Algeria and Philippines in Finland

Miten menee perhe!

Wow, what a unique week! I mean it was kind of the same as any other week but it felt different for some reason.

 

First, at last minute we were asked by the ward to help out with a Filipino LDS reunion, so fun! We helped set it up and I sang a song in the little program they had. It was just an annual gathering they have with all the Filipinos in the Helsinki area and it was at out church this year and they LOVE bringing investigators along. It was such a different culture than the Finnish culture, I felt like I was in the Philippines with all the food and the loud people haha. I will attach some pictures. Great experience for sure!

On a spiritual note, we taught this really cool guy from Algeria this week. We met him a few weeks ago and i remember we were about to go inside for lunch because it was well past lunchtime but we decided to talk to 8 more people. Well, of course, this guy was one of those people and he was so excited to set up an appointment! We taught him twice last week and gave him an Arabic book of Mormon but unfortunately he made the decision to move back to Algeria after only being in Finland for 5ish months. But the cool part of the story is realizing that 1. The church has not yet reached into

Algeria so there are no missionaries there, 2. He was only out of his country for a period of 5 months, 3. Within that small period of time he happened to run into LDS missionaries and had a chance to hear about the gospel and receive a book of Mormon. What are the chances?? And it was all because we decided to listen to the Spirit and go a little further that day. God leads us to people who need to be found! Finland is an amazing place to teach people who would not have had a chance to hear the gospel in their own country. There are so many refuges here (despite the attitude of some Finns...) and people from China and all over! But anyway, that was an impacting experience from the week :)

Another fun thing we did just today- we played bingo with some old folks at a nursing home! Haha what a crew! It was a blast old Finns are the best people ever. We found this nursing home that has a lot of volunteer opportunities and though today was p-day we thought it would be a great cultural adventure because who else can say they played bingo with old people in Finland? Pretty cool :)

Anyway that was the week... If you are still sending a package can you put some Oreos in it?:) Oreos just came to Finland but they are 8 euros a box! I still don’t know the conversion rate but that is probably around 10$ for one box of Oreos. And I heard that they taste a little different. Literally gold! So a good ol’ box of Oreos from ´Merica would be a great gift :) I asked for an ice pack though I don’t think i need it anymore. I went to a doctor this week for my back and he prescribed me with some really good drugs. I feel so much better after months of pain!

Well, the church is true and i could not be more humbled By all the things that Heavenly Father gives me and does for me. I really do stand all amazed. Every week is a new growing process with new found weaknesses but I am never alone in trying to overcome them. Thank you all for being awesome! Love yall!! :)