Letter #28

So, first off, got a package from Aunt Janel.
Priceless
Another elder was looking for a snack and grabbed a bag of peanut M&M's.
Alright, I'm thinking, these I can get here and it keeps him away from the rest. Then I read the note:
"I'm sharing my caramel M&M's with you...."
I jumped across that room, you don't mess with my caramel M&M's, Aunt Janel knows that, thank you Aunt Janel.

We played some soccer, against the professional team in Itatiba. After the normal game, which we lost, we played some 1v1, goal vs goal. Basically, you can't pass mid-field and you can't use your hands inside the area. Well, four professional players and one missionary who never played soccer in his life, should be pretty easy to guess who didn't win one. PPSSYYCCHH That's right, guess who didn't lose. 12-0 baby.

The best part, not only did I destroy in a sport that I generally get trashed in, but the brother who coaches the team (which explains why we played against them) made a little one sided bet with his team. Whoever loses shows up to church, 9:00 in the morning Sunday.

We had a little back row party yesterday, me and four jersey-ed arena soccer players. Miracles, lemme tell you. I don't play soccer, especially not at the professional level (if we're lucky we can hold our own at the lowest level of intramural sports). THE BEST PART Irmão Cloves, the coach gave a talk on missionary work. Guess who got used as an example of missionary miracles, while sitting next to the four embarrassed, bluching, hiding-their-heads, soccer players. 'Twas I. 'Twas great

Also, got the chance to preach southern baptist style two times this week. The first one, our investigator, the pastor, invited me to give a talk over the Plan of Salvation (because he loved our lesson and said he knows it's the true plan of our Heavenly Father). I was a little unsure whether or not to do it, but our bishop helped me out with some words of encouragement. "You're getting the chance to do what other missionaries dream about. Teach to the congregation of a pastor who is accepting your lessons. Your calling is to teach, not to choose when or how." Alright. 'Twas good

The second one was a little different. We were walking by a 'garage church,' open door, pastor with a microphone yelling while the congregation dances. My companion stopped a little behind me to tie his shoe, so I ended up stopping to wait in the doorway. The pastor saw me and starting calling to me..."Oh preacher, give us some words, share your light in our church" (It had to be bigger because he's using the microphone) Me? "You my brother, come and teach us." (Also, everyone is nodding and yelling amens to all this, just to give you the image). I didn't even hesitate this time. We're here to teach right? But what to teach to a church, on the spot, of people who you've never met? How about teach them what their church doesn't have.

The power of God is on the Earth again today.
(Now I'm using the microphone)
"HALLELUJAH"
The power that was given to man to perform miracles, to heal the sick, to baptize with authority, IS FOUND AMONG THE CHILREN OF MAN ONCE AGAIN.
"AMEN"
It was restored to us through a prophet, after being taken from the Earth for a time!
"AAMMEeenn....."
(At this point I see the pastor getting up, ready to snag the microphone back, so I wrapped it up)
If you'd like to hear how all of this happened and the see the blessings of this power in your life, raise your hand and my companion will grab your adress and number and we'll bring this special message to your home, to share with your family.

We had about seven (out of about twenty) raise their hands. Granted, I'm pretty sure that two or three of them just keep their hands up the whole time they're in the church, but we still grabbed contact information, sooo
"Twas good

But, this really helped me to see something a little clearer. The Church of Jesus Christ isn't just any church with a microphone and people.
It is the literal kingdom of God here on the Earth. As such, it needs the authority and direction that He continually gives us. This is what makes it His church, not my church, Pastor Adauto's church, or just another 'garage church.'
This is the Church of Jesus Christ and it is true. I know this, and this is why I am in another country teaching people in a foreign language. Because it is something undeniable that everybody deserves to hear.

I love you all,
Until next week,
Same time, same channel,
Elder Billy Graham the Cracker ;)