Busy Weeeeeek

Meus queridos  (my dear "friends")

 

We had the baptism of Jane this week. Remember how she had a stroke and lost most of the strength in one half of her body? That made things interesting. The process of helping her down into the font was slow and calm. Step by step. A recent convert of the Sisters here in the ward baptized her, but I was dressed in white and in the font too to help her down the steps and then to hold her legs under the water. It took three tries, but we finally succeeded. And instead of being scared or frustrated after being submerged three times, Jane was calm and happy. Did I mention that the President of the Relief Society also helped her down the steps and got her dress wet?

 

She was confirmed on Sunday. After church, some members invited her to lunch. She made new friends and when we visited her in the afternoon, she was more talkative than I have ever heard her. She smiled and laughed and was a much happier Jane. She is a strong and faithful woman.

 

We had a marvelous lunch at a members house today. We cut our hair. And we are going to the Convento da Penha, the prime tourist site of Vila Velha. Things are a little rushed.

 

We worked hard this week, but we had little to show for it. We started teaching a family of six that has been taught by the missionaries many times. They received us really well and we succeeded in establishing trust and friendship with them. We hope to set goals and see progress in them this week. For future reference, the parents are named Fernando and Leidiane.

 

We taught Jorge again. He said that he is going to decide this week if he wants our help to be baptized or not. He said he knows that God will answer his prayers, but that he has to put forward more effort. He said that he isn´t putting forward effort yet.

 

We are working hard. We feel that Jane is not the last person that we will baptize this transfer. Jairo Mazzagardi from the area presidency is going to speak to us on thursday and we have interviews with President Araújo tomorrow (last time!)

 

I had some funny experiences this week,

Talking to a drunk man that tried to teach us the ten commandments.

I had a division with Elder Salvador (who was my first junior companion in Serra, now he is my zone leader).

Probably my last division.

I left home without my nametag and didn´t notice for over an hour, that was weird. I felt so strange afterwards. That is the first time on the mission that that has happened.

 

Until next week. I know, I still owe you photos, but this lan house charges R$3 per hour, two times the normal price. Wish us luck on our outing to the convento!

Love,

Elder Bodily