(Elder Mackrory)
Bom dia meus fechamentos!
This week has easily been the fastest week of the mission so
far. I'm pretty sure I went to bed on Wednesday and woke up on Saturday. But,
it's been quite a good week as far as VW bugs go! I saw 15 this week, bringing
the total to 516.
On pday, we did something very cool. Saracuruna has nothing
fun to do. There's some stairs that are blue and that's about it. I've seen the
stairs and they don't look like much more than blue stairs. So we went with
some members, and left the mission boundaries for a bit (don't worry president
said it's chill) and then came back and visited Sugarloaf mountain, Copacabana,
and we were gonna go see Cristo, but the cloud cover was so bad there was no
visibility and so it wouldn't be worth it. I did get to see a statue of Ayrton
Senna, the greatest racing driver of all time.
Tuesday and Wednesday there wasn't a whole lot that was
special. Lessons, contacts, sports night, açaí, the usual. I did however find a
Vasco da Gama (they're my favorite team from Rio) jersey for R$25. Steal.
On Thursday we were going about our usual visits and some
kids stopped us in the street. They wanted to show us their drawings. I told
them I liked to draw too and showed them a picture of my “WindForce 1” shoe
drawing. Then they all demanded that I draw it again. So I drew them a 30
second version. Then they all wanted their own. I can't say no to kids. So I
drew up like 6 shoes. I thought they were pretty bad, but the kids were blown
away. All the while Élder Kjar teaches one or two of them to make a paper
airplane.
On Friday we had mission tour. Unfortunately it doesn't mean
we tour every area in the mission and have fun. It means one of the area
presidency comes and gives a devotional for two days. On Thursday, we were on
zoom while the other half of the mission was in person. On Friday it was the
other way around. Elder Koch, who spoke, actually gave a talk in this last
general conference. We got to the chapel early for the devotional, and so Élder
Kjar and I decided to go to the supermarket across the street just to look
around. It's absolutely huge. There was a lady stocking the shelves wearing a
Takis t-shirt. So I asked her where the Takis were. She said they don't have
them, but they are coming to Brasil soon. Miracle. The Lord is gracious. His
tender mercies are upon all the children of men.
On Saturday we had a lesson pretty cool. On Friday we had
training on promising blessings as we're supposed to. This was something that
neither of my trainers did, and so I had never tried it. In this lesson, I did
it. It was really powerful. We also had a Ward activity where we shared a cool
game to demonstrate the Plan of Salvation. For the activity, we bought a few
varieties of cookies to have for those in paradise. One variety was really
cheap so I didn't think much of it. Upon trying it, I found it is pretty much
shortbread. So we're going back for those. Perhaps make a shortbread crust and
then some pie.
Sunday was pretty cool. On our way to a lesson after church,
we found a street market that sold every fruit you've ever heard of and some
more. For really good prices. Too bad it's the sabbath.
I didn't have a lot of time to write today, we got a banger
of a pday today. I'll write and include the pictures next week.
SummaRio:
516 fuscas total, 15 this week
We went to Sugarloaf mountain, Copacabana, and almost Christ
the Redeemer. Was lit.
Tuesday and Wednesday were pretty uneventful but I got a
sick jersey for dirt cheap
I drew like 6 shoes for some kids in the street while my
companion taught them paper airplanes
TAKIS ARE COMING TO BRASIL
Saturday I learned to promise blessings and found shortbread
cookies. A good day.
Found a sick street market with the best prices on the day
when I shouldn't buy anything
Spiritual Thought: when writing this email, the number 516
(see paragraph 1) seemed familiar to me. I said, that's a scripture reference
somewhere. So then I looked and remembered Matthew 5:16. “Let your light so
shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father
which is in heaven” Christ said that we are the light of the world. The good
works we do bring spiritual light to those around us and give hope and joy in
Christ and in our Heavenly Father. I invite each of you to let your light shine
this week by giving smiles, holding the door, giving thanks, and saying kind
words. Light the world.
Tender Mercy: after the mission tour, everyone was in the
church gymnasium chatting and finishing up lunch. I was pretty spent socially
so I decided to go play the piano in the chapel instead of making small talk. I
didn't realize how much I just needed a half hour of playing and softly singing
hymns. Literally all my stress from people, learning Portuguese, people were
teaching, and everything else just left. The only thing I felt was the presence
of the Holy Ghost and the pure joy the truths of the Gospel bring. Just peace.
Fotos:
1. Vasco gang
2. Pão de Açúcar
3. Copacabana
4. Senna, the greatest racing driver of all time
5. Major road work in our area
6. Also Copacabana, but this time it's a selfie
7. Another beach idk
8. Açaí with Élder Kjar
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