O Livro de Mórmon

Oi,

 

So you all know, I am safe and sound here. Made it through the police strike and chaos and all is back on the up up.

It took longer than I planned or would have imagined, but certainly happened perfectly on the Lord's time: I have read the Book of Mormon in Portuguese from cover to cover!! It's been incredible to look back and see my language progression. Started with looking up everything other word to ripping through understanding what I needed to understand to struggling to finish reading it in the end because I was getting distracted with new understanding of some of the doctrine. As promised by President Hinckley, it has helped learn Portuguese better than any teacher or person. I have learned soooo much during this reading and it has given me the help I have needed through the roughest times of my mission. It's the word of God. I have no doubt in my mind about it.

 

Queria prestar meu testemunho de que O Livro de Mórmon é verdadeiro. Ele contem a plenitude do evangelho e é uma testemunha do grande amor de Deus e a fieldade que tem para Sues filhos. O Livro de Mórmon é nosso guia nestes últimos dias, ensinamentos dirigidos especificamente para nós. Ele tem mudado minha vida pelo melhor e irá me ajudar enquanto eu buscar por orientação em minha vida. (It is my testimony that the Book of Mormon is true. It contains the fullness of the gospel and is a witness of the great love God has for his children. The Book of Mormon is our guide, lessons specifically tailored to our time. It has changed my life for the better and will help me as I seek for guidance in my life).

Photos: Zone activity, Now that I've read in Portuguese, I'm ready to go on to the next language
 

That's it. Love y'all!

 

Élder Hamilton

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

Ala Bangú - Missão Brasil Rio De Janeiro

Fotos

Olá,

It's been a while since a computer has let me send me pictures, so I thought I'd take advantage of that real quick. Hope all is well and have a good week!

The zone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Morris and I found Rua Missionário (Missionary street)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign coins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Left to Right) Me, Irmão Joel, Elder Fonseca, Irmão Jairo

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amo vocês,

 

Élder Hamilton

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

Ala Bangú - Missão Brasil Rio De Janeiro

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minha Alma Hoje Tem A Luz

Oooooooooiiiiiiiii.

This new transfer has started off quite different and really great. I'm here with my new companion Elder Fonseca. He's from Rio Grande do Sul, he's 20, he was serving in the military before coming on the mission, and overall is a legit guy. He's a hard worker and we are off to a good start exceeding our goals.  We had 214 street contacts this week. It is great to know that when we are diligent in doing our part, the Lord helps with the rest and we are able to find many "eleitos".

Our gincana (ward activity) was this week. I was a little nervous to carry out what was mainly Elder Alves' idea without him, but it went really well!!  Lots of fun mayhem, just how this ward likes it. We had many guests attend. It created some good energy in the ward, and I am excited to see how the next two gincana will develop.

Escritura inspirada da semana: "Jesus chorou" - João 11:35

That's it for the week. Love you guys!

 

Élder Hamilton

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

Ala Bangú - Missão Brasil Rio De Janeiro

 

 

 

O Resumão

Oi!

Well it's time for me to get you all back up to speed. Vamo lá!

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).

Our stars: This last sunday was awesome! Our recent convert Urubatan passed the sacrament and is progessing so much with his knowledge and testimony. He has been such a great example as he puts all his trust and devotion to action in serving the Lord and realizing the blessings it has brought his family. Our other recent convert Fatima has been helping with the work, sharing her testimony with others and even bringing others to church. Quaresma and Luiza received callings in the church this week, and they have truly immersed themselves in the work.

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.

Transfers: Elder Alves is leaving tomorrow and my new companion Elder Fonseca will join me in this next transfer of miracles.

 

This work is incredible. This Gospel is true. It's the way, it's happiness. Adeus!

Com amor,

 

Élder Hamilton

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

Ala Bangú - Missão Brasil Rio De Janeiro


 

Feliz Páscoa

Oi!

Sorry this email is really short but the library is closed today and we are only using part of our time today to email before we are off to teach some Brazilians how to play real Football (American football). Just wanted to say sorry for the lack of information lately, I will do some catch up next Monday. I hope everyone had a great Easter, it is such a blessing to have a remembrance of our Savior's resurrection anually and to know that Jesus Christ has given us the chance to conquer death and be purified through Him. I am so grateful for my Savior and I know that through him everything is possible.

Feliz Páscoa!!

 

Élder Hamilton

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

Ala Bangú - Missão Brasil Rio De Janeiro

 

 

 

 

 

Feliz Conferência

Olááá.

Today is a crazy day, this email will be quite short.

I hope everyone enjoyed conference! It truly was a conference I will never forget. It's such a blessing to live in a time when the everlasting restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ gives us the privilege to receive direct orientation from prophets, apostles, and other special witnesses. I learned so many things that directly impact the challenges and opportunities I am experiencing and am so excited to apply this instruction to this work.

There was a phrase that stook out to me by one of the seventy who said "the success and stories of a full time missionary brings such great joy to their families." It made me think of how families of full time missionaries can also bring great joy to their missionaries. Last week I received an email from my family updating me on the recent success of missionary work in their ward. That email brought me more joy than I anticipated, knowing that this great work is progressing back at home. I also enjoyed Elder Ballard's challenge to continue to share the gospel. I know that true happiness comes from an understanding of the value of the gospel and acting on that realization to help others follow Christ.

Fica na paz,

 

Élder Hamilton

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

Ala Bangú - Missão Brasil Rio De Janeiro


 

Dá com Tempo e Fé

Oi gente,

 

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.

 

Another week down here in Bangú. It's been quite an interesting week. A lot of trials, much discouragement, and actually many tears for our recent converts. Sometimes it can be hard trudging through these well expected mission trials. Luckily in the end, our diligence was rewarded.

 

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.

 

 

Love you all and happy general conference week!!

 

Élder Hamilton

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

Ala Bangú - Missão Brasil Rio De Janeiro