Thursday, September 27, 2012
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Living with a Tongan, tears on the street, and the power of desire
Living with my new companion, Sister Kalamafoni, has been an adventure. Her parents are from Tonga, and though she was born in Oregan her family speaks Tongan at home. Her English is perfect, but she tells me Tongan is still much easier for her to speak/understand. She's calm, extremely patient with my wildness, and powerful in her simple testimony. I'm proud to say that we didn't speak one word of English until our fourth day together! Then we decided we could speak English at night, after daily planning. :-) This is only my second American companion on the mission, so I still am a little weirded out with the whole English-speaking thing.
This week was intense. Three experiences that stuck out: In a street contact-turned-lesson, a faithful young woman told us of her mother's recent death, and of all that she had learned from her mother about God. For the first time in a LONG time, I cried in front of an investigator -- thankful that it had gotten dark during the conversation. As she talked, though it was the first time we had met her, I could already imagine myself coming back to Brazil and seeing her be sealed to her deceased parents.
I learned about the power of desire this Sunday morning when a struggling family with five children stuck to their decision to go to church, even though they were without water. We helped and watched as they carted buckets and buckets of water from the neighbor to bathe everyone and go.
The church is true! I love Brazil! No time!
This week was intense. Three experiences that stuck out: In a street contact-turned-lesson, a faithful young woman told us of her mother's recent death, and of all that she had learned from her mother about God. For the first time in a LONG time, I cried in front of an investigator -- thankful that it had gotten dark during the conversation. As she talked, though it was the first time we had met her, I could already imagine myself coming back to Brazil and seeing her be sealed to her deceased parents.
I learned about the power of desire this Sunday morning when a struggling family with five children stuck to their decision to go to church, even though they were without water. We helped and watched as they carted buckets and buckets of water from the neighbor to bathe everyone and go.
The church is true! I love Brazil! No time!
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Alma 26:29
"And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their [churches] and their [bars] and taught them..."
This week, as all weeks are for miracle-watchers, was full of them.
BAPTISM! A young worldly youth of 16 years went to church for the first time last Sunday with his recently-baptized friend, read and prayed about the Book of Mormon, and felt that it was true. After this simple but powerful answer from God, he was willing to accept all the commandments of God, repent of his sins, and be baptized by one who holds the Priesthood of God (his friend).
The Book of Mormon is the missionary's greatest tool in teaching and conversion, wisest friend in time of need, and most powerful weapon against the enemy.
This week, we taught a young man inside his church (this isn't actually recommended...but he lives in the church. He invited us in). We were also summoned to talk to the pastor of another denomination in his office -- we're teaching and baptizing some of his members. Fortunately he didn't want to bash Bibles, he just wanted to make friends. We used several scriptures from the Book of Mormon in our relaxed discussion with him, and he was very impressed. He asked for a signed copy.
Another day this week, we were passing a little open bar (probably the only things here that are more frequent than churches are bars. But I'm still not sure who wins) when a well-dressed man called us from inside. Usually we would NEVER stop when a man calls from a bar, but this time was different: "Excuse me," he asked politely, "is that book a Bible, or another book?" He was asking about the Book of Mormon -- this month President Hart asked us to walk with the Book in hand. We stopped and gave a super-quick summary of what the Book of Mormon was. "How much are you asking for it? I love to read," he said, pulling out his wallet. NO! we said. It's free. Learning that he lived in the neighboring city, we told him we'd pass his name and number to the missionaries there, and they would give him a Book of Mormon. "But...is there any way I could get one now?" he said. We were touched by his earnest desire. We knew he was feeling something different about us and about our message, and the importance of the ancient record we held in our hands. We handed him a copy, bore our testimonies, and challenged him to be baptized on the 29th of September if he felt from God that it was true.
He accepted.
The Church is true, the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and everyone needs to know it.
TRANSFERS -- I have a new companion, Sister Kalamafoni!! Her parents are from Tonga! I love Abrantes! I will work like never before this transfer, I love the mission!
Sister Petty
This week, as all weeks are for miracle-watchers, was full of them.
BAPTISM! A young worldly youth of 16 years went to church for the first time last Sunday with his recently-baptized friend, read and prayed about the Book of Mormon, and felt that it was true. After this simple but powerful answer from God, he was willing to accept all the commandments of God, repent of his sins, and be baptized by one who holds the Priesthood of God (his friend).
The Book of Mormon is the missionary's greatest tool in teaching and conversion, wisest friend in time of need, and most powerful weapon against the enemy.
This week, we taught a young man inside his church (this isn't actually recommended...but he lives in the church. He invited us in). We were also summoned to talk to the pastor of another denomination in his office -- we're teaching and baptizing some of his members. Fortunately he didn't want to bash Bibles, he just wanted to make friends. We used several scriptures from the Book of Mormon in our relaxed discussion with him, and he was very impressed. He asked for a signed copy.
Another day this week, we were passing a little open bar (probably the only things here that are more frequent than churches are bars. But I'm still not sure who wins) when a well-dressed man called us from inside. Usually we would NEVER stop when a man calls from a bar, but this time was different: "Excuse me," he asked politely, "is that book a Bible, or another book?" He was asking about the Book of Mormon -- this month President Hart asked us to walk with the Book in hand. We stopped and gave a super-quick summary of what the Book of Mormon was. "How much are you asking for it? I love to read," he said, pulling out his wallet. NO! we said. It's free. Learning that he lived in the neighboring city, we told him we'd pass his name and number to the missionaries there, and they would give him a Book of Mormon. "But...is there any way I could get one now?" he said. We were touched by his earnest desire. We knew he was feeling something different about us and about our message, and the importance of the ancient record we held in our hands. We handed him a copy, bore our testimonies, and challenged him to be baptized on the 29th of September if he felt from God that it was true.
He accepted.
The Church is true, the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and everyone needs to know it.
TRANSFERS -- I have a new companion, Sister Kalamafoni!! Her parents are from Tonga! I love Abrantes! I will work like never before this transfer, I love the mission!
Sister Petty
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
URGENT!
The world is sick and dying, and NEEDS the message of the Restoration.
We have the only cure.
The more I'm here on the mission, the more I see this. We are the only
ones! We have to work hard, fast, well, and with the Spirit! GO! Don't
lose a moment...lives and souls are being lost.
My second transfer with Sister Siqueira, here in the beautiful little
beach town Abrantes, is coming to a close this week. This sister has
been an incredible example to me in every way. I am so grateful for
her for showing me what it means to love, to smile through pain, to
teach with the Spirit, and to act on pure faith. She has changed my
life. Thank you, Sister Siqueira.
A beautiful investigator last week told us about her experience the
second time she went to church: "It was marvelous, it made my whole
day peaceful. I felt so happy there." She is reading the Book of
Mormon faithfully, she's finishing up Jacob!
"When I read," she told us, her face shining, "I feel a joy I've never
felt. I feel a presence, as if Jesus was standing behind me with His
hand on my shoulder." She told us that since she started reading, she
has become a better mother, showing more love to her 5-year-old girl.
We all laughed when she told us what her child says when she gets
impatient or angry: "Mom, go read that book again!"
The Book of Mormon works miracles.
Life is a steep, difficult cliff. We all know that we will slip and
fall sometimes. It's our choice to climb with a rope (the grace and
love of Christ) or not. The rope is there -- we just have to tie the
knot (covenents, like baptism) to our belt. Christ is waiting at the
top, holding the rope that cuts into His hands when we slip, but will
never let go. When we get to the top, we will find ourselves embraced
in His loving arms.
Don't stop climbing.
Sister Petty
We have the only cure.
The more I'm here on the mission, the more I see this. We are the only
ones! We have to work hard, fast, well, and with the Spirit! GO! Don't
lose a moment...lives and souls are being lost.
My second transfer with Sister Siqueira, here in the beautiful little
beach town Abrantes, is coming to a close this week. This sister has
been an incredible example to me in every way. I am so grateful for
her for showing me what it means to love, to smile through pain, to
teach with the Spirit, and to act on pure faith. She has changed my
life. Thank you, Sister Siqueira.
A beautiful investigator last week told us about her experience the
second time she went to church: "It was marvelous, it made my whole
day peaceful. I felt so happy there." She is reading the Book of
Mormon faithfully, she's finishing up Jacob!
"When I read," she told us, her face shining, "I feel a joy I've never
felt. I feel a presence, as if Jesus was standing behind me with His
hand on my shoulder." She told us that since she started reading, she
has become a better mother, showing more love to her 5-year-old girl.
We all laughed when she told us what her child says when she gets
impatient or angry: "Mom, go read that book again!"
The Book of Mormon works miracles.
Life is a steep, difficult cliff. We all know that we will slip and
fall sometimes. It's our choice to climb with a rope (the grace and
love of Christ) or not. The rope is there -- we just have to tie the
knot (covenents, like baptism) to our belt. Christ is waiting at the
top, holding the rope that cuts into His hands when we slip, but will
never let go. When we get to the top, we will find ourselves embraced
in His loving arms.
Don't stop climbing.
Sister Petty
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