Oh Dear Family!!
How the time has flown! So much has happened, and so, as to not forget anything and in the spirit of my uncles' bullet style letters, I'l give you the down low on the what's up! (New group of missionaries coming in!)
Friday we set off again after lunch (which was in a classy Italian place FOR THE SAME PRICE! It was such a pleasure to help Elder Lima assume his responsibility as a leader and help him to know how he could help his zone, which needs him so very desperately.
Saturday we threw an open house in the center of the city and had 39 people enter the chapel and get to know more about the gospel. Each left with gifts of the Book of Mormon and dvds, Ensigns, etc. The chapel is on the other side of the road of a hospital and so many of the people that were invited were (a) dying (b) visiting someone dying or (c) doctors. that ended up being a very good crowd to work with. I was impressed by the overall humility of those who entered (humility of spirit) as opposed to the pride or arrogance or outright meanness of some of those who declined the 5 minute tour. One doctor that I brought inside was impressed when from across the street we invited him (loudly) to come and see. He was very cordial and you could see in his eyes, he was interested, hungry (Amos 8:12), looking for something. He accepted wholeheartedly a Book of Mormon and said he felt that God had placed him there that day. He's marked to go to church this Sunday.
We also talked with the leaders of the Morangueira zone since we wouldn't have the opportunity to divide with them. It was good to see Elder Cummings and Barabosa.
Saturday we welcomed President and Sister Genaro, with their son Vincenzo and his friend André. While waiting we contacted more people in the street. In five minutes in we found a completely less active member from Curitiba that was in town for the week. We invited him to participate in conference and do you know? He did! He also graciously offered his help to bring investigators to participate as well and brought three carloads that night. The Lord works in mysterious ways but I have no doubt that he sent an angel to us that night.
We participated in the priesthood leadership and Saturday night missionary sessions. In the priesthood session President gave a powerful talk on the Book of Mormon and we helped distribute one Book of Mormon to every priesthood holder in attendance. He shared this story from Elder Alves that had happened the day before:
Elder Alves was teaching a man who was progressing well to baptism. On Sunday, when after a lesson in the chapel he ran into a friend, not of the church, who ridiculed the fact that he was with the missionaries. Later that night he called the elders and told them thanks for everything but he would like to give back the Book of Mormon and they wouldn't need to pass by anymore. Elder Alves knew the Spirit had touched him earlier that day and he said to him, "That is not the answer of someone who read the Book of Mormon. Did you read it?" He admitted no. Then Elder Alves said he would not accept it back until he had read it. The man agreed to read until midnight that night and call them. Elder Alves asked permission to attend the call that night after hours and was given permission to do so. Exactly at midnight, the man called. He said," I know this book is true. It is from God. I will be baptized." And was Sunday night. President told a similar story from the life of Elder Nelson, a similar thing happened. No one, who truly wants to know whether the Book of Mormon is true, can pick it up, read it and come away with any other conclusion. The Spirit testified to those assembled priesthood men that this is true. I know it is true.
I was also invited to bear my testimony Saturday night in the session on missionary work. I did so, simply, I admit nervously because it seems some days the translator to Portuguese works better than others : ) The stake counselor had a good time with my name so I warned them all to practice as there was and is a good chance that another Elder Schenewark will one day be here to preach the gospel in Brasil : )
Saturday night we had a baptism party, where couple I had taught during the week were baptized. The man soon after put a post on Facebook expressing his happiness at this newness of life. That was a first! Then a pizza party with two young men. They threw down mattresses with us in the missionaries' house, and we had a good time showing them the ropes of planning and getting in to bed at 10:30.
Sunday early we had conference which was in two sessions. In between we had three baptisms from Morangueira. An unwitting member had inadvertently let the water out that we had left and locked from last night's baptism so we had to fill the font by hand. . by bucket. . .by hose, then by the cupful until it was full.
We ate lunch with the president of the stake. (I have pictures to send but am unable to send this week.) One of their sons is on a mission. His wife reminded me of mom, sparky with that special smile, and the remaining two sons work hard to help the missionaries. One plays handball and I took a picture with him to show you what the ball is like. It's like a hard soccer ball the size of a dodgeball. Cool game. Headed home in the car with the President again, me back in the back of the back. Always new jokes on these rides.
Monday we had an epic meeting with the President and planned counsel and the mid-transfer transfer that will take place next week. The President also made an epic secret announcement about the next transfer. I can't tell you yet, but this is good : )
Yesterday was counsel. We trained the leaders on how to analyze their zones, identify challenges and create solutions to be put into practice. We are growing as a mission and as leaders. To think that when I got here there were two companions in Tupa and now there is a zone : )
Well, that's the play by play. This week we have LOTS of work to do. We have a couple that are going to marry on Saturday and be baptized afterwards. We also have three more families that went to church that we are teaching for this Sunday. Administratively, I am creating a new way for the mission to keep track of its numbers, records, etc. I determined, after talking with every secretary of every mission in Brasil that we already are the most advanced mission (we have a website) but that it could be much better and solve a lot of problems. Last month, for example we did a small search into the records and found fifteen people whose records were never sent to the church. "My house is a house of order!" : ) If any of you interested relatives, uncles, grandfather have any inspired solutions, feel more than free to pass them to me!
Meanwhile, I love this work. Being involved in travel and other things, the details, handling problems, just makes me more and more grateful for how I as a missionary can go outside, stop the first person I see, and share my testimony with them of what the gospel of Christ means to me, and what it can mean to them. As I come to understand only a little bit more of our Heavenly Father´s love for us, I am indeed amazed. I am humbled to be His servant and His messenger He has sent.
I am so grateful for the mother He sent to me as well and excited to talk to you all Sunday. I'll call on Skype around 7:30. ; )
Love you,
Tanner
Sunday early we had conference which was in two sessions. In between we had three baptisms from Morangueira. An unwitting member had inadvertently let the water out that we had left and locked from last night's baptism so we had to fill the font by hand. . by bucket. . .by hose, then by the cupful until it was full.
We ate lunch with the president of the stake. (I have pictures to send but am unable to send this week.) One of their sons is on a mission. His wife reminded me of mom, sparky with that special smile, and the remaining two sons work hard to help the missionaries. One plays handball and I took a picture with him to show you what the ball is like. It's like a hard soccer ball the size of a dodgeball. Cool game. Headed home in the car with the President again, me back in the back of the back. Always new jokes on these rides.
Monday we had an epic meeting with the President and planned counsel and the mid-transfer transfer that will take place next week. The President also made an epic secret announcement about the next transfer. I can't tell you yet, but this is good : )
Yesterday was counsel. We trained the leaders on how to analyze their zones, identify challenges and create solutions to be put into practice. We are growing as a mission and as leaders. To think that when I got here there were two companions in Tupa and now there is a zone : )
Well, that's the play by play. This week we have LOTS of work to do. We have a couple that are going to marry on Saturday and be baptized afterwards. We also have three more families that went to church that we are teaching for this Sunday. Administratively, I am creating a new way for the mission to keep track of its numbers, records, etc. I determined, after talking with every secretary of every mission in Brasil that we already are the most advanced mission (we have a website) but that it could be much better and solve a lot of problems. Last month, for example we did a small search into the records and found fifteen people whose records were never sent to the church. "My house is a house of order!" : ) If any of you interested relatives, uncles, grandfather have any inspired solutions, feel more than free to pass them to me!
Meanwhile, I love this work. Being involved in travel and other things, the details, handling problems, just makes me more and more grateful for how I as a missionary can go outside, stop the first person I see, and share my testimony with them of what the gospel of Christ means to me, and what it can mean to them. As I come to understand only a little bit more of our Heavenly Father´s love for us, I am indeed amazed. I am humbled to be His servant and His messenger He has sent.
I am so grateful for the mother He sent to me as well and excited to talk to you all Sunday. I'll call on Skype around 7:30. ; )
Love you,
Tanner
2 comments:
:) Indeed practice that name, I'm sure others will know it well. Great letter from a great young man.
Oooh, I can't wait to hear about the mid-transfer transfer and the "epic" secret about the next transfer (by that, did he mean the mid-transfer transfer or the regularly-scheduled transfer?)! Inquiring minds want to know!!
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