So on pday last week we went to the beach at Sopot
and it was really chilly! But it was super pretty too, and I brought
along my guitar and we just sat on the (very cold) sand and enjoyed
nature and music :) At one point, an enthusiastic dog came up to us as
we were eating and tried to eat my companion's food hahaha she got a
pretty funny photo of it.
Today for pday we went out to a
place called Sztutowo (or Stutthof in German). It's about half-way from
here in Gdańsk to Kalingrad (a russian country/state/i'm not sure? above
Poland) and took just over an hour to get to by bus. I'd heard about a
concentration camp being near Gdansk and I'd wanted to visit it for a
while, but we didn't get the chance to go last transfer. So yesterday we
all decided that we'd go there today as a district, and I'm so glad we
did. It was a very solemn occasion and it was of great interest to me
after having been to World War 2 museums in Germany last year and the
Sydney Jewish Museum earlier this year. It's certainly a different
experience, from hearing/reading about all the atrocities that happened,
and then actually being in the place where much of it took place. The
first thing we did when we got there was watch an introductory film (I
think we were the first ones to arrive, so the theatre was empty). It
spoke about the history of the camp, and showed footage from a trial
that happened after the camp's liberation, with many of the workers and
commanders of the camp- who, as I remember, most or all of them plead
non-guilty. We then walked around different buildings that had
exhibitions within- quotes from prisoners, personal belongings, artworks
and homemade toys, a large pile of men's, women's and children's shoes
confiscated upon entry of the camp. We saw the different areas they
slept, worked, ate, and were killed, including crematoriums and
"surgeries". There was a large memorial (the museum itself
is a
memorial already) to all the victims of this heinous crime at the
back/side of the museum. I can really only say when I study or learn
about the terrible things that happened during this time, I can't help
but think how this was all possible? How is it, that so many people
could do so much evil? I must say that I have no real answer.
Near
the end of the museum, there's a room that mentions the different legal
trials that took place after the war, and many of these perpertrators
got small jail sentences or even some were let off. It's not hard to
think of how unjust and wicked this all was. I do know that there is a
higher being, who knows all things, and has prepared a life for us after
this mortal earth. All the pains and injustices of this world, will be
no more after this life on earth is done. Jesus Christ has suffered for
us all, that we may live again, and all will be accountable for his or
her own sins. People
will have the chance to live with their
families once again, and never more to be seperated. I really can't
fathom how it's possible for such horrific things to happen. I don't
know why so many people had to suffer. I know that God does not wish for
any of His children to suffer. But I do know that God is real and knows
us all. The afflictions we go through on this earth, are not eternal.
There is a lifer after this, and good will always prevail over evil.
This
past week, my companion and I have continued to grow closer to each
other, as we've continued to persevere in hastening the Lord's work. We
had some interesting conversations with contacting people on the street,
and I really can say that I've felt the Holy Ghost work through me to
say the right things at the right time. Polish is still taking me some
time to learn, but the Holy Ghost is always there for me and I couldn't
be more thankful :) I'm so grateful for the members here, who are such
great examples to me. I'm so grateful for the amazing experiences we've
had with meeting new people, being strengthened by people that I've
known for a while, and learning from my own personal studies of the
scriptures and in talking to my fellow missionaries. I know that
Heavenly Father knows all of His children, and has no greater desire
than to see them succeed and reach eternal happiness. I'm so grateful
for the comfort that comes from my knowledge of God's great Plan of
Salvation. I would not trade the experiences I've been having on my
mission for anything in the world. I am so grateful for the support I
have from a loving family. You keep me going when the times are tough. I
hope you can feel my love for all of you!! (say hi to Stevie and
Madison and Kate and Mandy!!)
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