Dear Family,
Thank you for all your updates. I love hearing all the little details. Here in Tirana we've been doing a ton. Actually, we haven't really been in Tirana. This week we were able to travel to the Zone Conferences around the country. We had 2 conferences, a combined one in Tirana, and one in Kosovo. I was invited to conduct the meeting. I thought, "Just 3 months ago I saw the other Elders doing this, and now its me!" The conferences were so great. As we sat on the stand together, I couldn't help but think of Dad sitting on the stand as a Bishop. I often say, "How would dad conduct this meeting." And then I'd act accordingly. Two highlights occured at the conferences. First, we have a mission song. It is to the tune of Onward Christian Soldiers. The chorus goes "Serving in the ASM / President sets the pace / Jesus Christ our Savior / See him face to face." It was written by our two Elders that our opening the new city of Berat, both excellent singers. Second, we were all able to see 'Meet the Mormons". I love how 'cool' our church is. We truly are an international church. President said that we are going to try to get the video in Albanian theaters eventually!
The travel up to the second conference was very, very rainy, and I got to drive 'Big Blue' (the big 9 seater van)! We were able to take some chairs to one of our smaller/growing cities, Peja. They just acquired their first building. On the car ride up, the co-writers of the mission song came with us, so we were able to sing through the rain. They are having miracles while opening Berat. In the past 3 weeks, they've stumbled across people that found the church 25 years ago. One man was baptized in Italy 8 years ago, moved back to Berat and never heard of the church since. We hope that they can become a group soon!
After the Kosovo Conference in the city of Gjakova, we had to make an emergency run to Prishtina to drop of the Macedonian Elders so they could make it back to their capital city of Skopje. The 1 and 1/2 hour drive was super pleasant because it was Elder and I returning to my 'training ground' once again. I love the long car rides. That might sound weird to say, but it gives us time to discuss the needs of the missionaries, listen to talks, and talk about how awesome President is. I remember back to when Seth would write about driving...and not eating a whole much. I can relate.
In December we had a lot of success with He is the Gift. As a result, we edited another video "Because of Him", translated it, and now we will be playing this on all the buses and taxis in Tirana. Technology is such a wonderful tool.
I know that this letter sounds like a lot of busy work. But I see all this hussle and bussle as the energy that propels forth the ever growing gosple. I'm so grateful that I can be on the front lines of service. So often we receive a text from President about a need. We quickly drop everything and go and do. For example, after a medical emergency in the mission, we were able to run to the need of the missionary, get them to the hospital, and make sure everything is all right. It seems like we always have a 3rd companion, be it a struggling missionary, a arriving missionary, a departing missionary, or an 'expectant'-trainer.
In spite of all the work that is demanded of us, miracles happen. For example, after we just finished skype lessons with a family in France we received an email the next day, telling us about another family in Switzerland that needs help from Albanian missionaries.
I had a wonderful experience this week reading Grandpa Bangerter's book. I read about his service in Brazil, his sickness, and his strength to overcome. I was overcome with gratitude for a grandfather that sacrificed so much. I remember the quote from President Monson, "The Greatest thing you can do to honor your Grandfather is to serve a mission." I'm grateful for a missionary family. Each day I think of Grandpa's call, Dad's call, and the service of each of my siblings. Time and time again I sing, "because I have been given much, I too must give."
The Doni family is still progressing, the father and son came to church but left after 1st hour (smoking problems). Please pray for them, they are so great and could brgin so much good to Lagja e Pare (First ward).
During a lesson this week, we taught a family about a temple. The father asked his daughter, "Do you know what that is?" pointing to the temple. "Xhami! xhami! xhami!" meaning mosque. She refused to believe that it was a temple. Meanwhile her little sister, when SHE saw the picture said, "I've been there before!" Out of the mouths of babes, doctrines are taught. This wonderful family is preparing to be sealed within the coming year.
Love you all,
Elder Bangerter
P.S. Albano Merkaj in Vlore is now the YM President!
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