Ask, and Ye Shall Receive (Week 94)

E aí pessoal!

What an incredible week it was! Every Monday we receive a mission newsletter with announcements and inspiring messages from President and missionaries in the field. Last week there was an article in which the sisters said they had prayed to find a family of 5 and guess what? They found one and baptised them! Me and Elder Esteves said to each other: "Why don't we try it" So that same night we kneeled and prayed to find a family of five. The next morning we prayed again and then began our planning. Our teaching group was getting rather small so I began looking back at my last 2 planners from Franco da Rocha. I found Kenya, a 14 year old girl who came once to the English class but who we had never contacted. I noted her name down as an alternative plan if our other appointments fell through. Tuesday it rained a LOT and we knocked doors and were continually disappointed by people's lack of interest. Then we decided to find Kenya. It was harder than we thought but after a lot of knocking and a lot of asking we found her house. We went in and we met her mother, Ednaura and asked: "How many children do you have?" She casually replied: "Sixteen." WHAT? She said 10 were biological and 6 adopted and she has also raised most of her grandchildren. I was in love with the family straight away! We taught them the Restoration and when we extended the invitation for baptism they all accepted. Of course a lot of the children don't have age to be baptised and some aren't married but it is still a LOT of people!

Throughout the week we taught them the Plan of Salvation, the commandments, the Gospel of Jesus Christ and it would leave you in awe the attention the children pay as we teach them. If you ask Pablo (8 years old) to list the 10 commandments in order, he will tell you easily! On Sunday morning we did a super operation to pick up this family. I initially suggesting getting a school van but 3 cars and sitting very close to (or on top of) each other worked just fine! They loved church and are very excited for their baptism on Sunday! We have 8 firm people for next week. Please pray for Ednaura's family!

Reflecting on this family I thought to myself, missionaries should ask more and then knock to find what they asked for! It's mindbogglingly simple but it works!

Two weeks ago we baptised Vicente, Joaquim and Guilherme but last week Vicente was sick, Guilherme got to church late and Joaquim didn't want to go alone. We taught them with much patience this week about the importance of receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost but Joaquim was seeming less and less interested every day. He began not wanting to go when he found out he would have to go in front of everyone in sacrament meeting, he is very shy. On Saturday before getting to their house, we decided to pray and ask God to soften his little heart. Once again, we asked faithfully and God answered us. Joaquim said: "I'll go tomorrow" and all three went and were confirmed. Vicente and Guilherme went with their white shirt and tie and Joaquim received his. They were very happy! I know the Lord is alway willing to help us. In Matthew 7:8-9 we read: "For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?" If we pray for something just, and work to deserve it of course, He will grant us that which we ask.

Not sure what else to write this week but I found my Brazilian look-alike. It's crazy how similar we are right?

Have a great week full of miracles and tender mercies.

Lots of love,

Elder Torres