Experiências Missionárias: Weak Things Shall Be Made Strong
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I had the privelege of being Elder Nelson's first junior companion. He had served almost 21 months when we were put together in Novo Mundo. He had learned to read only while on his mission by reading his Book of Mormon. A number of fellow missionaries gave me their condolences when they heard I was going to work with Elder Nelson. I soon came to understand why.
The day started out with beautiful weather. In short sleeves and coatless Elder Nelson and I attended a training meeting at the Mission Office. Typical of weather of Curitiba, when we came out to go home graniso was falling. I don't remember how to spell it, but I remember how it felt, like small pins of ice piercing one's skin. We rushed to the bus station and caught the first bus to our area. Before reaching the transfer station, Elder Nelson informed me that we were going to go see a sister who had skipped church that morning. I disagreed. I suggested we go home first and get our overcoats before heading back out in the nasty weather but Elder Nelson insisted we needed to go directly to her house.
Feeling upset because I had been in the area for over four months while Nelson didn't even know what buses to ride yet, I put us on the wrong bus, the one that would take us home. When the bus left the path leading to her house, Nelson as short as he was began desperatly trying to reach the cord to stop the bus. One stop before our house he succeeded and exited. I stood there on the stairs staring at him. In a moment of tardy humility, I finally got off the bus. But it had crossed my mind to leave him standing there lost and gone home and gotten my coat, I was even willing to bring him back his own. But I got off into the nasty rain with him.
Elder Nelson started trudging up the road back the way we came fighting the rivulets of water soaking his shoes and short legs. As I reluctantly followed I had thoughts no missionary should entertain. I was truly angry with him. I was so sure he was just being stubborn and mean.
When we reached the house, we entered and stood dripping mud and water on their fine carpet. I was mortified and embarrassed. What's worse, it turned out the girl he wanted to see wasn't even there. As we were about to turn and leave for another walk in the ice rain, Maria, an older sister I'd never met in four months of coming to this house entered the room and invited us to stay. I had heard of her and knew she wasn't a member but had also heard he never spoke with the missionaries when we came for lunch.
We sat down and Elder Nelson opened his backpack and took out the first discussion. Almost without asking her if it were OK he just started reading it in his deadpan and lifeless voice. Elder Nelson read the whole section to her, even the parts that say, "Ask the investigator if..." When he'd finished his part he looked and me expectantly and so I obliged and read my part. When we were done with the first discussion I was feeling much better, the Spirit was there and I felt it was a perfect time to ask for an appointment to do the second discussion but Elder Nelson didn't do that. He just opened the second discussion and started reading it the same way he'd done with the first and I followed along.
He came to the crucial question and his monotone voice said, "Invite the investigator to be baptized." He sat there and just looked expectantly at Maria. She bowed her head and softly said, "Yes."
I knew in that moment that it doesn't matter our skills, our talents or our prowess. If we are willing to do the work of the Lord, He will provide all that we lack to bring success in His work. Elder Nelson taught me that it doesn't matter who you are, or what your weaknesses might be, the Lord can use you to bring joy and happiness to His children.
I'll never forget the example of Elder Nelson.
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