Rio Iguacu- Week Seven

The beginning of the week, I had to say goodbye to Elder G who was transferred to another zone. However, it was very exciting to receive Elder A from Utah. He has 6 months in the mission and he is really fun. He has really change the atmosphere of our house. It has been a good change.

We worked a lot this week preparing our J and G for baptism that took place this past Saturday. J is 14 and has was taking the lessons for a couple months. G is 12 and also has been taking the lessons for several weeks. They are not related. We had lessons with them and their families respectively every day this week. I got a lot of practice as Elder L now is letting me do a lot more teaching. I am really excited and grateful for how comfortable I feel with the language. (Having Elder A in the same house as really more than anything help me feel more comfortable and confident to speak fluently.) 

Saturday was the day of the baptism and the day of the ward activity "The Voice". Elder A and Elder L prepared a musically number to perform and at the time I was still planning on singing The Scientist by Coldplay with one of our investigators. Not everything went exactly according to plan.

Firstly, the baptized was scheduled for 6 in the afternoon. J´s sister is a member, so we were not worried he would not show up for the baptism. However, G shared with us that she was planning to attend a birthday party the morning of the baptism and assured us that she would be back for when we needed to leave for the chapel. We arrived at her house around 4:00, two hours before the baptism. She was not there. Gulp. We called and she was still at the party with her mother and sister. The party was far away in some other bio in Fazando. Her house is in a group of house where all the rest of her family lives. Grandpa, aunt, sister, cousin's family. One big family and they all share one car of the Grandpa´s. She was not there, so we called her. G  had gotten a ride with a friend to the party but had no way to get back. Naturally, Elder L and I along with G's cousin and grandpa took off in their families´ car to get G. Long story short. We were late to the baptism. The car broke done on the side of the highway and a member had to come pick us up. We were relieved to finally get to the chapel and the baptism started. All was well. 

And then, after the baptism, we had the "The Voice". I was really excited to sing The Scientist with our other investigator M. We had practiced a bunch as well but the activity started and he was not there. Gulp (Number two). Is it really ok for a missionary to sing The Scientist alone? With an investigator maybe but I decided to not find out the answer to this question. So naturally, I joined Elder L and Elder A in singing The Sons of Helaman for the church primary hymn book. Naturally, with two Americans now, we had to sing a verse in English also. In all sincerity, it was awesome. We tied our ties around our heads like Nephites, face paint, shared a scripture before the song. It was awesome. The ward was really energized and we won second place.

All and all it was an incredible day. Busy. But busy is good. We are having great success. Heavenly Father is really helping us in every aspect of our lives. 

Photos include:

Elder G, Elder S, and I

The Elder winning second place at the voice 

Awesome flavor of Mentos I have never seen in the U.S.

Baptism of J and G

All the Missionaries in Fazando

The future Elder Pinkney (This young man loves ties. I had the honor of bestowing one upon him. He is doing good missionary work. His friend which he brought to church is being baptized this Saturday.)

Com amor from Brazil,

Elder Pinkney