Well, unlike a lot of other emails that I read from missionaries whose countries don't celebrate the fourth, I'll have you know that Kosovo is probably more American than New Mexico, which is probably more like Mexico. We treated ourselves at lunch to the most American burger we could find, but it couldn't beat the ones dad cooks out on the back porch. Due to the Pro-American feelings that Kosovo has, we had a ward party on the 4th! It was really awesome. We had 6 of the people we invited come, including Hazir, who now has a baptismal date! The funnest person that came was named Granite. He is an Albanian who has grown up in America and I believe he is more american than me! He was so excited to come because he hasn't celebrated a Fourth for Four years (that's a lot of 4s) He was the first one there and the last one to leave. He became the life of the party when he wanted to start taking pictures of the American Flag, leading the pledge of Allegiance, and filming me and Elder Price fold the flag in its appropriate boy-scout-learned way. (Maybe the sad thing was that there were more people there than usually come to church? but, oh well, this week we actually increase our church attendance!)
Elder Watson and I are having a 'grand old time' serving together again. We both speak a lot more and our language has improved dramatically. Heavenly Father has answered our prayers. We try each day to get the most out of our finding and teaching. We were really blessed as we found new investigators for us and for the sisters! The best lessons came from two college boys.
These two young men are muslim but were open with coming to the church with us. As we taught the restoration the spirit grew so strong! After the First Vision, I asked one if he felt the spirit, to which he nodded in the affirmative. However, it was very interesting to observe the other boy. It appeared that both were equally muslim, but one had a softer heart than the other. The other boy kept asking, "so where is the proof. How do you know you have a living prophet? Who is Thomas S. Monson? What has he done?" It seemed that his friend was on our side in the midst of the questions, but we addressed his questions by saying that we'd be totally open for meeting the next day to talk about our living prophet. He agreed; actually they both agreed, and they both agreed to read Alma 32 before the next day. Well, the next day rolled around and they apologized for being 5 minutes late (which never happens, the apology I mean). This just shows how kind these boys are. During our lesson, they kept saying how they loved what "she" said in Alma 32. We were afraid we gave them the wrong chapter until I realized that 'Alma' is a girls name in Albania! We kindly corrected them and we all laughed; but I couldn't help but try to picture Alma as a sister missionary teaching about faith. It must have been an interesting concept in their mind too. But, with all that aside, they loved the chapter, agreeing completely that we must plant good seeds inside us. We then gave them another seed to plant: a talk by Presidnet Monson. I am so greatful for the prepared people that God puts in our path. However, he keeps us humble by testing us. The day of this 2nd lesson was their last day in Prishtina. They were leaving to their village for the summer. So, we hope to stay in contact with them until September. Please Pray for Zeqir and Atdhe (Ze-cheer and Aht-they) that they may be able to continue in their reading and searching.
Also this week we got a new mission President: Louis Weidmann. He is so awesome. He came to our Zone Conference on Wednesday. He is so loving and so Swiss! I made the connection with him about Aunt Julie and Uncle Ramon, and we may have more connections through German missionaries. All his son in laws served in Hamburg and a few relatives in Frankfurt. He talked about how, when he was a young missionary he had a desire to serve a foreign speaking mission and was sent to Frankfurt! Then, as a to-be-mission president, they had the desire to go to a German or English speaking mission and were sent to Albania! He has a great vision for our mission and I look forward to a great time with them!
I love you all and pray for you every night!
Love, Elder Bangerter
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