Tantas Coisas..

Wow this week was intense! So much to say and so little time today. Where to begin? Oh, batismo.

Jaci was baptized this week!! It was quite the crazy day too. After a late start to the day in Niterói, we passed by the church to check if the member we asked to fill the baptismal font did so. We found the water running, but no plug in the drain. After putting the cap on and turning the water back on, we rehearsed a musical number and ran to the store to buy some refreshments for the baptism. But when we returned, the font was overflowing into the church! We started draining water bucket by bucket and cleaned up the disaster just in time. Despite the poor support from the ward (a grand total of six people at the baptism), it was a beautiful ceremony. Jaci is the father of one of our great friends and recent converts Bruno. Jaci is an awesome old man, very funny, full of so much life, my Brazilian Grandpa Hamilton. He was baptized by Bruno. It was so great to see the joy after he was baptized; he truly was born-again. Woohoo!!

The miracles keep rolling in with the new family we found last week. João Vitor and Pedro have come to all the activities this week, they are loving church and the lessons, and are beyond excited for their baptism. And they are great missionaries. EVERY TIME we go to their house to teach, they have a new friend with them waiting to be taught. And everyone on the street is asking about us. Liliam (the mom) said that there are about 15 other kids that are asking to hear our message. We have already handed our about 7 Book of Mormons to their friends. It's weird to walk on that street and see kids walking around with Books of Mormon. So many miracles happening. There is a new rule for all of the missions in Brazil that requires anyone who is 16 years or less to attend church for 3 months before they are eligible for baptisim.  Although the policy is well intended, it has led to several challenges and dissapointments. João and Pedro's best friend Vitoria has participated in all of their lessons and is just as prepared for baptism as the boys. Knowing the rule, we avoided talking to her about baptism, but she came to us and asked if she could be baptized with João and Pedro. She even brought her mother to the bishop to see if she could get approval. After explaining the situation with President Lima, we still didn't get approval. We will work and pray that she will be even more prepared at the end of 3 months.  I am so excited for the work we have ahead working with these 100 meninos and their families!

That's it. Bye. Love,

 

Élder Hamilton

Missionário de A Igreja De Jesus Cristo Dos Santos Dos Últimos Dias

Ala Barreto - Missão Brasil Rio De Janeiro