Elder Bishop reports this week--Memorial Day

Well, unfortunately our baptisms this week fell through. We have no idea what happened to Vitor. He just seemed to disappear. And Mikael will need a little more time before his baptism. However, Silvio and Luzirene will be baptized this week, along with their daughter, Nicole. We are also planning the baptism of Neide´s daughter (Neide is a recent convert that our former Assistent baptized). This week we also went on exchanges with the Assistents to the President.

I went to Parquelândia, which is the Assistents area, this past Wednesday. I went on exchanges with Elder Carvalho. He´s from Portugal. He´s the only missionary from Portugal in our mission. I learned quite a lot with Elder Carvalho. Elder Peressute and I are trying to help out our zone the best we can, and the Assistents gave us a few tips. This week will also be our Mission conference, and I´m excited to see what President Bonini will talk about. Our mission is growing in success everyday due to our President´s new counsels and techniques. 

The mission is great, and my time is up here, so bye! See you all soon!

Elder Bispo

THE BEACH EXISTS

This week, Elder Peressute and I went to our mission's Leadership Counsel. It was my first, as it is a meeting only with the Zone Leader's and the President. We learned quite a few cool new techniques, and I'm excited to put them into practice. It was also real fun to see all my mission buds. Many of them are also now serving as Zone Leaders.

In Tancredo Neves this week, we have been contacting and teaching a ton of people! As Zone Leader's we have to give a good example for all our missionaries, so we've been working our butts off to baptize! Because of our work, I believe the Lord is blessing us. We have found two wonderful young men that are excited to be baptized this week. Hopefully everything will work out alright with the progress of these two future missionaries. Mikael and Vitor already have friends in the Church, and were super excited when we contacted them and invited them to church. They have both accepted baptism and are steadily preparing for this next Sunday.

Our family that we are teaching, Silvio and Luzirene, are doing great. They are super excited for their wedding, and even more excited with their baptism. 

I went on exchanges this week with Mucuripe, which is an area that is basically just the beach. So yeah, I taught very close to the beach. And I actually got to see the beach. That was crazy! 

Tchau!

Elder Bispo

Meet the newest Fortaleza, Brazil ZONE LEADER

Hello every man, woman, child, and dog. Tranfers have come, and I will now be serving as Zone Leader with Elder Perressute. I know Elder Perressute fairly well, and I´m super excited to work with him. I will be serving in the Tancredo Neves ward, which is actually in the same Stake as Dias Macêdo, my current ward. Basically you just cross this one street and you can get to my new ward. It´s awesome.

This week we had a special visit from Elder Christofferson. He spoke a whole lot on how important it is to read and study the Book of Mormon. He gave us the promise that if we gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon, and if we are able to help others grow the same testimony of it´s truthfulness, then we will never go astray from the path of Christ. As I have made it a goal to always study the Book of Mormon in my personal studies here on the mission, I can certainly testify that what Elder Christofferson said is true. As my testimony of the Book of Mormon has grown and flourished here, I know how much it has affected my personal conversion. Also, I have seen when others began to plant this same testimony in their hearts, and I know how much it means to them. The Book of Mormon is true, and I know it. Many of my converts know it, and I am certain that that knowledge will bring them eternal happiness. I know that anyone can recieve these blessings when they are established upon the principles of righteousness that the Saviour taught. I know that Elder Christofferson is an Apostle called of God.

This week was so amazing here in Dias Macedo, and I´m pretty torn to be leaving this amazing ward. We have found two other families that have shown so much desire to get married and be baptized. Although I won´t be here to share in such wonderful moments with these wonderful couples, I know that I will be able to see them again, whether in this life or the next. 

Well, that was my magical week. 

Elder Bispo

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Lots of BAPTISMS

Woohoo! Our week was great! My district is destroying! In the past our zone has been known as the dead zone of the mission. In the past our zone didn´t ever baptize anyone. Nevermore! This week we met our district goal of baptisms. We also met the Zone goal of baptisms. It´s so wonderful to meet goals. I´m honored to be able to serve with so many dedicated Elders and Sisters. 

Also, in our area this week, we found a bunch of new people that are super interested in learning more about Christ´s restored gospel. This group of people includes two couples and a few single adults who all have a great potential to follow Christ´s example by being baptized.

In the middle of the first lesson of the first couple, Elza and Ariberto, the couple randomly pulled out a copy of the Book of Mormon, and a pamphlet of the temple. A few years ago they were taught the lessons, but it looks like they didn´t progress because Ariberto was deathly sick. Now, in the lesson Ariberto told us how it was miracle that he was talking with us. His illness basically was ending his life, and so he had an emergency surgery done. Miraculously he lived, and now him and his wife want to ´pay back a debt´ that they say they owe to God. Ariberto and Elza were certainly prepared by the Lord to hear the joy of the restored gospel.

And that´s the week!

Elder Bispo

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WEEKLY UPDATE

HUNTER COMMENTS ON THE LAST PACKAGE I MAILED TO BRAZIL: ( I didn't intend for deodorant, protein powder, protein shakes, ties, Easter candy, gum, pastichios or toothpaste to cause sooooo much trouble)

"I fought the beauracracies of Brazil for about 5 hours on Tuesday to finally get my package! It all worked out in the end. 

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING! I love you guys! I absolutely loved the ties! Also the protein powder is very much appreciated. My comp also loved the pistachios. I think we ate all of them in little under a few hours."

update:

This week, I felt sort of like that one old greek guy that ran a ton in some war to deliver a message, who then proceeded to die. Then they named a very well known track event after him. 

So yeah, I ran around Fortaleza quite a bit this week. Mainly all of the running (by bus, by car, by foot) was to interview all the people that my district is teaching to be baptized to be able to recieve the gift of the Holy Ghost to be able to enter the House of the Lord one day to be able to enter the Kingdom of God someday. Yeah, we ran more than that sentence did.

Also, I FINALLY recieved my missionary package. We had to go to Aldeota, which is the government district of Ceará. It was a little frustrating, as the weather was slighty below the normal eighty degrees, with what appeared to be a small hurricane showering us and turning the streets into rivers. So we also had to swim through the streets this week (whoops!  Swimming is against the rules?).

Just kidding, it wasn´t that bad, however the streets did look like rivers. Also, as we were finally headed home (on public transport buses) we saw some kids playing in the  river/ street. Our bus stopped right in front of them. They all turned to look at the bus at the exact same moment. Then, as if all of them shared some sort of brain-communication, they turned as one and attacked the bus with water! They soaked quite a few people. It was extremely hilarious. Then some lady on the bus started yelling out ´Dirty old putrid water! Dirty water! It got in my mouth!´ which just caused more laughing on the bus. Quite a fun experience, actually.

And that was the week!

Elder Bispo

P.S.- While contacting a street contact, some little dog came to the door and started barking ferociously. Then he proceeded to stand and walk (just a wee bit) on his back legs, while barking even louder. That dog is talented. 

LAST PACKAGE ARRIVED, but Hunter has to pay $50

Hey, my package has arrived, but unfortunately the Brazilian mail system has been very annoying lately. They are charging me more to recieve the package; about 50 bucks. I´m going to pick it up tomorrow.

Hello everyone! Last week we were super pressed for time, and this week is going to be even crazier! Three out of the five companionships of our district baptized last week (including us), and now it looks like this week four out of the five are going to baptize. Elder Castanho and I will have to run around eveywhere so I can interview all these wonderful people! If all the baptisms work out right, this will be the most productive week of any district I have presided over. I'm quite excited.

Sérgio and Luciane's wedding was great! However, before I talk about that, I would like to tell a little story that was pretty cool. 

A little time before the wedding started, I interviewed a few investigators of the Zone Leaders, which was cool. I interviewed a mom and her 26 year old son. The mom was very ready for baptism, and surely enough she got baptized the next day. However, the son had a few problems that will need to be resolved before his baptism. Though, I feel like I was able to really help him understand the joy of the gospel. Anyway, while I was interviewing the mom, the Zone Leaders discovered that Paulo Italo, Sérgio and Luciane's son, had turned eight just a few days ago. We had no idea! So they went ahead and interviewed him also, because he really wanted to be baptized along with his mom and dad. So it all worked out quite awesome.

So the wedding was very special. It was quite simple and short, but the feeling of love that Sergio and Luciane have for the Lord and eachother was very strong. The Bishop of our ward got special permission from the State of Ceará to act as judge. Everything went great, and directly after was their baptism. 

The baptism was quite spiritual. Sérgio and Luciane have fought so much to obey the Lord´s commandments, and everyone of the ward was so happy that they were able to enter in at the gate of the path of eternal life, by baptism. 

Also, one more testimony of this family´s dedication to serving the Lord. A few days before the baptism, Sérgio and Luciane went to visit the Bishop. They asked him about the baptism and all that, and then they made an amazing request. Sérgio and Luciane asked the Bishop if he could start praying to ask the Lord about what church calling they would be able to recieve. Even before the baptism, Sérgio and Luciane have sought to serve the Church, and with their knowledge of church callings, they are excited to officially serve God with all their might, mind, and strength.

And that´s the week. Tchau!

Elder Bispo

Another baptism!!!

Hey everyone! I loved our week! Carol was interviewed on friday, and baptized this last Saturday. Then everyone in the world had the chance to watch eight or more hours of pure revelation streaming from God´s Apostles and Prophets straight into their brains! So that was fun.

But seriously, Conference was a blast. Lots of inspired talks and wonderful stuff. I sure learned a thing or two! Also, I find it pretty funny how there´s probably a ton of trunky missionaries now that are now crazy about getting married. It appears that the Lord doesn´t want His returned missionaries to slack off. Challenge accepted!

 

Speaking of revelation and apostles, our mission this month is going to recieve a visit from another apostle. Whoo! I´m excited. 

And back to the week. Carol´s baptism  this past Saturday was very simple, but very spiritual. Not too many people came, however all the leaders of the ward were there to support Carol and her decision. Also, we filled the baptismal font up with a hose, because it´s a huge font. HUGE. Everything worked out real swell, and Carol is now very excited to recieve the gift of the Holy Ghost this next week. She is a prime example of those that faithfully fulfill the Lord´s commandments without hesitation. 

Also, this week is Sérgio and Luciane´s marraige! And then the next day is their baptism! And then the next day is their confirmation! This week is going to be really exciting. 

And that´s the week! Isso aí!

Elder Bispo

P.S.- Elder Imperador is now District Leader, and he is also training a new missionary. I´m a Grand-daddy!!!

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