Dear
family and friends,
This week ran well. It was one of our best weeks here in Setúbal,
numbers-wise. Through our area book we found a few old investigators. We had
interesting experiences with them. Fortunately, we broke the ice quickly and
they explained frankly and right off the bat why they didn´t progress so well
with past missionaries.
One´s António Mina. We learned that he was taught a lot, but
actually never read the BoM alone to really find out if it´s true. It seems
like he talked in circles in the past. He also seems to have developed his own
religion, so to speak, claiming that only benevolence, brotherhood, and justice
are the attributes that he beleives in, and he just beat around the bush with
abstract ideas. He focused much more on having a fancy conversation with us
than just learning about he restored gospel... It wasn´t a productive lesson,
but oh well. We might give it another shot. (Portuguese love to
talk)
Our other was a man named Ricardo, a security guard. He was
also taught many many times in the past, and quickly explained "I
don´t like tithing". Okay. He continued "but go ahead, all the Elders
explain it a different way, give me your opinion of tithing".
Instead of giving a monologue, I simply said "look, the
modern prophets say that tithing is a law of God. It all depends on whether or
not you believe in the Book of Mormon as proof of modern prophets and
revelation".
After reviewing the simple chain-link belief intertwined in the
Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith, and the restoration, he simply replied that he
likes the book of mormon. In fact, he already read a good part of it, but he
doesn´t seem to give it the credit it deserves as scripture and also proof of
living prophets. It´s just a good book about God to him... Sometimes people just
don´t get it, but sometimes we also just don´t know how to explain it.
Whichever it was, we missionaries are always trying to better our teaching
skills to help people have the best chance to accept the restored gospel.
We´re still visiting Welton a couple times a week to leave a short
prayer with him, help clean up a little, stuff like that. When the kids aren´t
home we try to teach him, but those opportunities are rare. He´s still having a
few ups and downs, and didn´t make it to church this week, even though he
wanted to go... things just have gotten in the way. He´s a
"long-term" project, I guess.
We are finally getting a grip on Fernando! We met up with him
Wednesday morning in the chapel and we sat and had a good lesson. We explained
the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the necessity that he has to prepare himself for
baptism. He explained that he wants to be baptized, and we taught what was
necessary. We reinforced the need to read the BoM and pray. He accepted the
challenge. We also taught the Law of Chastity and the Word of Wisdom. He raised
his eyebrows a bit, but we talked about how he can live the laws and what
blessings he´ll receive. (He drinks tea and coffee). He accepted the challenge,
but didn´t accept a baptismal date... But, Fernando was a champ and went to
church in the chapel closer to where he lives where we had a stake conference,
so it was an experience pretty good for him! We watched a transmission in our
chapel, and from one of the camera angles we saw Fernando, which was great.
We kept in contact with Paulo this week! He was outside of Setúbal
all week, but he came back Sunday... after church, darn. However, we invited
him, and Fernando to a little Integration Night (I dunno what you´d call it in
english, but that´s the translation). They both showed up and had a cool little
reunion! After all, we met them both together in the first place. We had a
small spiritual thought, some simple group games, and refreshments afterwards.
It ran well, and members, recent converts, and investigators were able to mix a
bit.
We also had a pretty cool miracle this week. We were walking
towards the chapel when this little old portuguese lady, not a single tooth,
Ângela, stopped us and simply asked "Are you boys from a church? Is it that
church that does geneology?" With a short and happy response, we led her
to the church, we entered, talked for a bit (she talked a lot more, like I
said, portuguese love to talk) about her ancestry that she already
is familiar with and we got right to it. We helped her create an account and we
started a little tree with her. She enjoyed it a lot, and we actually managed
to discover a couple of great great grandparents with her, she was really happy
to see the tree grow. She explained how one of her ancestors was an aviator who
flew from Portugal to Brasil, stuff like that.
Ângela is a bit poor, and doesn´t have a working phone nor a
steady address right now, but she gave her word to come to church. She did,
enjoyed it a lot, and also came to that activity Sunday night! She´s a witty
lady, she caught on to the games well (signs game, etc). She met Ana at church
(that 50k family history machine that I mention a couple weeks back) and we
planned to meet up at her place on Tuesday to continue and to teach. It´ll go
well.
We also had a division with the Assistents this week in their
area, Mem Martins. I went with Elder Egbert, a great guy. He was trained by
Elder Welch, and we three did a division a year ago in Odivelas together. Lots
of little memories weaved in a lot of experiences, people, and places. I
learned a ton with him, It was a good eye-opener for me.
So, I think that sums it up for now. It was a good week. Elder
Hawkins is doing well, he´s a great companion. We hope to see some more good
stuff this next week!
Ciao,
Elder
Ward
A photo after our little activity. Myself,
Fernando, Paulo, and Elder Hawkins
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