I'm Still in Bauru...

Drinking coconut milk with Elder Campêlo

Aí, beleza?

In the photo above I am drinking what is called água de côco (coconut water), it’s different than milk, but still takes being a man to drink it. It is actually pretty good.

Surprise! I’m still here in Bauru. So, since April was the worst month in the history of the Londrina Mission, President Leal wants to have May be the best month, so we all had to set goals. The total for the mission, based on the goals, was 386 baptisms. That’s pretty lofty. He wants everyone to stay put and be responsible for your own goals. So basically, no one got transferred in the mission, only the ones leaving and arriving. My first companion, Elder da Silva went home. There will be another normal transfer in two weeks on the 1st of June (or something like that), then also the 1st of July because the new mission president will arrive. So it will only be 4 weeks before it is time for transfers again. Hallelujah! (Especially if I get a bad companion in June!)

So the mom of the young girl I talked about last week, is mean. She didn’t let her get baptized, but we’re praying for this week.

On Sunday, one of the young men in our ward brought a friend, who was absolutely golden. His name is Genesis. We went to visit him Sunday night, and marked a baptism for the 29th. We returned Monday, and taught about the Book of Mormon, with great success, and he was super amazing. He said that he loved every bit of church, and that he wants to get baptized. He prayed to start and to close Monday’s lesson. And the way this kid prayed (14 years old) was something that I’ve never seen before. He talked to Heavenly Father like we weren’t even there, and like He was standing right there in front of him. As a matter of fact, I’m not too sure that He wasn’t standing right there with us. It was a completely selfless prayer, and I was holding back the tears. Anyway, so we left there certain that he would get baptized. We returned Tuesday night, and clapped to get in the house, and the mom came storming out to talk to us, and to inform us that he would no longer be participating in our lesson or the church, because it is a bad church. I asked her what she knew about the church, and if she’d ever been there, and other things, of which she didn’t respond. I’ve never been so mad in my life, and I had some very un-Christ-like feelings and thoughts toward her. After my huge breakdown, I finally got it back together, and got on with life. I don’t understand why this happens. Right when we find someone golden, Satan lets all %#@ loose to keep them from progressing. Nonetheless, he didn’t win, this kid isn’t condemned. I personally think that Heavenly Father let this happen because if this kid would have gotten baptized, in another 5 years he would have served a mission and converted the world –then what would all of the other missionaries do? Back to reality. Life goes on.

And here is a picture of one of the best Brazilian creations ever! Forget those hollow Mexican churros, these are caramel filled. OOOOOOOOH SOOOO GOOOOD!!!!

A Brazilian caramel churro: Excellence!

A churro kiosk. This would be a very bad job for me...

Tchau!
ET

Transfers are Next Week!

Butterfly dance. Isn't she pretty?

óla!

This week was pretty hard. Sunday especially. Mateus and Leia didn’t go to church again! So it’s looking a little bad. Their step dad is being a toad. Now we have to look at the possibility of cutting them, and that’s a hard decision, because they already received an answer and stuff. But we can’t even teach them!

Natalia brought a friend to church, so we´re gonna teach her and her family here soon, so that should be cool. On Thursday we challenged her to bring a friend to church, and she came through! Also, we had 5 less-active members at church, so that’s good, too.

Sunday night was way awesome, as I got to talk to my mom. It’s sooo good to hear her voice after not hearing it for 5 months.

Our friend Wilson didn’t come to church on Friday with his girlfriend, so she won’t be getting baptized this week. BUT, he has a little 8 year old daughter who will be getting baptized this Saturday. She counts as a convert baptism, because he’s excommunciated. So, I don’t think we´ll go through this transfer without baptizing anyone.

On Wednesday we had a short zone conference, and I got a surprise delivered to me from Elder Villela (my previous companion). It’s what I’ve always wanted. A piranha! I named him João (John). I was sooo stoked!

Meet João! How would you like those teeth nibbling on your legs?

I was asked how I’m doing physically.... well, life has been good here. I got sick a few times in Ibipora, because it was a little more humble location. But since Bauru Centro is one of the wealthiest areas in the mission, I have yet to get sick. Blessings! Hard to teach here? Yes. Diarrhea? No. It’s worth it then.

Transfers are this coming Wednesday!! Ahhhh, what’s gonna happen???!?!?! Will I stay? Will I be sent somewhere new? Will I get a new companion? Only President Leal knows. Stay tuned. . .
Tchau,

Elder Titus

Mother's Day is Almost Here!

There's a little grove that has some awesomely weird stuff in it, like this dinosaur...

...and a train...

...and finally, a sleeping homeless man. I wonder if he saw the anthill nearby?

Yo,

Solid week this week! Getting excited to talk to the old momster. I miss that lady. But, that’s life, who doesn’t miss their mom when they're so far away and for so long?

We returned to Mateus´ house, and he had prayed and received a strong answer from Heavenly Father, and was excited about how he could feel the warmth in his heart. MAN! If only everyone could just do that. a) few people even pray; b) rarely do they want to know; 6) rarely will they recognize an answer if it comes and d) they won’t follow it even if they do recognize it. He passed all of them, and wants to get baptized on the 15th. That’s how its supposed to work!!!! BUT, his step dad didn’t let him go to church on Sunday because they were going to a barbeque. DANG! So, we’ll try for the 16th after church.

There’s also a man in our ward that is dating a lady who will most likely get baptized the 15th, and his daughter also. I really hope he can come through for us, because we’re on a serious dry streak. Speaking of dry streaks, it’s not just us, the whole mission is horrible. April was the worst month for baptisms in the history of the Londrina Mission. Only 41 baptisms!!! That’s pretty bad. Presidente Leal is not happy. In his last letter he talked about laziness and pride. He totally burned us. But, in reality, everyone is trying their best. ( I think.)

Other news, there’s a guy in our ward that traced his genealogy to Adam and Eve. He found a book about his ancestors, and once you get to the kings, then to the bible, its all down hill. So that is cool.

Transfers are quickly approaching . . . May 19th! Although I have no idea if they will transfer me, I’ve been secretly hoping to be sent to a little town called Jacarézinho, or loosely translated to mean “Little Alligator.” Not sure why, it just sounds cool . . . and I want to see if they really have little alligators out in the boonies.

Well, gotta go. Happy Mothers Day to all the moms out there, (especially mine, but I get to tell her personally!!!!!)

Tchau,
ET

Questions from the First Lesson

Blue skies over Bauru

PANCAKES! Now that's a GOOD breakfast!

This semana (week) was quality. We finally are teaching some people who are interested in what we have to say, namely a family of 3, but for this week, just one, because the others had to work. The one is their son, Mateus (Matthew in English). He’s 12 years old, and super, super, smart. I have taught (and struggled with) 12 year olds before, but he is super attentive, and knows the Bible really well for being so young. After a little effort, I got him to accept a baptismal date for the 15th of May.

How does that work, you ask? Well, during the first lesson, which is on the Restoration, at the end, you ask the following questions (at least, this is how I’ve been taught to do it, but it varies per missionary):

“Would you like to know if our message is true? Why? How can you know?” (Hopefully “prayer” is their answer.)
“Right. So, will you pray later today and ask God if our message is true?” (They say “Sure.”)
“How is God going to respond?” (Hopefully they will say “through feelings”)
“And when God tells you that it’s true, will you follow His counsel?” How?” (The primary way of following His answer is going to church, and then taking a step of faith, and being baptized.)
“Would you follow this precious answer from God and be baptized into HIS church?” (They respond, “Yes!”)
“Good, you have great faith. We would like to baptize you today, however, there exists a preparation period. But on the 15th of May (3rd Saturday of the month), we are preparing a baptismal service. So, let’s imagine for a moment that you receive your answer from God saying that this is His church, would you follow that answer by being baptized on that day?” (They say, “Certainly!”)

BAM! OK, granted, that would be a “perfect” scenario, but that’s basically how it goes.

Sweet, this past Monday I celebrated a mission birthday... 8 months, which means 1/3 of the mish “já era” (already was, or it’s gone).

A downside to the week - we went to Angelica and Bruno’s house, and they basically said that they like the visits, but they don’t wanna be baptized (GREAT! NOT!). Alright, cool. Basically, I just told them that was okay, it has been fun, and you’re always welcome in the church, but, goodbye. I will miss them.

Tchau,
ET

Zone Conference!

Laundry day in Brazil.

It's a Swingin' Life!

Hey,

This week was decent. It was pretty busy, too. We had a zone conference all day in Marilia last Thursday. We rode the bus for about an hour and a half to get there. The theme was on how to better use the Book of Mormon in our lessons. There were a couple of lectures and some practices. It was great to be around so many other missionaries, and even some from the MTC, like Elder Webb, Elder Ghormley and Elder Yuma. They’re all doing really well.

Then on Saturday, we went to help out the area of Geisel all day, because they’re having some problems there.

At zone conference I also met up with Elder Galdino (one of my past companions). Three weeks ago, his parents died. It was super tragic. His mom died of a heart attack while attending the funeral of her husband, Elder Galdino’s father. It was almost like a corny movie. Unfortunately, it was real life and that’s truly how it happened. I’ve been worrying a lot about him, and finally got to talk to him -- and to my surprise, he was all smiles. He barely mentioned what happened. He was in high spirits and super excited to see me, since I’m his favorite missionary (not a surprise, it is me of course....hehe). He will be staying on his mission, although he is a bit concerned about where he will go after his mission is over. His parents were not members of the Church. I’m really glad that as members of the Church we are comforted by the FACT that we will get to see our loved ones again after this life. And conditional upon our obedience while here in this life, we can live together forever with them as eternal families, not until death do us part.

Last p-day our zone got together and played some frisbee, ooohhhh…I felt at home again. And then to make it even better, this morning we got together again and had an American breakfast with pancakes, syrup and eggs!

The work here is going good, and as of now, the day of May 15th is looking like it's going to be a good day for baptisms. Next week will be better, and I’ll give you more info and name some names.

Tchau,
Elder Titus

Getting the Members to Trust Us...

Some members getting together for a ward activity (Bishop is wearing white shirt and tie)

My new companion, Elder Campêlo

Opa, beleza?

Everything is good here still. Living the life of the senior companion. It’s a good life, calling the shots and all.

Unfortunately Angelica and Bruno didn’t pass the interview to be baptized. Bruno is still calling the “Book of Mormon,” the “Book of the Mormons,” (O Livro de Mormon, O Livro dos Mormons). It’s annoying (by the way, that’s NOT why he didn’t pass the interview). But we’ll work with them some more, and hopefully they will get baptized sometime during this transfer. I know that with the Lords help, we can do it!

My new companion, Elder Campêlo, is a good companion, a little strange, but good. He’s from Curitiba, Brasil, a bit further down south. He’s 21 years old, but looks super young. He’s got 4 months on the mission, and still has a bit to learn.

To change things now as a senior companion, I’m focusing a lot of our time on the members. We’re going around and visiting them. We’re not going in their houses and being slackers, but just stopping by and talking on the door step, just getting to know them better, so that they learn to trust us. At the moment we don’t have a ton of people we’re teaching, but by the end of this transfer it’s gonna be good. We’re trying to participate in a lot of Family Home Evenings with the members, too.

Tomorrow is zone conference, so I get to see my buddies from Marilia (Elder Yuma and Elder Ghormley, from the MTC). Elder Ghormley is still with Elder da Silva (haha). Elder Yuma is a trainer now -- that was a surprise for all of us (himself included), but it shouldn’t be, because he’s a great missionary. Elder Gibbons is in my zone now, in Bauru.

Nothing else in our district changed last week -- just me getting a new comp.

Got a funny story for you: At our last district meeting, Elder Hair (our zone leader) was talking about a question that we can answer with the Book of Mormon (the question being: does my child that is a baby need to be baptized?) using Moroni Chapter 8. In Portuguese the question would be: “Meu filho bebê precisa ser batizado?” but he said, “Meu filho bêbe precisa ser batizado?” Although they look the same – there is one major difference, notice the accent on bebê? The accent on the first e makes it “drinks,” so basically he said: “Does my child that drinks need to be baptized?” He got laughed at. A lot.

Até logo,
Elder Titus

I'm the Senior Companion Now!

Welcome to Bauru

YES! We have a McDonalds! (Way off in the distance)

Opa (wow), today is transfer day, and yep things changed a bit. My current companion, Elder Villela is out. He’s been transferred back to the homeland of Londrina to be the secretary (in charge of finances). It’s different, the missionaries that work in the office are there until 5 pm, and only get 4 hours to do proselyting. At the moment, I’m still with Elder Villela, but at 7 PM tonight I will meet my new companion. His name is Elder Campêlo, and we will rule the world this transfer. Why? Because I’m now the SENIOR companion!!!! Uh oh, time to unleash the beast (also known as Elder Titus)! It’s gonna be a bad idea, because now I get to give the commandments, use the cell phone AND keep the house keys. Elder Campêlo has like 4 or 5 months in the field, and I don’t have a clue about him, but I’m stoked, because he’s my first companion that has an accent mark over his name! I still don’t really know what that means...but the pronunciation is pretty straight forward (Cahmp-peh-loo).

Oh man, things are getting intense with Angelica and Bruno. They don’t feel prepared to get baptized, which is not true. They´re just scared, but everything is going to be alright. We just need to pray a lot. They will get baptized this Saturday.

Things are getting a little tougher. I’m cutting a lot of our “mole” (mol-ee) investigators, and we are also switching our area of focus. At the moment, we are working two locations that are at the opposite ends of our area. It’s annoying to walk that much, but what that means is that at the moment we don’t have a ton of investigators, and less “elect” investigators. We’ve got some who have good potential, but they just need to go to church. Ariane and her two sons, are great, but they haven’t gone to church yet. Her parents were baptized by Elder Hair last month, in his area. Ariane’s husband travels a lot, but he’s returning soon, so we’re going to try to get him involved.

This last weekend was General Conference, too. Way good! I got to watch it in English with Elder Hair and Elder Madrid. There was a pretty common theme, families/parenting. Somewhat of a disappointment for me was that the number of missionaries went down. Crestwood Ward, prepare to receive a letter about this. I liked the talk about how the cows went back for their calves after the calves had wandered off the path (to nap in the shade). It was cool that only the cows could get them to come back to the corral, so true. Mothers have amazing capabilities.

A Catholic Cemetery

We have a Catholic cemetery in our area. They´re nuts! They build little chapels over their bodies. It’s weird, but kind of cool too.

I was on splits with Elder Hair (where you swap companions for a short time) in my area. And yes, there was a McDonalds. It cost 16 reais for a Big Mac meal, which is about $10 American.

Alright people, peace for now!
Elder Titus