Rekindling the Flames of a Testimony (Week 50)

Hello everyone!

This week was pretty awesome although we could have done much more! Last week I told you about two families we were teaching and I'm super happy to tell you your prayers have been causing miracles!

First off let me tell you about the family of Rogério and Osilene (she prefers Dinha). We didn't visit them many times throughout the week due to a more busy schedule but we left the Book of Mormon reading assignments and to see Rogério's understanding each time was incredible! On Saturday, we had a TERRIBLE day. A lot of lessons and investigators fell through and we had walked a lot. My feet were hurting and I suddenly remembered to call them. When I called them to ask if everything was okay for them to go to church, Dinha said: "Yes, tomorrow we'll be there". She was so firm in her answer that I almost jumped of happiness. Thinking about it, I think I did jump. :P They went to church on Sunday and even took extended family members. They loved church and want to continue going. They are such an amazing family! :)

I'm pretty sure my companion was being translated while this picture was taken. ;) hahaha.

Let me tell you about the most elect little boy in the world. A few weeks ago, we were working in the favela, knocking on the doors of wooden shacks and inviting people to be baptised. We met a little boy called Leo, I believe he is 10 years old. We invited him to church but he didn't seem too firm in accepting our invitation so we explained where the chapel was and the times of the meetings. We honestly didn't think much about him after that. One week after we returned to the favela and he said: "I went to church on Sunday and you didn't even see me!" I doubted him and asked him about what he had learned in Primary. He answered: "We learned about temples and Helaman." Turns out he had gone a little early and even took his cousin who was less active to church. The following weeks, when everyone else failed to keep their commitment to go to church, this little boy was up and ready early, calling all his friends to church. He showed a big desire to be baptised but he wasn't sure his mum would allow him. After a few failed attempts of talking to his mother, we finally found her home and it was incredibly surprising to hear her reaction and reception to us. She fully supported her son and promised she would be there on Sunday too. She lost her husband some 5 years ago and has 8 children. What a warrior! Leo will be baptised on Sunday, please pray for him! :)

Leo, his mother Arlita, his little cousin Nicolas and his older brother Thomas.

Last week I also mentioned Fabrício and his family. We worked with Fabrício all week and he was super chill for his baptism. We were worried that perhaps the parents wouldn't be so supportive but in fact it was the opposite! The highlight of the week was his baptism. Fabrício chose one of his best friends Willian to baptise him. Willian is also a recent convert and was presented to the church by another young man called Lucas Zanforlin, the son of the 1st councillor of the São Paulo North mission. It so happens that the three live on the same street and are close friends since they were young.

The three best friends!

Fabrício's incredible family!

Willian's first baptism was his best friend. He was nervous but did well! :)

After the baptism, his dad Ronaldo bore his simple but powerful testimony that although he had strayed from the path never did he doubt that this church is the only true church on earth and that he was very proud to see his son being baptised in the church. The spirit was incredibly strong, my companion even got goosebumps. :)

We had leadership council this week and the theme was based on the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Here in Brasil everyone is in the spirit of the games, every house has the games showing on TV. President Farnes chose the following scripture as the theme for the month: "...I shall come forth as gold. " - Job 23:9. It's going to be a month of excelling in the work and breaking records. Everything with "an eye single to the glory of God" of course!

To finish off this week, please pray for Joaquim and Schet, two bolivian children who were baptised in the beginning of the year but still haven't been confirmed. Their family is really big and super excited!

Love you all!