March 25, 2009
Thanks to all who sent letters I got a number of them this past zone conference and have enjoyed reading them all, and then some again..
Do you crazy cats get the Liahona there in the states? or is it just here in Brazil (even in English its called the Liahona here... just wondering) it’s interesting, the articles I’ve seen lately in the church magazines have had a lot to do with member missionary work... speaking of which, there are some really great members here in the ward, last night after passing by Jamile's place (more on her family coming up) I received the impression that we should stop by this sister's house and ask if she could pass by Jamile's place and just see how they were doing during the week, make friends with her mom etc. and boom, "yeah I’ll do it" I can pass by tal sister’s place to find out where she lives, and yeah, I’ll pass by there.... amazing, if we had more help like that in the ward, all of Conquista would be baptized and firm at that. Jamile's family (minus one brother and her dad) went to church this past Sunday, it was kind of funny as we passed by, everyone was ready there with the desire to go, minus her little 9 year old brother Felipe, who wanted to fly his kite (An avid past time of many kids here) who ended up heading to church crying along the way, but as you might imagine, he came home excited as ever about church, and he will probably be baptized here this weekend or the next with his other sister Jirlane. Though as of yet Jirlane hasn’t completed the Book of Mormon reading, she isn’t such a big fan of the whole reading end of things. I love heading there to teach them, though their street has a bit of opposition, and it seems that her family has a long history of Catholics with the mentality of born Catholic, die Catholic, and the only baptism I need is that of when I was a baby. I hope that she (or in reality, all of them) will do their part, "experimenting upon the word" and pray to ask God if it’s true, the only one who can and will manifest the truth of all things unto them, if they but give place for the word, even with only the desire to believe, and ask God in faith (meaning that they will act in accordance with the feelings they received), they will come to know the truth. For if they ask their pastor, he will give his opinion that his church is the one they should stick with, if they ask us, we'll say ours is that which they should join, but if they ask God, which church will He tell them they should join? His? or some other. I know that this is the Church Of Jesus Christ in our days, that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, that he saw God the Father and His son Jesus Christ, and that they restored the fullness of the gospel through him, with the power and authority to perform the ordinances necessary for our salvation.
Jacob
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
March 18, 2009
General Conference (check out www.lds.org for those who don’t know what this is on April 4th and 5th) here will be at the stake center (where my ward meets) and who knows, maybe I’ll get to see some of the Itapetinga crew, that’d be pretty cool,
Jamile's baptism was great, It seems that her family might be a bit more hesitant about exercising their faith like her, her sister has yet to follow through with her word, as does her mom, but on the upside one of her cousins went to church this last Sunday, and liked it, unfortunately there were some other boys his age who were messing around during sacrament meeting who I think detracted from his experience. We taught his mom once already, (with the big group of girls aforementioned) and met his father Monday night, he seems open to us coming by, welcoming in fact, but he was also a bit drunk, so that might have influenced things, they are a great family though, and I think Jamile will be a great help there, did I mention already how we were teaching her sister, and when her sister had doubts about committing to prepare to be baptized, Jamile raised her hands asked if she could share something she read in the book of Mormon 3Nephi 11,
33 And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God.
34 And whoso believeth not in me, and is not baptized, shall be damned. (also in Marcus 16:16)
( I think she’s the first investigator I’ve ever seen 1st, mark scriptures she liked in the assigned chapters, and 2nd, "burn" a family member, as Elder M. would say, era da hora)
Elder M. went into the doctor, got some x-rays, had them read... and as a result received a nice shot in the backside... and it seems like not much has changed... don’t remember if I explained this, but it is a problem with a lack of cartilage so bone is against bone... not fun to say the least.
Kapoeira... tis a good time, maybe I’ll even come home with some of their crazy pants, more of less fluffy white pants... strange I know, but the sport of its self is pretty cool... as of yet I have only the basic movement down though, a good bit more time is needed, hope Elder D. and I will be in the same area another transfer...
Well, I guess that’s all I’ve got time for this week, but the address here to write letters directly to me (only while I’m here in Conquista) is Avenida Amazonas 690 Ibirapuera Casa 2 not sure about the zip code... should be easy to find online though... if you can't find it I'll try to find out/remember to bring it next week.
I know that God lives, that this is His gospel, and His church led by His prophet, through which we can hear His words, and be guided through the "more fertile parts of the wilderness" to the "promised land" of His Celestial Kingdom. In the name of Jesus Christ, amém.
Elder Jacob Pettit
General Conference (check out www.lds.org for those who don’t know what this is on April 4th and 5th) here will be at the stake center (where my ward meets) and who knows, maybe I’ll get to see some of the Itapetinga crew, that’d be pretty cool,
Jamile's baptism was great, It seems that her family might be a bit more hesitant about exercising their faith like her, her sister has yet to follow through with her word, as does her mom, but on the upside one of her cousins went to church this last Sunday, and liked it, unfortunately there were some other boys his age who were messing around during sacrament meeting who I think detracted from his experience. We taught his mom once already, (with the big group of girls aforementioned) and met his father Monday night, he seems open to us coming by, welcoming in fact, but he was also a bit drunk, so that might have influenced things, they are a great family though, and I think Jamile will be a great help there, did I mention already how we were teaching her sister, and when her sister had doubts about committing to prepare to be baptized, Jamile raised her hands asked if she could share something she read in the book of Mormon 3Nephi 11,
33 And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God.
34 And whoso believeth not in me, and is not baptized, shall be damned. (also in Marcus 16:16)
( I think she’s the first investigator I’ve ever seen 1st, mark scriptures she liked in the assigned chapters, and 2nd, "burn" a family member, as Elder M. would say, era da hora)
Elder M. went into the doctor, got some x-rays, had them read... and as a result received a nice shot in the backside... and it seems like not much has changed... don’t remember if I explained this, but it is a problem with a lack of cartilage so bone is against bone... not fun to say the least.
Kapoeira... tis a good time, maybe I’ll even come home with some of their crazy pants, more of less fluffy white pants... strange I know, but the sport of its self is pretty cool... as of yet I have only the basic movement down though, a good bit more time is needed, hope Elder D. and I will be in the same area another transfer...
Well, I guess that’s all I’ve got time for this week, but the address here to write letters directly to me (only while I’m here in Conquista) is Avenida Amazonas 690 Ibirapuera Casa 2 not sure about the zip code... should be easy to find online though... if you can't find it I'll try to find out/remember to bring it next week.
I know that God lives, that this is His gospel, and His church led by His prophet, through which we can hear His words, and be guided through the "more fertile parts of the wilderness" to the "promised land" of His Celestial Kingdom. In the name of Jesus Christ, amém.
Elder Jacob Pettit
Well let’s see, new area and the past week in review... Elder M. and I share a lot of the same interests, and I think have similar personalities, it’s been great being with him as a comp. seeing as he likes to talk, and so I'm learning a good bit of Portuguese here with him, Elder L. and Elder D. (E. Diego is a kapoeira instructor, and so today I started learning some basic moves, I’m pretty excited to learn, it’s kind of a dance using karate-ish moves) Unfortunately though, we haven’t been working a whole lot here, I think I already mentioned Elder M. is a tired trunky missionary with a knee problem. SO again this week we haven’t done a whole lot, but we have been blessed in the work here, Last week we had a baptism for CLeide a little girl Elder M. and his old comp. were teaching, and during the end of last week, we met and taught a group of 6 girls (various mothers and daughters) and all of them fell through before Sunday, but because of them, we were led to another family, which has been prepared for the gospel, the youngest daughter (12) Jamile went to church on Sunday and already began talking about baptism before we taught her, She attended church a bit a year or so ago with her now inactive aunt who lives with her. Her mom at one point this week wasn’t going to let her continue going to church anymore. But as we talked with her, we asked her if someone spoke bad things about the church, that we take people to other countries, take out people’s eyes or organs, etc. after asking how we knew, we explained, and she opened up to us, there is also a member nearby who is somewhat friends with Jiane (Jamile´s mom) and thus just another way this family has been prepared to enter the way leading back to God's Kingdom. Jamile will be baptized Saturday or Sunday, and is also excited to go to a young woman’s activity on Saturday. The ward here seems to be really pretty good at having activities (pretty much every weekend for the girls and soccer every week for the guys,) I know the Lord will guide us in this work which is in reality, His work, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man if we but listen to His Spirit, and act without fear.
Well, time is running short here, but again I hope all is well with you all, I know this is God's church on the earth, with all the authority and truth necessary to enable us to one day return to His presence. I read an interesting thing the other day, I forget who wrote it, (maybe pres. Kimball) it was called “7 Deadly Heresies”, and in it he explained how this life is the time to orient our lives for a track that eventually leads to become how our Father in Heaven is, we aren’t going to reach that level in this life, we don’t have too, we just have to do our best, making those simple decisions to go to church, read the scriptures, pray and so on, and if we do these things seeking to submit to the will of the Lord, great things indeed will be brought to pass, but again, it is only after all we can do, that we are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior and Redeemer. I leave this my testimony with you all in the name of Jesus Christ Amém.
Jacob
Well, time is running short here, but again I hope all is well with you all, I know this is God's church on the earth, with all the authority and truth necessary to enable us to one day return to His presence. I read an interesting thing the other day, I forget who wrote it, (maybe pres. Kimball) it was called “7 Deadly Heresies”, and in it he explained how this life is the time to orient our lives for a track that eventually leads to become how our Father in Heaven is, we aren’t going to reach that level in this life, we don’t have too, we just have to do our best, making those simple decisions to go to church, read the scriptures, pray and so on, and if we do these things seeking to submit to the will of the Lord, great things indeed will be brought to pass, but again, it is only after all we can do, that we are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior and Redeemer. I leave this my testimony with you all in the name of Jesus Christ Amém.
Jacob
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Transferred
Opa!!!! estão beleza e tudo mais? Conquista... well, its certainly a bit different than Itapetinga here both with comp. and area. Elder M. is from São Paulo and the others here in our district are also from Brazil, I’ve really been blessed on that end. (as a side note perhaps just to sat e my pride Elder M.thought I was from Brasil woohooo) I def. learn much better in the speaking of Portuguese than learning by the book. And being around only Brazilians (or at least most) thus far in the mission has been a great blessing for me in vocab, grammar, pronunciation and so on with the language.
The area here seems a bit more difficult then Itapetinga, it also kind of strange the way things are set up, take for example the fact that our house isn’t in our area. The area is set up by bairro" meaning neighborhood more or less, and so our area is a bit irregular or at least for me coming from where our area was the whole city. Elder M and his former comp have been working in one of the only poor areas here in the area, but its about 45min-hour walk (I think) and we have to leave before 6 to get out safely, add to that the fact that lunch is about where we live and it becomes unrealistic to head up there before lunch. thus we have very little time to find new investigators there, not to mention they’ve been working a lot with recent converts from upwards of 2 months ago, leaving even less time. Something’s gotta change, or this area is just going to die out. Fortunately it looks like we’re going to head to another area here closer to home, in which we can really start to work, but, Elder M. has a knee problem as well for which we are going to the doctors for tomorrow to see what is to be done. All in all a difficult situation, but on the upside it seems there is a good strong member to leave the recent converts with (though I fear it's a bit of a heavy load 2-3 houses with one man...) and also we have a little girl of 8 years that Elder M. and Elder R. were working with who will be baptized this Saturday, she has several friends who are members and her mom has given her authorization to be baptized. All in all I think that scripture you sent in this weeks email is perfect for the moment, where is that scripture found? Hoping to get to work here sometime soon, we’ve been here two days as of yet and I feel like we don’t do anything, more to come in the letter on this (btw, I can receive letters at the house here, apparently semi reliably, I will send the next letter with the address.)
Toe continues on the mend.
The new house is pretty big for only 2 elders, decent kitchen, big study room, two bedrooms, tiny bathroom, another room we don’t use, and a little area in the back with the washing machine and clothesline. all n all remarkably clean for a mission house, apparently the sisters used to live here... probably has something to do with it.
The area directly around our house is pretty nice, the streets here are mostly asphalt thankfully, much easier on the feet, don’t know how to describe the houses... I’ll see if I can finagle something with a photo in the next email or letter, but as of yet I really don’t know the area so it's hard to say anything other than that.
We have a nice chapel here, pretty big to boot though again I understand there are only 50 or so active members at the moment. though there are two wards that meet in the building.
The trip went well, fortunately I’d come here before so I knew what I was looking for, no surprises there, including when nobody showed up for 30 min or so... it’s kind of a joke here on the mission, always happens.
Teaching, well, like I said I feel like we aren’t doing anything, we’ve been in 4 or 5 houses since I've been here, two of which were members... yeah, not to satisfied either, hoping to figure out some way to get it so we will start to work.
I know this is the Lord's work, that this is His glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life or man and that when he gives commands, He provides a way for them to be accomplished. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amém.
Jacob
The area here seems a bit more difficult then Itapetinga, it also kind of strange the way things are set up, take for example the fact that our house isn’t in our area. The area is set up by bairro" meaning neighborhood more or less, and so our area is a bit irregular or at least for me coming from where our area was the whole city. Elder M and his former comp have been working in one of the only poor areas here in the area, but its about 45min-hour walk (I think) and we have to leave before 6 to get out safely, add to that the fact that lunch is about where we live and it becomes unrealistic to head up there before lunch. thus we have very little time to find new investigators there, not to mention they’ve been working a lot with recent converts from upwards of 2 months ago, leaving even less time. Something’s gotta change, or this area is just going to die out. Fortunately it looks like we’re going to head to another area here closer to home, in which we can really start to work, but, Elder M. has a knee problem as well for which we are going to the doctors for tomorrow to see what is to be done. All in all a difficult situation, but on the upside it seems there is a good strong member to leave the recent converts with (though I fear it's a bit of a heavy load 2-3 houses with one man...) and also we have a little girl of 8 years that Elder M. and Elder R. were working with who will be baptized this Saturday, she has several friends who are members and her mom has given her authorization to be baptized. All in all I think that scripture you sent in this weeks email is perfect for the moment, where is that scripture found? Hoping to get to work here sometime soon, we’ve been here two days as of yet and I feel like we don’t do anything, more to come in the letter on this (btw, I can receive letters at the house here, apparently semi reliably, I will send the next letter with the address.)
Toe continues on the mend.
The new house is pretty big for only 2 elders, decent kitchen, big study room, two bedrooms, tiny bathroom, another room we don’t use, and a little area in the back with the washing machine and clothesline. all n all remarkably clean for a mission house, apparently the sisters used to live here... probably has something to do with it.
The area directly around our house is pretty nice, the streets here are mostly asphalt thankfully, much easier on the feet, don’t know how to describe the houses... I’ll see if I can finagle something with a photo in the next email or letter, but as of yet I really don’t know the area so it's hard to say anything other than that.
We have a nice chapel here, pretty big to boot though again I understand there are only 50 or so active members at the moment. though there are two wards that meet in the building.
The trip went well, fortunately I’d come here before so I knew what I was looking for, no surprises there, including when nobody showed up for 30 min or so... it’s kind of a joke here on the mission, always happens.
Teaching, well, like I said I feel like we aren’t doing anything, we’ve been in 4 or 5 houses since I've been here, two of which were members... yeah, not to satisfied either, hoping to figure out some way to get it so we will start to work.
I know this is the Lord's work, that this is His glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life or man and that when he gives commands, He provides a way for them to be accomplished. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amém.
Jacob
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