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