Laatste Barbados

Lieve vriendjes and vriendinnetjes,

Right now I am typing up my last email to all of you. Man time has
flown too fast. Wish I could turn back time and relive all of it
again.I love being a missionary, I love it. If only I could help you
understand what I feel about my mission your heart will overflow. And
now it's coming to an end, gosh that's weird. Doesn't feel like that
at all, feels as if I can keep going for years.
This week was wonderful, it has been a great blessing that the Lord
has given to me. Everything was just perfect. This entire last
transfer has just been perfect, wouldn't have had it any other way. My
companion Elder Smith is wonderful, I love that guy so much. Miracles
have just happened, all according to faith. The thought of ending this
brings tears to my eyes. O how I wish I could go on. But to everything
there is a time and season. This weekend Khalil got baptized, was a
wonderful experience, a true testimony builder that the power of faith
exceeds all. Worked hard and felt the Spirit, I love that feeling.
Feelings of happiness, excitement, joy and peace is a consistent part
of my life. I know that all of this are gifts that the Lord has
granted unto me. I testify that God lives, I feel that with every
fiber of my body. My entire being knows it. Had the opportunity to
bear my testimony in church yesterday. Everything I have been teaching
these last months is true. God truly does love us, and He will
forever. He reaches out to us, now it's up to us to embrace Him.
Cannot believe this is already my last week, man that's tough. Words
cannot describe what these experience means to me. I would sacrifice
the world for the experience that I have gained. Nothing compares to
it, absolutely nothing. In my mind I cannot understand how a young men
can deliberately decide to not go. If only I could give them a part of
what it means to me, then they would change their minds one time. My
mission is everything to me, it is the best thing I have ever had in
my life. Without a doubt, without comparison.
I don't know how I will serve back at home, without my wonderful
West-Indian people. But I'll guess I will have to figure out
something. Maybe I can get everybody to start speaking Bajan or
something.
My dear friends, I know that God lives. I testify of that with all my
heart. You can have what I have, I desire that you gain this. This
knowledge coupled by this extreme sense of peace/joy. Let's call it
peacoy for lack of an existing word.
Well guess I'll see you soon then..
With love,
Elder Thomas Bechan

Barbados 15

lieve vriendjes and vriendinnetjes,

No time this week sad to say, but I'll wirt more next week Monday. The week was great and the work is sweet. Love being a missionary, love to serve my God. Love being among my people, love teaching his gospel. simply love all I do. Do you love all you do? You should! Find joy in all small things, spend some time with your family and kids. Happiness comes by doing the right thing, especially the small and simple ones.
Have a good week,
Love Elder Thomas Bechan

Barbados 14

Lieve vriendjes and vriendinnetjes,

Life is so good, can't understand people that say a mission is hard. Of course the physical labor is tiring, have been tired for the last year straight. But hard? Not at all, it is so rewarding. I feel such an amazing happiness in my life. God's Spirit dwells within me freely, every week my happiness just increases. An experience I had this week was impressive. As you people might know I am coming home pretty soon (sadly enough, if you ask me) but I felt at the beginning of the week that the Lord needed me to help somebody get baptized while I am still here. What that impression I needed to just go work. The Lord had a work for me to do, so I tried everything within my power to get it accomplished. Nothing seemed to work out this week though, people weren't progressing towards baptism at all. World Cup is also a big distraction though! Gosh Sunday afternoon nobody wanted to listen to us for all where to busy watching the game. So nothing seemed to work out. But I knew what I felt, and I knew I have the faith sufficient to do what the Lord expects of me. Then the most incredible thing happened. Sunday an investigator that, due to future commitments, wasn't able to be baptized in the time frame I am still here. The Lord just changed that up, now he is good for baptism at the end of the month. Faith is so powerful. If you feel that you need to do something, that's god telling you to do it. When you get that impression, work for that. The Lord will always grant unto you power to do whatsoever is expedient unto Him, but only on the condition of faith. Show your faith, doubt nothing, and then you will recognize the Lord in your life. Doors that appeared to be locked down, will magically open. The Lord will provide.
With love,
Elder Thomas Bechan

Barbados 13

lieve vriendjes and vriendinnetjes,

What a week! Man being a missionary is so good. I testify that whenever you do what the Lord asks you will experience blessings. Miracles will just come your way. I love being a missionary, the unique Spirit and vibes it have is so wonderful. Wish I could write down what I experience and that you by just simply reading it could feel what I feel. I testify that God lives, He is such a big part in my life. The happiness that flows from learning truth, eternal truth, is magnificent. My advice of the week is: Repent! Not in a negative way who Bajan's use it, but in a life changing way. Change, you have the power to do that, change your life. Keep His commandments and I promise you, in the name of Jesus Christ, that things will be different. Try it, prove God and see if He will not open up the windows of heaven. One great commandment that results in immediate blessings: fasting. It is a commandment and a very special one. It teaches you to sacrifice, to put aside something of great importance (even necessary to sustain life, water and food), for the glory of the greater blessing. I testify that fasting is a principle of God and it allows you to recognize, receive and cherish God's blessings more fully in your life. "Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven"
Well time is out again.. Have a good week everybody!
Love,
elder Thomas Bechan