God's Power Is Real

Hey everybody!

Sorry I didn't get to send the weekly email yesterday, I was in Monterey for the day! It was INCREDIBLE. I will send pictures next week.

It was an awesome week, a lot of great things happened. But I would like to share just one story, a miracle. An experience that increased my testimony of God's power.

SO, Javier, our recent convert and my best friend, had been having a lot of trials and tribulations. He was kicked out of his apartment because the people that he was living with didn't want missionaries to keep coming over. Latinos rent out single rooms out of one trailer. So in trailer parks, to every trailer there are about 3 different families or individuals living there. They rent out different parts of the trailer. Anyways, he was kicked out and was forced to live in the migrant camps. After a short while of being there, he wanted to leave because of how bad of an environment there was. Drugs and alcohol were being offered everywhere he walked. And since those two things were a huge part of his past, he got out of there in a heartbeat to avoid falling back into his past and relapsing. He asked his family if he could stay with them, but they turned him away and told him that he was a disgrace to their family. So he asked a friend if he could stay with them for a few days. So that's where he's living right now, but he only has a few days. He quit his job because they weren't paying him. His car and phone are both broken and he doesn't have the money to pay for it. So basically everything bad that could possibly go wrong, happened. (There is a reason for all of this information, just wait). So we met up with him and he was a mess. He felt like God had given up on him. He wondered why all of these bad things were happening to him after being baptized. He had zero faith and trust in God anymore. He planned to move back to Mexico and go back to his old life. He told us that this church wasn't for him, and that prayer and faith don't work. Elder Matthias and I were distraught. Was he really saying these things? After everything God had done for him, the miracle of Javier overcoming hardcore drugs and alcohol in a matter of days without rehab. I looked Javier in the eyes and said "If this whole prayer thing and God helping us doesn't work, what or who do you think it was that stopped you from grabbing that beer? Who was it that lifted you up and helped you overcome heroin and cocaine in one day without ever going back and without rehab?" He started crying some more and looked at the ground. "I don't know what to do anymore guys, I'm sorry. I will always remember you and always remember what you guys did for me, but this doesn't work anymore". We weren't going to let this happen. Elder Matthias got on our knees in front of him and said, "we're going to pray right now and ask God if he's there". Javier started yelling with tears streaming down his face, "I'm not doing this! I don't feel it anymore!" But we were persistent and kept telling him to get on his knees. We weren't going to leave until he did so. After about 10 minutes, he slowly knelt to the ground and offered up a prayer to God. Amongst his sobbing and breaks in his speech from crying, he asked God if he was still there and if he loved him. After his prayer, he sat back on his chair and looked at the ground. We sat in silence for what felt like forever, but after a few minutes, Javier put his hands on his heart and said, "what are you guys doing to me?" "what do you mean??" we said. "My entire body all of a sudden feels so light, and I can breathe, what are you guys doing?" we looked at each other and then back to Javier and told him we weren't doing anything. He continued, "you guys must be doing something like playing with the energy or something because I'm floating in the air right now and you guys look so tiny!". He was holding onto the chair with all his strength, he literally thought he was being pulled out of his chair. I smiled and tears came to my eyes, for I knew at that moment Heavenly Father had heard and answered his prayer. We made it clear to Javier once again, that we weren't doing anything. He started laughing while crying at the same time. His entire countenance changed in a matter of seconds. We witnessed a miracle right before our eyes. We testified to him that this was the power of God, lifting him up and letting him know that he is still loved, and always will be. Later Javier said, "I don't care anymore if I don't have a job or money or a place to stay, because I have my God". This prayer saved his life.

This man has more faith than anyone I have ever met. Heavenly Father has answered his prayers time and time again. It has been a privilege to know him and be a part of his conversion. I testify that God is our Heavenly Father, and that the heavens are open. His power is still evident in these last days and always will be.

I hope everyone has a splendid week. I love you all.

Elder Felt

This is a pic of us and Javier shortly after the prayer that saved his life. We helped him clean up the cafe that he was working at before he quit.

And then Elder Fluckiger! We got on exchanges together because our companions are the Zone Leaders