Dear Everyone,

 

Well, this week has been very interesting. We have had many surprising disappointments, but many surprising miracles! Most of the investigators with whom the previous Sisters were working have lost interest. Their basically dropping like flies! It has been really sad to read about the progress of a great person, show up, and realize that deep down they don´t want anything. Maybe that is the reason for the white wash. Oh well, we´ll just have to find the elect people ourselves.

 

Something amazing that happened this week is that we had a baptism and a confirmation. How did that happen? Only God knows! The Sisters had been teaching a man named Joaquim for about a month, but he left to go to Brazil with some work buddies for a 2 week vacation. While he was here he came Sacrament Meeting several times and to some of the ward activities. The Sisters left a paper saying to call him on Monday, so we did. He was really disappointed, as was EVERYONE at that point, that we weren´t the same Sisters. It was so sad, because he even bought them souvenirs. Awkward. But he still agreed to meet with us. We taught him every single day, reviewing the things that had already been taught, and... Wala! He came to the church at 6:00 sharp in a suit and tie, ready to be baptized. WOW! He is truly prepared. The best way I can describe Joaquim is this: If Dad were 50 and Portuguese, he would be Joaquim. He even payed his tithing right after sacrament meeting and invited us over for lunch so that we could meet his 80-year-old mother that lives with him. We are so, so excited to see him continue to grow. I still can´t believe that it all happened!

 

Another interesting surprise happened on Thursday. There is a woman named Conceição (that´s Conception in English) that gives us lunch every Thurday. Normally it´s pretty good. This week she´s cooking chili! Anyway, last week she cooked a true blooded Portuguese meal called `Dubrada.´ Neither of us knew what it was, but we were up for trying something new... Turns out that it´s a stew made from white beans, potatoes, carrots, sausage and... wait for it... STOMACH LINING. I don´t think there´s anything else to be said about that!

 

Thank you all for your kind support.

 

Sister Derrick