We met Rita when we first came to
the village. She had a small small stand by the Zions Primary school. The school
was 4 classes and over the year now has 16 classes. World Joy built the newer
classrooms but they still use the old rooms because of the number of students.
Rita would sell watchee and rice milk to the children before, during and after
school. She was America’s equivalent of a lunch lady. She made a fair little
business out of her little stand and life was fine. Rita has two sons, Frank a 11 and Stanley 9. They are very responsible boys that now run the shop after school
until closing around 6PM. Over the weeks of passing by their little stand, we
became friends and would purchase small items for a treat. They lived across the
street from their small stand. Sister Dalton became fast friends with Rita when
she introduced her to Banana bread and in fact, has baked in our kitchen with
Rita making Banana Muffins to sell at her stand. Our purpose as missionaries is
to beckon all to come unto Christ and Sister Dalton began the process slowly
and eventually invited Rita and her two boys to visit with the missionaries.
Frank and Stanley each were given a Book of Mormon and the whole family read
together at nights. We were so excited and attended the first two discussions
with the missionaries. We could see the spark in their eyes as they greeted us
each time we passed their stand.
The home they were renting was owned
by the Presby pastor and soon enough he caught wind of the gospel being taught
to Rita and her sons. That very night, he stormed Rita’s home and told her to
pack up and get out right away if she was to take any more lessons from
those Mormons. Scared and nowhere to turn, she said she would ask us not to
come any further. We were devastated but felt for her family and the predicament
she now was to endure. Each day though we always stopped and kept close to the
boys and Rita and our friendship has become even stronger. Last month Rita stopped us
and said she had saved enough money to rent a nicer home across town by our
chapel and invited us come and visit one evening. Stanley said “please bring us
another Book of Mormon so we can begin to read as a family again.” It was music
to our ears and tomorrow Sister Dalton and I will visit their home and deliver
3 copies of the Book of Mormon. We will also begin the missionary discussions
and look forward to their attendance once again at our meetings. The Lord surely
works in wondrous ways.
And the Presby pastor who demanded
Rita to quite seeing the missionaries or move out, well, he and I have struck a
friendship and are planning together for a community Christmas sing along we are
organizing for December 24th. Maybe the pastor and Rita will be
together again on a pew in the Abomosu chapel someday- wouldn’t that be a
blessing!
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