Juan sent in a referral request to meet with missionaries in May of 2024. He did not respond to missionaries at first but Sister Dever was persistent on Facebook and soon he started to respond. After several messages back and forth with the Sister Missionaries he met them in person.
Juan’s Story
Hi I am Juan. I am from Mexico and I met the missionaries by messenger and then eventually met in person. It’s really cool what they do. They help get people to Jesus. It is really awesome. The biggest experience I had was getting baptized. It was really cool. Keeping the commandments of God and His gospel, being a better person every day is awesome. In my opinion, it is the best thing I have ever done. It is really challenging for the missionaries but it is so cool that they help people change by reading the scriptures. It makes you think differently and better. I have been a better person since reading the Book of Mormon. The biggest miracle is being a better person and thinking better than I used to. I have been able to reach out to more people and have better conversations with people and especially the missionaries. I haven’t been to church a lot but I have loved being there with the awesome people, it is such a cool experience even though I haven’t been able to go there much. As I have followed the Word of Wisdom I have actually had more energy and been able to wake up as I have followed that commandment! I sleep better and rest a bit more.
My relationship with God is continuing to grow. I have more faith in him. I used to have faith but now I feel that he is with me all the time. Every time I read the Book of Mormon I notice all the things in it have happened or are coming to pass. It helps me to not fall into the temptations of the world. Having the Holy Ghost has helped me feel more confidence. I don’t feel tension in my life and I have more relief. My trust in the Lord keeps growing and I am so blessed. I have so much gratitude that I can’t even express it in prayer.
It’s not cool, it’s amazing and incredible and all of the big things.
I loved to see Juan and his progression and continuing progression in the gospel. From the first time we met him I knew Juan was ready to take steps of faith and from that time forward he did! I was so blessed to learn from someone so humble!
-Sister Bosh
Teaching Juan has been an absolute privilege and pleasure. Juan, from day one, was full of light. Since his baptism he has illuminated Christlike charity. It has been beautiful to watch it flood into the lives of his family and friends. He is a beacon of light which many are drawn towards. Juan loves the gospel and continues to grow every day. I’ve been able to watch his desire to share the gospel grow and develop. He now is sharing with everyone around him like his coworkers and family. He recently told Sister Bosh and I that he shared the Tennessee Knoxville Mission “The Living Christ” with his boss!! He also told me the other night that his heart has changed and he is full of gratitude for his Savior Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for Juan and his example to me and he will forever have an impact on my life.
– Sister Wall
Barlows in TKM 