Wow! We've had some cool experiences this last week! I never thought I would know how much I now know about so many different churches. It always seems to draw me back and appreciate the blessings I and we recieve in and from the church.September 27th (last Saturday) we had an appointment with an investegator of ours. Badran is his name. He is from the middle east. You may have decided by now but he is Muslim. What a kind man he is. When we set the evening and time for our appointment he let us know that there would be two priests from the muslim faith at his home for supper. One of those priests came to Fort Mcmurray all the way from Jordan!In any case we anticipated it to be a quiet evening with just the 6 of us (we brought a member of the ward.) As we knocked on the door an unfamiliar man answered. He gestured for us to enter and we did. He walked down the stairs. We followed.Turning at the mid landing of the stairs in this townhouse I noticed 5 muslim men in my view sitting on the floor. We finally entered the unfinished basement and there were 13 men sitting in a large oval. Some looked muslim and some only dressed like they were muslim but all of them were muslim.They cleared some space on the floor and we sat. Badran then came down and explained to us the feast that lay before us. Lamb and rice, soups, salads, fruit, deserts all in traditional middle eastern fashion. He told us we MUST try some. We gladly consented even though we had all eaten previously.This evening was the end of Ramadan. Ramadan is the month long fast that muslims carry on each year. All hours of daylight are fasted but in the evenings they eat all they desire. In any case they were having the month end feast. None of it was super exotic but all of it was new for me. We ate our fill. Then we ate some more. Finally the time came that many of them had to go to the mosk to lead in the evening prayer they do each day. The priests each shook our hands and invited us to come to the mosk any time we want. Around half of the people left and we realized the time. It was almost 9:00 so we had to get moving along. Before leaving I asked if we could get a picture and here-in you'll have that attached.What a neat experience that I didn't ever quite anticipate having here in Fort Mcmurray canada. We had the opportunity that night to explain some of the basic doctrines of our religion and to clear misconception between their thoughts on the book of mormon.
As for the witness experience of the week it is less exciting. Bryan Barry our investegator informed us he was no longer interested in reading and praying about the book of mormon. He offered to continue meeting. We informed him that since we're not here to convince or persuade we could no longer meet with him unless he would read and pray. It was a hard decision to make and it felt like pulling out my heart but it had to happen. I will keep in touch with him because he is a really good man!
Finally the Catholic experience. Carla Saunders is a aboriginal woman who was victim to some of the unfortunate abuse that occurred in some of the catholic schools. She decided she would never again return to a church. We have talked a few times. She is busy as an electrician instructor at the college here.About a month ago she told us her office number and to stop by from time to time. While we were going about our business on monday we had some spare time. Once I realized this immediately there came into my mind the impression to visit Carla. She wasn't planned nor was she particularly on the way but we decided to follow it.Carla was excited to see us. She took us on a walk to return some equipment she had borrowed and we talked as we went. She explained she had read a talk we had given her on overcoming abuse. She said the story about the holocaust victim being able to forgive the criminal conduct against her family. Carla told us "It was a nice story and I'm glad she was able to forgive but it made me sad and angry because I don't feel like I CAN forgive." I shared with her some of my thoughts on weakness and a scripture in Ether 12:27. She read it and pondered on it. I bore her my witness that weak things truly shall become strong as we exercise faith and humility.She said she will be at church. There was no maybe about it.
It has been a good week. Lots of things are happening and I'm still learning rapidly. I love the work and the Lord.To each of you I express my love and appreciation for your support. Know that happiness is found in and through our Holy Redeemer. I know it.Press on.Elder McCarty
Here is the picture of Elder Hill and I with our Muslim buddies. Two of them are Mohammeds and one is Ali. You figure it out. Sounds like a dangerous boxing combination.
Badran is on the far left in the sweet pullover thing. Comfort has got to be one thing he's got going for him.
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