This week has been a busy and interesting week.
This past Wednesday we ended up doing a 3-way division, which means that Elder Jenkins went to another area with two other missionaries, Elder Jones the other leader of the zone leader went with another two missionaries in a completely different area, and I went with the companion of Elder Jones, Elder Rizo-Patron, back into my first area of Jardim Florença e 31 de Março. It was really fun and awesome because I had three miracles happen. The first was irmã Laedina and she didn't tell us, but she was doubting if she was on the right path and doing the right things because her life was so difficult and she wasn't sure about everything going on. When we got there I had the feeling to leave an inspirational video from the church and Eduardo (her 5 year old son) picked out a video which so happened to be the perfect message for her. She was crying at the end and told us everything and that we answered her prayers to God. It was such a spiritual experience. The next family was Irmã Jessica who also was struggling with feeling completely alone because her husband (they weren't officially married yet) let her and doesn't want anything to do with her. When we got there I decided again to leave an inspirational video and at the end she explained what happened and said that the message we left was exactly what she was needing. It was incredible how the Lord works through us to help His children here. I was able to pass by Mateus, Ariane, e Yan plus Bia and Camilla. It was such a wonderful reunion and very much needed on both sides. After that the third miracle occurred when we knocked on a house an Joelma came out. She was feeling the lack of peace in her home and the struggle to feel comfort, and after our message she had the desire to receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost after being baptized. So it was an absolute miracle that we were able to help her feel that peace and help her understand how she can have that with her forever.
Thursday we had interviews with President Bikman and then Friday we went to the temple and we were so drained afterwards that we were walking slow.
At this point you may be wondering why this email is titled, "The Blessing of Sacrafices."
For the past three weeks we have been fasting every Saturday. For those who don't know, fasting is a commandment from the Lord where we humble ourselves before Him by voluntarily refraining from eating and drinking for a period of 24 hours. So we have been giving up food and water for 24 hours every Saturday so that we can help the church here and find the people who are needing help. Because of these fasts I have seen many blessings. One of which we were able to bring many people to go to church and many members who haven't gone for awhile have slow began to return as we found them and began talking with them. We were blessed to find the family of Kamily, Larissa, e Maxwell who were looking for guidance from the Lord, went to church, and has a desire to be baptized in the coming weeks. Because of the fast we also found Emerson who has already met with many missionaries because of his struggle with drinking alcohol and smoking a 2 packs of cigarettes everyday, and we are now helping him rid these substances from his life and he is actually doing it. We were blessed with members helping us and giving us food when we had none, and we both have been spiritually strengthened and blessed throughout this past week. I would implore all those who are seeking for change in their life to set a day aside and fast for 24 hours or for the space of two meals. When you start, say a prayer to the Lord stating that you will be fasting for whatever reason and then end the fast with a prayer. I promise you that the small sacrifice that you make will rain down blessings in ways you may not even realize.
I would like to close stating that there are many trials and difficulties that I am enduring and it is only through my faith, trust, and confidence in the Lord that I am able to have a firm foundation. The scripture I would like to leave is the following:
Romans 5:1-5
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
I hope everyone is has a wonderful week!
Pictures!!
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