Whirldwind week!
Holy Hannah this week was INTENSE.
Missions get a little crazy sometimes because you really only have
excellent days or pretty bad days. Never really "in-between".
Missions are SUCH the emotional roller coaster - literally the highest of
highs and lowest of lows. Both happened this week!
Let's start off with the sad so we can end
with something happy. S______, one of our recent converts, was assaulted
this week... 3 men burst into their home at night, and shot her son in front of
her 42 times, and tried to kill her, too. Because they were
"trafficantes" or the drug mafia here in Brazil, S_____ and her
family had to up and leave everything so that the gang wouldn't come back and
kill them, too. Bless her heart.. she showed up to church yesterday, very
early and sitting alone. Since we're missionaries, we have to be early to
everything, so I had some wonderful minutes talking, crying, and comforting her
alone in the chapel. It was a very tender moment. Later that same
morning, I had the honor of giving her a blessing of comfort and counsel.
I have never felt Heavenly Father's love for one of His
children more strongly that when I gave that blessing. Through a lot of
tears and a cracking voice, Heavenly Father filled my mouth with words to
S_____, from Him. It was so very, very special. I am so
thankful for the healing comfort and guidance that come from the Priesthood,
and for the opportunity to use it to bless the lives of others. Please
pray for S_____ this week. I cannot imagine the horror she experienced
having her son murdered in her home right in front of her.
Gosh! You reeeeeally get
attached to the people you serve! When their hearts are broken, so are
yours. On a happier note, we had another miracle baptism!
G_____'s family was baptized a year ago, but she couldn't be when they
were. With our re-activation program, we visited her family, found her,
taught her, and baptized her this Sunday! It was a whirlwind, but
everything turned out perfect, and I made a carrot cake and banana bread to
celebrate! It was a good way to end the sabbath.
I am SO thankful for the plan of happiness of
our Heavenly Father. I know that life doesn't end with death. I know
that. I am so thankful for our loving Savior who lived and died and
suffered for us that one day we all might have the chance to
be with our families forever.
Have a wonderful week!
Love,
Jason
PICTURES:
-My zone - " São Lourenço "
-Some things don't translate too well from
Portuguese to English.. haha
-G_______'s baptism
-6 over-stuffed
missionaries after a tasty lunch
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