Endure

Hello! Sometimes I wonder just how many people actually read my letters. With the state my English is in, they probably need a lot of patience with me. I'm kind of worried how it's going to be when I return home and start using English again, because the only English I use here is with a heavy Portuguese accent and grammar. In fact, it's actually pretty funny when I try teaching a Brazilian some English when I don't even remember straight for myself.

Anyway, this week was interesting. On Friday we had a division with the district leader.  The area they cover is the other half of the city of Montonegro.  It is completely different from our area. When I was there with his companion, almost everyone we talked to accepted us, and we ended up teaching about as many lessons in one day than I'd normally teach in one week in our area. Our district leader was equally surprised by the fact that it was so difficult to find investigators in our area. In the end we both learned from the experience and we move forward. As for the rest of the time, Elder Dickson and I are "putting our shoulders to the wheel." We found a few good families, and had some great experiences. With one family, we had shared our first message together with a Book of Mormon to read. On our return, she said that she had forgotten to read and pray that night and she had nightmares the whole night where the devil was slowly dragging her and her family into the fire. She felt horrible and couldn't sleep straight. But, she decided to read a little of the Book of Mormon, and she said that the moment she began to read, that horrible feeling disappeared and her dreams were peaceful and sweet. Once more, my testimony of the Book of Mormon has been strengthened, for through no other power could she be so readily delivered from that power unless it be the power of God.

There were a lot of other great families that began to show progress, but by the time Sunday arrived, they all "gave up" and returned to their regular life. I'm truly thankful for my family and all the efforts they made to take my stubborn self to church each Sunday, because now I know how important it was in my life, and I can see how difficult it was, and is, for even the best of people to make this simple but so important decision to go to church.   An act. so simple, that God used to change the lives of even the mightiest.

Well, I hope there's more to say next week, for my time is up. Four weeks until I see everyone once more, so there's a lot of work to do before that happens. Until next time!

Elder Angus

wotw:

acabando (ah-kah-bahn-doo) Ending. Like my time is ending, and so is my mission. I better get as much done as possible before it's too late.

Beginning of the End

Were the people there very sad when they lost the chance to win the World Cup?

More or less. Here, the population is really German, so there were a lot of people rooting for Germany. :/ But I'm sure that in other states, they were devastated. 

 Has anything great happened yet?

I guess so. Let's see if there's more to come.

Are you still teaching Carlos?

Yes, and he went to church! Finally !!!!

How big is the ward that meets there?

On record-500, Active-80 There are a lot of missing or inactive members. :(

It's weird to think that I've already been here for almost two years. Beginning tomorrow, it will be my last transfer of the mission, and I don't know if I'm excited or sad that I won't be staying for much longer. What will be interesting, however, is that President has decided I should finish the mission in another area. Today I'll be running from house to house to say goodbye before transfers tomorrow. Who knows where I'll go? If one thing is for sure, I'm going to miss out on a really good baptism. 

This week was good. In fact, I began to see a little more about the culture of southern Brazil.  When Brazil went against Germany in the semi-final, more than half of the people here were rooting for Germany. :P I guess tradition sinks a little deeper than patriotism. However, rather than go off talking about the World Cup, I'll get to the good stuff.

Now more than ever, I can see that I'm what Paul called "a planter" because it seems like whenever someone truly elect is found and ready for baptism, I don't get to stick around to see it. This week, Carlos went to church for the first time, together with his 8-year-old son. While they were there, he said he felt something really special, and he felt truly at peace going from class to class. His son seems to be even more excited despite the fact that we never taught him.  He began asking tons of questions, and before the end of Sunday School, he was already telling his dad that he wanted to get baptized. If everything goes well, he's going to be baptized on the 26th.

 

Other than that, we found a really special family about three days ago. When we were going house to house, we clapped hands at one of the gates and a woman came with the strangest look on her face. When we asked if we could enter and share a message, she simply responded, "I'd rather not let you in." So, we decided to sit on the porch and share it there. Apparently, she thought we were thieves or robbers 'disguised in sheep's clothing' but as we began to teach, the spirit touched her and she opened up completely. Her daughter, who'd recently been in a car accident, limped out front to see what was going on, and so ended up as part of the conversation. After tons of wonderful questions, we finally left them with a Book of Mormon and a desire to search for the truth.

How wonderful is this calling! I'm excited to see where I will go until the end. But until next week,

Elder Angus

Word of the week:

Alemanha (ah-leh-mahn-yuh) Meaning Germany. Congratulations on a game well played. :P

Children of God

I guess I'll start off by saying that I'm excited, maybe even without purpose. In fact, I can't really explain why it is that I'm excited, other than I know great things are about to happen. Once more, none of our investigators went to church this week, but something just feels different this week than others, because something inside me is ready to burst out. Like a horse that senses the storm before it comes, so do I feel something marvelous is about to happen. When or where, I cannot say, but that it will happen, I'm certain. 

Anyway, now that y'all know that, I'll get to the good stuff. This week we were able to find some wonderful families and help some great people take great leaps on the path of salvation. Carlos, a young man in his thirties, has passed through some great difficulties. He is a father of two, but has been divorced for about three years and lives alone. After these three years, he has come to feel a huge hole in his life, a hole that he didn't completely understand, or know how to fill, so a friend of his suggested to look for God and go to a church. Carlos had never gone to church, and he didn't know anything about God other than that he existed, so he didn't know what to do. One day, as he began working on a new construction project, he saw someone leave the project for a few hours and return in a suit and tie. He asked him why and the man responded that he went to church. Inquiring further as to which church, the man responded simply "I go to a church well known as the 'Mormons.'" When he said this, some great interest sparked up inside him, and they began to converse about the church and marked for them to visit together and discuss the subject more thoroughly. 

A week later, we had the privilege to visit Carlos by reference of this member. As we spoke to him, we can see that although he knows very little, or as he says "never even took a look at a bible," he has a great desire to learn, and even after one lesson, I can already see that his faith in Christ has increased over tenfold. Even with the few lessons we have been able to teach him until now, he has already accepted to dive in head first and prepare to be baptized just as Christ was. 

Carlos isn't alone among some elect children of God that we've been priviledged to find and to teach this week, but for lack of time, his story will suffice. Truly, a marvelous work and a wonder is happening among the children of men. If we but open our eyes, we'll be ready to see that we are never alone in our efforts to help our fellow man, fer God is on our side, making up the space for everything we cannot do. Although our efforts may seem little, and our head way minimal, the future is brighter than ever. I know that God lives and this is his work. How grateful I am to be part of it!

Hooray for Israel!

Elder Angus

word of the week:

taça (tah-suh) Basically meaning the trophy, the trophy that although the US didn't quite get to it, Brazil still has a chance to win! Go Brazil!

photo:

-the chapel in Vista Alegre, Cachoerinha

-Us with some of the best recent converts (the young man goes every week with us to do visits)

Unexpected

Does your mission president allow you to watch the World Cup games?

No. In the past they let us, but the area seventy asked that we not leave home during or after Brazil's games. However, with other games we catch a little here and there as we pass from house to house. Go USA!

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This week seems somewhat upside-down, as everything that usually works isn't working, and the things that never work, are going outstandingly well. For example: Things that aren't working anymore - investigators at church, proselyting during the afternoon, techniques that help others stop smoking etc. and Things that are suddenly working - non-members going to church on spontaneous desires, proselyting in the morning, splits with the members all week, even the US doing well in the cup. All in all, I find myself lost with the sudden turn of events, but when I get a hold of it all, my companion and I will get some great work done. 

But what more is there to say about this week? For one, it's starting to get really cold again. For another, we're starting to see some progress in a really great family. This week, in fact, we'd arrived at their home to share a message and they started simply saying that they "liked us in all," but that they didn't want to "get involved in yet another religion." However, being that I'm a little stubborn, we entered anyway to share "one more message." The message we left was simply about two things, the love of our savior, and the love we had for that family. We explained to them that these were the things that took us to there home each week, and invited them just to go to church and see for themselves. The next day, we had an activity in the church and we were presently surprised to see a small car roll up and the whole family come out to greet us. Truly a miracle was made in this family, as a door that appeared to be closing was opened once more.

But that's about it for this week. Today will be Brazil against Camarones, so there will be a lot of excitement. Although we can't see the game, we know if Brazil is doing well just by the shouts of joy each time they make a goal. :)

Well, until next time then.

Elder Angus

wotw:

torcedor (tor-seh-dor) Meaning fan or someone rooting for a team. I don't know what's more interesting to see, the game itself, or the reactions of all its fans.

World Cup

What do they do in Brazil for father's day?

They do about the same thing, just that father's day came about a month ago in Brazil. but, now that I know it happened there, happy father's day Dad!

Do the kids there play soccer in the streets?

Yes, they do. Mostly they go to one of the many soccer fields that every city has, but it is not uncommon to see a bunch of kids passing a ball around on the street. Usually playing keep-away.

What does your companions accent sound like?

His accent is really strong, but he doesn't recognize it. Some people understand me better than him 8l But it's funny that way. ;P

Mom, the mow hawks here aren't thos big tall ones you see, but they shave the sides and just let the hair hang down. So, instead of the hair sticking up, it just lays flat. Google search Neymar and take a look at his hair.

Hey, tell Maddi that Elder Kinney is in the mission. It's been five months already, but I didn't realize until recently. When I get to talk to him, I'll say y'all said hi.

--------------------

This week the FIFA World Cup has begun, and there is tons of excitement in the air. Decorations fill the streets, flags of Brazil in every home, and high tension as the various countries go off in this great tournament. For Brazil, this is a wonderful age and one of the greatest parts of the year. However, for the missionaries, this means that the work becomes a lot more difficult. Luckily, the streets only empty here in the south when Brazil is playing, so we still manage to get something done in between the spaces. =)

Anyway, with that said, this week didn't have a lot of great highlights as the battle is becoming extremely difficult. Many of the people we speak to are always marking for 'another day,' the excellent families that we are teaching disappear come Sunday, and those that have been progressing well have been greatly discouraged by the constant opposition of friends or even family. All in all, the fight has become difficult, but that's just the way it is. Something I've come to recognize here in the mission is that the greatest blessings come after the greatest difficulties, and the greatest victories will be given us only if we prove faithful and strong during a long passage of failure. For that I cannot and will not become discouraged, for I know that if things are as difficult as they are now, it's because the rewards and blessings we seek in this area will be great and marvelous, and therefore require a lot of faith.

And something huge is about to happen. When I first arrived in the mission, we were in something we refer to as the 'old age.' Characterized by little work and low results. Then, we revolutionized the mission to it's standing today in the 'new era' as we all stepped it up a notch to work much harder, and show our faith that miracles can happen. Now we are entering into the 'power\golden era' as everything we've been doing until now will be doubled, and so will the miracles. So, although there's not much to say about this week other than that I'm well and excited, it's that great things are about to happen. It might just be my spidey senses, but I can feel it coming. ;)

Well, until next week then. Thanks everyone for the prayers and the support. They are always a great help.

Elder Angus

Word of the week:

impogado (im-poh-gah-doo) Meaning excited and motivated. Anxious to get going. 

When You Can't Find a Way, You Make a Way

Are you still teaching Jose?yes, but he seems to have more interest in learning then following. :/ But, we'll do what we can to help him follow!

Wow, today I grabbed a really slow computer, so sorry if my letter runs a little short, but I'll do what I can. This week was really cool. Elder Boeno's already at home and has added everyone in the ward on facebook, meanwhile my new companion and I are working our butts off! Elder Guimarães is from Belém Pará, and is relevantly new in the mission. However, he is really animated and never stops working. Certainly President knew I'd need someone like that to keep me from getting trunky like the various others I've seen. When I finish the mission, I'm gonna go out kicking!

Anyway, this week we were able to help out a lot of good people. One family was really cool to find, as they remind me of my own family. We had made a contact with one of the daughters the day before, and we passed by to teach the first lesson. The family, like mine, consists of the parents and four children, three girls and one boy, with the boy being third (like me, poor guy). However, we were unable to teach past the first five minutes when they suddenly had to leave, but the mother simply said, "Sorry, we have to go, but I like you guys, I felt good these few minutes. Can you come again tomorrow?" Our obvious response, "Of Course!" We passed by to finish the lesson, and they accepted really well.

There are others that received us really well this week. In a family of recent converts, we're helping the last non-member of the family to quit smoking, and although it is difficult, we're getting her to smoke one less each day. Yes!  There's also a family that moved here from the northeast that has an accent as funny as my companion  Although they don't understand everything we say, they accept all of it. Best of all, all the blessings we promised them are being fulfilled, a job, peace at home, etc. If I had more time, I'd explain it all, but let it be known that I'm really excited. Great things are about to happen.

Anyway, I better close before this computer logs off on me. Thanks for all the loving support! Y'all are the best!

Elder Angus

wotw:

moicano (moee-kah-noo) Meaning mohawk. It's the popular hairstyle here, just that they don't use hairspray nor gel, they just let it flatten out. :/ If I had hair to spare, I'd give it a try after the mission. ;P

Endure to the End

And thus passed the final week of Elder Boeno in the mission field. He received permission from President to go visit his past areas and say goodbye. So, most of the week we were running around the state visiting the various cities that he already passed. We traveled al ot, ate even more, and I had the opportunity to see how throughout his mission he had touched the lives of a great many people. 

However, just because we didn't have a lot of time in our own area, it doesn't mean we didn't get anything done. In fact, we were finally able to finalize the long work, and baptize two wonderful families. The story behind one of these families I find really special. 

Homero and Brenda are some really cool little kids. They have gone to church since they were children, and they love the gospel. When we arrive to teach, they pull out notebooks, ready to learn, but they pretty much have taught themselves. The only reason they hadn't been baptized when they were of age, was that their family had been partially inactive for quite some time. The father had always wanted to be the one who would baptize his children, but he couldn't get himself to be righteous enough to do so. So, we challenged him, we set some goals, and we saw a miracle happen. In a matter of weeks, that father changed everything, abandoning all his sins and returning to activity in the church. Then finally, this very week, he accomplished his dream to baptize and confirm his children. The baptism was very special, and the spirit we all felt was immense, as we all felt the happiness of the father and each of his children.

Sometimes we end up in situations like this father, stuck in a corner and thinking that there's just no way out. Many righteous desires, unable to fulfill them. But, the solution is a lot simpler than it seems, we need to realize that just as we got ourselves in, we can get ourselves out, but when we fall in some holes, we'll need some assistance from above.  We should never be ashamed to ask for Heavenly help, or even help from our family here on earth.

With that in mind, thanks for all the help all of you offer me. If there's anything I can do for you, just ask.

Elder Angus

phrase:

... sorry, I can't think of a good phrase. My mind just keeps on wondering... oh wait! que viajem (kee vee-ah-jem) "What a trip," in the sense of someone who's train of thought has traveled beyond the limits of 'normality.'

Photos:

- Baptism of Homero and Brenda

- Baptism of Luciana