Week 81 - Week of Difficulties and Happiness!

Clay and Elder Alves

 Clay with Aureo - a Brazilian Bama Fan!

 Clay and Elder Romero

 Clay and Elder Gaspar with Aureo

A group of American Missionaries serving in Brazil Belem Mission

Hello!!!

So this week was interesting. Full of dificulties and happiness. Let me start with the dificulties.

So 2 weeks ago, our washing machine broke and we werent able to get anyone to fix it right away. So we have been using semi clean clothes. Last Monday we planned to fix the machine, but my companion lost our cellphone. He doesnt even know what happened to it, it just 'vanished'. But ok, we went to Belém on Thursday for Zone Conference and we were suppose to get a new phone, but it just so happens that all of the sim cards in the office are broken... So until today, we have no cellphone. It stinks because our phone was the nicest in all the mission!! But no big deal. They cleaned our water bucket, but after they cleaned it, the water wasnt working right. No water has been leaving the shower or sink for a while and they havent fixed it yet. So we have been having to fill buckets of water downstairs and lug them back upstairs and take showers with a cup. But no big deal. On Thursday we got home from Belém, and our power got cut off! THere are 3 unpaid bills but they didnt send the bills in the mail so we didnt know. But Friday we paid them and asked for an urgent turn on of the power. That was Friday, but until now, they havent turned it back on. But we called and they said the will today. SO no water, energy, washing machine, or cellphone. Pretty much sums up our week. But we recognized from the beginning that these are all just tests, so we worked even harder!

WE saw many blessings this week. Fernando taught with us again. His friend who introduced him to the church is inactive again but Fernando is preparing for a mission!! We are super happy with him. Beny came to church and she is super excited for her baptism this weekend. We also talked with Aureo and he accpeted baptism for this Saturday. The sisters have been teaching this lady who is ready to be baptized this Saturday as well, but today this lady will move to our area so we will teach her what is left and interview her and she will be our baptism. A few blessings.

Yesterday, we were sitting at church right before the sacrament waiting for investigators to come in. As we were waiting, an investigator that we stopped teaching 2 weeks ago came walking in!! We stopped teaching them but he came by himself to church! So we will go back there this week. Also, another Lady we have been teaching came to church all by herself! SO through the dificulties, the Lord blessed us a lot!

Our zone conference was super good. The President talked a lot about goals and the Atonement. We all learned a lot. 

Have a good week!

Elder Green

 Clay and Elder Gaspar with Aureo

 Mission Zone Conference - Elder Case, Elder Rech, Elder Della Piana, Clay, ?, Elder B. Silva, ?

 Clay with Mitt Romney's cousin.

 No lights.

Ironing with no electricity.