Mais Bangúnça

Buona sera, como estai? (I'm learning some Italian)

Yesterday was quite the day. We had a special stake conference with Elder Jairo Mazzagardi of the Area Presidency of Brasil. It was funny, the missionaries from Andaraí (the stake where Elder Holand stayed) were sent to attend the conference in the other stakes. I found that fair, since the mission wasn't invited to see Elder Holand, no one should. Anyways, after the conference, assistants (from andaraí, hehe) called all the missionaries to the back of the chapel to talk about transfers. Just as I walked up, Elder Maciel started talking to me with such excitment "You guys excited? Hamilton and Fonseca? Another one together? You guys are staying in Bangu." So... here we go! 4th transfer together and my 5th in Bangu. Today, I will start unpacking the suitcases that I prepared in advance.

The conference: Elder Mazzagardi was awesome! He's from São Paulo but has a strong southern accent which is quite interesting. Great sense of humor and a dynamic speaker. He talked a lot about the progress of the temple and about the sacrifices we need to make to receive a temple here. The importance of attending the temple now, the need to rescue the people who have gone astray, and the need to stengthen the families here. Things aren't easy here in Rio. But things are changing. The Lord is truly calling His people to build the kingdom with urgency.

And that's why I'm still in Bangu. I already love the people, the members, the church here. And now it is my time to help build up the kingdom, according to the instruction of modern seers and revelators. There is no doubt in my mind that this the God's gospel, His church.

Até mais,

 

Élder Hamilton

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

Ala Bangú - Missão Brasil Rio De Janeiro

Alô Realengo!

Hi!

I found Elder Bitnoff!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guess what? Bangu ward will recieve another set of Elderes this coming week! Let's see if the mission president keeps me around to see how that turns out or if he sends me off to a new adventure.

This week was quite a nail biter with Vitor. On Tuesday, we taught him with our super new ward mission leader Jairo. We talked about his reading of the book of mormon and discussed key teachings needed to prepare him for the baptism. He had been reading everyday during the previous week: up to 2 Nephi in the Book of Mormon, some of the new testament, and 2 chapters of the gospel principles book everyday. He had received a strong answer that the book of mormon is true, that the restoration happened, and that he must be baptized in the true church of Jesus Christ. But he was full of a lot of doubts about being baptized on saturday. The three of us shared our testimonies on the importance and blessings of baptism and invited him to pray in respect to the date. When he arrived at the baptismal interview, he said that he was sure without a doubt that he was to be baptized this saturday! But then all of the sudden, the military got in the way. His captain called him to do a service on saturday. He called us asking if he could be baptized on sunday. "Well, of course!", we said, so he was baptized yesterday. There were a ton of people there and it was one of the most spiritual baptisms I've ever been a part of. Vitor is such an amazing man (yeah he looks like hes 15 but he's actually 20) and will be a powerful priesthood leader.

I always want more time to write these emails. After the mission, you can ask me about all of my incredible experiences. I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God's church restored here on the earth. The Gospel is perfect and through His priesthood authority, we are baptized in His name, and receive the promise of eternal life!

Com amor e firmeza,

 

Élder Hamilton

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

Ala Bangú - Missão Brasil Rio De Janeiro

 

 

 

Gol!!

Oi galeira!

Things are going well here. At the end of this month, we have stake conference, and on the saturday, there will be a combined meeting in Andaraí with two other stakes... WITH ELDER HOLLAND!! There is no news yet if there will be a mission conference with Elder Holland, so pray that my mission president will let us go to that meeting!

This transfer has been quite an interesting one so far. We've been meeting so many new people and refreshing our teaching circle to focus on those who are truly ready to be baptized. We´ve been working a lot these last couple weeks with Vitor. He's 20 years old and serves in the military. He started coming to church with his stepmother. Between his crazy work schedule and our struggles to travel to visit him (he lives literaly on the border furthest away from our area of concentration) we have challenged him to read the Book of Mormon and prepare for baptism. He has accepted a baptismal date for this coming Saturday!!

This week we had interviews and a training session with President Cabral. He is simply awesome!! Full of energy and is working us like crazy. He made a cool analysis that has really got me going now. Here's the translated paraphrasing: 

"Imagine the Brazilian World Cup Team. It is always a great dynamic selection of players who everyone in focused on. The fans look at players like Neymar, and have the expectation to see a show, to see him do nothing but score goals."

"Right now everyone has their eyes on Rio and this mission. In the midst of so much excitement here; world cup soccer, beaches, olympics, everything, everyone is looking to us and expecting to see a show, see batisms, families rescued, a temple constructed, goals!"

I'm am so glad to be a part of mission Brasil Rio de Janiero, and know that I'm here to do everything in my power and in accordance with the will of the Lord to make this wicked land a place worthy of the kingdom of God.

Eu amo vocês,

Élder Hamilton

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

Ala Bangú - Missão Brasil Rio De Janeiro