Wednesday, November 12, 2008

New Approach to Our Area....New Investigators!

"My Bday was good! I hardly believe I'm 20. AH! OLD!

I went on division with Elder Kershaw (our strict former AP) and it was a really good division. I learned a lot and things have become a little more relaxed in the house.

Aparacida...remember she was the one that Elder Hancock and I baptized...well lunch that day was at her house because she found out it was my bday. She traded to have our lunch that day. She made a wonderful lunch and a great chocolate cake which we still haven't finished eating. LOL! She also gave me a white shirt which she spent forever trying to find. That is a great family.

I got all six packages yesterday. I'm sure now that no matter what else happens in my mission everyone will remember me as the elder who received the most packages. I don't have an exact count. I lost count after 22. I especially loved the camels from the 1st ward. I love that ward. Send everyone a hug.

Among those packages I got the debit card, but I think I'll give the Joseph Smith book to someone here in the ward that speaks English. Whomever I give it to will be super excited.

Yesteday was our mission conference and it was almost as good as General Conference. Pres. Castro Deus talked a lot about specific prayers and how we should teach about the Book of Mormon. He also gave a language study time to all Americans, and gave us a study plan which includes reading Preach My Gospel while biting on a pencil.

We've decided to take a different approach to our work here. Last week we were tired and sat down on a bench to think and talk. We realized that in 6 months with 5 different missionaries this area has only baptised 12 people...that's miserable! So we thought, what has been the common denominator? Every single missionary worked almost exclusively in one big neighborhood called Capella. Then as revelation we both felt that Capella isn't prepared yet. We need to focus on the other half of our area and it's there that we'll find the elect. We haven't been able to fully leave Capella yet, but on the first day of work in this other half, we found a family of four...Aginaldo, Cris, Itala, and Christopher (baby). They have their baptism marked for the 28th of November. They believe the Book of Mormon to be true. Aginaldo said, 'I just can't help but believe, I feel the urge to believe.' We taught them last night with the bishop. The bishop, who is normally really reserved, said that he felt the huge desire to meet this family. We were also able to teach Joao Batista again and this time WITH HIS WHOLE FAMILY!!!!! Elder Nodal and I put my inherited crafting skills to work and we made a family home evening kit with the March 08 Liahona about Christ, a dvd, a proclamation, the Living Christ, candy, and an Uno game. They were really grateful for the gift. Right before that lesson we ran into a member in our ward and he went with us and invited them to do a family night with them this coming Monday. Pray that Joao Bitista, Adelia, and Isadora will go to church this Sunday and to the family night on Monday.

I love you all and I'm happy and sure that miracles will occur in our area this month. Pray for a specific blessing for these people.

Tschau Elder Christian

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