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

The Blessings of the Priesthood

Hello everyone! This week has been an interesting one but has been a hardworking week.

First off, we gave two blessings this week which was amazing. They were two investigators and I was able to be a part of it. We also gave my companion a blessing and I have really seen how the Lord has been able to bless His children through worthy priesthood holders and I am glad that I can be one of them and stand as a representative of Christ.

Also this week, we had some trouble with a baptismal date. This person has some legal trouble and they can’t be baptized until this is resolved so that was a little hard. Also, the other baptismal date is always gone when we try his house. But we gained 8 investigators in one day and are continuing to work hard and I have seen the Lord’s help.

We will see how this week will go but I feel this week will be better. Talk to you guys next week. 

Love,

Elder Kupferer

Mission Tour with Elder W. Mark Bassett

Oi tudo mundo! This week has been pretty great! We had a lot happen this week. 

First thing was we had a mission tour which is when a General Authority comes and talks to us and we get to meet him which is pretty cool! Elder W. Mark Bassett is a General Authority Seventy and is a member of the Brazil Area Presidency. 

We also took a picture of the entire mission with him but he was taking a while to show up so we were all standing and I was talking to a guy from Shelley, Idaho and we were talking about random stuff and I was trying to tell him that my grandparents who live in Arizona used to have a spot for missionaries (an apartment for missionaries to live in) but the word for grandparents is avos, and the word for eggs is ovos. Então, I told him that my eggs live in Arizona which makes absolutely no sense. Got to love mess ups with the language! 

Then after that, we continued to work and went to a possible investigator's house. She wasn’t there but her son was and he let us in. His name is Douglas and we continued to talk to him and by the end we set a baptism date! That was great but now we just need to continue to work with him. 

We also had stake conference which was good. All the talks were good and I understood a good amount! Overall this has been a good week and I can’t wait to continue. Talk to you guys later!

Love,

Elder Kupferer

Transfers

Esta semana foi muito bom! [This week was really good!]

I did a lot this past week but I will start by talking about how we had transfers and we will be staying here! (Elder Western, Kzeczik, and I) Elder Igure got transferred to Teresopolis and we gained Elder Papalino who is really cool (and Elder Pereira until his companion shows up). But starting with last P day, we went and hiked this hill called O Morro de Cristo (the hill of Christ) which had this awesome view at the top. The next day we had district meeting which was good because we did some role-playing that helped me out this week. Then on Thursday, we helped someone move and then got some food afterwards so that is always good! The next day we had an emergency practice for the Mission Tour this coming week. What a mission tour is, it is basically when an Area Authority (in the Seventy which is a separate quorum) who comes and talks with us (or chastises us, we’ll see haha) and then he has a bigger meeting with all the wards and stakes in the area. So that will be fun. Also, this week we have two baptismal dates that we got so I am excited to help them prepare! This week has been good and I can´t wait to continue to work in Grajaú for another transfer! Oh, we also had a festa for the new transfer. 

Love, 

Elder Joseph A. Kupferer