Week 16 - 9/ 2/ 2013 

 

The following is the message Elder Rebollo sent to the members of our ward

 

Dear ward family,

I thought I'd personally take the time to share a thought with you. I'm currently serving the people of Quelimane, Mozambique, in the northern part of the country. The church has been here for about 2 years, and the branch here has about 70-80 members. The gospel is still new for the majority of them, but they are willing and eager to learn more.

 

Church members in front of their meeting house in Quelimane, Mozambique

The members are particularly interested when learning about the story of the early latter-day saints. The pioneers lived in a very different time and very different place than the way people live here in Africa, but the members identify with the virtues of faith and sacrifice exercised by a people that didn't have many material possessions. Church meetings here are held in a house that has been converted into a chapel. But the members desire to have a chapel of their own someday as the church continues to grow here. They know that in order for this to happen, they must pay their tithing and pray for those who don't know about the gospel, that we as missionaries may find those who are ready to accept it into their lives. They also have an interest in learning about temples and the sacred significance of what happens there. Right now the closest temple is in South Africa, a trip which, for most families, would require the sacrifice of a few years’ worth of income. But many families here still plan to make the trip there eventually, to partake of the sacred ordinances and seal their families for eternity. A few families have told us that they pray every day that the church will continue to grow here so that there might someday be a temple in Mozambique. I know with absolute certainty that that day will come, and many families in this country will be able to be sealed for eternity and have the promise of living together forever in the celestial kingdom, as they continue to live according the gospel. I am so grateful for the temple and the eternal blessings it brings to families. I know this topic gets stressed a lot, but I hope that you will take advantage of the opportunity you have to be so close to a temple, and enjoy the blessings that come from going there often. 

I appreciate your thoughts and prayers for me and all the missionaries in our ward!

—Elder Rebollo