July 27, 2015
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| Joy |
Wow. I don’t even know what to say. My time in Padre
Bernardo is over and my mission just has a few short days left. I will be
leaving for Brasilia tomorrow and I will stay there, close to the mission home
until Friday when I board on the plane. I am beyond grateful for my time here
and the way I was able to finish my mission. Padre Bernardo will always have a
spot in my heart. Saying goodbye is the worst part. I finished my last week of
my mission running. We were able to accomplish much this week and the week ended
with 3 Baptisms and a wedding for the Padre Bernardo Group!
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| Companions |
Mazinho and Divina got married and were baptized this week.
The other companionship taught most of the lessons to them but we were able to
see the progress and help them get married and baptized! It was a great experience.
They are so great. They will be great leaders here in the church. Elder Kesler
was able to finish his mission baptizing the family he has been working with
since we got here. We also had the baptism of Maria Paula, She is another daughter
of Carina and it was very special witnessing her baptism too. Carinas family is
changing so much and I am so grateful for the time that I had to work with them
and watch their liveschange! I just hope that they continue on the path that
they have started.
Nativa, who was our very first baptism here, gave a talk on Sunday,
Imagine someone who is very shy, open up and give a powerful talk. She spoke
about endure to the end! It was a perfect talk. Nativa has so much faith and
has had nothing but struggles in her life. She spoke about how she was almost
ready to quit when two missionaries meet her and started to teach her. It’s
these small moments of happiness that make all of our struggles and heartbreaks
worth it.
Elder Nascimento and I have been working hard, with just a
little bit of help from the Lord, Padre Bernardo will turn into a Branch in the
next month or so. This week we had more than 40 people participating at church.
The school that we meet in is starting to become a church building with members
talking to each other, little children running around and many hymns and
laughter.
I am so grateful for my mission. Words cannot describe my
feelings and what I would like to express. I hope in the last few days I will
be able to find the right words. But, I know that God knows of my journey and
what I have learned and experienced. My prayer is that I will be able to take
everything that I have learned and continue to serve my King, long after my
service here is done. I love Brazil, I love Arizona too, I don’t think a day
goes by that I don’t think and pray for the Scottsdale Mission too. I love my
Savior. I love this Gospel. I love being Mormon. Thank you for all the love and
support that everyone has sent my way. And in just a few short days I will be
with you once again!
With all my love, for the very last time,
ELDER Clark
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to hear Elder Clark's Homecoming report. I served in the Brasil Brasilia mission from 1994-1996. Reading this blog has brought back awesome memories. It's almost like watching my own mission unfold again.
ReplyDeleteCan you post the details here on the blog? I'm in Layton, Utah and I have no idea if your family lives on the Wasatch Front, but if so, I'd like to come.
~Andrew E. Clark
Olá Elder Clark, estamos com saudade de você!
ReplyDeleteSomos da ALA TAGUATINGA I, por onde voce passou em 2014.
Sem dúvida fez grande diferença em nossa ala e em minha família, lembro-me quando gentilmente me deu uma benção. Sem dúvida estava precisando e me fortaleceu muito.
Sinta-se a vontade para retornar quando puder, espero que esteja bem.
Grande abraço, Luana e Erick.