A man on the street, hearing about how we lived and what we did, said to his friend: "Wow, dude -- these are TRUE missionaries."
It's true. We have been called by God, through living prophets, to teach His gospel. I know that with all my heart.
The Baian culture, an example:
On Saturday, we passed in front of the house of an investigating family. We were eating bread (Brazilians love bread), and the dad of this family saw us. "Do you want juice or something, to wash down that bread?" he called from the porch. We said we were fine, thanks, he didn't need to bother. But, as Baianos tend to do, he ignored this protest and 3 minutes later came out of his house with two yogurts in hand. Carumba...these people are so generous!
At church on Sunday we had eight investigators at church! Five that were coming for the first time! One was a man who we'd visited for the first time the night before, grown daughter and her three little children. During the Gospel Principles class (the second hour of church), the topic was charity. He raised his hand and said, "Last night I was struggling with a lot of things. I was needing a prayer so badly that God sent a missionary from the United States to say one for me! To me, that is charity."
His simple comment touched my heart deeply. Missions (like motherhood) are made up of many moments. I am grateful for this opportunity to be here in Brazil, a tool in the Lord's hands to touch lives in simple ways.
Sunday afternoon we visited a 17-yr-old boy who had also gone to church the first time that day. The night before he had read the Book of Mormon and prayed to know if it was true.
"How did your prayer go?" we asked, as we always do.
"It was cool," he said, smiling. "I felt my heart beat faster. I even put my hand on my chest, feeling it." He recognized this as an answer from God.
The Book of Mormon changes lives. Miracles happen when you believe. Christ lives and loves us.
Until next time,
Sister Petty
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