I hope that you are all doing well, and that you are all getting excited for Halloween! Even though Halloween isn´t that big over here, there are a lot of Halloween decorations selling at the stores, probably because of all of the tourists, haha. I feel like I say this every week, but it is so hot here, it doesn´t even feel like fall, haha.
We were able to teach Rui once this week, and we decided to teach about the Word of Wisdom. He seemed excited to try to stop smoking, and we made a goal with him that he would just smoke 10 cigarettes a day, so we will see how that goes. We decided not to invite him to church this week, because we have done that at all of our other lessons with him and he always says no. Well, as we were leaving, he brought it up and said that this next sunday he will try to come with us to Church! I know that if he goes, he will feel so welcome and loved there.
How do I know this? Because Pedro went to church this week! And all the members were so kind to him! I´m actually very excited about Pedro, because he is right on track for his baptism on November 18th!
We have met with him everyday this past week, and each time we see him, he appears to be so much happier.
We had a bit of a scare at the beginning of last week when he said he didn´t want anything to do with us and that we were all liars (long story). But the next day we spoke with him again and he truly seemed sorry and asked us and his aunt for forgiveness.
Ever since then, he has been completely changing into a new person. He is staying below his goals for how many cigarettes each day; he is reading and really understanding the Book of Mormon; he even told us that he has been talking about the things he´s learned with us, with his friends. He told us that he wants to be a happy person like us, and to be able to feel more joy in his life. He even told us that someday he might want to serve a mission too!
The best thing about being a missionary is truly being able to see people change their lives around because of the gospel. I am gaining such a strong testimony of the Atonement of Christ, for I am seeing it take effect in Pedro´s life.
Each day I am just so grateful that I get to serve a mission. Despite the many slammed doors or mocking people that I encounter (which are many), I get to serve my Savior, Jesus Christ. I get to see other people´s lives be blessed. I get to feel God´s love for me and all of His children, everyday!
I love and miss you all! happy Halloween!
Love,
Elder Barker
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