(Elder Mackrory)
Bom dia todos!
Excited to get my email out early this week because we're
very busy today.
It's been an incredibly productive week. So many miracles
and craziness! It's not so crazy as far as vw bugs, though. I did, however, see
a modern one that was lowered with some really low profile tires. That was
interesting. I saw 8 this week, bringing the total to 501! Halfway to double
that number!
Anyway, last Pday we went to the chapel and played ping
pong, hung around and got açaí. Pretty simple. I'm liking pdays this transfer.
That night, for our three hours of work, we planned, filmed, and edited an epic
video about the Gathering of Israel with a mission impossible theme. Because of
that, we have a sticky note of each of the tribes of Israel on it gathered on
our wall (don't worry, we separated Levi). Unfortunately, the video file is too
large to fit on an email.
Tuesday, we tried to have some lessons, but it was pouring
rain. We did, however, meet with some references and were able to give them
each a copy of the Book of Mormon. We also found a really bad 2L knockoff
sprite for R$2.99 ($0.60). Cheapest one yet.
Wednesday was also really rainy. There were also crazy
thunderstorms. There was almost no delay between the lightning and the thunder,
and you could feel it. But actually, there was a brilliant miracle! We had a
lesson with Sheila, whom we have been trying to meet since last transfer. She
works weird hours at the hospital, so we've been patient. Anyway, the moment
she admitted us into her house was the moment the hardest rain I've ever seen
started. Drops the size of m&ms and coming down hard. The same moment we
stepped into the house. We introduced her to the Book of Mormon, and she was
excited to read it! She said she likes to have resources to increase her Bible
understanding, and so she is loving the Book of Mormon. Then, the moment the
closing prayer finished, the rain stopped, and we walked to our next
appointment completely dry.
Also, my mom let me know that my tax return dropped on my
personal card. You know that that means… so we went to the store to buy lunch
and I finally got it. An 11 inch decorative knife that says “BRASIL” on the
blade. It's the sickest thing of all time.
Thursday, we stopped at a restaurant and got something
called “Caldo de Cana”. It's a juice that comes straight from sugar cane so you
know it's delicious. They literally feed raw sugar cane into a heavy-duty
juicer and juice comes out the other end. Gives woodchipper vibes. It's a
yellow juice that tastes like a spoonful of sugar. Amazing. There is a hint of
stick flavor though. So basically imagine what a sugar stick would taste like
and that's what it is. We also had a super awesome lesson with Iraci and she
and her cousin were asking good questions (about baptism 👀).
We also stopped by Dayane's house and shared a little bit about the Atonement
with her. She said she is exited for the next visit (foreshadowing).
On Friday, we visited a neighborhood I've never been in
before. We saw a new band of kids in the street playing cricket. They used
empty 2L bottles as the wicket. So we played with them for a bit and shared
about prayer. Then we went on our way. Shorty thereafter, we saw an open bag of
some random cash surrounded by some people talking quietly. That means that
they are having a garage sale where they sell special spices that you can't
find at the store. Hope I don't need to explain more. That also means that a
water gun fight could break out at any second. Usually I'd be down for a water
gun fight, but the water they use is actually metal. So we won't be going back
there unless we have a lesson.
On Saturday we went to go visit some people in another
neighborhood. This neighborhood we had been in a few times and it was chill. It
looked dangerous at first, but we saw some kids having a soccer camp and the
people in the street were very acceptant of us and we very kind. So we thought
nothing of going in. It still looks kinda dangerous, so I decided to put my
phone in my bag and carry my Bible in my hand. As we turned the corner there's
like six guys having another garage sale with water guns. We just keep walking
and ignored them because that's how you avoid being sprayed. But then one of
them (who had a very nice supersoaker in his hand) shouted to us and said “Are
you guys gringos?” (At this moment I'm thinking it's already over and we're
going to be very wet). I said “Somos, sim!” (You absolutely idiot, what were
you thinking saying yes). But then I said “were here to preach the gospel to
people who need hope!” And then the guy said “oh that's chill” and let us in.
There's only one way in and out of that neighborhood so we had to come back out
that way. So we said a prayer and when we got back to the security checkpoint
all the supersoakers were put away and the garage sale had ended. The guys were
all drinking root beer derived from above-ground ingredients. We were able to
leave safely and decide never to go back.
We also had a lesson with Dayane. Before this, we kinda have
been sharing short scripture thoughts with her from the bible and then going on
our way. She was always excited to see us, and it was clear she was yearning
for more. So we said “we'd like to share a scripture with you about Jesus
Christ”. Then we shared 2 Nephi 25:26 with her (she had never heard about The
Book of Mormon). And she really liked it. So we began explaining where the
scripture came from. She's getting more excited by the second and so am I. We
show her 3 Nephi 11 to her and she just starts reading. And she reads the whole
page to us out loud. This is not what we planned but it’s working out. I tried
to cut in a few times to say “let's switch off reading verses” but she just
ignored me and kept reading. Eventually, she found a stopping point and looked
up just awestruck. “Gente! Muito forte!”. She loved it! We finished the message
by reading Moroni 10:4-5 and invited her to read some more. We shared our
testimonies and promised her joy and the presence of the Holy Spirit as she
read and ended with a prayer. We parted ways, and looking back about a 100
meters later, she's got her face deep in the book. Boom.
On Sunday we went to church and it was great. Unfortunately
none of the people who we’re teaching came, but it actually allowed me to focus
more on the sacrament and what it allows me to be, rather than explaining it to
others. We also finally got a Ward Mission Leader called! We haven't had one
this entire transfer and so it's been very difficult to work with members. Now,
we will be able to have a lot more work with members. If you guys remember, we
went for a day with a member Sandra and taught a bunch of lessons. Each one of
these people was new to our list, and each one of them is still on our list of
interested people and people we are teaching. Maria, João, Manoel, Dayane,
Vitória, and others. Working with members is incredible, and works better than
you think.
Summario:
8 vw beetles this week, 501 total
Played ping pong on pday, later made an epic mission
impossible themed video about the Gathering of Israel.
Found super cheap knockoff sprite that wasn't very good.
Wednesday we had a lesson with Sheila and she was really
excited about the Book of Mormon. When we stepped into the house, the rain
started, and when we left, the rain stopped.
I bought a humongous Brasil knife. Gotta love tax returns.
I tried this awesome sugar cane juice called Caldo de Cana.
Tasted like a sugary stick. Makes sense since it is made from crushed sugar
canes.
Friday we saw some suspicious activity at a spice trading
convention. At least I think they were selling spices. Won't be going back
there without a planned lesson.
Saturday we went to another neighborhood and saw another
spice trading get-together. This time the party host had a special supersoaker
for deciding who can be in the party and who won't ever attend a party again.
So he asked us if we're gringos and I told him “yes we're here to teach the
Bible.” He said “oh that's chill” and allowed us to go into the neighborhood
without having a water fight. Won't be going back there even with a planned
lesson.
On Sunday they called a ward mission leader! This is super
helpful because he knows the members and can help us work with them. Working
with members is amazing, because the people are more inclined to listen to a
normal Brazilian than just two Americans.
Tender mercy (miracle):
Usually I keep my phone in my pocket. Our area only gets
crazy dangerous at night (sometimes during the day in some parts) and so
usually there's no problem having my phone out. Upon entering the neighborhood
from Saturday, I had the thought to put the phone in my bag and carry the Bible
in my hand. Upon being questioned with a special supersoaker, having no visible
phone and a Bible in hand I'm sure was half the reason we didn't get sprayed.
The other half must have been angels working on these people because I saw way
more than I should have. So the miracle is that I'm still alive.
Spiritual thought:
John 1:1
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
João 1:1
1 No princípio era o Verbo, e o Verbo estava com Deus, e o
Verbo era Deus
“Word” translated into Portuguese is “palavra”. In the
Bible, the word “verbo” (verb) is used instead of “palavra”. This is because
the gospel, which is the Word, is an action. The gospel is not just knowing the
things that Christ taught, but acting and applying the teachings. Thus we know
that if any man will do his will, they shall know of the Doctrine. I think the
Gospel according to John is objectively the best one.
Tchau Tchau do missionário mais maneiro do mundo,
Elder Mackrory
1. My big knife (banana for scale) (yes I did just buy the
smallest banana I could find) (no that doesn't mean the knife is small, the
blade is 11")
2. Chamberpotted plants
3. Mountains reminding me of home
4. The spider they call the "X Spider" for good
reason
5. Selfieception
6. Unforgivable decor.
7. 3 week old puppy fitting in my shirt pocket
8. Our lovely area☠️
