Heavenly Father knows His children

Hello! I've survived another week here in Bangalore, India. This week was a little bit slower but it was good. It was a week where I learned a lot and was reassured of how much God really knows who we are and He understands how to help each one of His children. I'll share with you how I know this.

I will tell you about Brother Wilson. We were walking in our area street contacting one day this week and a brother looks at us and then darts right at us. He immediately says, "Are you from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints??" Now in Bangalore you got to be careful when someone asks you this because we thought he might be from a big political party trying to take us to the police or something like that. So, we hesitantly said yes. Then he was like "okay, cool. that is my church also." ahah what! We talked with this guy for awhile about how he was baptized when he was 17 years old, now he is 37 years old and hasn't been to church since his baptism. He has gone down the wrong path the last 20 years and is really struggling now. He was praying for help and wanted to come to church but didn't know if anyone would know him. We got his phone number and he called us that same night. His mom talked to us on the phone. She was really excited and wants us to come to her home to teach her about the church! This was one example of where I just knew even though Brother Wilson turned away from God the last 20 years, God never turned away from him. I know that we have a Heavenly Father who knows who we are and wants to help us as long as we are turned to Him.

Yet one more example this week of how I know for a surety that God is directing me in my path and knows his children one by one! Okay, so we had a lunch appointment after church at the Bishops house. We went there and it was a great appointment. We talked about the ward, the upcoming activity, how we can help, and had some great food. My companion was fasting for a personal reason so we asked if she could pack up the food in a tupperware container and we can take it home. She said okay and packed us up his food. We left their home and we usually would catch a bus or an auto but the weather was nice and we had time so we started walking! After about 30 minutes, a homeless man came up to us speaking perfect English and was asking for some money to get him some food. We explained that we can't give away money but would be happy to give him our lunch. Then, he talked and talked and talked and explained his whole story to us for the next 30 minutes. It started raining but we listened. I just had the feeling this guy is a child of God and just needs someone to talk to. So, we just listened to him. At the end, we gave him our church address and invited him to come. I saw this guy at his potential, not as a homeless guy. Sure he was dirty, but nonetheless a son of our Heavenly Father.

I know that we have a Father in Heaven that loves us so much and wants us to be happy. He knows exactly what we need and often times blesses us and answers our prayers through other people. Who knows why we set an appointment with the bishop that day, who knows why we had lunch instead of dinner, who knows why we asked her to pack up the food, who knows why we walked home. Well, I know that God knows it all. This is His plan and we are His children. I really needed to know that this week. Because of Him, we can have more hope, peace, love, and comfort in this life. I love you all so much!

Love, Elder Baker

                                                                 Cutest little girl

                                                                     Elder Babu!!

                                                         Some members in my ward