Noite do Bang Bang

Man was this week busy. So first thing was that we finally had this activity that was planned weeks back (or at least mostly planned). So this past week, our LZ [zone leaders] (because even though it was our activity, everyone in our zone was invited to bring investigators, especially since our mission president was speaking) wanted to do a little skit about the Plan of Salvation. So this past week we did that in the morning instead of studying. So we prepped for that, had our usual meetings with the ward mission leader, and the activity began on Saturday. It was a lot of fun and everything went smoothly once it started. Then the other dupla [literally ‘double’, meaning companionship] had a baptism (and Bairu but the next morning). Then we had something insane happen on Sunday.

So we usually have two wards at this building but on Sunday, they announced that the two wards were merging and is now called “ala Bairu” (which was the other ward already). So that also means that all the missionaries here are now for Bairu because there is no more Grajaú. But then we had the call for transfers, which also means I finished my training! That just means I am a normal missionary now. But we got the calls last night and I got transferred.... to the other side of my house.

Yeah so I am now just with Elder Papalino but because of this ward change, everything else got moved around. For example, Elder Western will be training again (haha boa sorte [good luck]) and will be the district leader in Manchester (still in Juiz de Fora).  Elder Pereira will be coming into our house with another elder, Elder Bledshoe (I think that is how you spell it). The zone leaders got moved to the house in Bairu (where Elder Pereira was) and Elder Smith got transferred to Conselho Paulina (Elder Smith just arrived two weeks ago).

So this week has been an adventure and I am glad to continue here in now Bairu!

Love,

Elder Kupferer

Dom de línguas é real! [The gift of tongues is real!]

Olá gente! Está semana foi top jé mais! 

[Hi guys! This week was ________]

First off, I helped with two mudanças (moves/out of a house) and they were interesting! They were both with our district leader and comp in their area but the first one, Elder Pereira cut his finger on the washing machine and he went to sit down after a few minutes and then PASSED OUT! He was sweating and turned white, it was pretty scary in the moment. So we then called Sister Lacerda and she said, "Oh elders that is nothing, just send him home, eat some crackers (or bread I don’t remember) with butter and he should be good.”  Elder Pereira ficou bravo demais! (stayed really mad). That was fun hahaha. 

Next move, we first moved them out of the old apartment and then we had to go up uneven, steep stairs in the other apartment. That was pretty difficult but she fed us afterwards so it is all good. We then had an activity after that move at the church. It was futebol, and it was a BUNCH of fun. It was just jovem [young] investigators so everyone was playing fast and it was good. And after that Diego, 12, said that he wanted to get baptized now. MILAGRE!!! I was sooo stoked to hear this, the Lord truly helps, it was great! 

Also, this week Elder Kzeczik was transferred to Varginha and was transferred with Elder Smith! He is from Draper, Utah and is pretty great. So we have three Americans in our house and I thought that I would hear more English, but I just hear mostly Portuguese, and man, dom de línguas é real! [the gift of tongues is real!] So I have still been reading some things in English and my comp and the other missionaries were constantly saying “Português” (as in “read in Portuguese”) and I would ignore them but they finally seriously said that I would learn more if I stopped. So I did it, and I understand so much more now! I understand the people on the street, in houses, and I understood all the talks this week. 

Speaking of Sunday, Leonardo passed the sacrament this week!!!! It was great to see him to continue to progress in the gospel! Also, we had four investigators at church, and a less active, Gabriel, came to church. He had not been to church for two years and he stayed all three hours! 

Well this week was great and went by super fast. Hope everyone has a great week!

Love,

Elder Kupferer

BATISMO! [Baptism!]

BOM DIA TUDO MUNDO! [Good morning everyone!]

This week was pretty great even if my comp was sick for a day. So first, for district meeting our district leader had crackers, cheese, and yogurt with grape juice ready for us which was dope. 

Then that day Elder Western got 15 new investigators and then we got 5 dates so it was a good day. THEN Elder Western was sick for two days so I got stuff done around the house.

Then we continued to work Friday but on Saturday, we went around getting people/ teaching people and then later that day I baptized Leonardo! He was someone that I found on splits but the other elders took him. Luckily, I was able to baptize him and I was able to see him get confirmed the next day. It was amazing! I am so glad to help a person come closer unto Christ. It felt great.

Later that Saturday, we had an activity, and then on Sunday I gave my second talk of the mission, which was on missionary work (ha that´s easy). It was a great week and I am excited to continue to work hard this week. Hope everyone has an amazing week!

Love,

Elder Kupferer

Bad Boys, Shrek and Cancun

Man has this week been great! 

So, it started with a pretty great district meeting where we set higher goals and really talked about how we can continue to work harder. At the end, we took pictures and one of them was with Elder Kzeczik and he saw the picture and said, "Bad Boys" which was pretty funny in the moment. 

Another thing is that we got 7 baptismal dates this week! It was awesome, some were referrals but some were just us running into people. One of them is named Dudu, and he has close to nothing, but he seemed really interested in the gospel and we marked a date with him.  After the meeting, he gave us a Shrek doll which was really cool and nice considering what he had. We then continued to work with members and just try to continue to work hard. 

On Saturday though, we went to this açaí and lanches (snacks) store called Cancun which is run by some people that know the missionaries and subsequently us very well.  Maria, one of the owners, made us some soup that we all got to enjoy and it was fun to just relax and talk with them. 

This week has been amazing (I passed my 3-month mark two Sundays ago) and I am just continuing to work hard, especially with 7 new baptismal dates! I hope everyone has a good week! 

Love,

Elder Kupferer