Feliz Dia de Transferencias! Today is the day of ´ligações´when Presidente tells everyone where they are moving...me and my companion are staying together here in Almada (well, for the next four weeks that are left in her mission!) But, the work is going well here.
On Saturday we had the baptism of Luis Bettencourt, a Portuguese man. It has been incredible to get to know and teach Luis- in our first lesson with him he was so excited to get a Book of Mormon (after he realized that it was free!) He was full of thanks and said that he would devour the book. A couple weeks passed becuase he was ocupado with work and family problems, but the second time we went back, it was two Fridays ago. He had read a couple books of the Book of Mormon, and said that he knew it was true. We talked about the importance of oração and that he also needed to have a confirmation of the truthfulness. But he said that the Book of Mormon felt like something that he had always lacked and never knew what it was until he read the Book of Mormon. The next day (Saturday) we returned and invited him to stop smoking and to be baptized the next week. He accepted both, and we started teaching him more. We taught him every day this last week, and he really is so amazing. He is um homen that was prepared before we ever talked to him to accept the gospel. To hear him talk about the Book of Mormon, and to see how excited he was to be baptized reminded me really of how precious this gospel is. Truly there are those that are only removed from the truth because they know not where to find it!! When we were headed to the church to have his baptismal interview, he was talking about the church and he said ´nossa igreja- posso dizer nossa igreja?!´- he already feels (and is) a part of the church here.
Então, on Saturday we had his baptism...tão engracado! Our ward mission leader (WML-Irmão Almeida) baptized him..and wow. Before the baptism we were practicing and expaining to Luis how he would be baptized, and demonstrated with our WML; but, WML was putting his hand behind the head of Luis, instead of his back. We corrected him, but it was a sign of things to come. Next, we asked our WML if he knew the name of our investigator (becuase he has 6 names in his name) and WML said ´no, but he´ll help me´. No! Tens que saber antes! So, he didn´t know his name, and didn´t know how to perform the ordinance correctly. When it was time for the baptism, it took hi m three tries to get the name right. Then he started to dunk the investigator in slow motion as he was saying the ordinance. It was like the baptism of Alma in the waters of Mormon- they both went under! Both of them fell into the water, but our WML got more wet than our investigator! He lost his glasses in the water as they both floundered to get up. Needless to say, our investigator didn´t get fully immersed in the proper maneira, so they had to do it again;it took two more tries. The final time, the stake president, who was witnessing the baptism, literally helped to push all of the investigator under the water! All of the members were cracking up and it was tão engraçado, but also triste, because this should be a sacred ordinance and experience, but the atmosphere there was not what it could be. At times life sure can be interesting. Luckily, our investigator is amazing, and was still all smiles and just happy to be baptized. He really is incredible.
During the baptismal service, my camera was stolen from the chapel...so, I don´t have any pictures to send, or any pictures from the MTC until now. It´s triste and also chato that things get stolen from the capela!!
All in all, this week was really good, and I´m excited for the month of Março! Every day is a new chance to learn and grow, and I know that the Lord has plans for each of us in the coming weeks! I see miracles cada dia, and I know that His hands are always present. I am so grateful for the chance that I have to serve here, and everything that I am learning and experiencing.
I hope that you all have an amazing week