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| Artur's baptism |
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| Beautiful evening in Cachoeira |
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| Glimpse of Caranaval celebrations taken from apartment window |
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| Carol's baptism |
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| FHE with the Rodrigues family |
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| Posing in the foliage in front of the Cachoeira chapel |
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| Lidianei's baptism |
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| Elder Shirley out and about visiting members |
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| Sunday dinner with Sisters Biddulph and Rodrigues |
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| Now THAT's a green bean!
February 24, 2014
We started
out the week on Monday with a Noite Familiar (FHE) with the Rodrigues family in
the evening. Monday is our P-day, but
most times we do a FHE with someone in the evening. We were able to take a bus out to their bairro. Four of their five kids (all boys!) were
there plus both mom and Dad (Daniel and Cristiane). We sat out in their front yard, gave a
lesson, showed a short mormon message video, and ate pipoca (of course). Jean,
the 10-year old who likes to sit by us in church, was worried about a test at
school the next day. He asked Elder
Shirley for a blessing of comfort. (By
the way, we heard yesterday that he passed his test!) We really enjoyed the
evening and this family. They have been on our list of visits we really wanted
to make for a long time now. We called a taxi to get us home as they live
far out and there are no buses that time of night. And it gets dark so early now.
District
Meeting was Tuesday morning. They always
put us to work giving us assignments. It
is sometimes a challenge, but good for us.
We took fudge jumbles for a treat.
Evidently, we all were thinking
the same thing as everyone brought some kind of a treat. It turned into a regular “festa”! It really is a fun group!
We spent the
week trying to visit less-active members, some whom we have not met yet and
others that we just want to maintain contact with. We spent one evening walking in an area we
were not acquainted with to find a non-active member on our list. It was a beautiful evening. We found the da Silva family. He works in a dentist office. They had just got home from work. They were tired and the house was hot. (We have had some hot days this week!) But, as is the nature for all Brazilians,
they invited us in and offered us a drink.
Their children came in and introduced themselves. We are always impressed with kids who do
that. He told us that he hardly
remembers being baptized as he was only 19.
Kids came along, life got busy and he just kind of forgot about the
church. But he still has a Book of
Mormon. We don’t think he reads it
though. He evidently has a book written
by a “Billy Graham” type of preacher, which he seems very interested in. We offered to come back and talk to him about
the Plan of Salvation since his Dad has just passed away. He politely, but firmly, told us that he
would speak for his himself, his wife, and his family and said that he was not
interested in returning to church. He seems to think that life is easier for
him with the philosophies of this book he has!
They did agree to kneel in prayer with us before we left. It was one of those disappointing visits, but
we were glad that we had the opportunity to meet them. And it was a beautiful night.
One day as
we were walking around the city, we decided to stop into a little “Gaucho”
store right on Avenida Brasil. There we
met Teka. She was very friendly and
showed us all of the authentic gaucho stuff they sell. She was also happy to show us that she had a
Book of Mormon and some of the brochures about the Plan of Salvation, etc. Evidently, this store is on the path that
lots of us missionaries walk. She says
the BOM is good reading. (In fact, the
portuguese word for good is “bom”!) But
she doesn’t want missionaries to try to teach her at home as she is only there
to eat and sleep. She wants the visits at the store. We had a nice visit. Later in the week the sisters called to say
that Teka has stopped them and wanted us to come back…mainly to see more of her
merchandise. We returned the end of the
week. Teka’s dad, her daughter and her
daughter’s boyfriend were there. We
visited with them for a long time about the city, gauchos, and the church. She wants us to come to her home for dinner
some Sunday. We think we have a friend
(and maybe a good customer in Elder Shirley).
English
class went well again. But we are sad
because it the last week for Ariellle as she is starting night school. But Lucas wants to keep coming. So that is good! We will try to maintain contact with Arielle
though.
Saturday was
a good day. There were two baptisms in
the Cachoeira chapel at 5 pm and one in the Uniao chapel at 7 pm. We love going to baptisms!! Elder Shirley had to speak at the one in
Cachoeira. Artur, the son of one of our
english class students was getting baptized.
Artur’s dad, Claudinei, is a very active member, very “on-the-ball” and
has been coming regularly to our English classses. Sometimes he brings his wife, Marcia, and his
son, Artur. Artur is studying English in
school and the family is pretty proud of him.
Claudinei asked Elder Shirley to speak. The other baptism was of a little girl,
Lidinei. Her twin sister was baptized a
month or so ago, but she didn’t feel ready yet.
She was all smiles. Before the
baptism, the two girls showed us their song and dance to “I Am a Child of
God”. So cute!!!
Then we hurried down to the Uniao
baptism. This was for an 8 year old
girl. Her grandparents are very active
in the branch. She comes often to
meetings with them and usually volunteers to say the closing prayer in our
leadership meetings. She gives great
prayers. She sang a Primary song with
Sister Biddulph and Sister Rodrigues at her baptism and she gave the closing
prayer! She is pretty amazing and so
pleased to participate. She was
confirmed on Sunday and was the first person up to bear her testimony and then
said the closing prayer in Sacrament Meeting!
Saturday
evening walking home in the dark from the baptisms, we found ourselves in the
midst of “Carnaval”! It seems we live
right in the middle of all the activity!
They had all traffic blocked off and bleachers and lights set up on both
sides of the roads. They painted a section
of the road with white paint. We have
seen all of these preparations going on, but we didn’t realize the impact it
would have on us, living where we do. We found the gate closing off the alley
to our apartment was locked earlier than normal. Businesses were closed and locked up early. The
gas station across the street had their gas pumps fenced off and only a window
open to their convenience store. Things really got into full swing around 10 pm
or so and continued throughout the night until 4:30 am. (Elder Shirley says
that there is a reason that they do all of this celebrating in the dark!) They have huge speakers all up and down the
street. The sound “rocked” our
apartment. Carnaval is something we have
been cautioned to avoid. Considering
where we live, it has been hard to avoid.
There was a parade of people in costumes, singing and dancing. Luckily our apartment is on the back side of
the building. But the singing, music and
chanting literally vibrates our windows and whole apartment. It was hard to sleep! We catch just a glimpse of the parade from
one of our side windows. And it is not
over yet. Sunday night was a
continuation of the celebration. We don’t know how many days it lasts in
Cachoeira. Natives tell us that they do
some nights here before the big celebrations in Rio, etc. and then finish up
with more back here which will take us well into the first week or so in
March.
It has been
interesting to us that they have a kind of EFY (Especially for Youth) scheduled
for all youth in the region during this time.
Their purpose is to take the youth out of the city at least for a time
to get them away from the influence of Carnaval. The youth in the ward have been busy
preparing their dances and skits for their EFY. It has
been fun to see that.
So we
haven’t had a lot of sleep the last two nights.
It has been a bit “unsettling”. It
sure leaves a mess on the streets. But
the city is out there early cleaning up.
There are lots of people out “scavenging”as well.
Sunday was a
nice day though. We always enjoy meeting
people at church. We had lots of
requests yesterday from people to visit them in their homes. Several asked us why we hadn’t visited them
yet. Guess we had better get busy! We have quite a list of people we need or
want to visit and many that we just need to maintain contact with.
One member brought us a bean (just one!) from
his garden. He was anxious for us to see
how big it was. That one green bean was long
enough to feed both of us…about 14 inches long! Sister Biddulph and Sister Rodrigues joined us
for dinner as their appointment fell through.
That always makes for fun times! (It was a good kind of a party!)
President
Castro is coming to town this Wednesday.
There is a meeting in the evening for all missionaries and branch
leaders. He wants to talk about the
forming of a stake! Exciting news! But we are a little apprehensive about what
it may mean for us. We are loving the
people here in Cachoeira and have been “putting down roots”. We are anxious to hear!
In the
meantime, we have been invited to FHE tonight with Sister Biddulph and Sister
Rodrigues at the home of Rogeiro and his wife, Ilsa. He is active.
She is not. Rogeiro invited us to
come and is also inviting another couple.
It should be a fun time!
Here is
hoping for a calm, peaceful week and at least a break from the noise of Carnaval! Wishing you peace as well! Love you all!
Eu te amo!
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