A FUN LITTLE EXTRA! January 13, 2013

Facebook posting by Glenn Thomas, cousin of Alice DeWitt of the Gilbert 9th Ward, the Arizona ward of David and Danny:

As I sat this morning in Sunday School, studying the scriptures in the tiny building housing the Mumbai Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I could feel the Spirit strongly working on me. And as we read a particular scripture, the gospel and life came into sharp focus. Here are the words we read:

33 Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward.

34 Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.

35 Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you.

36 Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.

37 Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven.

I love the phrase "my sons" - I love my own sons (and daughter) and want them to grow up to be good righteous men - leaders among men for good. Here, God is giving us the formula to accomplish that - to be his sons and daughters - sow good and do good, looking to God.

As I sat in the "little flock" of Saints in Mumbai, I couldn't help but think the scriptures were talking to us. I came away with an increased desire to do good, to doubt not and fear not, to sin no more, and to be faithful.

One really cool thing that happened at church (aside from meeting wonderful people and getting to play the piano!) - this little branch of the church just gratefully received 4 new missionaries. One of them is Daniel (I've forgotten his last name), who is Indian and [lived in Arizona with] the Allred Family who are I believe in my cousin Alice Nielson DeWitt's Ward in Gilbert, AZ! Small world! :-)

Pictures are of the church building, and the street where it is located (took us a long time to find it! - the trick is the Reliance Supermarket on the corner...)

DANIEL: January 16, 2013

Well, finally we arrived in Mumbai last Saturday. immediately we started hitting the heat because past couple of months we were freezing in Delhi, all the sudden we were sweating. But the good thing is we are really close to the ocean that's a very good thing because we get a wonderful evenings everyday. I love it.

we traveled for two hours in the air and another two hours in a car and finally we came to our apartment. we did not have anythings it was so empty. immediately we started to clean up. After that we went to eat out side we couldn't find any thing finally we ran in to a small street side food and we had that for Lunch. it was really good and little expensive.

we went to shopping for food because we the next day is Sunday. went to our church first we did not know what bus we need to take and what is the bus stop name is so all the elders started to walk to our church it is about twenty minutes walk, asking everyone for our church adders it was fun and really existing for all of us. We talked with the church gourde. my companion and other elder and I we were slept in the church. That was the first time I slept in the church .

I was so exited to see the members in the Branch in the Mumbai. we had 29 members who came to church it was fun to see few faithful members in this state. The members were too exited to see us. This state never had the full time missionaries I'm so grateful for this few members who are willing to follow the Gospel by seeing them I felt comforted and happy.

 After church we taught our first lesson in Mumbai about Prayer and Scripture study. His name is bro.Kapil. this brother has been waiting for us past three months so we can come to Mumbai and to teach him. I'm grateful for him and his faith and willingness to know and to follow the Savior.  I call him as a golden investigator. On the same day all the missionary invited to a dinner appointment Bro. Praveen's family.

Monday our companionship did a exchange with our zone leader (E.Vuppada). We both had learned many things together. we learned where to go and where not to ITL and one of the biggest christian colony. we came to our apartment and disused with our companionship what we had learned about the area and many more things.

yep these are the things happening in Mumbai.

Love you all.

Elder Aruldoss 

   

                

DAVID: January, 13, 2013

We had a baptism of brother named sunil.  He struggled with many problems and all of his family are members of the Church except him.  So it was a joyful day for us and for his family.  He overcame all of his struggles and made the baptism convents with God.  That is such a blessing for me to witness it.  So far we are working with the referrals from the members.  We  have a part member family will be baptized this week.  The children are very smart and speak English.  We have been working with them for few weeks. This week will be good week for us.  The members in my ward are basically very old, means they've been members for long time.  It is really hard to get them to come on exchange with us. 

As we were walking one day, there was a random guy who started to stare at my companion. Soon he start chasing after us.  We start running away from him and quickly crossed the road.  That man was full drunk.  It was so funny.

I am enjoying my mission and love it.

With so much love,

Elder Aruldoss

DANIEL: January 9, 2013

Dear families and Friends 

 

How are you all? I'm doing great. I told you last week about the Transfer calls and we supposed to go on Friday, but we ran into a problems with a apartment. my mission president signed in and every thing was good and we were all exited and the next day we had a meeting with President Sackley. He told us the owner of the apartment rejected the contract because of a one reason he said NO non-vegetarian allowed in his apartment. so my mission president is looking for a apartments so we can go to MUMBAI.  During the meeting we had been given a few instruction for the elders in Mumbai that is NO name tag and NO tie. yes, we are not allowed to wear those things in Mumbai.

Now coming to my companion Elder Chandrasekar. Like I said he served with me in the same area past six months with me and I known him seance he arrived in the mission. I'm exited to serve with him next how ever long we are companion.

We are sill in Delhi but it has been coldest year in the last 44 years in India New Delhi. 

Until we go to Mumbai we have a especial assignments in Delhi. Which is we need to update the MLS in the second branch and to find the lost sheep. my companion and I been working on last few days to organize the priesthood and YSA. I had served in the same branch in the past we have so many men haven't received the priesthood. we were amazed with the number of men. they haven't received the priesthood because some were moved, some were lost, some were went away form the church because offended. Yesterday we sat with our first councilor in the branch president we went over the MLS and before we live that place he asked us to come to his home for dinner on Thursday night. we did not say no to him because we love dinner appointments. 

yep, these are the some few things that we did past week.

I want to tell you all I know this is the true church on the face of the earth. I know the missionary work is really and most important work as any man can do on this earth. I'm grateful for the gospel in my life and in my families and friends. I know the Savior died for me. I know the Book of Mormon is very vital in the conversion in anyone's life. This book help me to learn what my Father in Heaven wants me to learn? Do what He wants me to do? and say want he wants me to say to others? 

Love you all,

Elder Aruldoss    

DAVID: January 6, 2013

It's been a crazy week for me. This is Hyderabad and it is mainly occupied by the Muselms. One of the largest city in population and my area is packed with people.  It is really hard to get around to one place to another. Slowly I am getting to know this place.  My companion is also new to this area because he is only been here for 6 weeks. He doesn't know lots of places of my area.  He is really tall 6.4 and i am only 5.7.  I really like him, his name is Elder Hollings from Las Vegas.

Another thing is that i am a new Zone leader and my Zone is the largest and we are so busy, helping other elders. Our area is also so far and we could only do 3 appointments per day and other half of our time traveling.  The good news is that we had 5 people who came to Church and they all have baptism dates.  I don't need to worry about finding English speaking people cause most speak good English here. The one thing that i am really worry about is getting down from the bus. The bus drivers don't stop properly and we have to get down in a running bus which is really dangerous. I know that many people got killed from this accident. My companion is use to that and i think i will be fine.  My area is really good and I am so excited to work here.

Many members are really crazy about going to the Temple and seal with their families.  during our testimony meeting one of the brother who recently returned from Hong Cong bore a fine testimony.  he said in his testimony that do everything you can to go to the Temple, even if necessary sale your kidneys our Heavenly Father will take care of you.

I am so happy to be on mission serving my Savior.  I love you and think of you often.

With much love,

Elder Aruldoss

DANIEL: January 2, 2013

Dear families and friends,

how are you? It was so good to talked to you all on that day. I was so happy to see your faces and talk with you all.

I got my transfer call yesterday, I got transferred to Mumbai. This area is opened two days ago.I will miss Delhi. I had learned many things in Delhi. My companion is Elder. Chandraseker. He is from Chennai second branch, I exited to work with him. In other hand Elder Hess I will really miss him. We had a wonderful transfer together. I'm living on Friday noon with President. Sackley.

I will tell you more about Mumbai next week.  

Elder Aruldoss

DAVID: December 30, 2012

This week was really sad week.   I got my transfer call to Hyderabad and i will be leaving tomorrow.  I have to do some things before. They asked me to be the Zone leader with an elder from Las Vegas named
Hollings.  I am really sad to leave this area.  I had a farewell after Church and they all sung hymn 152 for me. I cried bearing my testimony.  All my converts also cried.  I was so close to this branch members and all of them love me so much.  I was here more than 6 months and i have found close friends and it is really hard for me to leave this branch. However, i know that God called me to Hyderabad and help the people there. I am looking forward to serve in the only stake in India as a Zone leader.

One thing that really touched me is one of my strong convert brother Rajesh mother passed away 8 months back.  He said even though my mother passed away you have brought me the true Gospel and through your help my whole generation will be blessed. Your teachings comforted me, you are like my mother.  It was a touching moment of my mission.  I  told him brother thank Him, he lead me to your family. This Gospel really true and it brings joy and peace to wounded heart. I have witnessed it in my life the healing power of the Atonement.  It is the medicine to any spiritual wounds.  I will be always grateful for it.

With my Happy New Year wishes and love,

Elder Aruldoss