New Companion. New Area. New Zone. (Week 42)

Heeeey everyone!

It's feels like I haven't spoken to you all for ages! Because I left the office my p-day has gone back to Monday so I went 8 long days without email. The struggle is real. ;) All joking aside, I definitely have a lot of things to catch you up on so I'll end my routine babbling and get on with this blog. :P Last Sunday (5th of June) was a wonderful Sunday, despite the disppointments we faced along the way. Firstly, Roseli's family did not go to church once again neither were her children baptised. I think that is one of the hardest aspects of missionary work. These people are in desperate need of the gospel, they tell us they want a better life, a life with less suffering but when it comes for them to exercise their faith and ACT, they simply don't. It is so frustrating! Some times I wish I could just pick these people up and drop them inside of church so they can see what their missing. Of course, I quickly realise that doing that would be acting the same way the enemy wanted to in the beginning. Without a doubt, we planted a seed within that family which one day will grow and some other missionary will reap. As we walked down the street from their house disappointed with them and ourselves, we saw in the distance Carmita's family, walking to church in their Sunday best. Soon all the bad feelings left and I was touched by this family's faith and diligence in the gospel path. Of course, I couldn't help but take a picture of this moment. ;)

At church I was able to say goodbye to some recent-converts, including Conrado and Alex, two men of great faith and who both got married in the last few weeks and have already told me to pencil in their temple sealing in my planner one year from now. It makes all the difficulties worth it when you meet people like them who will have a long an joyful gospel life. Here are a few pictures of this:

Conrado and I in our synchronised swimming poses. Sorry, in-joke. ;)

Luciana, the best (and most pacient) Primary President, and her children.

Bishop Silva's family and my companion on my last lunch in Horto Florestal. :)

So on Tuesday was the transfer and I am currently serving in the Jardim Modelo area in the Jaçanã zone with Elder José. He is from Rio de Janeiro and has 1 year and 6 months on his mission. He is showing me the ropes of being a Zone Leader, I'm still learning but the missionaries here are amazing and full of the missionary spirit which is making everything easier and smooth for us. :) Our first Zone Meeting was awesome, I was a bit lost but Elder José kept it all flowing. ;) The topic of the meeting was "Fishers of Men". President Farnes has placed a big emphasis on that recently, that we shoudl look to teach men and father-led families so that our efforts may be multiplied and more people can be blessed by the restored gospel. Everyone was on board and the energy was great! I was able to do a division with Elder Sousa in the Vila Maria area this week. We literally went in the favela which was awesome, despite being dangerous after dark, there is where you will find the most humble people who are prepared to listen to the gospel. I felt like I was in the Harry Potter maze at one point, even Elder Sousa got a bit lost in the favela inside his own area. :P We met several good families and it was good to help the elders there a little. Here in Jardim Modelo the area is great! I have met wonderful people including a man called Alcidis. He is the father of a recent convert and we have been teaching him for the last week. He is incredibly humble and willing to do God's will. We went there on Saturday and he said to us: "Do you know what? I will be baptised not tomorrow but next Sunday!" We then taught him the commandments and he was willing to keep them all without exception. Please pray for him this week! :)

The ward here is great - of course it's not Ipswich Ward 1st or 2nd Ward (say whaaaat) - and the members are super on board with the missionary work! I am excited for this new chapter in my mission and pray me and Elder José will be able to lead these great missionaries by example. Love you all family and friends!!!

Elder Torres

PS: This next picture is dedicated to my big bro Mosiah. Who would have thought I would see a Leeds United Shirt in São Paulo, Brasil? :D