Elder Clay Green

Elder Clay Green

Monday, December 7, 2015

Week 18 - Changes in Obidos







So, this was a very busy week full of changes and surprises. The Zone Leaders went to Belem this week for their monthly meeting and when they returned Tuesday night they decided we needed to have a Zone Meeting. So Wednesday night we caught the boat for Santarem. We got there Thursday morning and had a really good Zone Meeting. Me and Elder Capello have had really good numbers the past two transfers. But that's more credit to the Lord than to us. 

Since Elder Capello is going home this week he was scheduled to ride a smaller (faster) boat than the one we usually ride from Obidos to Santarem on Saturday. But transfers didn't come out until Sunday with my new companion assignment and I couldn't stay here by myself. So when we returned to Obidos after the Zone Meeting on Thursday night Elder Lourenco came back with us. We had a trio for one day then Elder Capello left. I'm attaching pictures. I won't lie it was sad. 

Then transfers came out on Sunday and my new companion is Elder S. Oliveira. I did an exchange with him a few weeks back and he is super cool. So I am excited about that. On Sunday night Elder Lourenco and I caught a boat back to Santarem so he could get back to his companion and I could pick up mine. I am in Santarem now with Elder S. Oliveira and we will return to Obidos tonight.

We baptized two young men this week. One was taught by other missionaries a while ago. He knew the Church was true but never committed to a baptism date and kind of got dropped. I believe it was a miracle that we found him. He already had a Book of Mormon and all the pamphlets. We taught him for two weeks and on Friday asked him about baptism. He said he had a testimony but was real nervous about getting baptized and kept making weird excuses. We shared lots of scriptures with him and finally he closed his eyes and we sat in silence for a minute or so. When he opened his eyes he asked us to share another scripture. Elder Lourenco said he had a good one about baptism. After the young man read the scripture he stood up, shook all our hands, and said, "Thanks. See you tomorrow at 10 o'clock!" It was super cool. 

The other young man is 13 and he has been firm since the first lesson we taught him. He is very smart and for sure a future missionary! His mother has refused all our invitations to come to church so we were a little scared that she might not give permission. But when he said he wanted to be baptized she just said, "What does he need to bring to the baptism?" Haha! And she even came to the baptism to support him as well! It was really good.

After Elder Capello left on Saturday we worked our tails off trying to visit everyone and confirm church. We confirmed with 7 people and 2 others said maybe. I passed those numbers on to the Zone Leaders that night feeling good. But then guess what happened on Sunday? Nobody came. I called everyone that morning and they all had excuses. Our Gospel Principles class had one recent convert and some random old lady from off the street. Obviously we were very disappointed. But it was a crazy week with lots of traveling and changing companions. So this week we are starting fresh and we are going to get it done!

Missionary work isn't easy but it isn't supposed to be. Salvation isn't easy either! But even though its hard I love my mission. It is the best mission in the whole world and I am having awesome experiences every day! We have a couple of mottos here in Missao Brasil Belem - Missao de macho. "No breeze is cold!" and "Only the strong serve in the north!"

I love wearing the Savior's name on my chest! We came across a family who are all baptized but left the Church three years ago because a member said something and hurt the man's feelings. So he says he will never go back. When we were talking to them I took off my tag and showed it to him. We read the name of the Church - the Church of JESUS CRISTO. I told him I go to Church because I love Jesus Christ. I came on a mission because I love Jesus Christ - not because of any member or anyone besides Jesus. His attitude changed after that. But it's the truth. I love the Gospel and I know it's true!

Love yall!

Elder Green




 Mustaches from Grace's Christmas box!







 Goodbye to a good trainer. I'm not a greenie anymore.



 Working the crowd at a basketball game. 

 This outhouse was not made for me.


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