Where are the other two missionaries from?
Elder Sousa is from Forteleza, Brazil.
Elder Eliason is from Virginia.
If you never have much food in your fridge what do you boys eat for breakfast and lunch?
We eat whatever. I eat PBJ for breakfast, Lunch is provided by the members (Lunch is the big meal in Brazil, not dinner) and we eat whatever we have for dinner.
Do they celebrate Halloween over there?
I thought they didn't. Read ahead.
What did you do on October 31st?
Knock on doors. ;P
Are you willing to serve the people of Osorio for the rest of your mission? Would you have been happy to serve there for your whole 2 years?
That's a very good question. This is something that is really difficult to respond, because this is all a question of the soul. If the missionary is truly a representative of Christ, as much in heart as in calling, they'd be willing to do whatever to help every living being of whatever city they pass. Sometimes, we as missionaries become a little discouraged when people aren't involved in the missionary work, or when people aren't open to the gospel, and especially when the church itself is full of wickedness. There have been many missionaries that have passed through areas, wishing to be transferred. One time I even felt so. But then, one missionary arrived in that area and motivated all the members to take a stand for what was right and to "wake up." After that, I was sad to leave the area. Personally, I am simply in the mode of obedience ("I'll go where you want me to go") but I know that there are stronger and more powerful modes of serving the people as you have stated. Love and charity. Now I know that I need to be better. Thanks Mom.
This week was eventful. There's a lot that happened, and probably very little that I'd be able to tell. To start, this week the "good winds" of Osório became simply "feet sweeping winds." Every day we walk from one side of the city to the other, and over the last few days, I was getting a headache just trying to walk against the wind. By the sound of it, this happens every year, and it's always a cycle. Wind->Extreme Heat->Rain->Wind->etc. This next week better be enjoyable. :l
Something that was also very interesting, was Halloween. As missionaries, we never realize what day it is until something different happens. On the thirty first, we were walking through the streets looking for people to teach, like usual, when alot of kids started walking around in large groups. The first thought in my head was "Oh no, somethings up." Imagine how much worse it got when everybody is going around in black with painted faces! >.< Then, it struck my companion and I. Why did the last person have candy prepared?... OH!! It's funny, because they actually don't celebrate Halloween officially here, so this really caught me off guard. However, after realizing it, we took advantage of the situation and got some candy. :P Alright, just kidding, but it would be interesting to tract on Halloween.
Anyway, Let's finish with how the work is going. This week we had a lot of disappointments; people that don't keep promises, others that we can never find again, and others that just don't care anymore. Never the less, we found someone more ready than ever, and right in front of our eyes. John is the cousin of a member, Luke, and has known the church for quite some time. He had even gone to church several times, but had never desired to become a member. We were walking down the street one day and found him and Luke talking together, so we decided to stop by. After we talked a little with them, we began teaching John a simple message of the Restoration, and then Luke bore his testimony. Finally, we challenged him to be baptized, and he accepted! If all goes right, he'll be baptized this week, and we'll be running behind everything to make it happen.
Sometimes we underestimate the power and the promises of God. But, if we put our confidence in him, and do all that we can, He will make all things fall into place. If there's anything to be learned, it is this, that All of God's promises will be fulfilled. So, what do we have to lose? Why should we let laziness take control, or opposition take it's toll? Why should we shrink against the fight, or wait for the tempest to pass before we make our way? Why should we fear the loss of the things we have when there is so much more to receive? If we do everything to find those prepared of God to hear his word, we are guaranteed that we will find them, or they will find us. So, as Christ said to his disciples, we must leave behind the world and take up our cross, for therein we will find true happiness.
Well that's about it. I'm sorry if nothing meshes really well, but I always get excited when I talk about this stuff. Anyway, until Next time!
Elder Angus
Word of the week:
bruxa (Broo-shuh) Meaning witch. Halloween here is actually called "Day of the Witches" (Dia das Bruxas)
