For starters, let's address the elephant in the room, I am still keeping the word of wisdom despite my membership and punch card to a sketchy espresso parlor called the Red Raven. It all started Monday at around 7pm. My companions and I were shooting clips for our next video as well as taking awesome photos of graffiti (I don't know how they do it because I can barely spray paint a chair). While we were walking back to our car we heard someone talking and listening to Metallica. We peeked around the corner to find a young man smoking in the middle of what looked like a junkyard. We started going back to the car when all of the sudden we all felt a phrase pop into our heads "that is one of my children, teach him". Needless to say we rushed back to find the young man, his name is Bryson, on pack number two of his Camel cigarettes. We began talking to him and found out he was the owner of an Espresso Parlor nearby called the Red Raven. We asked how nearby it was and he pointed to a door with claw marks and fake blood stains. We decided it was best to stay outside and talk about the gospel in a more "Covid-19 friendly environment (you can thank yours truly for that save). We talked to Bryson for hours all about the Gospel and why we are here on this earth. Bryson stated in the beginning that he wasn't interested in religion, but by the end of our conversation he was asking deep questions like Baptismal interview deep. Then Erin came along. At first she seemed like a nice woman with a funky taste in clothes and drink. We were so wrong, within minutes the claws were out and she began to rip apart the Church. The worst part was she put words, not only in our mouths ,but also poor Bryson with phrases like he's on the "Highway to Hell, and no Mormon boys could save him". If that wasn't enough she had the audacity to make us buy a lemonade from the Red Raven which she holds a share in. Needless, to say Bryson did not end up with a Book of Mormon.
On a happier note, Elder Matthews, Bichon, and I were able to meet 7 new people this week and give them all book of Mormons! We were able to find all of these people on Facebook and meet with them in person. One lady in specific, loves us so much because we helped her move apartments that she is making us authentic African Tunic. I have developed such a love for all these people and their interest in the gospel. Another friend that I would like to mention name is Tomba. Tomba recently moved from Liberia to Fargo and was interested in the Gospel so we sent him a friend request on Facebook, eventually leading to a video call meeting. Tomba was so intrigued in the Gospel that he had us hand deliver a Book of Mormon to him so he could start reading it and taking notes before our next lesson. I have a feeling that if all goes well Fargo 1st ward might be getting a new member in the near future!
Speaking of Fargo 1st ward the most amazing thing happened! Recently my companions and I were transferred to the Fargo 3rd ward, because we were also moving districts in Liberia from Kakata to Kingsville and Greensville. At first we were not happy about this change until learned that there were three single mothers in the ward that only spoke French (Elder Bichon speaks French), a bored widow from Ghana who needs company (Elder Matthews served in Ghana for a year) and finally a 80 year old widow who is Deaf and needs a interpreter for church (Elder McMullin speaks sign language)! Needless to say we felt spiritual assurance that we needed to be in this ward and that many blessings would come from it.
All in all this week has been so spiritual and fantastic and I would like to share one final story as well as my testimony. My companions and I were doing Companionship study and then all of the sudden Elder Matthews stands up and says we need to go to the Red Raven. At first I was hesitant because I was not in the mood to watch another person rip apart the church as well as its leaders, until I felt a shove prompting me to get over myself and go on the lord's errand. When we arrived at the Red Raven Bryson was not there, neither was Erin. We dropped by a Book of Mormon with our names and testimonies written on the inside of the cover to another barista and then left. While walking out we felt so much peace as well as a simple message prompted by the Holy Ghost that God loves all of His children, even those that persecute the church. With that I just want to bear my testimony that Heavenly Father loves each and everyone of you on a personal level and that through Him anything is possible.
Love you all and miss you all!!!!
Elder McMullin
Also forgot to mention (I'm sorry I promise I'll try to get better at this) my team and I have made our first video and it is ready to view on Facebook! Feel free share it with anyone and comment on who HE is to you.
Also forgot to mention (I'm sorry I promise I'll try to get better at this) my team and I have made our first video and it is ready to view on Facebook! Feel free share it with anyone and comment on who HE is to you.
Pictures!
1) Awesome Graffiti in Fargo with Penguins
2) The Red Raven Entryway
3) Red Raven Logo in the courtyard
4) Lovely Picture of our Apartment
5) Also a lovely picture of the Sunset
6) One of my Friends from the Garden
7) Our lovely community Garden
8) Eating African food at a friend's house- Its called Gibi and it's so difficult to swallow
