Buddhist Mountain #14

 Hey Everyone! 

This week was fantastic! 3 of our friends just past their baptismal interviews!!! Our mission president and his family will travel down here to join on saturday. The Church is growing and it's very exciting. 

This past Sunday was sort of a grand opening for the church. We had 14 people show up plus us 2 missionaries. Next week we are expecting more. 

One of the church members brought us to a Buddhist mountain. We drove about an hour to get there and hiked up. It was totally a "Secret Life of Walter Mitty" experience. I'm in the middle of the Gobi, it's freazing cold, and there is nothing within 50km of the thing. I cannot express the least of my gratitude for this experience of love, joy, and service God has given. 

Spiritual thought 

One struggle is the speed of learning the language. My understanding is outpacing my ability to speak so it can be frustrating when trying to express myself in lessons. 

Although I cannot speak eloquently, I am conforted by this. I can still smile, I can speak from my heart, I can laugh, I can serve, I can make brownies for somone, I can play with children, I can offer help, I can tell someone God loves them, I can tell someone that I am greatful for them... I can love them. 

To touch someone's heart does not require nuanced speech... but simply an act of love. 

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched but must be felt with the heart" - Hellen Keller

Love,

Elder Bateman