Transferred!
After a couple of super mixed up transfers in Vila São Luis, I was
transferred to Nova Iguaçu, Nova Iguaçu. My comp will be Elder Leal
(Brasilleiro). I am super excited for a little change. I have only
heard good things about this area!
So this week, I got to
go with Elder Borges for his last training with president Lima. We
learned there about the importance of complimenting people. It is so easy
and natural to skip over the good things of a person and just see the
errors. As a duplo, Elder Borges and I have made the goal to
compliment every single contact. It has really made a difference in the
way that I look at people. When you actively search for the good
qualities of the people surrounding you, you end up just feeling so happy and
grateful for all the Lord has done in the world.
One day we were
walking in the Square of Vila and there was a man on a bench that stopped us in
our tracks. He had whiskey on his breath and drugs at his side. He
asked us who we were and explained that he needed help. His wife kicked
him out, he cant hold a job, he is living with his sister in a small house, and
has no where to turn. We sat down by him and started to explain that it
wasnt without a cause that he felt that he needed to talk to us. We shared
a scripture that explained that it will be through his Savior that the miracle
of healing will happen. After a short time, we grabbed his information
and marked a date to visit him. I asked him what time he would be in his
house. He looked at me and had tears in his eyes and responded *Any time,
whatever hour you mark, just tell me. I need this. I need this.
Just tell me the hour.* As we walked away, I remembered the story
of the woman who reached for the hem of Christs robe as he walked by, having
faith that she would be cured. In that moment, a piece of the puzzle
clicked. We really are representatives of Christ. As
incapable, flawed and imperfect as we are, we were called of God to work
miracles in the lives of the people around us. How humbling it is to wear
Christs name on our chest knowing that we are nowhere near what He was and is.
However, He chose me.
A different day, we
were walking in the street, and we felt the need to help a lady with her
shopping bags. We lifted them to her house and she invited us in.
She lives there with her 2 kids- a boy of 18 and a girl of 10. Her
husband abandoned her and she is very nervous and anxious. Her boy of 18
is rebelious and doesnt want anything to do with the family. We have
started the lessons with them and have seen the unfortunate catastrofes that
happen because of broken families. I think the families are the strongest
protection we have against the adversary, and for this he is working double
time to break them.
We visited a reference
of a member who also has a broken family. The children are grown and
left, and she lives alone. The husband was abusive, and was unfaithful to
her. (The neighbor was pregnant with his child during the same time that
the wife was.) She started crying as she told us the story. The
husband has been in the hospital for the past 5 months as he has suffered 5
strokes. She told us that as she looks at him there each day, so
helpless, she cant remember all of the terrible things that he has done against
her, and continues to pray for his recovery. I cannot even imagine being
her. Her ability to forgive is incredible. It is amazing how we continue
to find people who are examples for us.
I hope that you are
all doing well. I continue to pray for you. Wish me luck in Nova
Iguaçu!!
Abraco forte,
Elder Stinnett
Here
are some pics. We have got the baptism of Ana by her brother who lives in
American Fork Utah, the baptism of Brenda, and a pic of me Elder Carvalho, and
Elder Hansen.
The last one is me
with Elder Borges
