The rest of the story

I thought you might enjoy a picture of Elias, Milan and their Mom Idwo. Elias was one of the young men baptized last Sunday. He was confirmed in Sacrament meeting yesterday. He came marching up to the front in his shorts and crumpled shirt and with the biggest smile. He is such a bubbly little guy, and is so happy to finally be baptized.

I told you about "John" and his baptism also, well, yesterday he asked Ben to Confirm him. The confirmation and blessing were in English because John understands that better than he does Dutch. He was given a beautiful blessing and in the blessing he was told that even though he had experienced a hard life so far, his Heavenly Father was very aware of him and that he was blessed to come to Belgium. We found out a little more of his story at the ward Bar-B-Q Saturday when we found out about some of the turmoil taking place in Africa. John watched many of his people killed, even his own Father was shot in the head. John was stabbed in the arm but his arm has healed. Apparently someone helped him to get out of the country because he was in danger. He headed towards the U.S. with very little money and a passport that had to be purchased at a huge price probably on the black market only to be stranded in the Belgium Airport. Someone had stolen his money and passport and he could not go on any further. He spent 2 days in the airport afraid to go to the authorities. You have to remember he came from a country where the leadership is very corrupt, and people do not trust the police. He was taken to a large Warehouse/Dormitory where many refugees are housed. He is still in hopes of making it to the States but for now is trying to get some education to help him get a job. Apparently the Belgium government is supporting him. He does have a brother living in Washington state and hopes to be able to go there.
Meanwhile he is studying and reading "A marvelous work and a wonder" that the ward mission leader is lending him. When ever he gets anything new to read he just hugs it and cherishes every word. Oh that we could all cherish the scriptures the way the new converts do. We have so much to learn from them. Both the scriptures and the converts.