Caserta | week 18 {baptism, transfer calls, going to Rome}

Elder Hatch, Daniel, and Elder Smith 

 Elder Smith and Elder Hatch with the Salvitti family!

 Casertavechia

View from Casertavecchia 

Dinner with the Cloves 

3.31.14

Unfortunately this was my last full week here in Caserta, as I will be transfered to Rome 5 this upcoming Thursday. It will certainly be bitter sweet to head out, as I have had experiences here that have certainly changed me, and I have made friends here that will last a lifetime. It is kind of ironic that we come on missions to help change the lives of other people, when in fact they change ours. Antonio and Daniel have seriously become brothers to Anziano Hatch and I. They were both planning on getting baptized this Saturday, but unfortunately Antonio is not able to be baptized at this moment because of his current situation. However, I will say two things. The first is that I have never witnessed anyone with more faith in Jesus Christ than Antonio. His faith and desire to do what is right is unbelievable. The second is that I know that the Lord always prepares a way that is wiser than our own when things dont go according to our wish. People become more spiritually refined and more people end up being blessed. Anyways, Antonio told Daniel to go ahead and get baptized instead of postponing the date for both of them. It was a really special experience. We went to Pozzuoli where they have a nice baptismal font and the beautiful view of the ocean. There were about 12 other missionaries there and they all invited their investigators and we had a great turn out from our ward as well. Everyone in our ward loves Antonio and Daniel because they are awesome, and we need more youth here. Antonio shared his testimony in church on Sunday, it it was such a powerful moment that it was difficult for Anziano Hatch and I to hold back tears. He has been the most incredible example to me of someone who was completely put his faith and trust in the Lord. I could talk for days about both of those kids. 

This week was also great as I got to see pretty much everyone who I have come close to since I have been here in Caserta. Marco, Anziano Hatch, and I went over to one of our investigators house last week before she went to work. She is an incredible example to me of someone who works so hard to bless other peoples lives without expecting anything in return. She works all day 6 days a week to help support her family that lives in another country and she always has a smile on her face. It always brightens my day when we teach her. Tonight we will teach her at the church for my last time and then we are going out for a gelato. It will definitely be memorable. 

Last week we had a missionary open house for all of our English Course students, investigators, members, and ther friends last Thursday night. It was a huge success as about 70 people showed up with good food, and our members were total champs. English Course students talked with a bunch of Americans and they also felt the love of the people in our ward here. 1 family even set a dinner appointment/lesson with 3 girls from EC. That is what I am talking about. Strangers seem to trust normal families than teenagers in suits. Actually they dont seem to, they totally do. All of the best lessons I have had on my mission have been with members who share personal experiences and conversion stories. Marco and the Salvitti family especially have helped us in our work and did things we never could have done. So, my people back in Peachtree Corners, help the missionaries out! Missionary work is the best. 

I have heard all good things about Rome 5. My new companion will be Anziano Gemmel. He is from New Zealand and has been out on his mission a little over a year. I met him at the mission conference a couple weeks ago and he is hilarious. I already know we are going to be like brothers. Probably going to love him so much, I am going to have to go back and visit him at his place after the mission. I know there are amazing members in Rome too and we will have a car. I am excited to head up Thursday afternoon, but I will certainly soak up these last few days with Anziano Hatch and Tingey. I love them like brothers and same with our friends here. Anziano Heder headed out for America this afternoon at 2. So weird. He was an awesome missionary and had a big influence on all of us. We will see him on the other side next summer. 

Anziano Smith

Caserta | week 13 {"another surreal week in Caserta"}

View on the ride back from Laura's house 

 "drenched after we got caught in a rainstorm running home from church to make it home on time"

Laura and her family

 Vincenzo doing missionary work with all of his friends at the station

Baptism pic with President Miller

Vincenzo and James Prince

Regan's words... "funniest pic I have ever seen in my life. #chastitypamphlet"

Napoli! 

Garbage cans in Italy 

 "Anziano Hatch's Cousin. Small world. Laura's son is serving in the same mission"

"This is Vincenzo sitting next to and teaching Luigi about the Book of Mormon. Unbelievable."

 Walking to the baptism

2.24.14

Anziano Hatch and I had another surreal week here in Caserta. I think I wrote a little bit about James Prince last week, but whatever I said was not enough. The man is flat out incredible. We saw him on his bike Wednesday around 10 and he ended up teaching with us all morning. One of the lessons we taught with him was to a man named Duxon. He is best friends with Adam who just got baptized in Pozzuoli on Saturday. Adam has been a great example to him and Duxon and wants to get baptized as well. Anyways, James Prince was awesome in the lesson and we are definitely going to try to have him come teach with us as much as possible. We were thanking him for helping us after lunch and I will never forget what he said: No problem. It is my duty and occupation to evangelize with you guys. Absolutely incredible. 

The biggest miracle of the week was meeting a man named Vincenzo at the train station last Sunday night right before we went to the Martinsons for dinner. We were getting on our train and he came up and asked to talk for a minute. We got his number but did not think much of it at the time. We met him last Monday, and we found out that he met with the missionaries a year ago for a two month period. He said that he wasnt ready to commit to anything at that point, but he remembered what he felt when he came to church and met with the missionaries said he really wanted that back. He told us that he is willing to meet with us every day because he really wants to know what he has to do to change his life around. This past week we have met with him 5 times and he has referred us to 4 of his friends. It has been incredible. I remember after our second lesson with him we were walking him back to the station so he could catch a train home around 7:15. He saw there was another train at 8:40 and asked us what we were doing until then. We said nothing and asked him if he wanted to get a gelato and play some ping pong in the church or something. He was like, "No, but do you have another church film we can watch?" This was right after we watched Finding Faith in Christ. I have never met someone more hungry to learn the gospel. Another thing about Vincenzo is that he knows literally everyone in the city of Caserta, including some of our members. I have seen 3 people offer him cigarettes and they have all made fun of him when he says he doesnt smoke anymore. He just started sharing his testimony with them and was handing them pass along cards that we gave him. He was like, call these guys if you want help too. I couldnt even believe what I was seeing. 

Saturday was easily one of the best days of my life. We went to Adams baptism in Pozzuoli and took the train up there with Adam, Duxon, James Prince, Vincenzo, and 3 of his friends. When we were waiting for our train, Vincenzo was just inviting all of his friends who were there to the baptism. I have never seen anything like it. After the baptism we all went out to get pizza at the place right by the church and it was really fun. We truly are amazing friends with our members and investigators here and I will miss them all really bad when I get transferred. 

Last night we saw another miracle. We were taking the train to Santa Maria where Vincenzo lives. When we got there all of the doors on the train randomly locked, and no one could get off. While we were going to the next city a girl from Canada heard us speaking English. She approached us to see what we were doing in Italy. We talked for about 15 minutes and said she would love to come to church with other English speakers since she doesnt know any and we are going to meet her later this week. Then we finally got to another stop and the next train back to Santa Maria wasnt for an hour. This lady came up to us and asked us who we were and what our church believed. That has never happened on my mission. Anyways we talked for a solid hour about the Restoration and she wants us to meet her family this week. I still have no idea why the doors locked up and no one could get of at Santa Maria the first time, but we ended up meeting two amazing people who are hopefully coming to curch next week. 

Seriously the Lord has blessed us so much this week. Anziano Hatch and I have not done anything to merit any of this. All of these people were just placed in our path, stopped us, or referred to us through other people. This week has  seriously been the time of my life and I cant wait to keep seeing these people grow. Also we are going up to Rome this Tuesday and we have a conference for all the Rome and Napoli missionaries with a General Authority. Im not sure who it is, but I cant wait. It will be my first time seeing Rome in daylight. I will also get to see about 70 or 80 other missionaries! It will be amazing. There will be more news and pics next week. Take care everyone.

Anziano Smith