We were able to help a family get married and get their daughter enter into the waters of baptism. The plan was that Efulgencio, a less active member who we reactivated, and his wife Nena would get married this past Friday and then on Saturday, his wife Nena (who is crazy spiritually ready and strong) and her daughter Chrisleth would get baptized. It seemed the Lord had another plan.
Three hours before her wedding we were filling out their baptismal form. She began to explain to us that her ID information and her real life dates are different. When we asked why, she began to tell us a little part of her past life that she had never told us before. To make a long story short, Nena, this super powerfully strong spirit, so ready for baptism, is not actually Nena. She has had to change her identity completely in order to erase her past life (of a different name, birth date and everything) after she was imprisoned for four years (and in every other thing possible that a young Dominican mom of 17 can go through in this country. Basically, she has been through crazy trials in her life and has had to truly depend on the atonement of Jesus Christ to be able to overcome these weakness and actions. Because of these past life experiences, she needs authorization from the first presidency and prophet of the church to be baptized. Because we found out these things just before the wedding she was not able to be baptized with her daughter on Saturday (the authorization from the prophet can take a couple of days or weeks). We are now waiting for their response. She has overcome life's most craziest whirl winds, which have shaped her and her family into a powerful instrument in the Lords hands. She continues to prepare for her own baptism, after witnessing her daughters, as she increases in faith, testimony and virtue. They are determined to be an eternal family and show God through their actions that they will achieve and can do all things in Christ who strengthens them. I pray that we too have this determination to complete all of gods commandments and overcome all of life's struggles though the atonement of Jesus Christ. I know and testify that we can! In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
Siempre Con Amor
I'm still really happy in Puerto Plata! And as we come up on transfers in two weeks and I've begun to count down the year, I can't believe ill be back Home so soon. Crazy. Love you All, Siguen Fuerte!!!
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