Week Thirty-Three

"Christmas was great, after delicous churrasco we hit the streets and continued the work, the work of the lord always continues! it was extremely hot on Christmas which was a change for me, i knew i wouldnt get a white christmas but i was at least hoping for a wet one!! we recieved some christmas packages from the ward, mostly filled with sweeties but hey thats not too bad!

 

this month i recieved TONS of letters. thanks to everyone for their support! I´ll let you guys know that i recieve more letters than anyone else in the mission... i recieve more than ZONES combined. While im really grateful for everyones mail, i´ll ask that everyone be patient with me as i try to respond to everybody. keep up the mail of course, its missionary fuel, just remember that its one missionary fighting against an army of supporters in this mail war! i spend most of my pdays just writing mail haha, i´ll do my best to get to everyone!

 

perhaps the most rewarding part of this holiday season was teaching a young man named Artur. He´s completely deaf, and because of this, it easy to see how enstranged he feels. My companion took the time to sit down and talk with him, it was incedible to see how open and excited he got when we show him we were willing to listen an learn. In a small amount of time, we were able to learn a pretty good amount of sign language. we were able to teach him about Jesus and invite him and his mother to the church christmas party, which they happily excepted.

 

At the party we helped Artur get out of his comfort box. at first he was very hesitant, but pretty soon he was running around with all the other kids. we then had the opportunity to talk with his mother for a while, she expressed deep gratitude for our efforts to make Artur´s christmas a great one. as a single mother raising a deaf child we could see how much she needed this gospel in her life. i could see the spirit working within her eyes, thanks to the loving warmth of the members, beauty of the chapel and the spirit of christmas itself. it crushed us to learn that she lives in São Paulo, and that she was just passing through. at least i know that she was permantely impacted by that christmas night, and i hope that one day she and Artur run into the church again someday! (she probably will, another way to spell São Paulo is Southern Provo...) Im so glad i could play a part in someones joy this Christmas season, and to bring this joy and much more to people all year round!"

-Elder Kelland Hansen