Letter #30

My Beloved Family & Friends,

It has been one for the books. And by books I mean journals. Which means memorable. Where shall I begin? Let´s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start:

Monday we took off for the Porteira do Rio Grande do Sul, also known as the best churrasco (BBQ) in Bauru. The location was lacking but the food was very good. (Fogo da Chão, I will have it be known is still the best.) And at 50 reals for lunch I would hope so. We feasted. I tried raw salmon for the first time. It was raw, but lacking in flavor. Kind of like eating eraser. Anyway, to our surprise, just as we were about to leave a group of missionaries walked in with a member from Bauru to eat who not only joined us but paid for lunch too. That´s a sweet (bbq) deal. He´s a very strong recent convert too of less than a year, which was very cool. Talk about fruits of your labors.

Tuesday memorable moments continued on the main street of Agudos. The folks of Safe Carnival were out promoting safe sinning, handing out lots of flyers. The thing is that at first I didn't realize that they were promoting anything other than safety while partying. One volunteer approached Elder Dias with what I thought was just a pamphlet, which he accepted to just be on his way faster. She then asked if I would like one and responding politely said, "No thanks he's already got one. Wellll, she was not just giving out pamphlets on drunk driving but condoms. We had a good laugh. Oh Carnival. . .

Thursday more was to come. President Tavares rolled into town to conduct interviews and a very good training on sanctifying ourselves and our mission. I love it when he comes because it means presents from Londrina. Oh! How I am blessed! 3 packages and 21 letters. The rest of the zone was a little disheartened at the roll call when everything was being handed out: "Elder Schenewark, Elder Schenewark, Elder Schenewark, Elder Schenewark, Elder Schenewark, Elder Simmons, Elder Schenewark, Elder Schenewark, Elder Schenewark, Elder Schenewark...." About like that. Keep up the good work. You don´t know just how wonderful and helpful you all are. The packages were perfect, and I mean that. The cake will be made today, thank you Duncan Family. Aunt Janel...you are the best!!! The blanket is wonderful, the Clif bars are sustaining me through a time of lacking breakfast foods, I've already listened to about five talks, thank you dad, and the conference Ensign's unspeakably marvelous. I promise the letters will all be  responded to in the coming weeks as they are reread and cherished.

We enjoyed lunch Thursday at a member's home in Bauru who put on ANOTHER BBQ for us. It was superb. Also, another recent convert whose example (and food) is inspiring, and who takes care of his grandfather at home, had some memorable moments for us to enjoy: Squinting at my name tag, trying to discern the name (it is kind of long), he only read the part below that states the name of the church-- "Elder, Elder Christ, Elder Jesus Christ." " Umm, no Irmão, Elder Schenewark." " Well Elder Christ, eat more!" Oh boy. Explaining to me (he's not a member yet, but reading the Book of Mormon) his ideas over religion after lunch, he began to explain the importance of Christ in his life, and emphasizing the point that there is only one Lord, gave me the bird, big time. Nice, Gramps. Good laughs all the way.

Friday I learned from a member that Agudos, not too long ago, was the most dangerous city in Brasil, in terms of most murders per population. And here I was thinking, "What a nice little suburb!" The cows next door have apparently witnessed more than they were telling. I'll try and keep a more, "I'm not threatening to You, Mister Gangster" profile in the future.

Sunday we were blessed to baptize two cousins, one little one who is my favorite. On our second day there to teach him and his family he declared, "I'm going to be a missionary too one day." And he is. Sunday he invited one of his friends playing in the street to come to church with us. And he came!!

Oh, and one more funny moment. On our street is a small booth that sells churros and crepes. They´re very good and I always go for a churro covered in doce de leite and walnuts at the end of a day. But the first time we passed by it was pretty hilarious when the lady announced "We have churros and crepes." Not funny yet I know, but the word crepe in Brasil is pronounced "craps." Come on! It takes a lot of self-composition to say, "Yes, I´d like two craps covered in chocolate, please." But, as this letter has proven, it's the food that counts in the end. My body is resting much better in Agudos than in Tupã and I continue to have more energy to work day to day. This is good.

Sunday I gave a talk to a full house in Agudos on the subject of Holy Prophets, and shared President Monson's latest counsels to the church: "Sometimes letting our brethren know they are needed and valued can help them take that step into commitment and full activity. This can be true of priesthood holders regardless of age. It is our responsibility to give them opportunities to live as they should. We can help them to overcome their shortcomings. We must develop the capacity to see men not as they are at present but as they may become when they receive testimonies of the gospel of Christ. . ."The same principle. . .applies to those who are not yet members. We should develop the capacity to see men not as they are but as they can become when they are members of the Church, when they have a testimony of the gospel, and when their lives are in harmony with its teachings." 

I testify that this counsel is inspired from our Prophet, President Monson. I have come to understand that one of the greatest obstacles that inhibits people from being more converted or doing more to share the gospel is the lack of faith often exhibited in these words, "Oh, they would never accept the gospel." or "They don´t want anything more with the church." The answer, I have seen, is love. The Christ-like love shared in simple visits to the lost sheep. Love enough to unloose our tongues and declare the message of joy that is ours to proclaim: The gospel of Jesus Christ is Restored. A prophet of the Lord speaks again. As Phillip declared to Nathaniel about the living Christ, "Come and see." I know Christ lives and loves us; that our Father in Heaven does too. I love you.

Love,

Tanner