Thursday, July 10, 2014

RUMO AO HEXA! (Road to Six)

July 7, 2014

This upcoming week will either be the happiest week for Brazil or the saddest. Brazil is one of 4 teams left in the FIFA World Cup and it looks like they could win their 6th championship. They will play tomorrow against Germany and if they win they will play the championship this upcoming Sunday. Now that my home team lost, I will be cheering for Brazil with everything I got like a true blooded Brasileiro! 
Elder Clark and Elder Xavier
Service Project
This week was great. The highlight has been Celina and her two daughters. We have been working with them and they are set to be baptized July 20th. Every time we visit, it’s hard to leave because they just want to talk and talk and talk. Celina always says that she loves the spirit in her home when we are there, so she never wants us to leave. We gave a short lesson on the gift of the Holy Ghost and how she can have that feeling always with her. She is so excited. She has some obstacles though. Mainly smoking but we are working with her to quit! Last time we visited, we made a deal with the three of them never to drink coffee again, and Celina stood up and dumped her cup of coffee out the window. They are so great and I am excited for their progression. Her two daughters are gems too. So funny and will talk to you the whole day if you let them, and you won’t have to say a word. haha
Service Project

The hardest obstacle for us and investigators is getting to church. I don’t know why this is so hard but it’s our biggest challenge right now. We have the most INCREDIBLE people we are working with. They read the Book of Mormon, they are progressing, but then when Sunday comes around. They don’t show! Ahhh, it’s the most frustrating thing in the world. 
We have a new Mission President; President Lundgren from Washington State! He came here with his wife and his 15 year old son, Wade. They seem incredible! We had a meeting with them Tuesday, President served a mission in Brazil so his Portuguese is pretty good, but his wife and son don’t speak at all. But I know they will learn. He has a great vision for the Mission and he gave us 4 things that we will focus on.
1. Baptisms
2. Personal Conversion of the Missionary
3. Reactivation
4. Retention of New Converts. 
 Not necessarily in that order. He spoke a lot about how at this time in Brazil, reactivation is huge because there are a lot of members here who have wondered off. I love working with less actives and I am excited to focus more on that aspect of missionary work! 
Life is good here in Brazil. I think this week was probably the hardest week of my mission in terms of homesickness, with my family being together at Aspen Grove, The 4th of July, and The fact that I am mais or menos half way through my mission. Man it was tough, but it’s a new week and I am ready to work! I love this Gospel and know it’s the only way for true happiness, even if it’s hard.
Love you all

Elder Samuel Clark

No comments:

Post a Comment