Olá! Espero que todos vocês estivesse ótimo, e gostaram da telefonema domingo passado. Foi xeque no bode! Hey, I hope that you all are super good, and liked the old phone call home this last Sunday! It was so nice talking to you all, and making sure that you are all alive and kicking! Funny, but serious! With time you remember some things from home, but the big chunk, like the sound of voices, character, and everything is gone! So what can I say more, it was ridiculously miraculous!
You all wanted to know if they celebrate mother´s day here, and the answer is some people do. What I mean is, some parts of the city do, and other parts no. As you go threw the city there are new parts which are more rich and there are the original parts which are poorer. Well the rich people buy presents for their mothers, and have some get togethers, but the poor people just let it go by, and just stick to the daily drinking routine. I swear one of the biggest lies that I hear is when the people say, 'I am going to stop drinking.' You know why? It is because beer here is like water; it’s a necessity. People say that they are not alcoholics, because alcoholics go to AA classes; they are drunks. It’s sad, but I am here fighting against it, and I know that if any person really puts there mind to it they can and will do anything. Another thing interesting here is the excuses for not going to church. Seriously, if you guys understood Portuguese and were here with me, you would get a real kick out of what people say. From they feel sick, to their pointer finger hurts, to the rain, to if God wants they will go, to Sunday is the only day to watch T.V. and to get drunk, and the list goes on my dear friends. This Sunday there was like no one in church, because it was raining a little bit. I have had to get big buckets of water, and literally drench people to wake them up and go. The Presidents of the different organizations did not even go, but at least the bishop made it So I applaud you all for waking up early on Sundays and going to church no matter what the circumstances!
Then you have the little thieves that keep robbing us, and I don’t know how. If I did they would have a black eye, be tied up, and be sitting in the back of some half drunk Police officers car. Ha! Anyways just to let you know I am waiting for them, and when I get them it’s not going to be an old walk in the park. That’s one thing that I don’t like; a dirty thief. There is a little market below our apartments, and the owner put out cameras. So for sure now if the dirty rats come I will get them!
We are teaching some awesome people here in our area. There is one specific family that is progressing fast. Their names are Rosineia, and Francine. Also they have three daughters. We are teaching them a ton about marriage, and the importance of baptism. We shared with them John 3:5 and they started taking what we have to teach seriously! I love teaching from the scriptures, and having the investigators read them, because you truly gain so much more power, and the spirit is so much stronger. When we show people our knowledge of the scriptures they truly recognize us as true representatives of Jesus Christ. I love the scriptures, and studying them everyday is a joy. I search for spiritual truths, and strive to put in practice that which I learn from them. It is a challenge to read them everyday, but I know that when we study diligently everyday the scriptures, and when we have family scripture study, the Lord will bless us beyond our comprehension. We will see a great change in our lives, and the spirit will be our constant companion. Its my prayer that we all strive to do this. I hope that you all have an awesome week, and keep up on all the fun things your involved in. You are all truly a great inspiration to me. Love you all!
Tchau Tchau vocês!Elder Gatten