We left the states on Monday and traveled all the way until Tuesday night and we arrived in the Helsinki airport at 3:00 local time. Both my suitcases were lost so i had to file a lost luggage report with a Finnish speaking person which was really difficult until i figured out she spoke English! So, the Assistants took us to the mission home and we got to hang out with President Rawlings and sister Rawlings! They have to be the greatest people on earth! They are so nice and loving! We slept there and I didn't have any clothes because my luggage was lost so I wore the same clothes again!
The next morning we meet all the trainers, there was 14 of them. We went into a room and had a small devotional then he named off our trainers and our areas. My trainer is Vanhin Jefferies and I have been serving in. Mikkeli! After that we hopped on a train and headed straight for Mikkeli! On the train ride there Vanhin Jefferies had me make some phone calls to members. That was fun.
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| Map showing Elder Tippetts' area in relation to Helsinki |
Mikkeli and Finland is exploding! Mikkeli especially! Once Vanhin Jefferies and I are done here they are gonna call this place little brazil because we will have so many baptisms! We have been teaching a few people. We aren't allowed to use their names so I will just leave them out. One of our investigators who has a baptismal date is from Thailand! She is amazing and so prepared! We have another lesson with her tonight.
So we have been working really hard to try to get the ward excited about missionary work. they are all excited to come with us to lessons. we had a member come with us to this girl from Thailand's lesson. We told her about the restoration and gave her a Book of Mormon in Thai. She loved it and said when we talk to her she gets a feeling that is telling her it is right.
It is inspiring to work with her because she has so much faith!
So we had an idea to do a talent show with the ward. The Ward mission leader found out I can play the piano so he said I would be the face of the show! Great right! It should help get the ward excited about missionary work even more! Well I went to sacrament meeting and they talked so fast the only thing I caught was my name when the branch president introduced me!
We have had many dinner appointments this week. They love to share authentic Finnish food with me. This one thing they drink is called piima. It is straight up sour milk!!! The people love it here! i can barely stand it but i am trying! Other than that the food here is so good! The members take good care of us! Also there are about 40 members in our branch! very small. they are some of the best church members in the whole world though. they are so dedicated to the gospel its insane!
Well I need to apologize because i don't know my address but if you send it to the mission office the Finnish government automatically redirects it to my address for free!
The work in Finland is going faster and faster everyday. The Europe area presidency has set a goal to double church membership in Europe by 2019. A lot of that is gonna come from Finland! I can't believe I am a part of this amazing work!
I love everybody and will be working hard until next week when I can check back in with you all!
