Week 72 (Week 26 Back in Brazil!)

 

Saying goodbye to Patricia and her family.

"And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions." I just love the story of the people of Alma, who completely turned around their lives, and became disciples of Jesus Christ. Even in righteousness, they suffered for a time, being held captive by another people, the Lamanites. But the Lord heard the prayers of their hearts, and lightened the burdens upon their shoulders, until the day that they were freed. And all this was possible because of their faith and trust in Christ. I would invite you all to study Mosiah 24 in the Book of Mormon, and ponder how God has performed miracles in your own lives. 

This week, in and of itself, was a week of miracles! Earlier in the week we had our very first district council in person since I arrived in February, and then after the meeting, we participated in a baptism of a wonderful young man named Ian.  It was very sweet to support the Boa Vista ward, as all 4 companionships in our district were able to stay and celebrate with Ian! Later, after the baptism, we also were able to have another dinner with a sweet family in Jundiapeba that we helped out with a service project a few weeks ago. In fact just as we were getting ready to leave their home, they invited us to come have dinner again Sunday night, and seeing as it was the last day of the transfer, we gratefully accepted. But let's just say, we love this family very much!



Baptism pictures!


Our last photo with Suelen and her amazing family.

We also were able to see one of our friends in our own area (Vila Lavina) enter the waters of baptism this week. Frankly, we are very grateful for the love and care of the members and missionaries of this ward over the years who played crucial roles in the conversion of Eduardo. And we are especially grateful that Eduardo took the most important step in the conversion process, which is to humble yourself before God, and ask with a sincere heart if the Book of Mormon is the word of God, if the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the true church of Jesus Christ on in our day, and if baptism by the proper priesthood authority of God is truly God's will. Eduardo received his answer this week, and we are just so grateful for that much. 

Elder Costa and I also received the news that we will be leaving Bras Cubas and continuing to serve together, but in another area, in Morumbi! We are super excited to serve there, and also serve as social-media specialists. That's right, our mission President approved us to start using Facebook as a mission, and chose Elder Costa and I to head a Facebook page. It's going to be exciting to brainstorm ideas about how we can further the work through social media now! 

~Elder Kasey Lightheart

We ran into Spiderman on the train.



District Council

Final haircuts from our
friends Lucas and Mautte.



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