brain and body are so tired, but my heart is so full. I have experienced some of the worst and some of the best things of my life so far here on my mission. It's like I'm on a roller coaster, but blind-folded. That's a scary thing! But at least I'm riding:)
Something hit me yesterday that I hadn't thought of before. As missionaries, we are given a very small amount of money to live on each month. This money is the Lord's. And we are told that we are not to use this money for anything but our basic needs and rent.
But here in the Philippines, there are so many people that go without the basics.
Without a house. Without clothing. Without food.
And there have been a lot who are constantly asking missionaries for money to help them. Many investigators let missionaries in, especially foreigners, because they think we can help them financially and physically or because they heard somewhere that our church is well-off. And it is so hard to look into the eyes of someone you love, even though you don't really know them, and say, "I'm sorry, but I can't help you with that." They don't understand that is not why we are here.
It made me reflect on how the people back in the Bible times anticipated the coming of a Savior. They expected Him to come and deliver them from being helped captive by the Romans. They were looking to be set free by a great warrior. I wonder how many people turned away from the Savior when they found out He couldn't help them with their captivity. He came to free their souls instead. And that was hard for a lot of people to understand, especially when their physical burdens were clinging to their face.
I have come here with a message and an opportunity to save people in the place of our Savior. I cannot offer them money. I cannot offer them food. But I can offer hope. And as hard as that can be sometimes to turn hungry people away, I know that God can help ease their burdens. He can touch their hearts. He can give them eternal salvation. I just have to do my best to be an instrument for Him and spread his message.
Book of Mormon--Mosiah 24: 12-15
12 And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts. 13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.
14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.
15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.
Thank you for all your prayers and support! This is amazing! I love you all!
~Sister Lefebvre
My brain and body are so tired, but my heart is so full. I have experienced some of the worst and some of the best things of my life so far here on my mission. It's like I'm on a roller coaster, but blind-folded. That's a scary thing! But at least I'm riding:)
Something hit me yesterday that I hadn't thought of before. As missionaries, we are given a very small amount of money to live on each month. This money is the Lord's. And we are told that we are not to use this money for anything but our basic needs and rent.
But here in the Philippines, there are so many people that go without the basics.
Without a house. Without clothing. Without food.
And there have been a lot who are constantly asking missionaries for money to help them. Many investigators let missionaries in, especially foreigners, because they think we can help them financially and physically or because they heard somewhere that our church is well-off. And it is so hard to look into the eyes of someone you love, even though you don't really know them, and say, "I'm sorry, but I can't help you with that." They don't understand that is not why we are here.
It made me reflect on how the people back in the Bible times anticipated the coming of a Savior. They expected Him to come and deliver them from being helped captive by the Romans. They were looking to be set free by a great warrior. I wonder how many people turned away from the Savior when they found out He couldn't help them with their captivity. He came to free their souls instead. And that was hard for a lot of people to understand, especially when their physical burdens were clinging to their face.
I have come here with a message and an opportunity to save people in the place of our Savior. I cannot offer them money. I cannot offer them food. But I can offer hope. And as hard as that can be sometimes to turn hungry people away, I know that God can help ease their burdens. He can touch their hearts. He can give them eternal salvation. I just have to do my best to be an instrument for Him and spread his message.
Book of Mormon--Mosiah 24: 12-15
12 And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts. 13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.
14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.
15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.
Thank you for all your prayers and support! This is amazing! I love you all!
~Sister Lefebvre