Christmas letter 2013

"Sulacap! thats my new area. Im learning to love it here... it was way hard to leave all those i love in Vila São Luis. But Im loving the new atmosphere, the accent is super thick and theres some huuuuuge houses here! it doesnt feel like the Brasil i know, but im sure i´ll get along!

 

This is the second time im companions with Élder Stinnett. Its very gratifying repeating comps, because you can look back to see how much we´ve grown since our las t service together. weaknessess have been strengthened, portuguese perfected, and we´re all around just better missionaries! im excited to see the sucess we´ll have together.

 

The work here is, well, being revived. Before Élder Stinnett, the last baptism here was in march.... thats gonna have to change! I was extremely blessing to see miracles throughout the mission, i hope to bring the lessons learned with me, because we´ll be needing them!

 

We´re focusing on our teaching pool, which at the moment is next to nothing. Its gonna come through a balance of member referrals and investigator visits with members... the members are everything!! a few elders in the past really annoyed and destroyed our relationship with them, but nothing that a pair of dimples cant fix :D

 

We´re looking to baptize this Christmas!!! The man name is Paulo, he´s progressing a ton!! he´s the father of a family baptised earlier this month. We invited him to church this week, when he refused we used all our techniques to persuade him but he wouldnt give in! We left his home deciding to confide in the Lord. WE PRAYED A TON, hoping for a miracle! the next day, we watched as he and his two son Hugo and Davi all walked in in white shirt and tie! Its sooo good to know that we aren´t alone in this work. When we do our best and leave the rest in the Lord´s hands, miracles happen!! Please keep Paulo in your prayers, what a better present to Christ this season than a family completed in the church? VAMOS COM FÉ!!!

This Christmas season, i will once again be in the streets while all others enjoy the company of family and friends. But its a small price when compared to the sacrifice of our Lord. The greatest present i could recieve is the privelage to work along side ou savior during this special time of year. Please know that even though in far off that I wish a Merry Christmas to all! Paz na Terra, Glória à Deus!

Élder Hansen"


"Sooooo we got kicked out oof our lanhouse sooooo immabe real quick this week. summing things up-

We didnt sleep. its super hot and brasilians love fireworks and loud music until 6:30 in the morning.

We almost had a baptism this week! but then something rather strange happened... Hope to explain next week!

OUr members area bunch of old farts who dont do anything for us.... ok maybe thats harsh hahah im just so used to the animated work in Saint Luisville, we´re working our hardest to gain a good relationship with them to produce the same results(which includes sacrifcing our entire pday to wash the floor of a members office building.......). with out the members we´re nothing!!

But, ion the midst of this crazyness im happy. I was so blessed to have a solid skype with the greatest family ever! that gave me enough gas to put out two more years of work!! I LOVE THIS WORK!! and i love you guys! have a happy new year!!!

Com amor, Elder Hansen"