"My Sheep Hear My Voice" (Week 45)

Hey everyone!! :D

This week was difficult to say the least! We walked and talked and clapped doors but sadly the people here were generally not interested on our message this week. Every missionary has weeks like this, it sucks but this week will be much better. Of course, I am grateful for the little miracles along the way that the Lord still gave us. :)

First of all, meet Vitor! He is the 16 year-old brother of a recent-convert. I was surprised to know he is 16 because despite his small stature, he is covered with tattoos from head to toe. Literally. His mother had expressed her worry to us several times that if we didn't rescue him soon enough, the world would swallow him and to get him back the chance would be small. Every time we walked on his street, we saw Vitor with his "friends", listening to not-so-good music and doing not-so-good things. Needless to say, it could've been easy to judge the book by the cover. As we decided last week to focus on him, the Lord opened our eyes and we were able to see him for what he really is: a lost but loved sheep of the Lord.

We began to teach him the lessons and to see the change in his behaviour has been inspiring. He has began to leave habits and addiction, we began finding him home with his family rather than in the street, his understanding of the gospel and his desire to follow it also grew tremendously. Sunday Morning, it was a battle to get him out of bed but we were fasting and I knew the Lord would keep His promise. I told Vitor: "If you don't go to church then neither will I". A few minutes later he got up and went to church. As he walked through the church gates, he took the hood off his head and smiled. I knew all the effort had been worth it. Please pray for him, that he will progress and be prepared for his baptism this Sunday. :)

This week we were able to take part in the Mission's Leadership Council. It gave me a chance to learn and grow. We discussed how our zones and the mission as a whole was going and how we could help São Paulo North take more people to the Lord through baptism and confirmation. We talked a lot about union between the missionaries and how we could achieve a lot more together. The new goal for the mission is 500 confirmations. With hard work, obedience and a lot of faith we can reach that goal and surpass it. :)

Thank you for your prayers and love, I am loving my mission and these people in São Paulo! :D Love you all!!

Elder Torres

PS: This is Jardim Modelo's chapel. :)