Speaking with EVERYONE (Week 49)

Dear family and friends,

This week was really marking for me as a missionary. Nothing extra ordinary happened really, we simply saw the fruits that speaking to more people brings! In our district meeting we spoke a lot about reaching the mission standard indicators and how we needed to really show our commitment to God by doing everything to meet that standard. We shared a scripture in 2 Nephi 25:23 which says that it is by the Lord's grace that we are saved after all we can do. Me and Elder Burt made a competition between the two districts in the zone. The district that invited more people to be baptised and found the most new investigators would receive a big breakfast from the other district in the next meeting. It was a fun way to motivate everyone and of course, the purpose of it all was to bring more souls unto Christ. We then took some pictures of theJaçanã zone, also known as Jaçanágua!! :D

Everyone left the meeting on fire to speak with EVERYONE. The first two people I saw, I invited to be baptised on a specific date and we spent the rest of the day teaching and inviting. As missionaries we need to learn that we already have a guaranteed NO from everyone, our job is to find the elect who say YES to the message of the restoration! In one short week, I overcame a small fear of stopping people on the street. I still find door knocking easier but we all developed this skill throughout the week. Oh how the "mormon world" is small! :D This week me and my companion had a meeting with the councillor of the stake president. After the meeting, he took us home and as we got talking I discovered he served a mission in Portugal. I said: "Well, maybe you know my dad", because everyone in Portugal seems to know my dad, haha. When I said my dad's name he pushed the brakes slightyand said: "No way! You're Torres' son?" Turns out my dad was his zone leader during their missions and they were great friends. Here's a picture that goes out especially to my dad! :D

This week we taught a few special families that I already love and want to see sealed in the temple! The first family we found door knocking on a very cold night. The couple's names are Rogério and Osilene and they have 3 children. Although they have a catholic religious background they were super receptive and as we taught the restoration they understood everything. The father has been reading the Book Of Mormon and is leading the family in their search for truth. They were unable to go to church this week but next Sunday they'll be there! :) The other family, we also found door knocking, or rather door clapping, and the couple's names are Ronaldo and Andreia and they have two children. As we got chatting, we found out Ronaldo was baptised when he was 8 years old but sadly his family became less active after 1 year of member, that was almost 50 years ago! Their son, Fabricio, went to the youth activities all week long and went to church on Sunday. If everything goes right, he will bebaptised on Sunday and will be the door for his father and his family to enter the church once again. Very excited for them. :)

We talk with a lot of people and go to a lot of places. This week I was humbled with the condition that a lot of people are living in. We knocked doors on afavela that was built by a very polluted stream. It is no surprise that these people are the most receptive and ready people to receive the gospel. Their faith is incredible!

That is all I can remember and all I have time to write this week!!

Have a great week and keep me updated!

Love, Elder Torres

Drinking coconut water with Burt! :D