Dentistas, Manuel, Vania e Abilio, and Leading Music

Olá!

We started off this week a little differently because Elder Tavares had to have a surgery done on his teeth . It had been planned for several weeks already, and everything went well, but we had a few restrictions to our missionary work this week as a result. He wasn´t allowed to walk in the sun for long periods of time, which made it a little difficult to work in hot and sunny Castelo Branco, haha. 

But, we tried to use the time that we did  have to the best of our ability!

This week we were able to teach a few more lessons than usual, and they were with really great people! I think I wrote about Manuel already ( the man that invited us in for dinner with his family, and then went to church). 

Well, we taught him again this week, and it went super well! We had made a poster about the Restoration as a different way of introducing our message to people at their doors. We decided to use this same poster in the lesson with Manuel (because he talks, and talks, and talks, so we need a way to keep  him on tract, haha). When we took it out, he thought that we had made it for him to keep, so he said we could put it on the wall. We weren´t planning on giving it to him, but if he wanted to hang it up, then that is good too, haha. 

After this, the lesson was filled with the spirit, especially when we gave him the Book of Mormon. Throughout our time that we had with him, I was praying in my heart that we would be guided by the spirit to know what to say and how to say it. I feel like this lesson was one of the ones where Elder Tavares and I were most in unity. I´m excited to keep teaching Manuel, and I have a lot of faith in him!

Some other really great people that we are teaching are Vania and Abilio. Their names are kind of weird, but they are a really cool couple. They are  pretty young, probably in their late twenties or early thirties, and have lots of good questions. We taught them about the restoration of the church, and then gave them a Book of Mormon, and they seemed to understand everything! I have no doubt that they will start to read this Book and begin to feel the truth of our message. We have another lesson with them this Friday, and I look forward to teaching them more.

Interesting fact for the week, nobody in the branch knows how to lead the music besides  the branch presidente, and another member (who lived in the United States for a few years). So what do the members do if the branch presidente and that other member aren´t at church? They look to the American. Haha, I didn´t know how to lead the music either, but I tried my best. It didn´t help that one of the hymns was one that I had never heard before in my life, lol.

I hope you all have a great week, and a great Memorial Day!

I love and miss you all!

Love,

Elder Barker

Katie Clark <katie.eb.clark@gmail.com>	Jun 4
to Michael

Dear Elder Barker:

I'm sorry that I missed sending you an email last week. I was so tired and fell asleep. It almost happened again this week, but I got enough energy to type on my phone :-)

I had to laugh out loud when I read about how Manuel thought you made the poster for him. I don't know why it made me laugh so much. I hope he looks at it often :-) 

I hope that you are continuing to teach him and then the people with the weird names. I bet they love you coming. 

That's too bad about the dentist for your companion. That always makes me feel out of commission for about a year. 

Church was good today. Testimony meeting is always interesting in the Clement Park Ward for sure. A new girl in the ward taught in RS. She is also my VT companion and she is very nice. 

We went to mom and dads for dinner for her birthday today and then for ice cream with family. It was interesting. Uncle Reed told us all about his new daughter. Kind of strange. Haha! But she is cute. Forrrst told him how his grandpa had two kids when he was about Uncle Reed's age. He seemed happy to hear that. He asked how old they were when he died, and I think he was happy to hear they were almost 30. Haha. 

Can't think of much that has happened this week. We put a bunk bed in the boys room, though they have yet to sleep in it. Haha. Forrest painted it and it looks really nice. Jack is scared to sleep in his room until we solve the mold problem in the bathroom! Part of me wonders if I have felt so sick because of the mold. Who knows! 

Well, I hope that you have a great week. We sure love and miss you and pray for you daily. 

Love

Katie

Also, mom might have told you she's been having terrible stomach pains lately. Even if she didn't, tell her to go the doctor. I think I convinced her to, but I think if you say something it will make her even more. I think it's gall stones. But I don't know. But she needs to go. 

Sent from my iPhone

Transfers!, The Roques, and a Yelling Man

Olá! 

Yesterday we received transfers, and me and Elder Tavares will be staying in Castelo Branco at least one more transfer period (six weeks). I believe that this transfer will be a really good one, because when we received the phonecalls, I felt a big feeling of peace come over me. 

This transfer will be one of positivity, working with members, and more positivity! Something that I realized these past few weeks was that I wasn´t giving my whole heart and dedication to Castelo Branco. I was letting myself get discouraged a lot, and I didn´t have too many happy thoughts about this area and branch. But this transfer, I am going to jump in with both feet and do everything in my power to be the missionary that this area needs!

A few days ago we did divisions with the other elderes in our district (Elderes Morrisson and Romano.) I stayed with Elder Romano, and it was probably the most fun division that I have ever done on my mission so far! He´s from Guatamala and is in his third transfer. We spent the day talking to almost everyone on the street. I realized that everyone has a story, and that most people will at least shake your hand on the street.

We had some cool experiences as well, one of which included a man yelling in our faces. We were talking to an older man on the corner when one of his younger friends passed by. The friend realized that we were missionaries and right away started yelling at us to leave this poor old man alone. He was swearing and was within inches of our faces sometimes. He called us an embarrassment, and also the Church an embarrassment. 

What did we decide to do? We simply just kept smiling, even laughing a little bit. We told him that our message is about Christ´s love for us, and that we loved him. After his little yelling spree, I reached out my hand and said, in the kindest, nicest voice I could find, and said that it was a pleasure to have talked to him. 

Long story short, this angry, mean man ended up laughing with us, and we parted ways on good terms. This was the first time that anyone has really yelled at me because I was a missionary, but it was a good experience to see the change in his behaviour just because we were received him in kindness. 

This last week the missionary couple (the Roques) from Abrantes came to do a house inspection! Afterwards, they took us out to lunch to this yummy barbecue place. In this restaurant, we started with an empty plate, and the waiter or chef would come out and give us one different piece of meat at a time. At first it was a little strange, haha, but after awhile I got used to it I ended up getting so stuffed! It was fun to be able to talk to the Roques, especially because I was able to hear about how Abrantes is doing. 

I think the most exciting thing that I heard was that Manuel and Susana, and Rosa and Claudia are still active and coming to church every sunday. Manuel will receive the Priesthood this next week! I´m grateful for this unique opportunity I had to hear about so many of the people I loved in my last area! 

After lunch, one of our members here in Castelo Branco showed up and was so excited to see us, and introduced us to all of the people in the restaurant (there was just a few people, including the waiter and the chef.) After this, one of people in the restaurant(an old man) sang a folk song, lol. Our member then sang a hymn,haha. It was a different day, but it was fun!

I am excited to spend at least another six weeks here in Castelo Branco with Elder Tavares! This transfer will be different than the last one, because it all has to start with my attitude! I will give Castelo Branco everything that I have.

I don´t have very much time to write today, so I won´t be able to write all of the letters that I would like! But I love and miss all of you, and hope that this week is a great one!

Love,

Elder Barker

Random Dinner, Muslim Man, Gypsy Children

Olá!

This last week ended really well, because I was able to talk with my family yesterday! I was looking forward the whole week to be able to skype with them all, and it was so fun! I´m so grateful for the ability to talk with people from across the world without any problems, especially when those people are my parents and siblings.

This week seemed to have a theme for me: there really is good in everyone. 

A few days ago we were walking and knocking on people´s doors when we found this really nice man named Manuel. He invited us in, and then after a little while he asked us if we would like to stay for dinner. Random people never invite us to eat with them, so this was a first! We soon met his wife and son, and then we started eating. It was a good meal too! 

During dinner we shared our message of the restoration of the Church, and the Spirit was pretty strong. However, the son turned out to be pretty atheist, and started arguing with his dad. Because of this, the happy feelings that were there quickly left the room, haha. As we were leaving, we talked to the son a little bit, and he turned out to be a really nice person. Even though his beliefs are the opposite of ours, I realized that there are good people in every belief (or lack thereof) and we should always treat people with kindness. 

(Side note: the dad came to church this Sunday!)

Another day this week we were walking down the street and decided to talk to a man passing by us. As we started to speak, he said that he didn´t speak Portuguese, but spoke English. So I quickly replied and said "Oh great! I´m American!" 

It turns out that he was Muslim and born and raised in Jerusalem! He told us a little about his life and that he is a professor and likes to hear about other people´s beliefs. 

He also told us that he goes grocery shopping sometimes in Bethlehem (yes, that Bethlehem, haha). 

He asked us some questions about what we believe, and why we are here in Portugal. He was a very nice man, and it turns out that some of our beliefs about God and Jesus Christ are the same as his. He then started talking about how he wishes that everyone in the world could just believe in God and treat each other with love and respect. That if it was like that, there would be a lot less violence and pain in the world. 

This man was one of the most respectful and sincere people that I have met, and he was very faithful to his Islamic faith. Every religion has good people in it; every religion has bad people in it. Our duty is to love and respect everyone.

Here in Portugal there is a race of people called Gypsies. There are many of them in every city, and they  cause lots of trouble. The Portuguese people find it hard to like them, because they receive free housing from the government, most of the time they don´t work, their kids often don´t go to school, they send their young kids to beg for money and food., etc. 

I myself have been asked for money in the parking lots, and every night I see them digging through the trash. It is dangerous to walk through their neighborhoods (some missionaries have actually been robbed). 

But I look at the children of this people, and I feel an overwhelming sadness. The kids don´t know any better; to them, going through the trash at night is normal; standing at the front of stores in the sun, asking for money while their parents are sitting in the shade is just what they are used to. 

The other day we talked to a group of siblings (ages 4-15), and my heart ached for them. I could see a light in the eyes of the four-year-old girl. I could see that these kids were good kids, they have just been raised in a very difficult environment. 

There´s not much that we can do to teach, because we are counseled not to bring them to church (because of lots of difficulties in the past). But I´ve decided that every time we see Gypsy children, I will give them a compliment; I will tell them about their potential; I will teach them a brief eternal truth about who they really are. I just want to do good and help these people feel important and loved.

Back to the beginning--this week I learned that their is good in every belief, race, person. 

I hope you all have a wonderful week, and remember how much you all mean to me!

I love and miss you all!

Love,

Elder Barker

Move to Inbox More 2 of about 72 Print all In new window 9 Months, A Circus, and an Older Lady

Olá!

This week marked 9 months that I am on my mission! Each month goes by faster, and I can hardly believe it has already how much time has already gone by.

At the beginning of last week (for P-day), we went to the Circus!  It was the first time that I have been since I was a little kid, and it was well worth it! We went for district P-day. I´m pretty sure that we were the only group that didn´t have a kid with us, haha. It was actually really cool. They had magic, a flying man, trapeze artists, crocodiles, etc. I think the part that I liked the most was the clown. I don´t think I´ve laughed that hard in a while, lol. It was at the perfect time as well, because it ended right when our p-day was supposed to end. 

​

This week I was also interviewed by our mission president for the first time since I arrived in Setember. He has made a goal to interview all of the missionaries at least every 6-9 weeks. My interview was actually scheduled for almost a month ago, but first he got sick, and then I was on a train, and then he seemed to have given up, lol. But it finally happened this week, through skype. Nothing very special, he just wants to see how we are and how our areas are going.

Yesterday was fast and testimony meeting at church, but it was also Mothers´ Day in Portugal. So before church started, the branch president set up a small breakfast for everyone (not just the mom´s, so that meant we could eat as well!). Then in Sacrament Meeting, everyone´s testimony seemed to be more like a tribute to their mom, haha. It was definitely a different Sunday, but that´s ok :).

Our branch presidente is starting to focus more on Home Teaching, and so this week we had a meeting where the men of the branch would meet together, and then divide up to visit some of the less-actives in the branch. Only six people showed up (including us and the presidente), but we divided into two groups of three and visited a few people each. 

Because of this, two inactive members showed up to church the next day! People sometimes just need to have someone show that they care. I know that the Home Teaching program is a really great way to help the members of the church, and that everyone deserves the opportunity to feel that they are loved!

Yesterday we didn´t have any appointments scheduled, so we spent the majority of the day searching for people to teach in the scorching sun (it was so hot I felt like I couldn´t think straight, haha). Finally after a few hours, an older lady waved at us from across the street and said "Boa Tarde" (Good Afternoon). We always say hello to everyone, but if someone says hello first (especially from across the street), it´s always a good sign. 

So we crossed the street and started talking to her. She apparently had talked with missionaries in the past, and I think she simply lost contact with them. She told us her life story, and then we told her that the message that we have will be able to change her life and bring much more happiness to her and her family. She started crying and said "Oh, I hope so!" We weren´t able to teach her then, because we were running late, but we marked a time to talk with her again tomorrow. 

The Lord has people prepared to hear the gospel, we just have to keep working to find them! 

I love and miss you all! 

Com Amor,

Elder Barker

Olá

Olá Bom Dia!

It´s about 8:15 here, but I´m sure that most of you are probably still asleep (considering that it´s about 1 in the morning in Colorado, haha.

My email this week is going to have to be relatively short, because I don´t have too much time to write this week :/

This past week, we had a Zone Meeting in Coimbra. It started at 10am, which meant we had to catch a bus at 630 in order to get there. But it was worth it! The theme of the meeting was how to plan more effectively. I know, it sounds really boring, but it actually helped out a lot! Me and my companion are going to try to plan every hour of our day, and to do better with planning our lessons. 

Something that I need to do better is to study more for our investigators. Lately I have just been studying the scriptures for myself. I find interesting things, but rarely anything that I can use in lessons. In the past, my most rewarding studies have been when I have looked for scriptures to help my investigators with their problems. 

So, my goal now is to dedicate my studies to other people!

Also at Zone Meeting, I was able to meet my "Grandpa" (the missionary that trained my trainer)! It turns out that he is our Zone Leader. So it was fun to finally see the person that Elder Cardenuto was always talking about. I can tell that he´s a really good missionary, and our zone is in good hands. I´m proud to call him Grandpa, haha.

Another thing from Zone Conference--the missionaries that arrived with me from the MTC are all in this zone! Elder Ozuna, Elder Pratt, and Sister Shephard. So obviously we had to take a picture! I´ll send the picture next week, because I don´t have it with me right now. 

When we got back from Coimbra, the college students in Castelo Branco were having a big "end of the school year" celebration in the street. Which meant there were thousands of drunk people making complete fools of themselves. Seeing this, it made me feel really sad, and really grateful. 

Sad because all of these people my age were making fools out of themselves, making decisions that won´t ever bring them happiness. 

Grateful because I realized what a blessing I have to have the restored gospel in my life. To be able to know that there is more than just this life.

 I thought about how the mission is such a miracle. Thousands of young people giving up 18 to 24 months of their lives to teach strangers about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I am grateful for this Gospel, for the peace and safety that it provides. For the bigger picture that it allows us. 

I hope you all have a great week! Sorry if I can´t respond to all of you this time! 

I love and miss you all!

Com Amor,

Elder Barker

P.S My new address is:

Rua Frei Roque do Espirito Santo, Nº3, 1º Frente 

6000-233 Castelo Branco

Portugal

:)