CALLED TO SERVE IN THE BRAZIL VITORIA MISSION - AS RECORDED BY MOM
Monday, November 18, 2019
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Week 95
Monday, October 7, 2019
So this week was insanely busy and finished in the best way
with getting to hear the prophet. It was really cool because There were two
apostles that speak portugues who instead of having a translator, recorded
their talk before and played it at the same time so we could hear their real
voice in portugues. It was Elder Christofferson and Soares that did that for
us. And we had a few investigators in the sessions that really felt the
sprit. One of my favorite moments was the change regarding baptisms
and testimonies. Now that women can act as witnesses, we have a few baptisms
that will be better to have the families participation. This week we should be
baptizing Ayza and Rogerio.
Ayza: So her mom finally signed the paper. She has been difficult
these last few weeks. But bringing her a cake helped a little. kidding... what
helped was us getting the whole extended family coming to testify and show that
she was fighting something good for her daughter. She finally decided to sign
and everything is all good. Ayza was so excited to tell us! She almost
exploded! We are very excited for her. Please pray that all works out for
her.
Rogerio: He was progressing but not as fast as we were hoping.
He was fighting his addiction to smoking. But God knowing everything helped him
out by breaking his foot. The only place he smoked was at work where he is a
guard in a store. But one night at work burglars entered and he fought them off
but when kicking one of them he broke his foot. He will stay 30 days in house
and can’t leave. We got there to share the video of the gardener and how god
loved him enough to cut him back. He has completely changed his attitude and is
all on board. We will also try to baptize him this Friday with Ayza.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media-library/video/2012-01-014-the-will-of-god?lang=eng
Here is the video we shared that helped Rogerio
Larah went to conference but she is super busy and will be
traveling this week. So unfortunately because of my time limit I might not be here
to be a part of the baptismal service. But she is progressing and loving
to learn the true gospel of Christ and his powerful atonement.
So that’s basically it for this week. I really fighting the fact
that there are people here who I won’t be able to baptize but I’m learning to
trust in God and the next elders that pass here after me to continue. I love
you all tons! Hope you all received revelation during conference. Have a great
week! See ya all here in a little!
Elder Joshua D Lee
Week 94
Monday, September 30, 2019
I didn’t have a title so I just left what was there.
So
this week was very interesting. First of all we went to Nanuque a city 3 hours
away for a zone conference. The weirdest part was it was my last. So I had to
give the last missionary testimony. It was such a weird feeling because every transfer
you watch others and even your friends give it and think it will never be your
turn. Well... as we say in portugues... Já era... (i don’t know how it
translates. ) But the conference was good and very uplifting. After, we went
out as a district for acai.
We taught Larah this week about the plan of
salvation. It’s one of the lessons that the mission has most difficulty
teaching but it’s one of my favs. We get to focus on the logistics of the gospel
and how the atonement functions. Also its one of the lessons that defines our
church separate from others and everything is even backed up in the bible.
Point is that Larah loved it and had great questions that will lead to her progression
and baptism.
Fun service story was walking home from a
lunch. We had to walk about 7-8 kilometers and then coming back. We felt to go
a different path that had more hills. During the return we found a sweet old
lad who couldn’t open her door to get inside. It was heavy and old and a little
broken. After about 10 minutes we got it open for her and she could go inside
to rest. I don’t know what she would have done if we hadn’t passed by. Glad my
comp and I were on the same page.
Anyways that’s about it. Love you all tons and hope you’re all
doing well. Have a great week and prepare for conference. It’s not every day we get revelation from 15
prophet, seers and revelators. Love you all!
Elder Joshua D. Lee
Week 93
Monday, September 23, 2019
Hey everyone! The end is near and I’m running out of weeks to
send you all letters. Good news is I’ll be home to keep you all updated. This
week was pretty cut and dry standard work. We found a few new people with
potential and Sunday we had four people visiting church with us. They all have
pretty good potential. Azya is amazing and her mom is getting a little less difficult
every day. Her date is Oct 11th. We also started teaching Laura who is 18 and
very happy and excited. She is catholic (but the kind that actually goes to
church) but she is very excited and open. We will teach her about the book of Mormon
tonight. She went to church with us and I had her write and note all the
questions so we could get them answered faster. Other than that everyone is
doing well. Unfortunately we had to cut a few families for a time to get them
to appreciate the sprit and our lessons. But we will return here in a few
weeks. Any ways sorry for the short letter but here’s a spiritual thought from
Dallin H Oaks
The World teaches us to know... the gosple of Jesus Christ
teaches us to become... What will you become?
Deep stuff. (this was in portugues and I’m translating so I don’t
know if its exact...) Through the atoning power of our Savior we can literally
become as him and God through our obedience and efforts to follow him. Its
power goes way beyond forgiving sins. I love you all and hope we are all
striving to learn to use the atonement in every aspect of our life. Love you
all!!!!
Elder Joshua David Lee
Week 92
Monday, September 16, 2019
It’s crazy to think that I’m entering into the last
transfer... The call came in and we discovered yesterday that I will stay here
in Teófilo Otoni with my best friend and fav comp Elder Aguilar. We were
overjoyed because we have a great number of people here we need to see enter
the waters of baptism.
Speaking of baptism we had the chance to
teach a less active family and help the 8 year old son be baptized and his
family return. The mom was the first missionary to serve from this city... But
with lots of things happening she went in-active. The situation in the family
is very hard. But the example of 8 year old Bernardo helped wake up the family.
He was baptized by a member in the branch that will be responsible for
ministering to the family. That was the definite highlight to the week.
This week while walking through the park to an appointment
we met a real life sloth... just like the movie Zootopia. (haha the nephews and
nieces would have loved him so this pic is for them) His name translated into English
is literally Lazy... Matches pretty well.
Sunday I got to give another talk and I chose
to discuss about the parable of the sower and the seeds in Mathew 13. The end
point was that we could make our branch into fertile and good soil to produce
100+ and grow. But the best part was participating in the youth class with a
few investigators. 12 year old Ayza who we are going to baptize gave such a
deep and profound answer that the entire class stopped for a few minutes to appreciate
the answer. One of those proud elder moments.
Anyways I hope you all have a great week and
look for missionary opportunities. A gente fala mais aqui em 6 semanas! Amo
vocês!
Elder Lee
Monday, September 9, 2019
Week 91
Monday, September 9, 2019
So this week went really good in our search for new people.
The Transfer is ending and we have one week left. But this week we will baptize
the 8 year old of a less active member on Tuesday. Then we should have another
on Friday. But we are in over drive trying to get everything down in the case
that we have to leave. I have one more transfer after this and I'm hoping I
stay one more here with my comp Elder Aguilar. He is the best of the
best.
We had Independence Day here in Brazil on the 7th and everything
was crazy. Everyone makes organized bands of only drums... interesting I know.
So my little city exploded with drums and shouting. But after all the chaos and
noise we were able to work for the rest of the day and found a few new people
with great potential. The work is moving along well and we are excited to
see how the branch is going grow. It was two little branches that combined and
so now we have more members to work with.
Here there is a sweet member who has 94 years. She is 6 months
younger than the prophet and is active as ever. She has such a deep love for
the gospel and savior. She really is such an amazing example to us all. When we
asked her to give us council after having lunch with her she looked and thought
for a second and said, ´´You are on the path. Just keep walking forward. Don’t
ever abandon the path you’re on.´´
Anyways I love you all tons. Next week should have pics in
white. Hope you all have a great week!
Love Elder Joshua David Lee
p.s. This week I got to cook a lot... I’m excited to come home
and cook Brazilian food...
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