My Brethren
Hello from Brasil. Wow, can i just say i thoroughly enjoyed the last letter exchange. I told my companion a few days ago sometimes when im just having a shizzy day, it is so comforting to know that I've got a battalion of my best buddies out there doing the exact same thing i am. Trudging through the rain(ridiculous here), heat, snow, whatever. Thanks for the example fellas, i look up to every one of you.
Some general info. Near impossible to give specifics in a letter like this... But i am in a city called Passo Fundo, Way down in the South of Brazil. Speaking Portuguese all day and begging people to STOP smoking and GET married. Our two major problems here.. We are currently working with 6 duplas trying to get them into marriage and then into the waters. They all have a range of problems... from crack, to prostitution. We see it all here. But it really is a blessing to see someone recognize something missing in their life, and make a complete change. We have one couple that is so legit. He quit smoking, she quit working on Sunday and drinking café, and they take a 30 min bus to get to church every Sunday. Truly elect, i loved what David (Elder Yeates) had to say about finding people prepared to hear the gospel, so true. People that listen, read, ask questions. Its very refreshing.
Quick story about a man named Luis. (We call him Abraão) (Abraham) Luis is definitely going to go down as the strangest person i ever baptized on my mission... He has 11 dogs, wont let us in his house, has very very green stained fingers, and never speaks more than 2 words at a time. But he´s sick. His quick story- We found him knocking (clapping) doors. he comes out, with some tight shorts (and that's it, wears the same thing everday) on. BIIIG big bushy beard, smells awful. Not sure if he showers.. But regardless, we taught him a quick lesson, and invited him to church. I'm suprised when he shows up, an hour early! We are stoked and go back that day. We ask him how he felt. Good. What else? i felt the spirit. Awesome! What else?? I want to give you back your book.. AWE- wait what?? He goes I will follow mine. So yeah turns out he has a church he created.. So we bore some strong testimony and left. Long story short... THREE weeks later my comp laughs and says i wont believe who is here.. My boy Luis is there WITHOUT a beard, in a COLLARED shirt. After 220 stolen cigarettes in my apt (real funny) Luis now has a baptism date this Saturday and looks like a different person. This work REALLY can change people.
Guys, i was thinking yesterday. Nossa, our missions are all SO different. We are in different places, different cultures. Some of us are in summer, winter.. Some are speaking a new language.. (the gift of tongues is real by the way) But yet, at the same time we are ALL working towards the same purpose. Convidar as pessoas a achegarem-se a Cristo. Every day we go head to head with Satan who´s desperately looking for a knockout in the last round. Thats pretty Bad A if you ask me.. I love you guys, and i Love this work. Its so unbelievable difficult, but if it wasn´t hard, it WOULD NOT be worth it. Know that i pray for many of you specifically, and all of you as a whole EVERY night. We are the lord´s army, we already know who is going to win, now all it is is trying to get as many as we can on the right team yeah?? Keep doing your thing guys. Siga em frente. Much love. Peace.
P.s. Markie congrats on the AP call man that´s way sick.
Elder Alexander Allred
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