Os Guerreiros

It was a pretty good week with regards to just about everything. We were able to hit the majority of our goals we set and managed to hit the 25 contacts for the week. One unfortunate thing was that Anderson's highly anticipated baptism didn't end up happening due to several factors. Fortunately in about 4 days, the party season here in Manaus is going to end and maybe it will make it a little bit easier for him to focus on what matters most. Nonetheless, his new date is marked for some time in November once he can prove himself ready. On the other hand, we were able to expand the ward by two more new members. They were both daughters of members and just turned 8 years old. Why did we teach them you might ask? Well...if we didn't, nobody would. So in addition to our normal missionary work, we had to pick up the slack of the ward. On Sunday, we had the baptism of Ana Vitória Cooper de Oliveira and she was confirmed immediately after by the Bishop. Then last night, Wednesday, was the baptism (and birthday) of Ana Dos Santos Leite Glória. It was a very nice service. Boby left a really good message and we sang a special hymn, "Careço de Jesus," for those in attendance. It is great to see what was once an inactive family come back 110% to get on the right path and bring others along with them.

One thing that is really cool is Maria Gessy, who was baptized a few months ago, is making a lot of visits to non-member women, which is helping expand the missionary work. Another milestone that occurred this week was Erika and Wellington marked a date for their wedding (the third week in January) and have finished paying off their debts, which were impeding them from saving up a wedding fund. Wellington was one of those people who was prepared to hear us. As a matter of fact, we were doing contacts and he walked up to us and asked how he could learn more about the Church. The funny thing was that 2 minutes before we had just hit our mission goal for the week, so it was like a little blessing for doing what we're supposed to.

The Festa do Boi is building up until tomorrow night, which is the anniversary of Manaus... 340 ANOS! That's a long time. Sometimes when I walk in the streets, I wonder...what would Manaus have been like 340 years ago? Rubber trees...Indians...massive jungle warfare...man-fish? Needless to say, it must have been a lot different.

We had 11 investigators at church, which is always a good sign. Several of them are brand-new and we will continue teaching them this week. Tomorrow Elder Reis will complete his first year on the mission, so we'll have a party or something to commemorate. That's it for the week.

Até mais,
Elder Mackay