Why are you walking to a neighboring city?
We are responsible for five cities, but only two are close together and already have members that are active in the branch.
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Hey everyone!
This week was once more an.... experience. We had transfers, and my companion left me. :( As well, I'm no longer district leader. :l However, I am training again! :D One more greenie to help adjust to mission life. Elder Fonseca is from Forteleza - CE, (the hotter part of Brazil), and arrived just in time to receive the last part of our hot weather. He arrived and said, "Wah, it's cold here." Then I replied, with a sad smirk on my face, "It's gonna' get worse". Unfortunately it got a lot worse. Since that day, it hasn't ceased to rain, blow, or freeze. Probably the worst and most disheartening weather I've had in the mission, and my new son(companion) gets to experience it in his first week. :P Poor thing. Anyway, it looks like the rain-wind-cold will stop here in a few days, so he'll be a little happier.
Fortunately, the mission work overcomes all things! (As well, a cheap umbrella!) This week we taught some really excellent people. Just yesterday, after passing hours looking for someone to teach in the rain, we knocked at one door that appeared richer than everyone else on the street. After a few minutes, we hear a voice on the other side of the door. "Who is it?" I thought it funny, talking to the door, but began the usual introduction. After a few seconds, we heard the sounds of locks being opened and a young man opened the door and let us in. He was a programmer (Like me!) and really smart. He had been taught in his youth to seek out God, and he had a great faith in Christ. We began teaching and invited him to pray and to be baptized. Instead of saying yes or no, he said something that made me smile: "I don't promise to be a leader in the church, but I promise to seek the the truth and teach my children to do so also." Our response: "That's all we ask of you". I feel that he has a great desire and will go far.
As well, we have been looking to teach more simply, and focusing on the basic gospel principles of Christ and the Restoration. Because of this, we are seeing some real results. Something really evident here is that the people don't like to sit and listen for a long time, so if we don't talk fast and focused, they end up understanding nothing more than 'faith is good'. Although it is a good start, there is much more to understand. However, now we are beginning to see those who truly understand, and desire to change. This makes all the difference and the work worthwhile.
To close, I'd like to talk about something I learned a lot about recently: Free Agency. One of the greatest gifts that God gave us is our ability to choose what it is we desire to do, whether it be that which is good, which brings happiness and liberty, or that which is bad, bringing sadness and captivity. Many people ask why bad things happen in the world, and why God does nothing. The answer is simple: God respects the freedom of choice for everyone, and will let the punishments of wrong choices fall in their proper timing. If all people that did wrong were killed on the spot there would be no freedom. It would be "do what is right or die", which is exactly the plan that Satan had ever since the beginning, when he was cast off from the presence of God. So what did God do to help those that choose what is right and suffer because of those that do the wrong? As the scriptures say, he sent his only begotten son. Christ didn't only suffer for our sins, but much much more. He suffered for our pains, sadness, worries, guilt, and all thing that weigh us down. He descended below all of these things, that through him, we all might be lifted up. If you suffer, seek him and obey his commandments. Only then will you truly understand and feel his love wrapped around you.
Thanks unto all those that do so much to help me, and I hope that in some way I've been of some help to all of you. Until next time!
Elder Angus
Word of the week:
enlouquecido (en-low-keh-SEE-doo) Meaning 'went crazy.' Somebody told me I need to name my first son Enloque Sido Angus. I'm still considering the idea. :P
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