Pioneers everywhere!

Hello and happy Pioneer Day everyone!!!  There were neither fireworks nor parades here in the streets of Bangalore, but we still had a pretty solid day.

Yesterday was our Pioneer Day, as we are a day ahead of y'all at home, three of the elders serving in the Convent Road ward spoke (we have four total, but one elder spoke last week): myself, Elder Jensen and Elder Sunny.  That was super fun.  I mentioned in my talk that as I looked over the congregation, it didn't look like anyone had ancestors who crossed the plains, but I did see a room full of pioneers who chose to change the course of their lives by choosing to obey the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It was the most amazing thing to see.

Speaking of pioneers, I believe there are few as unique a pioneer as brother Navaz: our favorite (and only) Muslim investigator who got baptized yesterday!!!  But really though, I can't think of anything else as unique.  And the way he found our church is equally as remarkable.  A couple months ago, Navaz decided he wanted to learn more about and follow Jesus Christ.  So he went online and googled: "true church," and obviously the link to mormon.org was one of the first results that came up.  So he went to the site and placed an order for the copy of the Book of Mormon.  The missionaries started teaching him, time went on and I came along and had the privilege of teaching him with Elders Sunny and Wakefield last transfer, and it was incredible to see how much he was learning in so short a time.  He was sharing with us examples he'd thought of about how Sabbath day observance would lead to eternal life and whatnot, it was awesome.  Yesterday he was baptized and is now a true pioneer.  I truly feel so blessed to have been a part of his conversion.

Also, our investigator Alex passed his baptism interview yesterday and will hopefully be baptized this coming Sunday!!  Got some photos from Navaz's baptism, I'll send em your way.

Much love, have a good week and keep the faith!

Elder Tuscano

P.S.  Side note: Navaz was interviewed and approved to take baptism by President Mortensen so as to protect himself, his family, and us.  We're all good in the Muslim brotherHOOD hahaha I thought that was funny.