Malta | week 18

1.26.2015

This past week has been so full of incredible blessings. We had a farewell dinner at the O'Keeffe's home for Anziano Orfila who left for Taranto on Wednesday. It was really nice; Damyan came with us, and it was a really special night. Sometimes coming to a new city can be hard at first, but when you leave it feels like you were only there for two weeks, and all the sacrifices you made were totally worth it. I know Anziano Orfila worked super hard, and was really blessed for his service in Malta. He knocked on Damyans door 5 weeks before I got here and baptized him my first week here. We had a great dinner altogether and afterwards Sister O'Keeffe said, "I never thought we would have found another grandson in Malta." 

On Thursday I got my new companion Anziano Rasband. We have only been together for 4 days, but we are already brothers. I have learned just a little bit about his life before the mission, and I was shocked. After he graduated high school in Maryland, he went to BYU for one year, and then did 1 year of active duty in the Navy. He he studying flight engineering and has some big dreams. I have no doubt in my mind he can achieve them too. 

We have been so blessed working together the past 4 days, and I know it is because of the Spirit that Anziano Rasband brought with him. Nothing is a coincidence in missionary work. For example, President De Carlo talked with one of his coworkers from Bosnia this week about the church, and he texted us his phone number. We gave him a call and he came to church Sunday for our Branch Conference. It was a wonderful meeting, and I know he really enjoyed it. Both President and Sister Waddoups gave excellent talks that I took a lot away from. One story President Waddoups shared really touched me. He began doing his family history as a 17 year old kid and never found a name. He searched on his mission too, since it was close to where his ancestors were from and never found a name. In college he took a famiy history class and never found a name. He went to Switzerland where his ancestors were from and he couldnt translate what he found, and the churches with the information he needed were closed. So he left a note outside the church family history center with with 2 euro and a return address asking for a response if someone could help him. A couple months later, a member in Switzerland sent him 104 names ready to take to the temple. He said, "I never was able to do it on my own, but the Lord helped me find someone who could help me." It was such a profound lesson that I will never forget. 

We also had a quite awkward experience this week as well. We recieved a referral from a guy in Balzan. We knocked on the door and an old man walked out and was pretty rude to us and just told us to go away. As he said that he shut the door and left the house. Once he was out of site, I told Anziano Rasband we should try again because maybe his son was the one who made the request on the internet. We knocked on the door again, and a woman answered the door. She said the name was her son's and she would go get him. I was feeling so inspired and excited. Turns out his friend requested us to go to his house as a prank on him, but he invited us in for a drink anyway. 2 minutes later his dad walked  back in the house from buying bread, and I thought we were dead. It was so awkward. I realized I just need to stop trying to be the hero all the time. 

Sunday night we planned for the week, and we set some lofty goals. I looked at Anziano Rasband and said, "We can do it man." Then he said, "Us and the Spirit." That is probably the most important lesson I have learned on my mission. I cant do anything without the Spirit. It is a gift every member of the church has. It was similar to the lesson that President Waddoups taught in Branch Conference. I couldnt be luckier to have better leaders or companions. Have a good week!

Anziano Smith

Malta | week 17

1.19.2015

So the first couple days of this week were awesome. Monday was Anziano Orfilas birthday, and his friend Jonathan from Rome came down for a 3 day vacation to Malta. His vacation consisted of pday with us, district meeting with us, teaching with us, and sleeping. It was like we were in a three some together, and I learned a ton from him. He got baptized when he was 24 years old and left to serve a mission in Milan when he was 26. It was so great to get to know him, learn about his conversion story, some of his mission stories, and have him teach with us. At the end of one of our meetings he said, "Its always a priviledge to be with the missionaries. They are my best friends wherever I go." I will seriously never forget that. 

Also, this week was transfer calls, and I found out that I will be staying here in Malta, and I will also be getting a new companion this week. His name is Anziano Rasband, and Im really looking forward to meeting him this Thursday. We will also be having a Branch Conference this Sunday with President and Sister Waddoups. Should be a great upcoming week. 

Sorry for the super short email. I have very limited time again this week.

Presbiteru Smith

Malta | week 16

 The Grotto

 Malta

 Their trash at 8am...

 The trash at 10am... haha!

1.12.2015

As you can see from some of the pictures, we have had some pretty fun pdays the last couple of weeks. It blows my mind how much there is to see in such small places as Gozo and Malta. Last week we got to go to two grottos, an old watchtower, some ancient temples, and a windmill. The temples were 5600 years old, and we read a lot of interesting history behind it. Today is Elder Orfilas birthday so we are going bowling and out to dinner at today. One of the benefits of serving in Malta is awesome pdays for sure. 

This week our friend Brian actually took us to a bay near his house I had never been to before where we had a lesson. We had a really funny experience on the way there. There was a really narrow street lined with stones on both sides towards the bay and a girl about 20 years old was driving towards us. She had to reverse about 200ft so we could pass, and she was having a really hard time doing it. I started laughing, and Brian said in a really serious tone, "stop, thats the worst thing you could do for her confidence." 2 minutes later, we passed her and he started cracking up, "she was so nervous." When we got there we read from Alma 32 together talking about faith to achieve some of his spiritual goals for the new year. I remember my dad always use to tell me how the gym was packed for the first 3 weeks of January and then back to normal around the first week of February. We explained that Alma 32 explains how we can refrain from being that guy. It was a really good night.

On Saturday we also got to visit with Fastus and Claudia. They are a married couple with 3 kids, but Fastus lives here in Malta and she is living in Denmark. Fastus is not a member, so we have been visiting them the past couple weeks and teaching some of the lessons, and he is so nice to us. On Saturday they bought a bag full of oranges, apples, carrots, and cachi (an italian fruit) and made us each like a liter of freshly squeezed juice, and then he pulled out some fish he just bought from the market. I ate 3 full fish with the skin and everything. It took some time to get the bones out of my teeth after, but it was so good. The fish here is really growing on me. She is taking the kids back up to Denmark this week to start work and school again. We knew it will be hard for them, so we decided to show the Mormon Message, "Mountains to Climb" There little boys were being really rowdy the whole time we were there, but immediately went silent while President Eyring began to speak. We explained to them how little children are so close to Heavenly Father, and really receptive to the spirit. It was incredible how they listened to a prophets voice for 5 minutes without talking once. After it finished they were running around and loud until we left. 

Overall, it was another solid week. We found a new girl to teach this week for the first time in a couple weeks which was really exciting, but unfortunately she is too busy to see us until February. She is studying at the university to be a religion teacher in malta, and she committed to read from the  Book of Mormon. Sometimes Im not the best teacher, I just hope people read the book. Its words are so much more powerful than mine. 

Have a good week. 

Anziano Smith

Malta | week 15

(photos all from previous weeks!)

1/5/2015

Today we have a very busy pday planned, so I don't have much time to write. 

Our New Years Eve/Day celebration was nothing special as we were in the apartment the whole time, but the rest of the week was eventful. I was able to do an exchange with Anziano Carr for the first time which was a great experience. He is from Missouri and has been on his mission one transfer longer than me. We visited Paul and read Alma 32 together talking about developing the faith to keep Gods commandments. He came to church Sundaymorning after working the night shift Saturday night and into Sunday morning. I think that was the third time in five weeks he has done that too. He is probably teaching us a lot more than we are teaching him. Its gone that way a lot on my mission. 

This week the senior couple went up to Rome to get some paperwork done, and they brought back our mail from the mission office. I got a couple of letters for Christmas, and they brightened my week a ton. I know that a couple things people have sent still havent gotten here, but I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who wrote something or has prayed for me or anything. I have felt the love and prayers of other people so many times on my mission that has kept me going, and it means the world to me. This week we met with a man from Nigeria who left everything to come and work here in Malta. He is working all day, renting a room in an apartment, and doesnt have any family or friends here. I asked him why he doesnt go back home, and his answer really humbled me. He said that he could go back if he wanted, but he could only make enough money to support himself, but if he came here he could save to send his nieces and nephews to school and put food on the table for his family. He said that he could not do what he was doing right now if it were not for his great love and care for his family. I could really relate to that, and it touched me. It is amazing what the love for our family can move us to do. I shared that while teaching young mens class this week in church. The lesson was titled "Why is Jesus Christ important to me?" At the end of the lesson we watched the Bible Video "My Kingdom is not of This World" and I invited the Chati and Damyan to think what the love of the Savior moved him to do for them, and what they can do in return for him and set some goals for the new year. I encourage everyone to do the same. 

Happy New Years,

Anziano Smith

Malta | week 14

12/29/2014

I could not have asked for a better Christmas this year. We spent time mostly with the Hancocks (new senior couple here) and also several of our members. On Christmas Eve night we went over to the O'Keeffes home and watched Ephraim's Rescue and ate a wonderful dinner. It was the 4 of us missionaries, Brother and Sister O'Keeffe, and Mina a member from Egypt who is in Malta for about 2 months for work. It was really cool because the movie (about the pioneers) started of in Preston, England which is where the O'Keeffe's are from, so it was really special for them to learn more about the history of the church in their city. Regardless of where you are from though, that movie is incredible. It certainly made me want to be a better missionary. It also made me want to stop complaining about any challenge I face, cause they faced so many greater ones. 

On Christmas Day, we spent most of our time with the Hancocks making food, watching movies, and then skyping home. There is seriously nothing better than talking with the family. After I talked with my family, I thought of the lady in Ephraims Rescue who crossed a river with her son on her shoulders and the river was deeper than she was tall, and when she got to the other side she testified that a miracle had happened. It made me think that being away from my family for this long is something I couldnt do anywhere else but the mission.  That in and of itself is one of the miracles of missionary service. 

We were also able to watch the First Presidency Christmas devotional with Chati and visit the Allen family for a meal. One of the highlights of the week was visiting Mater Dei (a big hospital near our house) on Sunday after church. We have visited a really nice lady named Maria 2 or 3 times since I have been here who is a long-time friend of the missionaries. About 10 days ago her mother had a heart-attack, and we visited her in the hospital Sundayafternoon. Maria has visited her every afternoon from 12 to 4, and her sister every evening from 4 to 8. It is one of the greatest expressions of love I have seen. They were both really busy during the holiday season with family and friends but they have taken 4 hours out of each day to be with their mom even though she is in good care. We read Mosiah 4:26 with her which is about ministering to the sick and afflicted "according to their wants," and that is exactly what they were doing. 

Malta is a really special place to me, and I will never forget this Christmas...or the one last year in Caserta. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be here with my awesome companions, members of the church, and all of the others I have come to know here. Hope everyone else had a good Christmas and will have a good New Years!

Presbiteru Smith

Malta | week 13

12/22/2014

This week was nothing short of amazing. When I wrote home last week I was sitting in the mission office in Rome, and those two days I had in Rome were two of the most special days of my mission. 

First of all, Francesco is way to nice. We met up and went out to lunch, and he gave me several things for Christmas. I was with Anziano Carr and Hancock, and it was the first time for both of them in Rome so Francesco showed us his work and some of the touristy places nearby. 

Afterwards, we headed back to the office where I met up with Anziano Hatch, and we were companions for the next 2 days pretty much. He is in a trio with the other 2 assistants right now, and since they were down in Sicily he was staying with Anziano Stevens, a senior missionary who is working in the office. Anyways, that Monday night I wanted to go out and work with Anziano Hatch so bad, but he obviously couldnt get around because of his foot. We had to drive to Termini though to pick up a missionary who had to go back home to the north to renew his visa, and his train didnt get in until 930. We got their around 845, and we just sat down somewhere. Over the next hour, 3 people came over and approached us and started conversations. That literally never happens. It was such a powerful witness to me that God gives us according to our desires. 

By the time we dropped off the other missionary at his apartment and got to where Anziano Hatch is staying with Anziano Stevens, it was 11. Our key wasnt working to get in the apartment and so we had to ring the doorbell and wake him up. That night was absurd. 

Being able to stay with Anziano Hatch and Stevens was such a blessing. Anziano Stevens told us that he was an Elders Quorum President twice, a Bishop Twice, a Stake President for 9 years, he sang in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for 6 years, he was a sealer in the Salt Lake Temple, and he has 4 degrees from the University of Utah. I dont know if I have ever met a more well rounded man who has lived a fuller, happier life. On Tuesday night the 3 of us ate dinner and talked for about 3 hours, and my perspective on the person I want to be after my mission completely changed. All night I was learning, and we laughed and cried together. Hatch and I were also able to call Daniel and Antonio in Caserta, and they are doing incredible. Antonio was baptized about  6 weeks after I left Caserta, and a couple months after that Daniels cousin got baptized. Now Daniels parents are taking the lessons. I remember when we met them on a Friday morning. We always to weekly planning on Friday mornings in the house, but after we said the opening prayer, we both felt that we should go visit a sister in the ward. We went and taught a lesson to her and her son, but nothing special happened. On the train ride back we met Daniel and Antonio. That was the first Friday morning of my mission I wasnt in the house doing weekly planning. Im so grateful that Heavenly Father can prompt his children to do certain things, if we are just worthy and willing to listen. 

Tuesday night I wrote this in my journal: As I was praying tonight thinking of what to ask Heavenly Father for, I had a stupor of thought. There was nothing to ask Him for, because I was at complete peace. When we feel his peace, we dont need anything else. 

We also had an incredible specialized training at Rome 2 that afternoon. There was a sister missionary serving in Rome 1 who shared some counsel that really touched me. When President Eyring came to the Vatican for marriage counsel, he visited the Rome 1 ward, and gave a promise to all of the missionaries. He said that as we tell people who we truly are (disciples of Jesus Christ), those who are being prepared to recieve the restored gospel will recognized us. The day after we got back we had a lesson with a Maltese man named Raymond. He is the nicest man I have met my entire time here in Malta. I could write a lot about him, but suffice it to say, he is awesome. When we started the lesson I followed the counsel that President Eyring gave, and it changed the whole lesson. There are no more humbling words I could ever say than telling people I am a disciple of Jesus Christ called to teach his gospel. Following the counsel we recieve every 6 weeks at zone conference reminded me of Naaman who had to go dip himself in the River Jordan 7 times, so he could be healed. It was so simple, and he didnt understand why, but when he humbled himself to do it, he was healed. I have seen the same thing by following the counsel of the leaders of the mission. 

Aside from the amazing moments of the week, we have had some awkward ones too. This week our hot water went out, and the guy we called up to come check it out couldnt fix it either. Elder Burkhart invented a new way to take a shower that has been quite interesting. We boiled a bot of hot water, mixed it with some cold water, and used a big pasta spoon to pour the water on us. On top of that, I sprained my ankle Thursday morning and had to do that hopping on one foot. We are going on day 4 of that, and it is getting old fast. I dont think the guy to fix it is free til after Christmas either. Its all good though. Second interesting experience of the week was getting a haircut from a guy who only spoke Maltese, and I had to take my glasses off and couldnt see a thing. I had no idea what he was doing with my hair. After the haircut I was so scared to put my glasses back on and see what he did. It wasnt too bad though. 

This week finished with some awesome lessons as well. One of which was teaching Paul with our friend Chati. Chatis testimony at the end of the lesson, was so powerful. He said, "I know that as you keep saying your prayers, reading your scriptures, and get baptized that things will go well for you my brother. They have for me, and I am not who I used to be." I will never forget that. Paul has a baptismal date for the middle of February, and he is very excited about it, and so are we. 

After this week I have a new favorite scripture in the Book of Mormon. It is in Ether 2: 24-25, and it says, "For behold, ye shall be as a whale in the midst of the sea; for the mountain waves shall dash upon you. Nevertheless, I will bring you up again out of the depths of the sea; for the winds have gone forth out of my mouth, and also the rains and the floods have I sent forth.And behold, I prepare you against these things; for ye cannot cross this great deep save I prepare you against the waves of the sea, and the winds which have gone forth, and the floods which shall come. Therefore what will ye that I should prepare for you that ye may have light when ye are swallowed up in the depths of the sea?" 

It made me think of my mission. I know that every storm of rain, wind, and wave has been sent because God loves me and is blowing me towards the land of promise. But the most beautiful thing is that we can always of light even when we are swallowed up in the depths and that is only possible because of the Savior Jesus Christ. His love and care are constant, but we have to ask in faith for that light to be shown to us in some way.I truly do know that we can be happy every single day of our lives as we remember him and follow him. I hope everyone enjoys the Christmas video by the church, "He is the Gift" and really does think about that during this upcoming week. Merry Christmas!

Presbiteru Smith

Malta | week 12

12/15/2014

I do not have very much time to report on the week, but suffice it to say that things are going excellently. We just arrived in Rome this morning for our specialized training which will be tomorrow, and it has  been such an incredible day. Right now I am sitting in the mission office with Anziano Hatch, and it has been such a blessing to be able to see him and catch up. He injured his ankle down in Sicily, and is now up in the office in Rome. I could not write enough about the example he has been for me or the influence he has had on me if I could write for the rest of the night. When I first heard about his injury, I was puzzled cause I knew he is one of the most valiant missionaries in the mission. Talking with him and others about what he has experienced the past couple of weeks has taught me that his strength and ability to be an instrument in the Lords hands has not decreased, but it has increased. He has had an experience that most would use as an excuse, into an opportunity to teach many pepole, including many doctors who have operated on him. It is one of the most inspiring things I have ever seen in my life.

 

This past week we had a great Christmas Party at the Church in which about 40 people came out to. We left early cause it did not end until around 11. Unfortunately our sacrament attendance took a hit due to the late party. Lesson learned for the future. It was a really spiritual Sunday nonetheless. President De Carlo told us that he recieved an email from a man in Tunisia who met the missionaries on mormon.org, and wants to be baptized but he cant because he church is not in Tunisia yet. He asked if he can fly to Malta to get baptized. He talked about the gospel and how it will sound in the ear of every nation, kindred, and toungue, and this could be the first man from Tunisia to join the church. It is so incredible to see the gospel spread to fill the whole world.

 

Things continue to go well down in Malta. We are very excited for this Christmas season as we have planned with our members and friends some very good times. Im grateful for the opportunity to experience two Christmases in the mission field because it has really taught me to make Christ the center of season/celebration. One of the many lessons I plan on carrying over after the mission. Have a wonderful Christmas season back in the States!

 

Presbiteru Smith