Date
August 29, 2016
Area
Maracajú, Brazil
Companion
Elder Raphael
Big miracles
Preach My Gospel teaches that we should not hesitate to invite people to be baptized and that we should do so boldly. This week we saw miracles here in Maracaju. This week we have been blessed more than we deserve. 10 Baptismal dates were marked this week! The members here are starting to get animated about the missionary work as well as the activity of the Branch. Our numbers have been great and I can testify that God answers our prayers. When we putter fears, doubts, Pride, passions, sins, and our negative attitudes on the alter of sacrifice, submitting got the Lord's will, we allow the Lord to guide us and bless us and we can be the type of missionary he wants us to be (and members). I am being humbled here on the mission and it's great! If we are not humble, we can't do the Lord's work (D&C 12:8).
So much has happened here this week but to share an experience... We have an investigator named Marcelo. He has been attending the English class that I teach each week. We finally found time to visit him. He said he had been reading the Book of Mormon!? The first lesson we learned that he has a sister who had passed away but served a mission for the church and also his brother-in-law is also a member. Marcelo is smart. He is a professor at one of the private schools here. His questions and doubt show his intelligence. After teaching the restoration, we watched the video of the Restoration and then, Marcelo accepted baptism :). We have since visited him 3 times more. During the first follow up, he said he hadn't received an answer. We helped him with more questions and doubts. We were able to explain to him that the gospel is simple, yet profound. We prayed a lot for Marcelo. Sunday, he came to church and Sunday, by chance, the Stake President came to speak. Marcelo knows the Stake President. President Cardes' talk seemed to be an answer to our prayers and it seemed to be for Marcelo! Last night, Marcelo had more doubts but like every lesson, he had so many great things to say and compliments the church in so many ways. Last night, Marcelo's wife also accepted baptism and Marcelo, in his way, told us that he knows it's true.
The gospel of Jesus Christ and His church on this earth are perfect and true. It is interesting how sometimes, our answers and all the proof, the Spirit, it's all there in front of us. We just need to take a step back, take a step of faith, and submit to the Lord.
I'm grateful for all the blessings from our Heavenly Father. I'm grateful to be a part of this work and I'm grateful for each of you: the prayers, support, all of it! :)
Don't forget to smile and have a good week! :)
Elder Craig