June 3, 2009

Alo!!

Good to hear things are going well on the home front, All is well here on my end of things, Next week we have transfers and I think I’ll be heading out of here, but I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
The area is really starting to look up here, we have another baptism on Saturday, a 16 year old guy named Giovani. It’s been interesting and really great to see the change the Spirit has led him to make in his life, and also in the lives of several other investigators here recently. Giovani went to church alone last Sunday, is playing less violent video games, and has even begun reading the bible in addition to the Book of Mormon, though. It's a lot of fun visiting with him as well, as he has 2 younger brothers and a younger sister, (Jackson, Alex and Joyce) and it’s a good round of zuando about Sao Paulo's soccer team being better then the Corinthians, poking fun at their hair, (which Giovani cut) or mine for that matter (which Giovani also cut) or frequent use of the phrase "galego está tendo sucçeso". In the beginning they didn’t seem too interested, but then out of nowhere Giovani had an allergic reaction, and after which we ran into his mom in the street, who said he wanted to talk to us and invited us to come visit. And he has been progressing ever since. It’s also been great because Larissa (the girl who was baptized a lil while ago) knows him from school, and apart from a fight they had (because he said her mouth was like a duck's bill) in which she ended up punching him, they are great friends. We held a FHE at her place with Giovani, her cousin (Fernando who will be baptized in 2 weeks), and some neighbor's kids, and everyone had a good time and wanted to keep going when it came time for us to leave. Larissa is a great example of determination in following the Spirit and is a great support to her neighbors, cousin, and Giovani as well in progressing towards being baptized.
Also of note that woman (Redilane) who went to church thinking she was going to die, went to church again, has the name and address of a friend to visit, is reading the book of Mormon with several friends, is amazingly excited about learning all she can in the Book of Mormon, taking in the story and everything, talking to everyone about the "Mormons" and gave me a big beautiful bible with a personal dedication written in the front. Her son Iago also went to church last Sunday and we have come into brief contact with her ex husband through her as well. (btw it’s kind of ridiculous how much Iago looks like Stephen)
In terms of working with the ward things are looking better, the bishop is trusting in us, we are beginning to receive some more references from the members, and judging by the last activity, the excitement level and attendance at the "missionary activity" is improving as well.
The Lord has blessed us immensely as I think about it.
I know that this is the Lord's work, the gospel was restored through Joseph Smith, Jesus Christ is our Savior, and through Him and righteous choices in our lives we can return to live with our Heavenly Father After our time here on Earth. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amém.

Elder Pettit