In Which I Resist the Urge to Beat Up the Policeman

Well...this week was unlike any other I've had on the mission, and
hopefully will ever have.

To sum things up, the police in all of Bahia have decided to go ON
STRIKE because they want more money. Translation: no police in Bahia.

I won't give many more details, but just know that because of risk, we
missionaries had to stay at home for almost four entire days, and it
was just about the death of me. I never knew how much I loved to
contact people in the street and teach lessons and challenge people to
be baptized until I was forcibly prevented from doing so.

(Please don't worry. We missionaries are safe. The Lord is looking out for us.)

As I sat in our little apartment dreaming out the outside world, my
thoughts drifted to street contacts. I realized that I have about
three that are the most common.

~ Common Encounters ~

The Classic:

Sister Petty, planner in hand, looking around like a lost American,
approach a stranger on the street: "Um, excuse me, do you know where I
can find this street-with-a-long-confusing-name?"

Baiano, opening up when they see I won't bite them or throw a Book of
Mormon at them: "Yes, it's through here, go straight, pass the orange
bar and the park and it's through there."

Sister Petty, acting like she understood perfectly: "Hey, thanks. Wow,
you know this city well...how long have you lived here?...Where do you
live?...We're missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, can we come visit you sometime and leave a message
about Jesus Christ?"

The Foreigner's Advantage:

Baiano (sometimes the middle of a convo, sometimes out of nowhere):
"You're not from around here, are you?"

Sister Petty: "Nope. I'm here as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ..."

The Geladinho:

Sister Petty, calling to a house that has a sign "Vende-se geladinho"
in front: "Hey, what types of geladinho do you have? Peanut?
Perfect...I'd like one."

*happily shlurping geladinho* "We're missionaries, can we come visit
sometime and leave a message about Jesus Christ?"

(Geladinho: the greatest thing in Bahia to a tired, hot missionary.
It's basically a popsicle in a little tube-bag, and lots of houses
make and sell them. They're usually about 15 or 20 cents.)

**********

I love the mission. I know that repentance is real and is only
possible through Jesus Christ. I know that He lives, and for Him I am
here in Bahia.

Thank you all so much for your love and support.

I still love letters. :-)

Sister Petty