A Tree of Life Vision

I need someone to paint an African Tree of Life picture that fits with this post. And note for the image, a few of our churches have parking lots. But the lots are always empty. None of the members own a car. Everyone walks to church or hires a ride on the back of a small motorcycle and gets off on the side of the street. They then walk from the street through the parking lot, as much as it is, and up to the church house.

I received the following letter from one of our American missionaries tonight. His companion is from Kenya. They are both wonderful missionaries. I received permission from him to share the letter. (I did some very light editing for grammar.) Here it is:

"This week I witnessed a miracle I will never forget. Two weeks ago, I started to earnestly fast and pray for all of our investigators. I had to make a list to look at every night so I wouldn’t forget any of them. Haha. But I started fasting and praying for each of them, and last week, Sunday, I was so amazed to see Heavenly Father doing His work in front of my eyes. Twenty-eight people I’ve been teaching came to church. That was the most investigators I have had come to church in a long time and I was amazed.

"But this week God taught me the power of prayer!!! As I prepared myself all week and prayed to be able to teach with power and to have God fulfill my promised blessings, I was excited Sunday morning when I woke up. I felt like it was Christmas morning because I had faith that this Sunday was going to be awesome. God answered my prayers and the Sunday did not disappoint.

"We had 42 investigators come to church. The feeling of the Spirit as they all slowly made the walk through the parking lot up to the chapel where we anxiously greeted them reminded me of the iron rod and the tree of life. Here were all of these people that God was leading to salvation. It was so amazing. I love being a missionary. It’s something I will never get to feel again and I’m just trying to soak it all up before its gone.

"I was able to witness one of the best miracles of my whole mission and it showed me God is HERE. And if we are willing to work He will use us. I’m so grateful for my companion. He as well strives to be obedient and teach with the power of the Spirit. It’s been a while since I had a companion as spiritual and skilled as him. We work really well together. I’m happy to be with him. I love my Heavenly Father and know that He is aware of all of us and he listens to every prayer we offer and He will answer them. That I learned this week.

"I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!"