August 26, 2013
Well, it's about that time again. Time to try to connect with the real world.
This week was a little slower than the past few weeks, but it was definitely a good week. Started off well -- Elder Eastmond and I set a baptismal date with the investigator from last week, the one with the dream. And, that's just a snippet of what's happening in Kortrijk. This city is on FIRE. (Not literally, my constantly soaked body is telling me that may not even be possible for this city.) But seriously, the Lord is doing work here, and I'm blessed to be a part of it.
So get this -- Elder Eastmond and I are basically the coolest Christians in Kortrijk right now. At least, in the eyes of Kortrijk's large Muslim community. I guess I need to start the story on Wednesday evening...
On Wednesday, Elder Eastmond and I ended up having hardly any time in Kortrijk. We had zone training that morning/early afternoon, so we were in Antwerpen until about 4 PM. We hopped on the train, headed back to Kortrijk, and got there around 6.30 PM. After getting home and eating some dinner, we hit the streets to find some people and do some lookups. We run into this Somalian guy (not a pirate) and start talking to him. He's Muslim, and we're having a good discussion. Then, two of his buddies show up (also Somalians). We sit on a bench, talk for about 45 minutes. Then, they invite us to go to their prayer service on Friday. Woah. We ask them if they'd go to church with us sometime if we went with them. They said for sure. We agree, then head off.
Between then and Friday, Elder Eastmond calls our mission president, President Robinson, to see if something like this is even allowed. Turns out, it is, and President thought "it would be a good experience." So, we meet up with these "brothers," and head over to the mosque with about seven Somalian Muslims, one of which is acting as a sort of tour guide. We take off our shoes and walk in the mosque, the only one in Kortrijk. There are literally hundreds of Muslim men in this mosque. They all start praying, and it was basically the coolest thing ever. We were there for half an hour or so - the only two non-members there. After it ended, pretty much everyone shook our hands. One kid, eight or nine years old, came to us and said, "Zijn jullie bekeerlingen?!" (Are you guys converts?!) Nee, alleen bezoekers (no, only visitors). It was pretty great. Afterwards, the Somalian crew had us over for dinner, and we had a good discussion with the "brothers." They all agreed to come with us to church next Sunday, and they were sincere. They had some serious respect for us after we went to their church.
Fast forward to that evening, and beyond -- almost every relatively devout Muslim man in Kortrijk knows Elder Eastmond and me now. And they all wave at us, shake our hands, or acknowledge us in some way. We feel like superstars. It's the best thing ever. They used to give us weird looks. Now they smile at us as friends.
Life is good. Transfer calls come next week, and Elder Eastmond and I are praying that we both stay here to see all the baptisms that will inevitably happen in Kortrijk next transfer. I love the people in this city. But, my address may (but probably won't) change as of next Wednesday. We'll see. I'll know by next Monday, and I'll keep you all posted. Thank you to everyone who has written me -- letters here are few and far between, so they're so great to get. Remember, three forever stamps, and it'll get here!
Tot volgende keer. Stay true.
Elder Bonney
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