Moonshadow and missionary work (11/12/12 email)

We had a really great zone conference this week.  The assistants gave us a training on how baptizing is all about attitude and faith--that God didn't call us to fail.  They showed us a quote by President Kimball that I just loved.  It was something along the lines of:  "If you could only see the vision I have. I wish I had your bodies to do this work. I would run from house to house telling everyone of the gospel, and after I lost strength to run I would begin to walk, and after I collapsed from walking, I would begin to crawl, and after my knees were so bloody that I could not use them I would use my arms to drag myself, and once my muscle in my body was gone I would begin to yell…oh, only if you could see the vision as I have."  Reminded me of that [Cat Stevens] song "Moonshadow." 

I thought their training was really super.  The way I see it, when we give 50 percent, we usually get 50 percent results.  When we give 80 percent, we usually get 80 percent results.  But when we give 100 percent, we might be surprised to find that we have gotten bajillion percent results.  The grace of God kicks in after all that we can do.  So em fim, zone conference was a nice refreshing kick in the pants.

Oh yeah, President and Sister Tanner also gave a great training on how to teach the basic concept that God really is our loving Heavenly Father.  Far too many people have lost that understanding, and it's kind of hard to want to be saved if you think God is a passionless, distant, creative mist.  I liked the part when President Tanner asked if our parents like to hear from us often.  "Yes," we said.  "And when you'd stay out late, what did they do?"  "Call," we said.  "What was the first question God asked Adam?  'Adam...Where art thou?' "  Haha, love it.  And this week, our investigator Maria Aparecida told us that she studied theology, and of all the religions she has ever studied, she is most impressed with the way us Mormons treat our relationship with God.

Good news is Fabiano quit smoking...or...well, I would be more excited about it if I hadn't been left doubting a little bit when Fabiano went to take his new cell phone out of his back pocket but started to pull out what looked to be a fresh pack of cigs instead.  I only got a glimpse of it though before he thrust it back into his pocket, and I was too stunned to say anything except to go ahead with the lesson, emphasizing the necessity of repentance.  At least if it was cigarettes, I can be sure the pack was unopened.  Kinda reassuring, right?

Ah man, this week was just plain interesting.  We did a Q&A with a private high school class, answering questions like "Where do Mormons come from?" and (to the missionary from Cape Coast) "Was it hard to learn Portuguese?" (His answer was, "No, because in Cape Coast we speak Portuguese.")  Afterward we learned that the class picked three religions to visit and study--Buddhism, Hinduism, and Mormonism.  Then Sister Leite and I got invited to an Assembly of God meeting at an investigator's house who said she'd visit our church after we visited hers.  It was actually pretty tranquil, you know, aside from all the yelling.  I guess what I mean is, they weren't yelling at us.  So that's a plus.  But this one little snake of a lady who gave a talk about how the Bible is the only true book in the world, asked us in front of everyone to teach her about our religion.  "I got your Bible of the Mormons and read a little bit.  Don't you guys practice baptisms for the dead?"  My companion was like, "It's the Book of Mormon, not the Bible.  Another testament of Jesus Christ.  But actually we learned about baptisms for the dead not from the Book of Mormon, but from the Bible.  The apostle Paul practiced it.  You don't?"  I honestly don't know why it is so hard for people to accept the idea of baptisms for the dead.  Like I told them, "Do you believe in the truth?  Then you also believe that people have died without the truth?  I know that our loving Heavenly Father provided a way for these people to accept and live the gospel as well.  He didn't just condemn them for what they didn't know."

Love you,

Sister Carter

Gadianton Robbers (11/5/12 email)

We found four great new families in two days this week... if only they would please, please, please go to church--gah!  We explained that Christ revealed the Gospel to bless their families and that we can get to know this Gospel in Christ's true church. All three of the families saw miracles happen during, or soon after, the lessons: Neide's special-ed son, Renato, went from sad to super, super happy when we entered the room, and she said that since our first visit she has found herself with a lot more energy and desire to take care of the home.  Madelena heard her granddaughter pray for the first time, and during that prayer, her daughter, Simone, whom they had all been worried about because she went out drinking, arrived home safe and sound.  Tatiane's three kids stopped arguing, played nicely together, and talked about how they could be good examples this week. Gilsa cried when she found out I could help her learn English for free because it's been her lifelong dream and now she will be able to talk on  the phone with her grandchildren in Florida.  Yet with all these great signs from God, none of these women visited Christ's church (yet) on account of the fact that they've got their own church.

On the other hand, we taught Fabiano again.  The lesson was excellent on account of the fact that our goal was to get him to commit to quit smoking by the end of the lesson, and before we even started the lesson, he said, "I've given it some thought, and I'm gonna quit smoking today.  It's about time."

Also Sister Leite did a winner street contact with this guy.  He read her nametag and said, "I know someone from your church.  Do you want to come in?"  "Uhhh....."  It looked like he was pointing to his truck.  He smiled and said, "You don't need to be afraid.  He who has God does not have fear."  Then he led us to his house behind the truck.  His wife, Catiana, is a recent convert who moved here from Haiti a few months ago.  She hadn't bothered looking for the church because she's pregnant and didn't have any pregnant clothes she could wear to church.  So the Relief Society hooked her up with some and gave her a great welcome on Sunday.

We had a really great lesson with Athia and his friend, Jorge, about "The Family: A Proclamation."  Jorge had recently broken up with his long-time girlfriend because she spent money like a maniac, and her mother was, in fact, a real live maniac.  When we told him that we practice the law of chastity, marry within the covenant, and believe in eternal marriage, he was just like, "That is completely different from today's society."  We were like, "Chyeah, what's the point of religion if it doesn't make you different?  If it doesn't sanctify you?"  He laughed and was like, "Yeah, I guess I always just believed in Christ and end of story."  The cool part was that by the end of "The Family," he came to his own conclusion that the law of chastity could have really helped his relationship.  He said that he and his girlfriend were so blinded by passion that they didn't want to admit that they had serious problems.  As a result, they had to depend way too much on the girlfriend's crazy mom for finances, etc.  Had they kept the law of chastity, Jorge said, they could have at least set up a basic foundation of responsibility and communication before living together.  It just never really occurred to him to do it that way.  So Jorge is great and he even came to church on Sunday, but unfortunately he does not live in our area so that is the last you will hear of him.

How are things in the US with the hurricane and the Mitt Romney?  I saw a Brazilian newspaper with an article entitled "Where Have All the Rats Gone?" referring to the state of New York after the hurricane.  Also, I don't know if you have heard anything about this, but there was a brief uprising and downfall of the PCC this week in Sao Paulo.  (PCC=Primeiro Comando da Capital--basically the Gadianton Robbers, except crack-dealer style).  They set up "governments" in the bigger slums and make pacts that if a cop kills a member of the PCC, the PCC has to kill two cops before the end of the day.  So as soon as one PCC member is killed, deaths start to rise exponentially.  I'm like, "Hello, people!  This is how the entire Jaredite nation did themselves in, you idiots!"  But the governor finally permitted the navy and feds to come and help put an end to the drug war, so it looks like things are pretty well settled down now.  And you'll be happy to know that our mission president is really inspired, because before anybody was even worried about this thing with the PCC becoming a big deal, he gave the whole mission a curfew--on the very night that the highest amount of people were killed.

Love you,

Sister Carter

Fotos (10/29/12 email)

My favorite box of cigarettes.  It warns against the effect of smoking on...something.  Wouldn't know what of course.  I would have sent you this fun little Brazilian curiosity a long time ago if it weren't for my sensitive missionary conscience.

For Sister Leite's birthday, we exercised for realsies.  We took the stairs from the 16th floor to the main floor and back again.

And then we ate cake.

And then we got shot.

Teaching under the overpass (10/29/12 email)

Last week the elders gave us a referral on Viaduto (overpass) Pedroso that...didn't exist.  :(  We were like, "Great, as if we don't get enough cakes in the face from street contacts.  Now we have to put up with 'em from elders too?"  But we got the same referral again over email, this time from the mission president and with a phone number.  What did the secretary--yes, secretary--say when we called?  That this address did in fact exist, but that we would find it UNDER the overpass.  Naturally.  Even the slums in Vila Mariana have doormen, so why wouldn't the lean-to under the overpass have its own address...and secretary?  It's a halfway house where 180 men can live for a period of up to 6 months.  It is literally attached to the underside of the overpass like a beehive, with all the cars passing under it.  Our reference, Fabiano, moved there recently after, get this, his father, mother, and wife passed away in a matter of two months.  He had started to go to church in Belem and the elders quorum helped finance his trip to Sao Paulo to start a new life.  Part of that new life, he knows, will include baptism.  :)  It's just going to take a while, though, since he is at a pretty critical point in his life right now.  He has to start from zero.  To start, he found a pretty good job at a security company for the fancy pants houses in Morumbi.  But for the first three months of training, he has a rotating day off once every seven days.  Which means he won't be able to go to church that much.  But he's already being really welcomed by everyone in the church.  They did a clothing drive for him (he came with only one outfit), found him a good place to live, and he will interview with the bishop this week to see what else we can help him with.  Way to go, ward.

We had lunch this week at Raquel and Jorge's house--the day before their son, Lucas, left on his mission.  Two things became immediately evident as soon as we stepped through the door.  1)  Raquel was at her wit's end, worn out by the prospect of sending her son on a mission for two years.  2)  From the bottom of His heart, God was grateful for her sacrifice.  The Spirit was pretty much shouting that last part, and His presence filled the room right up.  Though, I'm pretty sure Raquel was not in much of a state to notice.  She took a while to come and greet us, and only did so in her pajamas.  The last son she had sent on a mission came home early with a mental breakdown, and to send one more was almost more than she could bear.  I was grateful to be able to tell her how proud God was of her.  And I was grateful  again for the reassurance that God looks out for the families of us missionaries.

We had interviews with the mission president today.  He too was impressed with how much my companion likes to talk--asked me how I like the new training program, or if I'm not able to get it done with such a chatterbox for a trainee.  He also expressed his excitement for Jeorge to get the church started in the interior of Sergipe and suggested that I write letters of support to him.  Then he paused for a minute, and asked, "How old is Jeorge?"  "25."  "Gah!  Non-romantic letters," he clarified...like five times.  I laughed.  Our president is so adorably awkward.  Today he sent us an email that said, "I hear that the two of you are dynamite. That's the word on the street."  "Word on the street"?  What are you?  Young??

We also got a CD of "hymns" from our new investigator, Eduardo.  He's a tattoo artist from the Snowball Church that was established in Sao Paulo a few years ago by a famous surfer.  The CD even features our good old American brotha, T-Bone!  Wish you could hear it.

Love you,

Sister Carter

Love you family (10/22/12 email)

Sorry I haven't sent you photos in like forever.  I guess I heard one too many stories about being assaulted, and stopped carrying my camera around everywhere.  Today I finally have a few pictures but I chose the unlucky computer that has the cable insert part burned.  (Haha! I just remembered when I went through that phase where every electronic I came close to went up in flames.)

My companion is so funny.  I've never met anybody who likes to teach homeless people so much!...or maybe who doesn't recognize a homeless person when she sees one--she's asked a few if she can write down their address.  Nor have I had a companion who somehow finds the time, money, and patience to actually cook on the mission--every morning, night, and whenever we receive money for lunch.  I'm so lucky.  She also talks A LOT.  I think most people from the northeast have this habit of talking and talking until someone actually INTERRUPTS them.  I feel so rude doing that though.  I can't get used to it.  So this week she told me a story about... something...on our way home that lasted from the Santa Cruz metro station to Paraíso!  Look it up on Google and you'll see what a ridiculously long distance that is for a story to last.  Haha.

We had always joked that Jeorge will make the whole congregation deaf if he ever bears his testimony.  When we met him, he was a loyal member of the Assembleia de Deus which means that whatever emotion he happened to be feeling in the moment was expressed in enthusiastic shouts.  But he has grown so much in the past two weeks.  Last week, he bore a better testimony than many members, declaring powerfully but humbly that he knows The Book of Mormon is divine.

But this week when we visited him, we caught him in a bad mood--ungrateful, bitter, and not wanting to go to church this week.  Sister Leite was hurt and didn't feel good and began to wonder if we had done the right thing in baptizing him when he was clearly not fully converted.  She wanted to leave as soon as we showed up.  But I gave her a look that said, "Not so fast," and we told Jeorge about how his testimony had been just what another investigator who had been praying about the Book of Mormon needed to hear.  God proportions his Spirit during Sacrament meeting, and church can be a source of revelation for all who participate worthily.  So Jeorge decided to go.  :)  And I told my young daughter [mission speak for trainee] the great lesson that Brother Akinaka taught me right before I went on my mission:  "Sometimes Satan gets in your way.  Don't run.  Fight him."  Jeorge was baptized because he has a testimony.  The conversion part will take a lifetime as he consistently makes decisions like the one he did this week.  So anyway he went to church and received a million answers to his prayers and totally repented.

Also Marisa who is a lovely inactive lady we have been working with for a long time went to church with her family!!  We were so happy.  She reminds me a lot of Aunt Jody.  And I just cannot imagine Aunt Jody ever leaving the church.  So I try really hard to help her.

I loved our trunky Gospel Principles lesson this week.  It was all about families and how much we learn within them-- sacrifice, patience, forgiveness, humility, hard work, obedience, faith, love (of course), and so much more.  There's a famous quote that I once heard at the end of Mary and Max [a very quirky, obscure movie] that says something along the lines of, "You´re born into a family, but you choose your friends," indicating that friends are more valuable than family.  But that's not quite true, is it?  There's a power within families that makes it so we can change things.  So I guess... I love you, family.

I was on TV again. Third time since being transferred to Vila Mariana.  First time was some kind of commercial involving a rabid dog who was after a skateboarder.  Second was some Americans doing a news report on the Bank of Brasil.  And today was the hospital across from our apartment where four victims were being treated after a crazy schizo shot them.  Two psychs, a cop, and his girlfriend showed up at his apartment to inter him and he shot them all right on the spot, then locked himself in his apartment (on our street!) where cops negotiated with him for several hours until he finally turned himself over.

This also happened to be the day that someone from another stake asked us to meet her at the same hospital and visit her sister.  I'm sure all the Mormons who caught a glimpse of us on TV waiting for her in front of the hospital thought we were major slackers trying to get in on the day's action.

What I thought was funny was the bureaucratic hassle we had to work through before visiting this lady.  The visit, in fact, would have been impossible if we hadn't found a sympathetic secretary willing to help us cut some corners.  Two people cannot visit the same person at once.  But she told us that Sister Leite could register as a nun, and I could register as a normal visitor, but we'd have to take separate elevators.  Sister Leite would be accompanied by the lady's caregiver, and I would be accompanied by the lady's sister.  Only there were too many nuns who have already registered at the hospital, so Sister Leite had to take the number of a slacker nun who only visited once and never returned.  And if anyone gave us any troubles, we would have to say that we were visiting different sick beds, and pray with one more person.  We had ten minutes...  You get the gist.

We are also teaching Neide who is quitting smoking.  We shared the story of David and Goliath with her, where, even though David doesn't have armor that fits, he says, "Hoje mesmo" [even today] the Lord will deliver Goliath into his hands.  Then we invited her to quit smoking.  And this time when she said, "I'll try," we didn't say, "I know if you actually try, you'll succeed because the Lord wants you to have success blah blah blah."  We said, "I know you'll fail."  We said, "Someone who says 'I'll try,' is still leaving excuses in his head.  But someone who says, 'I will do this today,' will succeed because he knows the Lord is on his side."  She hemmed and hawed and didn't say, "I'll try," again, but she did pull two cigarettes out of her pocket that she had told us didn't exist, broke them, and handed them over to us.  It wasn't the, "From now on I will not smoke anymore," that we had asked for, but it was still pretty cool.  Rather than risk ruining the moment by asking, "Hey so does this mean you're quitting?" I just said a prayer of thanks and congratulated her.

Love you,

Sister Carter