Two Convert Stories

Besmir is a 19 year old Muslim young man, who a few weeks ago was pondering life, and praying that he might know the truth. He decided that he should go buy a Bible and read it, and on the way home from the book store, with his newly acquired Bible tied to the back of his bicycle, he came across two Mormon missionaries, Elder Humphrey and Elder Monson. They struck up a conversation, and Besmir agreed to hear their message. After the first lesson, and a gift of the Book of Mormon, Besmir wanted to be baptized, and has been pushing for baptism ever since. He'll be baptized this coming Sunday! (Interesting side note: Besmir has been going with the missionaries to other investigators to TEACH! He bears a strong testimony, and has a solid understanding. We keep track of the number of lessons our missionaries teach with members, but what about lessons taught with investigators?)

Adriana is in her 30's, married with 2 small children, and lives in Shkodër (near the northern Albanian border). We've been working in Shkodër for about a year now, and have 2 members, and a very small, dark rented room that we use for a chapel. Adriana speaks fluent Italian, and was a nun for many years in Rome, and actually worked directly for the Pope for about a year. When I interviewed her, Elder Anderl asked her my questions in Albanian, and she answered to me in Italian, which I understood very well. She was baptized two weeks ago and became the 3rd member in that small branch! She's amazing, and has such a powerful testimony of the Book of Mormon, that she couldn't NOT be baptized. Adriana's husband Toma is also receiving the lessons. They've been receiving welfare assistance from the Catholic church in Shkoder, so that will probably go away, but she has faith that God will provide. Adriana's been out of work for about 3 months, and her husband is also out of work. She has been promised a job at the Italian Embassy in January. We're overwhelmed by the faith, and the courage of the investigators who join the church here! -Marty