CARLOS WAS BAPTISED!

This week, we had a baptism with the other elders, I obtained 92 new mosquito bites, taught the plan of salvation for the first time, had 4 meals with members this week, went into the jungle area for the first time, watched some crab fighting, and got a baptismal committment in 30 seconds.  Also, Ive been getting myself out of the dumps and seeing people how our heavenly father sees them, as President Monson said during the priesthood session in conference.  That said, it was a pretty good, and interesting week!

Well lets start with Tuesday.  We had a baptism (see picture) on Tuesday of Carlos, cousin of Gilvan (other elders in our house).  That was pretty great to have another baptism!  We also finished bringing stuff to our new house on the other side of Itaporanga D'Ajuda, and are officially moved in.  (picture shows the view from our new house) We also realized this week that budgeting is pretty much the worst thing in the world here, but so, so important while in Itaporanga, since we get 110 R$ each 15 days, and we have to use all of it to find food and make it (other areas dont have to do that since they eat with members), but oh well, it is what it is and ill grow from it!

 

Wednesday, we had it a little different.  Elder Kaytich from my CTM district came to Itaporanga and needless to say, it was nice to see him again, and speak English for the first time in a month.  We also taught a lesson to 2 girls sitting outside our neighbors apartment, and that lesson was the first time that I actually taught more than one section of a lesson, or just bore testimony.  I ended up teaching more than half the 3rd lesson, and they could actually understand everything I was saying, and actually liked my accent and thought it was a "linda sotaque".  We also taught the Plan of Salvation lesson, for the first time since arriving in Itaporanga (since we never can return to people, its so hard to teach the 2nd lesson).

Thursday, we had 2 meals with members, one with the president, and another in the home of a member we visited and they decided to feed us a little snack/dinner.  That was awesome, we didnt have to buy food that day.  We also went into the jungle area of Itaporanga D'Ajuda for the first time.  Holy cow, it was so green, full of trees of all kinds, and was so beautiful.  There, in a house of a member, the members bought 2 crabs that a guy was selling door to door, and they threw them into a bucket and had them fight (apparently its really popular here).  They weren’t normal crabs, they were huge, and pretty creepy looking too.  

Friday we had just 2 lessons, one where Ilma accepted baptism after a short 10 minute lesson and not really paying attention, then to Edilausa (she talked for about 3 hours, not exaggerating.  Apparently its not uncommon here for someone to talk to the missionaries about their lives for 3 or 4 hours since its happened to us quite a few times.)  However, Preach my gospel does say that listening is better than talking, so I guess we're doing what we're supposed to there.

Saturday we worked harder than any other day in the whole mission so far, and only entered 1 house, and taught 2 other lessons at the door.  We walked all around Itaporanga and nobody let us in, only José (see machete facão story).  We taught him again after finding him on the street, and he seemed pretty interested still.  Yes, his nephew was there, but thank goodness he wasnt too drunk this time.  One other lesson was to Bruno, brother of Ilma.  We went to Ilmas house to teach her again, but she wasnt there and bruno answered the door.  We never talked with him before, but we introduced ourselves, and Candido gave a quick 30 second lesson on the restoration, felt prompted to invite him to baptism, and he accepted after a 30 second lesson!  He said that has never happened to him before.  

Sunday, none of our investigators came to church, as usual, which was really bumming us out since we even went there before church started to remind them, and offered to bring them there.  Anyways after church, we went to Irmão Bittencourts house, which is way interior, in some really small jungle town in our area.  Elder Candido and I went in his car, but the others took an extra 2 hours to show up since they had to find a bus, taxi, then motorcycle to get there.  But that was great to have lunch with a member again. We actually ended up staying there until 6pm because the others took so long to show up.

Well, that just about sums up my week this week!  I am out of time now, so until next week!

Um Abraço,

Elder Coon

Let Alexah know thats awesome that Mrs. Carlton remembers me!  Loved Thomas murphys letter from mission ties, that was truly amazing. I even used some parts in a companionship study, and the others were so interested in that Tommy said!  also, please thank Gigi and Papa, Grandma, and Grandpa Tischner SO MUCH for their help in my service of the Lord