Hello people!!
Well sadly another week down which means one less week in the kingdom of Cambodia. Yesterday during sacrament everything kinda went haywire at once: 2 people's phones went off with the loudest ringtones and then we didn't have enough chairs so we had to help a lady turn off the sound on their phone because she didn't know how and bring in more chairs and then somehow I just ended up sitting on the floor during the sacrament hahaha anyway when we finally got everything figured out I sat down and one of the missionaries said, "pretty soon you're gonna miss all of this," and it just hit home. I really am going to miss this country and the fun, eventful times here.
This week was good! Our investigator a man named Huen finally came back from the forest where he works and we had a great lesson with his daughter and his neighbor and his neighbors kids. Sadly the only two that came to church were the two 9 year old girls haha, but they are the cutest kids ever. Also, Ra our investigator got his phone back and is progressing really well! He could maybe get baptized before I head out but whether I'm there or not, at least he is feeling the Spirit and accepting the gospel. Another cool experience from this week: we were walking down the road and Elder Se saw a guy in his house and poked his head in and said hi. The guy just said pretty much "what do you want?" And we just said "Uh, we are missionaries about Christ!" And he was "oh yeah that is way cool come on in!! And we had the chance to testify to him about the truth of the Book of Mormon because he is from a different church. It was super cool just to know that when we aren't scared to be bold and share what we have we can see the blessings. I love testifying of the Book of Mormon because I just want people to receive the help I have gained from it. Hopefully we can start teaching them consistently this upcoming week!
This week some other missionaries had a baptism and it was really cool. I had the chance to baptize one of the ladies in our branch and I am grateful for the priesthood power and the chance that I have to hold it. I have seen so many miracles because of His power. Anyway the baptism was really cool because one of the sister's investigator got baptized because her son found the church in Thailand and told her that she needs to go to church. Yesterday she was able to be baptized and he spoke at the baptize via skype and it was a really special experience. He shared his testimony of how much he loves the gospel and how much it has changed his life. He also shared about how much he loves his mom and he got really emotional and I love how the gospel of Jesus Christ can really tie families together for eternity.
One of the elders in my mission sent me this. I think it's worth the read. I have been thinking a lot about how imperfect each of us are but how lucky we are that because of Jesus Christ we ALL get a second chance. No mistake or thing we do wrong is permanent and faith is always pointed toward the future. Everyone enjoy the read. I think it shows how much hope He gives us.
The final story before Christ’s journey to the cross commences, is the story of Barabbas.
I don’t think that is a coincidence.
Barabbas was put on a platform with Jesus
And Pilate asked the people which one of these two men should be released
“Give us Barabbas!” They cried.
Barabbas.
The sinner.
Rebel.
Prisoner.
They chose Barabbas.
And they sent Christ to the cross.
Every time I read this, I get worked up by the injustice of the situation.
It was unfair.
Barabbas was unworthy.
He didn’t deserve to be set free.
Christ carried the cross anyway.
As I sat reading the story this time,
I realized something:
I am Barabbas.
I am the sinner.
The rebel.
The prisoner.
I am the one chained up.
Sitting on the platform with my savior.
And He took my cross.
It is unfair.
I am unworthy.
I don’t deserve it.
But He took the cross anyway.
The people may have chosen Barabbas,
Taken off his chains and set him free.
But here is the thing.
Jesus chose Barabbas first.
Jesus loosed Barabbas’ chains first.
Jesus set him free first.
Jesus cried “Give me Barabbas” first.
Did Barabbas deserve it?
Did he show gratitude?
Did he even acknowledge the sacrifice?
The answer is,
It doesn’t matter.
Barabbas means “son of the father.”
There is beautiful significance to this.
The point is,
We are all sons and daughters of the Father.
We are all Barabbas.
The point is,
it doesn’t matter what person was on that platform.
You.
Me.
Barabbas.
Christ would have done the same for each of us.
He DOES the same for each of us.
Every day.
Every day I step on that platform.
And every day, Christ takes my cross.
“Give me Jacob”
He begs me..
Give me your pain.
your guilt.
your heartache.
I’ll take it all.
Every day, Christ looses our chains.
Every day, He allows us to walk free.
Do I deserve it?
No.
Am I worthy?
No.
But I am forever grateful.
Anyway have a great week and talk to you all next week! See you soon!!
Elder Gochnour
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