This week we baptized our investigator Luis Fernando. He
arrived in Brasil only 10 days ago. He is Colombian and his son
Fernando was already baptized 4 months ago. There family is sending
every member one by one because they don't have money to come all at
once. They had to leave because of some difficulties in the part of the
country where they were living. Luis Fernando has an excellent
knowledge of the scriptures and listens very carefully to understand all
we teach. My little bit of Spanish has helped during our lessons.
Maybe that will be the next language I learn. Last week he started
reading the Book of Mormon on the tablet because the text is much larger
and he has bad vision. In one day he sat and read until 1 Nephi 8 in
Portuguese and started telling us about Lehi's vision. He said, "I've
never read this book, it's really good!" He also told us how he had
requested missionaries from our church to visit him in Colombia, but
they never got there. It is amazing how Heavenly Father prepares His
children to hear the gospel at the right time and in the right place!
Right now Luis is sufficiently humble and was ready to accept baptism.
His baptism was really special. It was funny also
because he is short, but a little chubby. When the bishop baptized him
the water flew out of the font and hit the viewers in the splash zone!
It was a little scary though because President was there also and he
got mad at the Elders for filling the font so high. Afterwards we cake
with the members and Luis felt really special. His coutenance changed
and he seemed a lot happier. I LOVE baptism!
Our other investigator is a miracle also. His name
is Michel and it is kind of weird how we found him. We were actually
teaching his sister Monica, but he demonstrated more interest so we
started focusing more on him. His first experience with the church was a
Talent Show ward activity. Then he came to church the following Sunday
and again this Saturday and Sunday to watch conference. He watched all
4 sessions of Conference! I have never been so impressed. He spent
the night at a friend's close to the chapel so that he could return the
next day. The day before conference he accepted baptism. During
conference he asked us what we would teach in the next visit and we
said, "Well, we were planning on teaching about God´s plan for us" then
he replied, "No, you are going to talk about my baptism". He is a
miracle because the day we met him he didn't even believe in God.
Something changed in him. He started to read and pray. The members
embraced him. He felt good and accepted. He will be baptized this
week.
Finally, a family that I've been teaching for 2
transfers finally decided to get married! They are planning a wedding
in 2 months so Sister Freitas and I will be on top of this entire month
to get the wedding papers in as fast as possible. It has been a
miracle!
I loved this past General Conference. I'll be
honest, there were many things I wasn't able to understand. The way the
apostles talk is a lot more formal than everyday words I hear here. I
will have to read the talks in the ensign. But I do know that the
things they said are true. I could feel it. My questions that I
prepared were answered. I have a renewed desire to change even more on
the mission and live worthily of the blessings of the Atonement. As
I've studied the Atonement all week long I've learned many new things
about the character of Christ. He truely is the Son of God. I know
that He lives and loves us. He is real and He still speaks with His
servants. The heavens have not been closed to our people in the last
days. We need Him more now than ever.
I also learned that one thing I need to do even more
is strengthen my love for the scriptures. I heard a story this week
about an Elder that served in our mission that spoke with one of the
indians that live here. He started conversing with him in a way that
reminds us of the story of Ammon and King Lamoni. The Elder started by
asking, "Do you believe in the Great Spirit?" And the indian replied,
"Yes. Our fathers believed in two Great Spirits that cleansed the
Earth. They were very good. One of the Spirits visited our fathers in
this land." This left the Elder a little emtional because it was a
testimony to him that the Book of Mormon is true. He replied, "That's
correct. And this book tells the story of your people and about the
visit of that Great Spirit". The Indian could not read, but he accepted
the Book of Mormon and held it closely to him.
I know that the Book of Mormon is true. It contains
a record of the visit of Jesus Christ. It is said to contain a
"fulness of the gospel" because it speaks of Christ and His Atonement
more than any other book. I love these people. There is a history here
and every once and a while I can't help but feel their ancestors
directing me to those who are prepared. The church is true.
I love ya! Have a great week!
Sister Jensen
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