The Misadventures of Prayer Girl and Christmas Man: Episode 1

AGH! Can I just say I LOVE LIFE with the raging intensity of the movement of all the subatomic particles in the universe? Our branch here has the greatest people that spoil us missionaries so much. And our investigators? We taught 13 lessons this week. That's double the usual amount Annecy sees in a normal week, and we plan to continue this new trend. We found two solid people, one from Kosovo and another from....guess....FRANCE. Weird, right? We were also able to contact a record amount since my coming to Annecy. 600 people this week. God truly rains miracles on those who are diligent. I've lost count of all of them. 

Our baptism for Maria will be this Saturday if all goes well :) I can't believe I get to see her finally make such an important decision and promise to God. She is one of the strongest women I've ever met. She's still hanging in there despite her daughter being in and out of the hospital. Please pray for her and her family if you can. She and I would appreciate that beyond expression.

FACTS I LEARNED:

• Old Cambodian couples...the reason why I have confidence in my career choice as an English teacher in Asia one day.

• If you give a 7 year old half-Cambodian girl the idea that you are in fact the Green Lantern, chances are she will bother her parents to invite the missionaries over for dinner once a week. Um, score?

• There is a holiday here that takes place after new years in honor of the three kings of the nativity. They celebrate by eating a cake with a figurine hidden in it and whoever gets the figurine in their slice gets to wear a paper crown for the day. Guess how I found this out....

Today is not a profound message (because you know that I'm just filled with those). It's an experience I had over the last couple days that I think is really simple, but still really funny and proof of God's hand being in this work.

Two days ago, I sat next to this old man on the bus that looked a little "grumpy," if you will. Here's my best recount of what happened:

"Bonjour. Are you having a good day today?"

"No."

"Oh. Well, did you have a great Christmas and New Year?"

"That's a personal question."

"Oh, excuse me." 

*awkward silence*

"I know what you're trying to do. It's a shame you're here to convince the non-believing."

"I'm actually not here to convince anybody. I can't actually do that as a human being. I mean, seriously. I can't even speak your language!"

"(insert a five minute rant about how I'm brainwashed and that God couldn't possibly exist because of reasons, etc.)"

"Have you ever prayed before?"

"Prayed to who, to what?"

"I think you know."

"Never. I don't waste time talking to no one."

"You should give it a try in your free time."

"Oh la...."

*Bus stops in front of our apartment*

"I have to go. It was so nice to talk to you!"

"Yeah (mumbled french words)"

"Pray and then tell me about it. Sound good?"

"Oh absolutely (more french mumble)"

Fast forward to this morning: My companion and I were coming back from a RDV at the hospital (that was for neither of us, just for clarification). We got on a random bus that I figured would take us back to centerville........and guess who we found....

Christmas Man got on after a few stops, saw me, and immediately made this dramatic scene (luckily it was an empty bus). I asked him how he was doing and he politely responded and asked the same. I said it was beautiful outside and everyone has been very nice today. He responded, "Oh really? Because I prayed for that." I thought this guy was pretty darn clever, and I guess he thought so too, because we both laughed and shook hands. 

The whole point of me telling you this isn't to show you how awkward missionary life is (even though it REALLY is). I just love the change in this man's countenance that took place in less than 24 hours thanks to that miniscule encounter. I love seeing people smile because of something we do, even if it's a little sarcastic joke (to be honest, those people are my favorite). I know that I get to see these amazing transformations because I'm called to the greatest work. God put this man in my path again to help me see that. Humans are such amazingly dynamic creatures.

I love you. So much. God is so proud of everything you do. Remember that, because there are a lot who don't.

Bonne Année, mes cheris!

Sœur Green  

Here's a portrait of me done by one of our primary kids. I keep it in my scriptures.
Is that not the most beautiful interpretation you've ever seen?

¡Viva La Frances!

Worth the pay.