Weather: While there have been some really hot days here in Bangu, the weather has been much colder and wetter than I expected. We had a couple heavy rain storms and for the first time in my mission here, I've felt the sensation of being cold (which I'm quite disappointed for letting myself feel this way, but it certainly has been nice to feel cold).
Investigators: This has been a real struggle this transfer. We have found many new people and also have had to let most of them go. It's difficult to bring people to church sometimes. Two weeks ago Fabiana came to church with her 1 year old child. The only problem was she waited outside because her child started crying like crazy when she stepped foot into the church. We walked with her and the baby to church yesterday. The child seemed happy and calm, but the second she stepped foot on the church grounds, the babe started wailing, go figure.
The ward: We are starting a new activity here called "Gincana". Its an activity that will last 3 weeks and 3 teams will fight to earn points for completing some challenges. The ward is really excited and we think this will improve harmony among the members and increase their missionary efforts.
Look who I met this week: Hamilton!! Yep, that's really his name, only he pronounces it exactly how everyone tries to say my name here, not pronouncing the H and putting more enphasis on the ILT. Small world.
Quaresma and Cristiane came to church yesterday!! They are a family in our ward who has been inactive for about a year. It has been a struggle for them to change their perspective and return to church. Our persistence and the help of the ward resulted in their return yesterday. It is sure a sweet blessing to see families returning to church, partaking of the blessings that can only be claimed with weekly Sunday attendance.
I've made it here in Bangú! It's crazy to see how much things can change when you cross a bridge. Fewer buildings, hills, and wild dogs, more dirt and loons. I arrived here to a great blessing, a baptism! Urubatan is the friend of a woman who was baptized just one week ago. He has 7 children and is the coolest guy ever. He is determined to do everything he can to improve his relationship with God. While his wife and daughter have created many obstacles and talked smack about the church, his strong testimony has helped him quickly stop drinking and forfeit his family's stash of coffee to us. He is a true example of change and how we can seek daily to be the best person we can be with the help of the gospel plan.
