This week was plain brutal to find people at home. Being
so close to the beach here there are few people that stick around during
the holidays. We did a lot of walking.. New Years Eve was painful. We
spent most of the day stalling looking for someone we could talk to
until our dinner. Which i really didnt even want to go to because last
time i ate there they were all drinking... in front of the missionaries.
My hope that that was going to change on the night where EVERYONE gets
plastered drunk was not granted. For anyone that speaks portuguese they
were the definition of "sem vergonha." I thought at least someone sober
was going to be the one to take us home at 1030, I was wrong. I put on
my seatbelt and prayed. The lord let us get into one little accident
when my fluffy friend didnt see a speedbump, but he got us home. Thank
heavens.
The next day was interesting. I felt like Will Smith
from I am Legend. I didnt see a single person on my way to church. THEN
i only saw about 30 persons AT church. Keep in mind they combined 3
wards so that the attendence might not be SO bad. So it was a pretty
sweet stake conference... with 30 people. Brasil...
However that day was oh so eventful. Its funny how
sometimes you plan everything perfectly and nothing goes right, then
other times you dont plan everything and it all works out. Sunday we
didnt plan a single thing, we just walked out with the idea to wing it,
find anyone that would listen to us testify of christ. Long story short
we found 3 drunk dudes that were willing! Well, i should clarify, they
weren´t drunk when we started. They were drinking WHILE we taught. Long
story short, bible bash´s with drunk dudes are difficult to win... but
oh how they are funny. The lesson started out great, but when we got to
the part of apostasy and Joseph Smith we started to get a lot of shaken
heads. First they told us the Bible was the TRUTH and it was the only
truth. Then when they brought up that it was impossible to see God I
asked if they believe in Moses. No.. So now the Bible is "sort of"
truth. Then after we established that two of their pastors disagreed on
the same scripture the Bible was no longer valid. BUT when two drunk
dudes make a stupid comment then turn and laugh at each other its a
point for them!! I have high hopes for Marcelo, Ivondro, and Thiago.
Wednesday was kind of fun. A missionary that served
here brought back his mom and grandparents and had a little party at the
church. We were invited as translators. I ate pretzels!! I love
pretzels.
So yeah.. my week was hectic and tiresome. But when
we work hard the Lord always leaves us with a few tender mercies.
Yesterday after walking all day and having just 1 lesson in the
scorching hot sun we found something that doesnt exist here in Brasil...
A full, complete family. Not just a family, but an AWESOME family. I
wont tell you how many actual families ive taught on my mission, but i
can tell you i can count them on one hand. We shared the message of the
restoration, the BOM, and challenged them to pray as a family. They
loved it and want us to come back Wednesday.. And best of all, the
HUSBAND likes us to. Even better, The wife hates her church!! Wahoooo!
Pray for them. Their names are Adriano and Jaqueline.
Mom, take confort in knowing you have now passed the ONLY complete year you will ever not see me. Pow. Happy new year.
Stay Classy.
(Pictures
of Gramado Chocolate (delicious) from my Brasilian Grandma, Her family,
(Im going to baptize that 23 year old girl, count on it), and tereré.
(Like chimarrão but its sweet and you drink it cold.) I drink it every
morning.
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