Elder Drake Wakefield

Symbolis

While pondering during the sacrament along my recent reading in John 6 that Jesus is the bread of life, the story of the woman at the well came to mind aswell where Jesus also states he's the living water. What a coincidence Moses and the children of Israel have multiple stories about bread and water, which means the people Jesus is talking to who are likely well-versed in Torah this brings an even deeper meaning. As we remember the context and who ancient texts are written to an even deeper meaning emerges. Another example can be found in Matthew 16:24-25

If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

As we read "take up his cross" the common thought goes to any challenge or hardship we need to take up our cross and get through it, but as we think of the context of this statement it, like I said, deepens. Think of how people of this time view crucifixion.

For starters, Jesus hasn't yet been crucified, so this is only viewed as a common torture method for criminals. This was not a joking matter, a scholar likening it to someone making a statement about Auschwitz, something very sensitive in this time and place.

So Jesus was being very serious when saying this, to take up your cross means you, like Jesus, are dragging your personal hanging device to be killed. The thoughts racing through one's mind while on this final walk must be going a million miles an hour, or maybe none at all, a silent blank faced trudge. Either way one things for certain. All hope of return is lost. Death is inevitable and accepted for said individual. This is what he's asking us to do. Be his disciple with absolutely no hope of return to anything else. Being willing to sacrifice all aspects of our natural man to him. I'm still trying to figure out the full meaning of his statement to us, but the promise is we will find more as we take up our cross with him over what we had before. His cross-bearing made mine and your eternity possible

Shoutout Pak Fredi for passing his baptismal interview, please keep him in the prayers for this week🙏

Changes Medan got 3 new Elders, a red-headed Texan, satu Wong Jowo, and one Ricky Baker (if you know you know). The Ricky Baker weights about the same weight but he's 6' 5" and an absolute unit. Paula Hall from childcare welfere would be shivering her timbers with Elder Taco (i still don't know how to say his name) (if confused, watch Hunt for the Wilderpeople)

I finally aquired a batik suit

With our orphanage we taught them about the Book of Mormon and acted out the story of Lehi and his family. We did voulenteer for who got which role, and 8 year old Melvin voulenteered for Saraih (Lehi's wife). His siblings did not let that one go😭

Yea great week! Please keep these folks in the prayers:

Vincent

Mutiara

Daniella

Felicia

Becca

Evelin

Fredi

Veny

Dewi

Daniel

Love yall!! -Elder Wakefield

60 easter eggs hid, 59 found. When the hider can't even find what he hid you know it was a good hiding spot (a kid probably just took it and didn't tell)

In Medan we now have 4 different orphanages we serve and teach at. For the first time all four were able to come to church. Legendary foto