April 22, 2009
"Weather" or not the missionaries like it, it’s been raining a ton here, and though strange, there has also been the normal cooling of temperatures here, I’ve been blessed to be placed here in Vit. da Conquista which has that nice tendency of all cities of higher altitudes that is, to stay a bit cooler, and indeed it does get pretty cool here (55-60 degrees maybe) , but no snow as of yet :p, disappointing, though seeing as I have nothing more than a suit jacket to protect me from such, I’m grateful for the cool but not freezing weather we have here.
Pass along my congrats to Sabrina
As it turns out I didn’t (purchase an instrument), it was kinda of a ridiculous price cause they didn’t really want to sell it, (it being one of the instruments they used in their show) but it was pretty cool to play it for a bit, one of the natives there taught me how to play (not sure if I already told you that, or the fact that one of the people selling stuff with them was a member of the church from... Ecuador if I remember correctly) but also we didn’t end up having time to head over there in-between appointments with investigators.
Speaking of investigators, we have a baptism scheduled for this Saturday, Grasiele who is 17 years old will be baptized, she’s been investigating the church for about two weeks now and is already finishing Alma in her reading of the book of Mormon. (now for the 2nd time, she read it once before we even talked with her) We also have a family (or at least the mom) who will be baptized in two weeks, she (the mom Iona) has been progressing in her reading of the Book of Mormon, and feels that the church is true, she just has some fears about the changes she has to make in her life, having been a strong Catholic all her life, but is willing to make them, tentatively at this point, but is continuing onward. Not to mention were pretty excited about all this, the area has been kind of slow as many people we come into contact with keep maybe the 1st commitment to read and pray to receive an answer, but afterwards, desist in continuing, decide not to go to church, or run from us because someone told them some crazy thing that "the Mormons" do. On that note there was a man this week who, until we explained to him a bit better the idea of baptism for the dead, thought we took dead bodies of people that hadn’t been baptized and literally baptized their corpse... simplicity and clarity in teaching is another one of those things so key here in the work that I’m learning to do better.
We're also working with an inactive woman we found in the area book, and now have two new promising investigators as a result, she lives with her mom at this point (once was married (the Daughter) but now is divorced) and is working towards coming back to church. in the midst of all this exciting news though we’ve had to leave Jamile's family a bit behind as they aren’t progressing, but at this point Jeane (Jamile's mom) has committed to go to church on Sunday and if she follows through with her commitment, we'll continue teaching, but if not, we'll have to leave her until she has the desire. It saddens me and makes me think that these feelings must be but a tiny bit of how God feels when we choose to let others or the things of the world take us away from Him.
Well, love you all, and know that God does too, and for this He has called a prophet in our day, to help and guide us through these last days before the coming of Christ, we have but to listen to, and act on his inspired direction. And this my testimony I leave with you all in the name of Jesus Christ, Amém.
Elder Jacob Pettit
Answering questions asked by family.
PS: Most days we have lunch in a member's house.
Most of our time tracting?... depends on the day, generally at the beginning of the week, yes, but afterwards we do a lot more teaching and following up with people.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
April 15, 2009
Well, not much sun these days here in Conquista... rain, rain, rain, which makes one of the areas we´ve been working in a bit difficult, it’s an hour walk or so and there is a big hole, kind of a mini Grand Canyon which only grows bigger with each downpour, and at this point the land bridge that once existed there is gone, washed away by the rain, so the only option is take the bus, or jump the hole... we have a golden investigator up there though, one of those people that strengthens testimonies that God prepares people for the gospel, her name is Grasiele and though pregnant, was willing to make the hour long walk to church on Sunday (though with the recently made impassable hole there, we decided last minute Sunday morning to pay for the bus) she has been doing her part, and is making the necessary changes in her life to one day return to our Heavenly Father. She is also enjoying reading the BOM, and last time we checked, she was in Jacob 4-5 (this in addition to the chapters we marked for her)
Jeanne and her family are still teetering on the edge, but we are hoping and praying that they will come to church on Sunday, Jamile who was baptized a few weeks ago (Jeane's daughter) is fighting a good bit of peer and family pressure (aunts uncles cousins etc) but has decided to return to church on Sunday. Its interesting to note that part of her thinking in not returning to church was the fact that she hadn’t been there for 2 weeks in a row, and as such thought that the members here would judge her, and not accept her, or some sort of deal like that, who knows how many people out there are kept from coming back to church for the same reason. Some food for thought there...
Had a cool experience today, there were some natives from Ecuador who were playing in the center of town today, their native music with an interesting twist, somewhat synthesized sound. They use legit instruments though, and thus I had a great interest in well, buying one, they had cheapo instruments there, but we talked with some of the people who were selling the goods there, (one of which was a member, who returned from her mission 12 years ago or so, thought that’s was pretty cool) (also of note was understanding Spanish, kinda weird to hear after port. for so long, but cool) and I got to play some of their instruments there, and may end up buying one of them on Saturday before they pack up and leave.... here’s to hoping, it’s a bit expensive, at more or less R$200 (about 100 bucks) but I’m thinking I may come around and do it... it seems like the instruments were based on somewhat of a pentatonic scale.
I know God lives, and that this is the church that he brought back here to earth with the power and authority to help us return to His presence, all we have to do is our part. Have Faith in Christ, seek to repent of our sins, be baptized by one who holds the priesthood of God, receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands by one with that same priesthood of God, and last of all, endure to the end, pray always, read and study the scriptures, go to church to partake of the sacrament and renew our covenants. and though these small and simple things, great things will be brought to pass. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amém.
Love
Elder Pettit
Well, not much sun these days here in Conquista... rain, rain, rain, which makes one of the areas we´ve been working in a bit difficult, it’s an hour walk or so and there is a big hole, kind of a mini Grand Canyon which only grows bigger with each downpour, and at this point the land bridge that once existed there is gone, washed away by the rain, so the only option is take the bus, or jump the hole... we have a golden investigator up there though, one of those people that strengthens testimonies that God prepares people for the gospel, her name is Grasiele and though pregnant, was willing to make the hour long walk to church on Sunday (though with the recently made impassable hole there, we decided last minute Sunday morning to pay for the bus) she has been doing her part, and is making the necessary changes in her life to one day return to our Heavenly Father. She is also enjoying reading the BOM, and last time we checked, she was in Jacob 4-5 (this in addition to the chapters we marked for her)
Jeanne and her family are still teetering on the edge, but we are hoping and praying that they will come to church on Sunday, Jamile who was baptized a few weeks ago (Jeane's daughter) is fighting a good bit of peer and family pressure (aunts uncles cousins etc) but has decided to return to church on Sunday. Its interesting to note that part of her thinking in not returning to church was the fact that she hadn’t been there for 2 weeks in a row, and as such thought that the members here would judge her, and not accept her, or some sort of deal like that, who knows how many people out there are kept from coming back to church for the same reason. Some food for thought there...
Had a cool experience today, there were some natives from Ecuador who were playing in the center of town today, their native music with an interesting twist, somewhat synthesized sound. They use legit instruments though, and thus I had a great interest in well, buying one, they had cheapo instruments there, but we talked with some of the people who were selling the goods there, (one of which was a member, who returned from her mission 12 years ago or so, thought that’s was pretty cool) (also of note was understanding Spanish, kinda weird to hear after port. for so long, but cool) and I got to play some of their instruments there, and may end up buying one of them on Saturday before they pack up and leave.... here’s to hoping, it’s a bit expensive, at more or less R$200 (about 100 bucks) but I’m thinking I may come around and do it... it seems like the instruments were based on somewhat of a pentatonic scale.
I know God lives, and that this is the church that he brought back here to earth with the power and authority to help us return to His presence, all we have to do is our part. Have Faith in Christ, seek to repent of our sins, be baptized by one who holds the priesthood of God, receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands by one with that same priesthood of God, and last of all, endure to the end, pray always, read and study the scriptures, go to church to partake of the sacrament and renew our covenants. and though these small and simple things, great things will be brought to pass. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amém.
Love
Elder Pettit
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Address to send letters to!
Here is the address directly to Jacob's apartment in Conquista.
Elder Pettit
Avenida Amazonas 690 Casa 2
CEP 45030-220 Vitoria Da Conquista, Ibirapuera,-BA
Brasil
Elder Pettit
Avenida Amazonas 690 Casa 2
CEP 45030-220 Vitoria Da Conquista, Ibirapuera,-BA
Brasil
April 8, 2009
Well let's see, what's big on the news for this week, how about general conference, I think of all the talks, that of Elder Holland's was my favorite. I felt the Spirit there as he spoke of the Saviour's sacrifice for us. As for the rest, I understood what was being said, but I'm going to download them in English and make a cd so I can really delve into them a bit better. What about the rest of you? Highlights from conference?
Had an interesting experience last night, there was a man who invited us to "help him clarify his doubts about the "Mormon doctrine" and as expected, was not really so interested in clarifying doubts as he was in pouring numerous amounts of anti-Mormon literature from shady internet sources into a conversation as well as explaining a good bit about his religion. I learned a good bit about the 7th day Adventists, and also a deeper meaning of the prophesy of how men would battle and bash with the intelligence of man, demanding visible proofs of everything, and denying the Spirit of God. We simply listened to him, asked him if he would be baptized if God touched his heart, bore testimony, read the Articles of Faith and James 1:5 told him that would answer all of his questions , and invited him to visit the church and take a look at the library there. Foi bom.
In other news, the work here is progressing, though we had a bit of a set back this past weekend, the family we had been working with to be baptized after conference fell through, no one was there when we passed by, and it seemed like the whole street was waiting for us, watching to see if the family would go. Man there's been a lot of persecution there.
In lieu of all this we felt to focus on another neighborhood about 45min-1hour walk from our place, and a bit more then that to the chapel, it is a walk but we've already found several people there who are willing to make the sacrifice necesary, and the general feeling there is much more friendly.
Jacob
Well let's see, what's big on the news for this week, how about general conference, I think of all the talks, that of Elder Holland's was my favorite. I felt the Spirit there as he spoke of the Saviour's sacrifice for us. As for the rest, I understood what was being said, but I'm going to download them in English and make a cd so I can really delve into them a bit better. What about the rest of you? Highlights from conference?
Had an interesting experience last night, there was a man who invited us to "help him clarify his doubts about the "Mormon doctrine" and as expected, was not really so interested in clarifying doubts as he was in pouring numerous amounts of anti-Mormon literature from shady internet sources into a conversation as well as explaining a good bit about his religion. I learned a good bit about the 7th day Adventists, and also a deeper meaning of the prophesy of how men would battle and bash with the intelligence of man, demanding visible proofs of everything, and denying the Spirit of God. We simply listened to him, asked him if he would be baptized if God touched his heart, bore testimony, read the Articles of Faith and James 1:5 told him that would answer all of his questions , and invited him to visit the church and take a look at the library there. Foi bom.
In other news, the work here is progressing, though we had a bit of a set back this past weekend, the family we had been working with to be baptized after conference fell through, no one was there when we passed by, and it seemed like the whole street was waiting for us, watching to see if the family would go. Man there's been a lot of persecution there.
In lieu of all this we felt to focus on another neighborhood about 45min-1hour walk from our place, and a bit more then that to the chapel, it is a walk but we've already found several people there who are willing to make the sacrifice necesary, and the general feeling there is much more friendly.
Jacob
Thursday, April 2, 2009
April 1, 2009
Yes indeedy, it has been a little over 6 months already, weird I know, As for highlights... I think the best would be the baptism of three kids Valmar, Vanessa, and Venisius, and their mom, their intent on getting married so that she could be baptized too. It was a sunny day back in Itapetinga, (as a side note, just previous to the baptism Valma, Venisius and one of their friends Igor were performing various spinning kicks/cartwheels kapoeira deals, twas pretty cool) thinking back to that day makes me think of the hymn There is Sunshine in My Soul today, undoubtedly one of the highlights, though seeing Isadora heading to seminary without any help from us was pretty cool as well. Also not to be forgotten, the first day I made pizza, and it turned out amazingly delicious, and quite nutritious, man that was a good p day, also of recent note my new companion has probably one of the greatest laughs I’ve ever heard in my life, it just keeps going, and going, and going. (I’ll explain more later) Other highlights include memories of Maria, a woman back in Itapetinga, a recent convert, 60 years old or so, seeing her at stake conference, then having her lean back in her seat on the bus to say in a not so quiet whisper something to the effect of, "Eu não estava indo na conferencia, mas eu estou aqui para matar minha soldade de vocês" or in other words, I wasn’t going to come, but I did to kill the feelings I have of missing you elders. Also of note was the time she hugged Elder S. when we came to her house one Sunday night, that was pretty funny. Almost wish I took a video of her funny-- loving, great woman. The hardest struggles, hmmm, would have to be dealing with a trunky companion who's fiance recently decided to call of the wedding when he had only 4-5 months left on the mission which sent him into a pretty rough, well, I think you could say depression, in which he almost never slept, hardly ate, and was always thinking about her. Resulting in lack of desire to even leave the house to go to work. Other than that, every once in awhile days come around where it seems like nobody understands what I’m saying. But really what I’ve come to think is trials/struggles are only what you make them, it all depends on me ( or you) it can be a stumbling block, of a step on the stairway to heaven.
Big news this week, transfers, ELder M. left for Salvador the mission office, and Elder N. (Another Brazilian wooohooooo!) came here, he is from Fortaleza, surfs, was in a rock band at one point with what I believe was a green mohawk, and is a great guy with whom I have thus far been enjoying working with. He is very much about keeping the commandments and mission rules, to obtain the right to blessings (baptisms, etc) and thus far we’ve got a good number of people heading to General Conference this weekend and most of whom will probably be baptized on Sunday. Granted usually a good number fall through, but of particular note is the Family of Jamile who was baptized a couple weeks ago. Jeane (her mom) and her two brothers will be baptized on Sunday as (I hope) will be her sister Jirlane. That family (especially Jeane) has had to deal with a lot of persecution from the relatives who live on the same street. Of particular note is their aunt (I think) who is a very strong Catholic and seems to really be making investigating the church and being baptized a difficult thing for them, and I think it’s been effecting Jamile a good bit. I think Jirlane is having a hard time accepting a baptismal date as a result of this as well. For instance the other night as Jeane went to call in one of her sons to listen to our message about the atonement, one of the relatives tried to quiet her by yelling at her to let him go if he didn’t want to listen. And many other instances I’m sure happen on a daily basis of I’m not aware of. But it seems that Jeane has decided to follow her feelings and thus has chosen to be baptized on Sunday with her two sons. I have the feeling Jirlane will as well, for when we invited them to General Conference to hear the prophet speak, she became very much interested, in all reality probably the most excited/interested I’ve seen her in anything we’ve talked about there.
On a slightly less important note, I sk8ed for 5-10 min yesterday night on the way back home, there were a bunch of guys sk8ing a rail in the street, talked with them for a bit borrowed a pair of shoes and a board, then commenced to fall every time I tried to pull any trick, 180, 3 flip, you name it. Muscles just weren’t there to do it, man that was kinda depressing. But they were really nice and who knows, maybe someday I’ll buy a board and some shoes here for the p day, (yeah I think I’ll ask pres. about that today)
Well that’s it for this week. If any of you who are reading this have never heard the prophet of God speak or been to a General Conference (of our church), go out and see/listen for yourselves, and then ask God, our Heavenly Father in prayer (In the Bible, James 1:5) if he (the prophet) really is a prophet of God, who receives revelation from God to guide His (God's) church here on the earth, and for those of you who have, invite a friend or two or three to watch it with you, for it is expected of those of us who have been warned to warn our neighbor. (The conference can be watched through your cable on KBYU or log on the www.lds.org to view the conference over the internet. It is on Sat 4/4 and Sunday 4/5 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. mountain standard time--both days)
I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God, who can speak, face to face with Jesus Christ, I know that Jesus Christ is our Saviour, (John 3:16-17) I know that the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints isn’t the only church with truth, but it is the only church with the power of God to perform the ordinances such as baptism that we need to one day return to our Father In Heaven. And I know these things not because someone told me, but because I have felt this too be true as the Holy Ghost has testified to me throughout my life through my feelings (Galatians 5:22) In the name of Jesus Christ, Amém.
Elder Jacob Pettit
Yes indeedy, it has been a little over 6 months already, weird I know, As for highlights... I think the best would be the baptism of three kids Valmar, Vanessa, and Venisius, and their mom, their intent on getting married so that she could be baptized too. It was a sunny day back in Itapetinga, (as a side note, just previous to the baptism Valma, Venisius and one of their friends Igor were performing various spinning kicks/cartwheels kapoeira deals, twas pretty cool) thinking back to that day makes me think of the hymn There is Sunshine in My Soul today, undoubtedly one of the highlights, though seeing Isadora heading to seminary without any help from us was pretty cool as well. Also not to be forgotten, the first day I made pizza, and it turned out amazingly delicious, and quite nutritious, man that was a good p day, also of recent note my new companion has probably one of the greatest laughs I’ve ever heard in my life, it just keeps going, and going, and going. (I’ll explain more later) Other highlights include memories of Maria, a woman back in Itapetinga, a recent convert, 60 years old or so, seeing her at stake conference, then having her lean back in her seat on the bus to say in a not so quiet whisper something to the effect of, "Eu não estava indo na conferencia, mas eu estou aqui para matar minha soldade de vocês" or in other words, I wasn’t going to come, but I did to kill the feelings I have of missing you elders. Also of note was the time she hugged Elder S. when we came to her house one Sunday night, that was pretty funny. Almost wish I took a video of her funny-- loving, great woman. The hardest struggles, hmmm, would have to be dealing with a trunky companion who's fiance recently decided to call of the wedding when he had only 4-5 months left on the mission which sent him into a pretty rough, well, I think you could say depression, in which he almost never slept, hardly ate, and was always thinking about her. Resulting in lack of desire to even leave the house to go to work. Other than that, every once in awhile days come around where it seems like nobody understands what I’m saying. But really what I’ve come to think is trials/struggles are only what you make them, it all depends on me ( or you) it can be a stumbling block, of a step on the stairway to heaven.
Big news this week, transfers, ELder M. left for Salvador the mission office, and Elder N. (Another Brazilian wooohooooo!) came here, he is from Fortaleza, surfs, was in a rock band at one point with what I believe was a green mohawk, and is a great guy with whom I have thus far been enjoying working with. He is very much about keeping the commandments and mission rules, to obtain the right to blessings (baptisms, etc) and thus far we’ve got a good number of people heading to General Conference this weekend and most of whom will probably be baptized on Sunday. Granted usually a good number fall through, but of particular note is the Family of Jamile who was baptized a couple weeks ago. Jeane (her mom) and her two brothers will be baptized on Sunday as (I hope) will be her sister Jirlane. That family (especially Jeane) has had to deal with a lot of persecution from the relatives who live on the same street. Of particular note is their aunt (I think) who is a very strong Catholic and seems to really be making investigating the church and being baptized a difficult thing for them, and I think it’s been effecting Jamile a good bit. I think Jirlane is having a hard time accepting a baptismal date as a result of this as well. For instance the other night as Jeane went to call in one of her sons to listen to our message about the atonement, one of the relatives tried to quiet her by yelling at her to let him go if he didn’t want to listen. And many other instances I’m sure happen on a daily basis of I’m not aware of. But it seems that Jeane has decided to follow her feelings and thus has chosen to be baptized on Sunday with her two sons. I have the feeling Jirlane will as well, for when we invited them to General Conference to hear the prophet speak, she became very much interested, in all reality probably the most excited/interested I’ve seen her in anything we’ve talked about there.
On a slightly less important note, I sk8ed for 5-10 min yesterday night on the way back home, there were a bunch of guys sk8ing a rail in the street, talked with them for a bit borrowed a pair of shoes and a board, then commenced to fall every time I tried to pull any trick, 180, 3 flip, you name it. Muscles just weren’t there to do it, man that was kinda depressing. But they were really nice and who knows, maybe someday I’ll buy a board and some shoes here for the p day, (yeah I think I’ll ask pres. about that today)
Well that’s it for this week. If any of you who are reading this have never heard the prophet of God speak or been to a General Conference (of our church), go out and see/listen for yourselves, and then ask God, our Heavenly Father in prayer (In the Bible, James 1:5) if he (the prophet) really is a prophet of God, who receives revelation from God to guide His (God's) church here on the earth, and for those of you who have, invite a friend or two or three to watch it with you, for it is expected of those of us who have been warned to warn our neighbor. (The conference can be watched through your cable on KBYU or log on the www.lds.org to view the conference over the internet. It is on Sat 4/4 and Sunday 4/5 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. mountain standard time--both days)
I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God, who can speak, face to face with Jesus Christ, I know that Jesus Christ is our Saviour, (John 3:16-17) I know that the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints isn’t the only church with truth, but it is the only church with the power of God to perform the ordinances such as baptism that we need to one day return to our Father In Heaven. And I know these things not because someone told me, but because I have felt this too be true as the Holy Ghost has testified to me throughout my life through my feelings (Galatians 5:22) In the name of Jesus Christ, Amém.
Elder Jacob Pettit
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