Dear Family,
This week was kind of crazy. We started it off in St. Petesrsburg.
We said, "Good-bye" to the senior coulple that served in our
area. I didn't know them all that well, but it was still a bit bitter sweet.
On Tuesday we had a Zone Conference. Elder Katcher of The 70 came. It
was really cool. I got to talk to him for a bit and they want to come to Petro
just for the sake of coming to Petro. I learned so much from this man. It was
amazing to see what things I thought were set in stone becasue of what I had
been told, but now I know that I can change them and this gives me much to work
on. Ha! I love it!
On Wednesday, we had a split with the Zone Leader. Elder Fuller went
with one companion and elder McElhaney and I went with the other. We had many
conversations. We even had one with some Jehova's Whitnesses. It was interesting,
but we spoke with them for too long. We didn't have enough time to talk to many
people on the way home. I learned much about unity and pulling the weight. All
things that I already knew, but they were just rienforced.
On Thurday we went to English group and it was pretty great. Three
people showed up. A lady called and asked for infomation. She showed up with
her 18 month old son. She wants him to learn English so she speaks to him in
Russian and English. It was pretty great. The people here have amazing sotries.
On Friday, we were back in Petro. Friday was AMAZING! We were on a bus
to the other side of our area wich is about 45 mins. on a bus. There were about
500 people on the 50 person bus. It was all fine, but I was face-to-face with a
lady so instead of wasting time, I started talking to her about The Gospel. She
understood most of what I said. It was mostly teriible Russian, but they won't
correct you unless you ask. I always ask and they always are kind to me...haha!
We spoke about the Restoration and about The Book of Mormon. I shared my
testimiony and commited her to read it. She asked where and I told her to start
with the Intro and the testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith. I love reading
his testimony! She said she would. I forgot to get her number but that is fine
becasue she has The Book of Mormon and that is a blessing in itself.
We tracted a few people, but they weren't interested. One person asked
if they could have The Book of Mormon and
we were happy to give it with our testimonies and a commitment to read
it.
On the way back I spoke to three people. I spoke to one younger lady
and she was really intersted. We spoke about The Restorationa and about God. I
told her about the Book of Mormon and she said that she would read it. She
wanted to meet later and talk about it so she gave me her name and mumber and I
got off the bus. I just want to say that God is always with us!
On Saturday we had English. It was great! 5 people came. There are
normally 1-2. After English, we were waiting at a bus stop and I started talking
to a lady and it carried over until we were on the bus. We talked the whole way
home. She wasnt all that interested, but she was listening. \i got off and we
called it a night.
Sunday morning we got on the bus to go to Church and low and behold,
there was that same lady from the night before on her way to work. I sat down
we jsut started laughing! I continued from where I left off and then as I
started to pull out the Book of Mormon, she said that she didn't need it. I
just asked if we could talk about the book. She said that we could and so I
gave a brief description and then my testimony of it. I asked if she would read
it and pray about it to see if it was true. She said yes and took the book. I
was so happy that The Spirit was able to touch her.
This is a testimony that God really does help all of us. He cares about
us. I want to give you all a challange: Find one person this week and talk to
them about the Gospel. Pray beforehand and then just trust in The Lord. I will
be expecting to hear back on how that went next week. I love you all and I
think of you often.
старейшина Hawkins
Russia, St. Petersburg Mission
Mailing Instructions:
Elder Collin James Hawkins
Russia St Petersburg Mission
Pr Malookhtinsky 16/1
POM 11-H, 12-H
Saint Petersburg 195112
Russia
