First, I'll talk about the exchange I had with Elder St. Gelais and the legit miracle we experienced. I am going to talk about the reality of a living God and God's Plan. I grew up in a home that believed in God and went to church and often prayed and read scriptures. I never didn't believe in God in my childhood. I always believed He was there. But, in the last 18 months, my belief in God has transformed from a belief to a personal knowledge and strong witness to where I know "from the inmost part of my heart" that God is real, living, and invested in my life.(Alma 13:27) I've had experiences that not only testify that there is a God but that there is literally no other explanation other than that He orchestrated the whole thing.
After a morning of appointments, lunch, and studying the gospel together, Elder St. Gelais and I set out of the apartment with no plans for a few hours. Just a little background, Elder St. Gelais is new to the mission and this isn't even his area. Because of MLC and other exchanges, this is about my fourth day in my own area. So, basically we both don't know the area. We walk out the street of our apartment to the main road and we were just talking and without even thinking we both took a left. I've always taken a right on that street... I didn't know why we both went left. We went into some neighborhoods and started talking to people but not a lot of success, we didn't even find a christian person for about an hour. We were walking and one guy walked passed us quickly and smiled and waved as if he knew us! He was wearing a red shirt but we both noticed as he was just about passed us and he didn't stop so we didn't talk to him. Honestly, we didn't think too much of it. We were more confused as to if he was waving to us or not because there's so many other people around on the street in India. In fact, the population of Hyderabad is almost 10 million so quite a few people. Anyway, we kept walking and going around. We were walking for the next two hours probably and by this time we were across town a little bit. We were walking and immediately at the same exact time, Elder St. Gelais and I both said that we need to cross the street and walk on the other side. We both immediately crossed the street. Literally within 20 seconds of crossing the street, we ran into the same man wearing red that waved and smiled to us about two hours ago across town. Now, this was enough of a slap from the spirit to stop and talk with him this time.
This man is named Varghese. Varghese met the Elders five years ago and he recognized us. He was so happy to talk to us again after so long. He told us that he the Elders gave him a small book and he wanted to show us. So, I asked him to take us to his home. We went to his home and we sat down and he went into the back room to get the small book from the Elders. At this point, we are already freaking out because of what has happened and how we saw this same man out of 10 million people again and he brought us to his home!! So, I thought he was talking about the Message of the Restoration pamphlet or something when he says "small book" but oh I was wrong. To our astonishment, he comes out of the back room with The Book of Mormon. Varghese then bore his witness and testimony of The Book of Mormon and told us that he has read it TEN TIMES. He testified how it has brought him closer to Jesus Christ and how he has learned so much more from it. He wasn't kidding either, he literally explained and remembered all the stories and told us in his own words about Lehi's family and their journey, the tree of life, Alma and Amulek. He even told us about how he loved how the resurrected Christ came and visited the people in the ancient Americas after all the destruction in the land Bountiful. He even knew the sacrament prayers by heart as taught in Moroni chapters 4 and 5.
As you read that story, how can you tell me that God wasn't involved. There were too many things that happened while we were walking for two hours to be in the exact spot and at the exact right time to meet Varghese the second time. Maybe the first time, he wasn't ready to talk. Why did we take a left? Why did we talk to all those people that weren't interested? Why did we stop and fake a phone call because people were following us being suspicious? Why did we take that route that day? Even I don't know the answers, but I know that an 18 year old and a 20 year old in a foreign country and in a new area that don't know anything can't just do that by themselves. I know that God lead me to find a lost sheep and that brings me joy.
Also, I got transferred to Hyderabad and Bashira got a job in Hyderabad and just moved into my ward so I got to see her at church and introduce her to all the members!! It was so amazing and another testimony that God lives. I taught Bashira months ago and she has been waiting for this job to move out and become independent so that she can be baptized. She was so excited to finally come to the church and partake of the sacrament and is excited to finally be baptized. Again, God transferred me to Kakinada and within two weeks I met and taught Bashira there. Now, God transferred me to Hyderabad and within two weeks, Bashira gets a job and is posted in my new area. Call it a coincidence but I know it is God. He has a plan!!
I love God and love you all!
Love, Elder Baker
Whenever someone packs biryani, they pack it tight kind of like a sand castle but made of rice.
Chicken curry
Nicely set table for dinner at a members house
An Indian sweet that I don't knows the name of
This is an Indian version of a chicken burrito at the Mexican restaurant
Me at the hospital when I had to get my leg amputated. Just kidding, but it looks like I don't have a leg.
In the hospital getting some drugs. It was honestly pretty scary.
Fist bumping a cute little girl
This is the Mexican restaurant and the tables were sick. We climbed up that ladder to sit on the top row
Elder St. Gelais and I eating some good food
We were shopping for these sweet Indian dresses called Kurtas and I think they're sick and they are only like 10 dollars. Hmu if you want me to get you one. They are for girls and guys
My companion and I got matching Kurtas and we felt pretty fresh
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