So I almost died this week. Elder Medeiros and I got 2 referrals from members in the ward this week that were in the favelas. Because they were referrals we were permitted to go. So Friday, we went and looked for the first one. We were greeted by a kid (probably 17 or 18) with a walky-talky sitting on a wall in the alley. Elder Medeiros asked the kid if he knew a Carlos and where house number 105 was, and the kid responded "sei não, sei não" (I don´t know x2). So we kept walking to look for Carlos. I would´ve shared a quick summary of the restoration to let him know that we are legit, but it was too late. We found the house and were answered by a different man. While Elder Medieros talked to the man to see if Carlos was there, I happened to look back and made eye to eye contact with the kid while he was in the middle of a handoff. He then talked into his walky-talky and a motorcycle came racing down the hill. As the bike got closer, me, Elder Medieros, and the man we were talking to turned around to see what was going on. As I turned around, I stuck my chest out a little bit to make sure my name tag well seen. There was one guy driving and another guy on the back with a pistol checking us out as they were passed.... Luckily, he didn´t shoot and they drove away. Carlos wasn´t home, so we were happy to leave.
After that experience, I was a little reluctant to go into more favelas the next day. But I was so glad we followed up with that second referral, because we found a beautiful family of 3 who we are now teaching! All of our investigators recently have been either single or widowed and we have been praying to find just ONE family to teach, and how many new "legal" families do we have now? Four! The power of prayer is so awesome! I love how, Nephi teaches that as we have true righteous desires, the Lord will "consecrate our prayers". I am so grateful for that truth. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God". He is always there, He is always listening to the prayers of His children, and He is ready to pour out the blessings unto us. I am reminded of that every time I open my mouth here.
Ser Mórmon é ser feliz.
Élder Hamilton
Missionário de A Igreja De Jesus Cristo Dos Santos Dos Últimos Dias
Ala Barreto - Missão Brasil Rio De Janeiro
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