Malta | week 8

11/17/14

On Wednesday of this week President D'Emmanuele passed away. He was the Ex-Branch President here in Malta for quite a while, and all of the people who knew him really loved him. Between the two companionships, we took turns taking him the sacrament each Sunday, and it was a very humbling experience. He had both of his legs amputated a few years ago, and the doctors made a mistake, and so he was in pain most of the time. Each week he was so grateful to see us; we are glad he is resting on the other side. 

He has 6 children, I think 2 are members, but they are not coming to church. They called us immediately and asked the funeral to be held at the church. We planned a very nice service, and about 60 people came. On Wednesday President De Carlo asked us to prepare a musical number in between speakers, and so we chose to sing Be Still My Soul. We showed up on Friday morning early to practice with him before the service, and after he heard me sing said, "uhh...these Catholic people are usually used to really good musical numbers. Maybe we should just all sing a hymn together instead." The funeral was much more spiritual because of this wisdom. 

This week we also had a visitor come down. She works for the translation department of the church in Germany, and she helped us out with some new church materials in Maltese! Anyways, she spoke in church on Sunday, and read this verse from the Book of Mormon: "But great are the promises of the Lord unto them who are upon the isles of the sea; wherefore as it says isles, there must needs be more than this, and they are inhabited also by our brethren. For behold, the Lord God has led away from time to time from the house of Israel, according to his will and pleasure. And now behold, the Lord remembereth all them who have been broken off, wherefore he remembereth us also" (2 Nephi 10: 21-22).

It was really touching. There are about 30 active members here, and we are the last in the world to get everything. There isnt even a Book of Mormon in Maltese yet. Stake Conference is in Catania in 2 weeks, and I dont even think any members are going. This lady shared her story which was incredible. She was born in Eastern Germany when the Berlin Wall was up. President Monson came to visit Germany when she was young and promised that all the members in East Germany would enjoy the same members in West Germany one day. Not long after that they got a temple and the wall came down. 

She was able to participate the gospel principles class on Sunday which had 8 people. 6 more than it as ever had since I have been in Malta. Things are really looking up. 

Hope everyone has a great holiday season. 

Love,

Anziano Smith