August 22, 2016
So it has been raining the
past couple days. And everything is wet, its still winter here so its cold
rain. This drives people of the streets so contacting slows down a little bit.
Spent a lot of time in the favela this week. I taught a lesson this week to a
Boy, 15 years old, named Gabriel. It was great, he was so funny. He got all
nervous when we told him we have a prophet today and invited him to church. He
thought that the prophet would be at church and that when they would meet that
the prophet wouldnt accept him haha. He was so nervous about this but luckily
we were able to explain a little more and take away the fear.
I cant drink the water
from the spicket here, but i learned why this week. At the plant where it is
cleaned, the water comes out just as clean as in the United States, the reason
it is undrinkable is because of the journey it takes. The path to houses isnt
very clean but one day this past week i drank an entire cup of the water and
survived. It was offered to me by a less active member and wasnt gonna turn him
down haha. I (passei mal) passed bad but really means didnt go through
the system well for one day if ya know what i mean haha.
I am convinced that
being a mother is similar and more tiring than being a missionary. We arrived
one night at the bishops house to help move some boxes and the bishops wife
looked more tired and beat up from the day than we did haha. Like mothers we
have to descern the needs of our investigators by the Spirit. Alma 12:7 speaks
about this when Alma and Amulek were teaching Zeezrom, "Now when Alma had
spoken these words, Zeezrom began to tremble more exeedingly, for he was convinced
more and more of the power of God; and he was also convinced that Alma and
Amulek had a knowledge of him, for he was convinced that they know the thoughts
and intents of his heart; for power was given unto them that they might know of
these things according to the spirit of prophecy." I have witnessed this
power before in a few lessons. Not by knowing the thoughts of the person, but
by the expression and the spirit. When i say something that i did not plan to
say, inspired by the spirit and the person looks at me with a face like i know
something that they didnt share with me before. This is the gift of prophecy in
this scripture. Similarly when a mother knows her child is lying or is
struggling without needing to hear it. All of this is an inspired gift of the
Spirit for the progression of the children of God unto salvation given unto
those who are worthy in the moment they need it! This gift is awesome because
in so many cases i dont understand completely the life situations that people
explain to me in portuguese and this helps me when i need it.
This is the last week
of the transfer... so sad, i will know next sunday night if i will go or stay
or recieve a new companion! I want to stay and keep my trainer haha. We work so
well together. He is awesome and i have learned so much from him. We have so
much fun practicing teaching with one another and think alike in some form
while we actually teach. But change is always good and i´ll accept whatever the
Lord has in store.
We are teaching this
guy, Alexandre, and he is super cool. He is buff, learning english and speaks
very well (i´m helping him understand the many meanings of the word
"get", is a security guard, plays guitar, has a wife to be, has a
sweet house, and is open to recieve our message. I really hope he progresses
and prays to know for himself. Other investigators are doing well. Right know
we have 4 strong investigators where we truly see potential.
I love hearing from
all of you. I wish i had more time to respond. I read basically all that recieve.
Love you guys and i will respond when i get a chance. Brasil took the Gold in
soccer! Brasilians went crazy! it was great! I am proud of my American
medalists! I am proud to be an American! Brasilians always say that they wish
they had the patriotism and pride that our country has! Keep it up ;)
Com Amor,
Elder Sanchez
p.s. I have been
eating a lot of tapioca, it is a root that is ground. You put it in a pan
without oil or anything and until it sticks together. then my favorite way to
eat it is with condensed milk. Its like a roll up pancake basically you can
fill it with whatever you want. I will bring some home. Yall dont have it in
the states :)