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!
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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
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| 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
