Our listening campaign is really working! we´re spending much more time probing for the needs of our investigators, its been paying off. but because of this im really getting to know the darker side of Rio. I heard too many sob stories to count, almost everyone here has a son deceased son or brother due to gang violence, police brutality, or other tragic deaths. its made me really look at my life and the inumerous blessings that i have, principally the gospel centralized family that i have. so many blessing fall upon the righteous! Its really been driving me to preach this word, this message is a cure for the sick in spirit.
We´ve been doing a lot of service as well! The miracle this week was with an investigator called Andrea. we contacted her in the street with her daughter Rafaela, but in our initial contact they seemed less than interested. but they live near the church so we decided to stop by anyways. we passed by but only Florlinda, the mother of Andrea was home. we asked if we could share a quick message but she declined, describing to us some major renovations going on in their house. We offered to help out with the work, but when she said no something told us to push the subject. She finally accepted, frustrated that we wouldnt accept money so we settled on having lunch with them after the service.
we arrived the next day early and got to work. we helped them demolish a wall that needed to come down, but they were lacking proper tools so we went at the wall with hammers! reminded me a lot of my breif ´´deconstruction`` work with ben a while back. it was thouroughly enjoying! we worked quickly and efficiently, blowing away the other hired workers (who actually showed up drunk). by midday the work was completely done, and as we lunched with them the family had changed. Andrea was soon laughing and joking with us, the at first reserved husband was opening up about his work, beliefs, hobbies etc, we were in! we then shared a quick verse and invited them to church. the husband responded, ´´i cant believe your guys willingness to serve without anything to return, if only the world worked this way! church starts at 9? you can count me there from now on.`` the next sunday we arrived at church to find all of them already seated and ready to learn! we´re heading there tonight in hopes of setting a baptism date, miracle happen when you srtive to live like christ!!"
-Elder Kelland Hansen, October 29, 2012
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