Busy Week = Happy Week (Week 91)

E aí pessoal?

This week was busy but very good in the end! On Tuesday we had the multi-zone conference which was an emotional one to say the least! So basically it was the Farnes' last conference with the mission and so they decided to summarize all the teachings they have passed onto the mission in the last 3 years of service here in São Paulo Norte. The new mission president will be President Ribeiro from Manaus, Brazil. President Farnes encouraged everyone to embrace them and the changes that will come. They will benefit us and the mission if we are positive and willing to support and follow our new mission leaders.

I felt like we needed to do something to thank them for their service so I planned with a few other missionaries and we sung "God Be With You Till We Meet Again". President and Sister Farnes cried a lot and so did a lot of missionaries. The spirit was very strong and although it was a simple arrangement, we were able to show the love and appreciation we all feel for this incredible family.

A couple of weeks ago I told you about Milton and Fatima, a wonderful couple who had received us and made us feel very welcome. At the end of last week we went there for the family home evening they had invited us over. When we arrived there however, there were no friends or families in their home. Fatima took us to Milton's room and told us he was very sick. He had a bad infection in his leg and was having respiratory problems. We sat down and spoke with Milton for a while. In the end we gave him a priesthood blessing. He gave me a little oil container and a "missionário" pin as a token of thanks. I was inspired by his gratitude and optimism even in the midst of very difficult health complications. On Tuesday, we were going to visit some other people in the same apartment block. On arrival, we were informed that Milton had passed away the previous day. We were very sad to hear of his passing but were able to comfort his wife in the time she was needing the most. The next morning, President Farnes authorised us to go to his funeral. It was strange the way the pastor led the service. He spoke little of Milton and his life but instead called everyone to repentance. I looked at Milton's siblings and wife and noticed they were not being comforted. At the end, the pastor invited us to speak and I talked about the good traits I had seen in him and a little about God's plan of happiness for this life and the next. Many of the guests, not knowing us, came up to us and thanked us for the words. I am grateful to know God's plan and that families can be together forever through that plan. One day, I will meet with Milton once again and we will thank us for planting that seed.

Last transfer Elder Miller and I had taught a mother and a daughter called Ana Paula and Jessica. They had contact with the missionaries in the past but they ended up moving away and we lost contact with them. This week, we were walking past a bar and I saw a man inside who was awfully familiar. It was Ana Paula's ex-boyfriend. He told me were Ana and Jessica were now living and said they were no longer a couple. I felt sorry for his current situation but was happy that Ana Paula and Jessica were now in a better position to receive us and perhaps be baptised. We went there and Jessica told us that the following day would be her mother and also her landlady's birthday. On the way to their house the next day, we felt impressed to buy a small cake. When we turned up with the cake and sang happy birthday, both Ana Paula and Helena were overcome with emotion and cried. Helena, who was turning 60 that day, told us through tears that it was the best birthday gift she had ever received. These little experiences might seem simple to us but to the people on the other side, they are meaningful and memorable moments. Christ did the same, helped people in selfless and simple acts of service.

Last week me and Elder Esteves worked on a street called Rua Sofia. It was a very long street but we were commited to knock all the doors. The sun was going down and it began getting cold but we endured to the end. On the last house of the street, a humble home, we clapped and a small family welcomed us in. They had a dirt floor and a couple of bunk beds in the living room which also doubles up as a kitchen. The parents are Cicero and Rose and they have several children including Katia (18), Vicente (15) and Joaquim (11). The most interested in the whole family is Vicente. He has been taking The Book of Mormon to school and is earnestly seeking an answer. He is very shy but has gained confidence over the last couple of weeks. He really enjoyed church and took his little brother and friend Guilherme. They are firm to be baptised this week, please pray for them!

On Sunday we had an incredible total of 17 investigators in sacrament meeting. The members here are incredible and are always willing to help. I suspect that the lack of success I have had so far here in Franco da Rocha is for not using the best of what it has: willing members, excited for the work!

This week will be awesome!

Elder Torres