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.