This week was a week of lots of changes!
A new companion; a new district; a new area; new members.
Tuesday was the day that we had transfers, but we also still had to have our last district meeting. I was grateful to be able to see the missionaries in my district one last time, because I really became close with these missionaries. Under the leadership of our district leader, we set realistic but challenging goals for the transfer, and worked hard to achieve them. Together we fasted each Sunday, we prayed for each of our branches ( Abrantes and Tomar), we called to give support to one another, etc. Each Tuesday District meeting was not only uplifting, but they were always fun as well. I will always be grateful for the time that I had in this district, and for the missionaries that I was able to become friends with : Elders Santos, Maloy, and Pratt, and Sisters Cabañas and Peixe.
Monday was the day that I had to say goodbye to our youth, Diamantino, Jesualdo, Rosa, and Claudia. We went to their house, I shared one last scripture with them, and then I let them know about the transfers. I was doing ok, until the end when I had to say goodbye for the last time, when the tears started coming. It was so embarrassing :). I am so grateful to have been able to teach these youth, and to see Rosa and Claudia be baptized. This family truly is a special family, and I am confident that they will stay strong in the gospel.
I will never forget the experiences and the things I learned in Abrantes. This branch really became something like a family to me, and I was so sad to have to leave. I actually think that I cried more having to leave here, than I did when I left home. I loved the branch of the church in Abrantes, and I am forever grateful to have served there for four months.
But now, I am in Castelo Branco! My new companion is Elder Tavares, from Cape Verde. He has been on his mission about three more months than me. He speaks a little bit of English, but not too much, so we speak in Portuguese all of the time (How many native companions have I had?). From what I´ve seen so far, he´s pretty nice :).
The city of Castelo Branco is a lot bigger than Abrantes, but a little smaller than Leiria. The church here is small though, with about 25 active members. The chapel is another rented space, but is bigger and has more rooms than the chapel in Abrantes. The city is about 50 KM from Spain, and we can actually see some of the mountains of Spain in the distance. I can already tell that this area is different than Abrantes, and that it has it´s own challenges. But I am willing to work and I hope to be able to give Castelo Branco my best!
I hope you all had a great Easter and were able to feel the love of Christ and His Atonement in your lives yesterday! Even though none of the members invited us over to eat for Easter, I didn´t mind. We had the opportunity to go from door to door to to wish random strangers a Happy Easter! I am grateful that I can serve a mission for my Savior, and the only thing I want to give Him is my best! I am grateful for the things that I have learned on my mission so far, and I am excited to continue to learn!
I love and miss you all, and I hope you all have a wonderful week!
Com Amor,
Elder Barker
PS. Sorry I sent this so early, my companion likes to email earlier in the morning here :).
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