Missão Maravilhosa

Well, this will be my last message until I return home in May.

I really am having a hard time of putting into words everything I'd like to say. So I'll just send some pictures to say it and my testimony.

These have surely been the best two years. Not the easiest, not the most predictable, but the best. The more I look back, the more grateful I am to the Lord for everything the mission has done for me. But it's not what I've gained that brings me the most joy but what others have gained along the way and the blessing of getting to know these people.

God lives. He is our father. This is the church of His Son, the very Son who atoned for us. By making and keeping covenants, we are transformed. It all starts with baptism, then He guides us, molds us and makes us whole.

In the name of our Savior Jesus Christ, amen.
 

Élder Hamilton

Missionário d'A Igreja De Jesus Cristo Dos Santos Dos Últimos Dias

Ala Rio das Ostras, Estaca Macaé - Missão Brasil Rio De Janeiro

 

 

 

Family night with Liliane and Marcos

Baptism of Daiane, Kalissa and Kauane.  Our miracle from McDonald's

 







A parrot and I

 

 

 

 

Servir é Amar

I'll finally have time to write a decent letter this week.

Wednesday we had a district leader/new missionary meeting which was really cool. Elder Cruz visited us. I got to know him and his family in the Madureira stake and he will be a mission president next month. I also got to see a lot of great friends from the mission, and was nice to be able to say goodbye to them.

I ended up traveling A LOT this week. from Rio das Ostras to Rio Cumprido to Andaraí to Cabo Frio to Rio das Ostras to Araruama to Cabo Frio to Rio das Ostras again. All that from Tuesday to Friday. And we were worried because everything has become difficult with João. On thursday, I brought my zone leader to my area to do some interviews. We stopped by a members house. He told us that he heard that João would move the next day. So we ran to his house. Luckly he won't be moving until this next wednsday. But we were anxious,  and inspired to invite him to be baptized before moving. At first he still was doubting himself, but after a very spiritual hour, he changed in a blink of an eye. He wanted to be baptized. And yesterday, he was baptized, confirmed and ordained a priest.

Usually fast and testimony meeting is the most dreaded day of the month for a missionary who brings visitors. But this fast sunday was different, great. Testimonies on baptism, of pure joy, recent converts, families who have returned to the church. One testimony caught my attention that said "This week the Elders we coming from Araruama to have lunch with us and didn't make it until 5 in the afternoon. And they were so excited, so happy to be so late because they were so busy serving". The service and work we do is because we love people and love God. And when we serve with love, we are only on the Lord's errand. As so, people feel the spirit, they recognize the truth, and miracles happen. Nothing that has happened on my mission was because of me but because the Lord loves his children and is reaching out to them. And what a privilege that has been in my long(ish) life!

Love you all. See ya in 18 days!!

 

 

Élder Hamilton

Missionário d'A Igreja De Jesus Cristo Dos Santos Dos Últimos Dias 

Ala Rio das Ostras, Estaca Macaé - Missão Brasil Rio De Janeiro

Páscoa/Conferência Geral

Happy Easter! I hope everyone had a great week in remembrance of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Conference was great too. I talked to my newby companion afterwards about the conference and he said they talked alot about missionary work. I told him that I didn't hear too much on that subject. :)

But don't worry I'm working hard here! We are on a roll these days. Had 8 visitors at general conference this week. It's awesome how the words of the prophets capture all people. Men undeniably called of God. We are excited for this week for 4 baptisms on Saturday and 1 more on Friday. Please keep praying for us, we need it!!

Thanks everyone! Até mais,

 

Élder Hamilton

Missionário d'A Igreja De Jesus Cristo Dos Santos Dos Últimos Dias

Ala Rio das Ostras, Estaca Macaé - Missão Brasil Rio De Janeiro

 

 

Pictures from Alex's last zone meeting / funeral:

 

 

Mais trinte dois

This week was intense.

João and Elane got married this week! It was a beautiful simple service. Unfortunately his baptism didn't work out for this week.. but they will get back from their honeymoon on the 7th of april and we have planned the baptism for the 11th. So we are still working on it.

 

 

 

And that almost ruined our shot to baptize this week, but nothing could stop us. We've been working with João Dimas to be baptized on April 4th, he's had some big problems with health and also some complications in the ward, but after a miraculous response to our prayers and his, everything fell through on Saturday morning and we felt impressed to invite him to be baptized on Sunday morning. And now João Dimas is a whole new man. Less stressed, smilely; a member of the church of Jesus Christ!

We had 13 visitors at church this week, 8 of them being new ! Now we are ready to rock, ready to work with these new people, new families.

Well that's it for now.

 

Élder Hamilton

Missionário d'A Igreja De Jesus Cristo Dos Santos Dos Últimos Dias

Ala Rio das Ostras, Estaca Macaé - Missão Brasil Rio De Janeiro

 

 

 

Here is a letter Alex received this week from a boy he taught and baptized in his first area:

Elder Hamilton,

How are you bro?  Dude, you are talking Portuguese very well, with slang and all.  Today I spoke in church for the first time and chose to wear the tie you gave me.  I really hope one day you can find me again, you and Elder Fonseca are part of my life and are very important to me.  Good news also:  I am starting my application and plan to leave on a mission at the end of the year.  We are all well here, more and more by reading the scriptures, I am gaining knowledge of the Gospel.

A strong hug,

Victor