Mission Tour

Saturday, September 22, 2018

Hey everyone! So this week was really awesome and really busy!! So first things first, there was a miracle that happened right after I finished talking with you guys last week! So we went to give some clothes to Gilberto who got baptized, and when we showed up, he answered the door. When we entered, my companion felt that he should ask if there was anyone else in the house, and he answered that there was his brother Rogerio. We actually met Rogerio a little time ago, and actually we had first contact with so it was cool to see him again. He already went to church and we asked him about a few other things, and he said that he was keeping the commandments. We then just asked if he wanted to get baptized and he said sure! So we called our district leader, who happened to be in the neighborhood doing a different baptismal interview, so he came up after that (while it was raining as well). He then had the interview with Rogerio and… he passed!! SO on Sunday, we just heated the water (because there was a baptism the day before and we just left the water) and there was a recent convert that picked Rogerio and Gilberto up and brought them to church. And the recent convert, Geraldo, baptized him! It was so great to see how a person can change for the better in a little bit of time! Then after that, we went to visit Eliane after church (who is the wife to Sebastião that died recently) and when we got there, her niece was there! So we started teaching her and she said she will come to church! (I forgot that William, Eliane’s son, and his family went as well). Then during the week it was really busy because we were preparing for the Mission Tour, which is when all the missionaries from the mission come to one church building and there is someone special that comes and talks to us. We had Elder Rais, from Rio Grande do Sul, who was really funny and was really interesting to hear him. So we prepped everything, Thursday we got everything set up in the church, and Friday was the big day. It is way different being on this side than just being a missionary that just comes and listens. There was always something new to do and a problem to solve but in the end, it was amazing. I learned a lot and after it all ended, I went back to the office to get ready for the departures and the arrivals. However, all the people that are going home were here in the office as well, so I put them to work. They helped me make the booklets for the new missionaries, plasificate [cover in plastic] their cards, prepare the kits for the new missionaries and just organize everything. So, what usually takes me 2 to 3 days to do, it took me 2 to 3 hours! IT WAS SPECTACULAR!! Now it is just confirm a few more things for the people that will arrive, but other than that, I am good! SO that was my week. I know that Christ lives and that this is His Church!

Amo Vocês,

Elder Joseph A. Kupferer

The Two Extremes of Life

Saturday, September 15, 2018

Hey everyone!!

So this week was a lot of extremes. First things first, Gilberto got baptized! We got him a white shirt and we went and picked him up with a member. But as we got in the car with Edmilson (the member) he sadly informed us that Sebastião, that was baptized about three months ago and his wife Eliane got baptized last month, died unexpectedly on Sunday at 2:00 AM. That was really hard to hear and was really hard for my companion who found and baptized him. He was a really fun guy that loved his family and everyone in the ward. But the amazing thing was that everyone in the quorum took turns to stay with him in the hospital. I have never seen a ward get behind a person so much in my life (well I have but this was spectacular) that I was left speechless. So after the baptism, confirmation, and lunch, we went to his funeral. It was sad to see Eliane that sad but as a member told me later, that she was actually bearing her testimony for the nurses and for everyone that she knows that she will be able to see him again. During the funeral, the sons of Sebastião just said some words and the main thing that they said that made me cry was that they thanked the members for everything that they did. It was a sweet spirit because in that moment of crisis, they noticed that the members and the church was always there. And they committed to come to church this week!! So we left from there to come to the mission office because there was a fireside with the youth about missionary work and President Lacerda talked and asked a bunch of questions. It was cool to help out and see so many youth excited to serve a mission! We then had a meeting with president who told us that there will be a transfer anticipated on Wednesday, but he didn’t confirm the day. So, Monday morning he passed the transfer, but didn’t say anything if it would be on Wednesday so that evening we asked him, and he said it was to do the logistics and then on Tuesday pass it and on Wednesday they would go to their new areas. SOOO that night we worked until 9:30 trying to finish the logistics, but then on Tuesday, there were a few things that moved so we had to redo the logistics and then that night we had to tell everyone. It was a lot of work to say the least haha. But all in all, it worked out. So that was the highlights of this week. I know that life isn’t just for this life. I know that we need to do our best to be prepared now. I hope everyone has a great week!

Amo Vocês,

Elder Joseph A. Kupferer

Focusing on Christ

Saturday, September 8, 2018

Hello everyone!! So this week not a whole lot happened but I guess I will just get going!

So first off, we continued to teach Suzanna and Gilberto this week. They are progressing really well so we taught them about the Word of Wisdom which was cool. They seemed a bit hesitant at first, but after we went back, Gilberto said that the cevada (a type of drink that is like coffee but healthier) is way better than coffee! Also, I forgot to mention that we did his baptismal interview this week as well and he is getting ready to be baptized tomorrow!! We also did the baptismal interview of Suzanna but she just wanted to go to church at least one more time so it will only be next week for her haha. With other investigators, we are trying to find more so that we can help more people than just two this month haha. So other than the work in the street, there was some work this week in the office. One of my old companions, Elder Oliveira, has some heart problems. Unfortunately, recently he has received newer information and because of this, he had to return home. So I helped him with his ticket and with a whole lot of stuff. It was weird to see a companion that I love have to return home because of a heart problem, but as I talked with him, he was calm. He realized that it is in the Lord’s hands now and that we just need to put our trust in Him. Jesus Christ is our source for peace and counsel. We receive this through prayer, scripture study, serving others, and going to church just to name a few. I now have a stronger conviction to do my best to help others know about this church and to just give my all. I hope that everyone could reflect this week about how much Jesus Christ has done for you and how you can give back.

Amo Vocês,

Elder Joseph A. Kupferer

Family Home Evening Twice

Saturday, September 1, 2018

Hey everyone!! So, this week was awesome. It started on Monday when we went to two family home evenings! We went with Geraldo and his family (and they have a car) first to Suzanna and her brothers’ house. They are preparing to get baptized in a week from tomorrow! It was really cool to talk to them and teach a little bit about the gospel. THEN, we went running to Cida’s house. She is a less active and we were able to do one at her house. It was really cool to go from house to house. Then during the week, we continued to follow up with Suzanna and her family and finding new people. On Thursday, there was an activity in the ward, so we went. It was the night of the cakes and there was a lot of cake haha. It was really good and Suzanna and one of her brothers, Gilberto went!! It was awesome and the members interacted with them well. Then, yesterday, we went to Nelson’s house to talk to him and his wife about the Restoration and they enjoyed it! They were willing to read and learn more. So we will go back there. AND TODAY was fantastic haha. We played volleyball with some of the youth here in the ward and then we ate lunch with them (and we played Uno haha). It was spectacular. Well that was basically it, sorry that this was short but I hope everyone has a great week!

Amo Vocês,

Elder Joseph A. Kupferer

It Never Gets Dull

Saturday, August 25, 2018

So this week was really full!! 

On Monday, I did the weekly spreadsheets that I do every week, but then I had to prepare the materials for every zone because the was a Mission leadership council on Tuesday, which was cool. We talked about how we all need to be examples of the work. We need to be 100% obedient so that the blessings will come! God has so many blessings for us we just need to work for them.

So there was that and then that night, there was an elder coming home from his mission so we had to be in the mission office for that because he lives in a district. And because of that, he is disobliged (I think hahaha) [we’re pretty sure he means “released”] by one of the Mission President’s councilors, Presidente Carvalho. We then woke up early the next morning so that we could go to the bus station with him and buy his ticket to go home. When we got back to the office, I started to learn a little more how to do this federal police stuff haha and just did stuff around the office.

Friday was something interesting.  So there is an elder here that was born in the United States but his parents are Brazilian so he is a citizen here. So I went to the federal police to try to make him a Brazilian identity, but when I got there, I needed to actually go to a notary office first, because I needed a form that I never heard that existed. So we went to the first notary office (the same one that I am using to take the new missionaries to authenticate documents) and they told me that I needed to go to a different notary office that does this form. So I went there, and I didn’t have all that they wanted so I basically resolved nothing haha. I just walked around in circles trying to figure out what to do and then I didn’t even finish what I needed to. Then when I got back in the office, I actually needed to sign up for a different site so that our mission president could sign documents for the visas. So yeah, Friday was busy hahaha. But it has been good.

We have also found lots of people to start teaching, we had a meeting with our ward mission leader, we found a less active that will bring his son this Sunday, and we will be there when Eliani gets confirmed! Oh and side note, her husband Sebastião is in the hospital so if you guys can pray for him, that would be great. Have a great week!

Amo Vocês,

Elder Joseph A. Kupferer

PS  Oh yeah! We also went to the hospital this week because one of our investigators and his wife had a baby! We called them out of the blue to see if she was born, and we found out that she was born that day a few hours ago! We then asked where the hospital was, and they said São Matheus which was exactly where we were going!!! So instead of telling them, we just went hahaha. But they loved that we went so it was super cool!!!

Baptism on P-Day

Saturday, August 18, 2018

Oi meus queridos! 

Well this week has been really really busy but as well REALLY GOOD! I don’t even know where to start but let us start with Sunday. So on Sunday, we got the two new assistants to the president, Elder Crandall and Elder Campos. Elder Crandall already served as the executive secretary and Elder Campos was my companion in Barra Mansa so that was amazing to see them again. We then after church, worked on the logistics of the transfers!!! Haha, so what I do is basically take a zone and just plan out all of the travel plans of that missionary. And there is usually something that changes the whole plan but it is cool to try and figure it out.  

On Monday, we did a bunch of stuff haha. Well, first off, President moved the transfer one more time so we needed to move a few plans real quick. Then, I sent out the Jornal of the mission, planned for the next day for the arrivals, and then we went to eat with the people that were leaving (oh I also checked them in for their flights haha). There were only two people leaving so it was interesting to see that. But it was good, and everything went great. 

On Tuesday, however, is when all the fun began. So there was 13 missionaries arriving with 10 being foreign. SOOO I had to meet all of them at the notary office and go one by one, sign some papers so that we could just authenticate a document that I will use to search their identities at the federal police. After that, we went to the mission house to eat lunch and then I went and went over the slides with President Lacerda of all the trainers and trainees. It was really cool to see that because I could see revelation happen right in front of me when he moved some people around. It has been really fun to be able to work that close to my mission president. So after that, the trainers showed up and we all bore our testimonies and then I helped the foreigners sign more papers back in the office haha. 

Then on Wednesday through Friday, it has been pretty busy with catching up with stuff in the office, resolving urgent things, marking doctor appointments, and with all that unfortunately, we weren’t able to leave the office a whole lot to go proselyting. That was a bit tough until today this morning!! On Sunday, Eliani had her interview and passed to be baptized so Saturday night we filled up the baptismal font, and this morning (on P-day which will probably be the best P-day of my mission), Eliani was baptized. It was spectacular because I have seen how she has fought for this. She is working almost every day, almost never has a break, trying so hard to keep her and her husband happy and secure (because Sebastião can’t really work now) and how the Lord has blessed her as she has tried to seek him. So yeah, tonight we will have a festa Agostina which is just a party that they have. What it is about, I don’t know but it will be great to integrate some members with investigators. 

I hope everyone has a great rest of the week!

Amo Vocês,

Elder Kupferer

Transfer Week

Saturday, August 11, 2018

Alô meus queridos!!! 

So this week was really interesting. I have done a lot of stuff here in the office and I have seen a good amount of miracles in the street. (Just to help with some questions, I am in the office from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM and then I work in the street until 9:00).

On Monday, we had a family home evening with Eliane (investigator), her husband, Sebastião (recent convert) and some members. During that night, we had a spiritual thought and had a cool game. But during the game, Eliane called us over and told us that Sunday the 19 wouldn’t work for her to be baptized…… BUT she wanted to see if she could be baptized on Saturday the 18 and then get confirmed the next day!!! It was amazing!! We told her calmly (on the outside haha) that of course that works and then told her to tell everyone. So that was really cool, and then we found some more people during the week such as Vanessa, who said that this is what she really needs and that she will go this Sunday!! So this side has been really fun!!

NOW on the office side, I have had the privilege to work with the transfers and doing the logistics. Actually, it is interesting that I was the first to know before anyone. Then, on Thursday, he [the mission president] told the rest here in the staff and we started working. Also, I have been finishing up the kits for the new missionaries arriving and setting up the new cell phones for the new areas. It is amazing to be on this side to see how we help everyone on this side. 

Well, I hope everyone has a great week!

Amo Vocês,

Elder Kupferer

Casamento

Saturday, August 4, 2018

Alô tudo mundo!! 

So this week has been filled with a good amount of different things.  

First things first, there was a wedding that happened this week! His name is Geraldo, and he has been investigating the church for about two years. The only thing that was holding him back was that he was living with his wife but wasn’t married legally yet (so not really wife but oh well haha). But that all changed on Thursday! The Assistants are teaching them but everyone has been really involved with his progress in the church, I even taught a lesson with him! I was in Leopoldina at that time and he was there with another maintenance worker (who is a member, Antônio) and they were there working on the church building and were passing by in the street when we saw them. We called them over and explained them that we were going to teach a lesson, and they joined along! It was an amazing experience and for all this time, I thought that he was a solid member. So, how great was my surprise that I received that he wasn’t a member but was getting married in the registry on Thursday. So, we went to the registry and saw them sign the papers, and then the Integration Night was basically their wedding reception! It was amazing, and tonight is his baptism. It was such a great experience.

The second thing is that this is my first week starting to work alone as the Executive Secretary. Elder Johnson (who was my zone leader in Teresópolis) went home this week because he extended his time a little bit. So because of this, his companion would not have a, well, companion, so President Lacerda called our district leader, Elder Azevedo to be his new companion. Which meant that, Elder Chugg is our new district leader!! That basically means that he is still there if I have any question, but now I am basically taking over everything. So it has been really cool to do this because I am starting to get excited every time I am doing something by myself or if there is something new that shows up and I resolve it hahaha. It is strange, but I am joyful to be here and I know this is where I need to be at this time. 

So, I hope everyone has a great week! Oh, and congratulations to my Uncle John for going through the temple for the first time!!

Amo Vocês,

Elder Kupferer

Preparing for the Best

Saturday, July 28, 2018

So this week was really interesting! I am doing a lot of new stuff things in the office. For example, the federal police here moved a few things about the visa renewal and there is a new process that we will have to do with everyone coming into the mission. But, it will be cool to work with.

In other news, we are working a lot with Leonardo to be baptized tomorrow, but on Thursday, he started to talk about how he likes his old church and doesn’t really want to change. But, we talked to him yesterday and today we will see how he feels. But I still have hope, but if it doesn’t happen, it is all in the Lord’s hand.

Other than this, I have started to make the new cards for the people that are showing up and it is cool to prepare to have all these new people come into our mission. But that is basically all that happened this week, sorry this wasn’t the best but I hope that everyone has a great week!

Amo Vocês,

Elder Kupferer

The Ride...Right on Time

Saturday, July 21, 2018

Hey everyone! So this week has been really cool.

This week started on Sunday, as we brought a family to church! This family is comprised of Maria, Janaína, and Leonardo. When they showed up, we invited Leonardo to do an interview with our district leader, and when he left, he had a date marked for the 29 of July! It was really cool and we will be here for him! Then, during the week, it has been a bit busy haha.

I have been working with the Polícia Federal helping renew some visas, I have been doing a lot of busy work here as well, and I am always learning as I go! It has been fun to work here in the office. But something cool happened out on the street yesterday! We were still working on a few things here in the office and we left a little behind schedule. So, we started walking and were planning on walking the whole way because we only had enough money for one passage (in paper). There was one point where we saw the sisters in our ward enter the bus and we were a bit discouraged because they would get to where they wanted so much faster! And that was when we heard someone honking right next to us and…. It was President José Carlos, one of the councilors in the stake!! He asked us if we wanted a ride and of course we said yes! He told us that he usually dosen’t take that way but he felt that he should this time. So we were able to arrive where we needed to, and we taught some great people last night (including Leonardo and his family). So this week was really good and I know this next week should be just as good!

I hope everyone has a great week!

Elder Joseph A. Kupferer

The Office - Juiz de Fora

Saturday, July 14, 2018

Alô Pessoal!

This week was fun with miracles, paperwork, and jokes.

First things first, I was able to go to church on Sunday. It was amazing to see some members that I have already seen and that I have already worked with. It was amazing to see them and it was fun there because there was a baptism before the classes started so that was really cool.

Then on Monday, I started to do the spreadsheets of all the numbers of the mission which TOOK FOREVER. Man, I started at about 10:00, I left for lunch and I finished all that I had to do at about 3:30. Man it took forever but it was still cool. It is interesting to look at what the secretaries always were doing (well actually they added this one so I got the pleasure to start with the spreadsheets haha) and that it is now my responsibility. 

Also, something that I got to do during this week was buy the plane tickets of some of my good friends from the mission, which was strange. Everyone that I talked to sounded hurt to hear this news and that their time was ending. It really made me think about how I need to enjoy (desfrute (desfrutar)) my time here while I am still here. I have done a lot during my mission and there is nothing that I want to change and I want to do my best to continue to serve with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. It is an honor to work here and I still have had some great things happen in the field as well.

Yesterday, we were trying to visit a contact when my companion and I felt inspired to visit a house. However, we just said that we would do that after the contact. But the person that we would meet with wasn’t there so we ended up knocking on that door. When they opened, there was a family waiting for us. The young man, already went, the grandma knew who we were and let us in. We taught about the church meetings and the whole family confirmed that they would go! (4 in total. There would be 5 but one of the children would go to her aunt’s house today and won’t be there).  And when we were leaving, the young man, Leonardo waved goodbye and said animatedly, “Até domingo!” (See you Sunday!) 

This time has been amazing and I am excited to continue working here in the office. Hope everyone has a great week!

Elder Joseph A. Kupferer

Finished Helping With Cars...Now Helping With Visas

Saturday, July 7, 2018

HELLO EVERYONE!! 

So I have not been able to talk to you guys for a little while because 1. I have become the new executive secretary which now my p-day is on Saturday and 2. because this last two weeks have been REALLY busy. 

First things first (and I will try to remember everything but it will be a little hard) on Tuesday the 26th, I helped change the principal [master] cylinder of the brake system in a member’s car, and I changed the oil. haha it was fun but it took forever because we had someone bring the pieces that we wanted but they brought the wrong pieces the first time, and took a little time to show up the second time. But it was fun, and I was able to help change everything just fine. 

Then later in the week, we did splits which was really fun and the elders that we did splits with needed a baptismal interview so we went and did that and HE PASSED! SO there was that, then on Friday, I did splits with a member and we were able to visit some less actives which was interesting. It was weird to see that just not doing the small things led them to stop going to church. They feel good about the church and everything, but just don’t have the same excitement as before (I am talking about one case in specific). 

BUT THEN on Saturday came the big fun. There is a member in Barra Mansa called Carlos (ou Carlão) and his car got hit. I think I already told you guys that we helped to put it back into shape, we put in the front passenger seat in again, and in general helped him out. But we wanted to paint the car, so we gathered money from members from the ward (and his wife and daughter as well without him knowing) and in ONE DAY, we sanded his car, beat his car into shape, put on plaster, and we painted and varnished the whole car. MAN DID IT TURN OUT GREAT and when we surprised him with the car he was super happy! It was amazing to be able to see that. 

When we painted the car, we were in an area that didn’t have any signal, so when we came back we had 8 missed calls from President Lacerda. So after my heart stopped we called for him, and he asked to talk with me. As we talked, he started to talk about when he was a missionary and that the best time was when he was the executive secretary, and then he told me that he prayed a lot and asked me to be the next executive secretary, so that was really humbling and exciting. But then that came the fun part, he told me that I would leave the next day at 2:00 after church. So when I got back at home, I packed my stuff, then on Sunday, I said bye to everyone, and waited at the bus station with a member until I got my bus. 

Then I went to Juiz de Fora! It has been weird to come back to this city but when I got here, I ran into some members that I have known during my 9 months in the Bairu ward. But as I arrived, I met my new companions, Elder Papalino and Elder Chugg!! It was really fun to see them again and it will be fun to work with them. So then we went immediately to the mission office, where we started to work on the transfers of everyone else, that actually President moved at 5:00 (And I got there at 6:00). After, this week has been super busy with the missionaries that were leaving, missionaries coming into the mission, and dealing with their visas. Then, we had a meeting with President, the leadership council, and I did an inventory of the deposit where we keep all of our materials.

So yeah, this week has been really busy but I am animated to be here and help the mission in a new way now. I hope everyone has a great week!

Amo Vocês,

Elder Joseph A. Kupferer

AMAN and Lições com Membros

Hey everyone!! So this week was really full of a lot of different things that happened. First off, after I sent my email on Monday, we went to a military base called AMAN, or Acadamia Militar das Agulhas Negras (Military Academy of the Black Needles? the last part I am not too sure haha) which was really cool. I learned a lot about the Brazilian Army and it was fun to relax. Then, later in the week we went to Usina to do a baptismal interview which was really cool. Then on Saturday, we went out with the Quorom President’s family to talk and teach some of their friends that they wanted to invite. So we started at about 2:30, and we finished at 9:30 when Jefferson dropped us off. It was a really good experience because it was cool to see the family excited to see what we do, and they were able to help break the ice with some of their friends which might have gone so well (then they made pancakes with maple syrup!!!! MAN WAS THAT GOOD).

So I wanted to do a challenge for everyone at home. For the members, talk with some friends and say that you will pass with the missionaries and then talk with the missionaries about it. For the non-members, I invite you let the missionaries in your home with a member that you know (maybe my parents hahaha) and just let them explain a little bit of what they do and what message they leave, because that is what I am doing with the people here in Brazil.

I hope everyone has a great week and let me know if you have done the challenge!

Amo Vocês, 

Elder Kupferer

Noite Familiar e Missionário de ala

Hey everyone!! This week has been pretty busy!

First things first, on Tuesday night, after we had our P-Day, we went to a noite familiar (family home evening) which included a bunch of members and an investigator with her family. It was really good and we talked a good amount about missionary work. Then later in the week, we continued working with Angela. Her main problem is smoking so we are really pushing hard on that point. But other than that, this week was pretty normal until Sunday. On Sunday, we were calling for everyone to bring them to church (oh and we ran out of credit so we called for everyone doing a conference call through our beloved district leader) and we just went. While church was already going, we had investigators (including Angela) start to show up and by the end of church we had 6 investigators there! It was amazing to see because most of them came by themselves. We didn’t need to do anything which is way better. Anyway, after that we received a message that because of the World Cup, during the game our president told us that we needed to be in our house. SOOO we did that, which was interesting hahah. But after that, we had a meeting with our ward mission leader and the ward missionaries to help them know a little more about their roles and we ended up talking about how we will work together and it was really cool! I have a new appreciation for ward missionaries and if you are one, please work with the missionaries! They will love you! 

Amo Vocês, 

Elder Kupferer

I Am a Mechanic Now

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Hey everyone!! So this week was really a full week! haha man was it a lot of work!! So first off, it got confirmed last Monday that the next day, Tuesday, would be the mission council. So on Monday we traveled to Juiz de Fora and there were a bunch of missionaries that I have known for almost all my mission. It was really good. Then we had the council on Tuesday and we learned a lot about enjoying our missions and what it meant to truly have a "Full Experience". Then, we returned on Wednesday and we went to a member’s house to help him translate questions that would be used for a competition. Then, the next day, there was a sister in the ward that her car wasn’t working, and the "mechanic" that fixed her car only ripped her off and did nothing that she had asked him to do. So, since my companion, Elder Campos, is a mechanic, we gave it a shot. So we spent all day Thursday (Oh and on Thursday, we went to the bishop’s counselor’s house, Carlos (Carlão) and we helped his car out because it got hit. So we put in the other front seat, fixed the other door, and cleaned it up) and a good amount on Saturday helping her out because that is what Christ would do. Then, on Sunday we had Stake Conference, which was amazing. We had a family come which are amazing, and one of the sons, Thiago, is SUPER interactive with people and he sat with the other counselor to the bishop! It was really cool. And all the talks were amazing and I was happy that I was able to be there. Then, yesterday, we had our Zone Conference which went really well! We talked a lot about who we are, and how working with members is really important. I also gave a small training so that was fun! Oh and this is why I am talking to you guys today instead of yesterday. But I am really excited to be able to continue work in this city and I know that the blessings will still come!

Amo Vocês, 

Elder Kupferer

Sendo Carioca Novamente [Being from Rio Again]

Hey guys so this week was a CHANGE. So this week was starting great with one of the best district meetings that I have ever given during my time on my mission. The spirit was super strong and the meeting was super productive. Then, we continued working hard during the week while we were trying to find more people to teach. Then, on Friday, we had an activity that was going really well until I heard the cell phone start to ring. I looked at it and saw that it was President Lacerda. So I went to talk to him and it turned out that I was getting transferred! So I got transferred the next day (which I left at 9:30 AM and they told me this at 8:15 in the morning and I had nothing ready hahaha) to Barra Mansa in the state of Rio de Janeiro! I am now the companion to Elder Campos and I am now a zone leader! It was very humbling to hear about and I am a bit nervous with this adjustment but I am excited to work with the zone! I am so excited to start doing my all to help my zone grow and help everyone reach their full potential. I hope everyone has a great rest of the week!

Amo Vocês, 

Elder Kupferer

When I say goodbye to members….

When I say goodbye to missionaries...

Uba

Monday, May 28, 2018

Hey everyone!! So not too much happened this week but we did go down to Ubá this week. So there is a missionary there that is having a bit of a problem with the work and our mission president thought it would be good to send us with the ZL's (because we live together) and go and help one day. So on Wednesday, we went to Ubá, helped them separate all the people that already went to church at least one time and we got to work. I left with one of the elders from Ubá, Elder Gale (ZL) went with the other, and my companion Elder Oliveira stayed with Elder Conceição (ZL). So we were able to get a lot of work done. I actually marked a baptism date with a guy that already went to church and they have been following up with him and he said that everything is going well for him to get baptized this weekend coming up!  So after that we kept working here and we were missing a lot of new investigators. So, we went to a house of a contact that we did, and his family of three accepted us (family of four actually but only three of them have the age [are old enough] to be baptized) and while we were talking with them, their friends showed up (a mom and daughter) and they were really interested!! So I will tell you guys more when there is more to tell. But I hope everyone has a great week!!

Amo Vocês, 

Elder Kupferer

È Claro Que Sim!!

Monday, May 21, 2018

Hey guys!! So this week was pretty great!! So it started with a splits with Ubá! We had our district meeting then I went with Elder Igure so that he could do an eye exam. Then, we ate lunch and went to work! It was really good and he said he learned a lot about planning so we both felt it was productive. Then, the next day, we had an interview and the other elders that would do the interview were doing splits as well, so I left with Elder Lima when Elder Conceição went with Elder Oliveira to the interview. The sad thing is that that person passed but couldn’t make that Sunday so we will try to work with him this week. Then, on Friday, there was something really cool that happened. We talked with Janette (her son Victor got baptized a few weeks ago) and she was really hesitant about getting baptized, but somehow this time it was different. When we got there we just started teaching with the Spirit (and it was strong too!) As we were teaching she was really frank with us and we were frank with her haha but at the end she started asking if the church opened on Fridays which we thought was a little weird. But then she asked if she could get baptized on the 8th of June (a Friday) and what did we say? È claro que sim!! OF COURSE! So we marked that date and she said that that date was special because it was the birthday of her son that had died recently so it was really a special experience. This was great because I know that the lesson would not have worked as well if the spirit wasn’t there. The Holy Ghost is essential and I hope everyone looks to have the spirit more this week!

Amo Vocês, 

Elder Kupferer

Splits All Week and Zone Conference

Monday, May 14, 2018

Oi pessoal!

So this week started really well! So it all started with a call from President Lacerda. He started to talk to my companion and when he got off the phone, he told me that I would be doing splits with the ZL's (that live in the same house) and I would be with Elder Gale and Elder Conceição would be with Elder Oliveira. So, this week already started a bit weird but it all worked out. Then on Tuesday, I completely forgot about the splits because we had Zone Conference which was amazing. President Lacerda first talked about how all these things that we are doing wrong are choices and all that we need to do is turn the switch. The other thing that I learned is that we need to have a better vision of hope and that we need to be anchored in Christ which was what I was needing to here. I loved this Zone Conference and during this week, I have never been so happy on my mission, and it is because I am working SOOO much! It is crazy to think how much that I am changing on my mission and I hope that I continue changing for the better! I hope everyone knows that I love my Savior, Jesus Christ and I am doing His work! I hope everyone has a great rest of the week.

Amo Vocês, 

Elder Kupferer

3/4 of the All-American District Bairu (my last district). Also, my trainer (Elder Western) in the middle goes home next week.