Well, folks,
it happened. I’m being transferred from
this wonderful area of Nova Granada, Osasco.
I’m super sad, but also happy.
And I’m extremely grateful that I was able to serve here the last 6 months. So this last week was super good, a great end
to this chapter of my mission. I’ll tell
you the day by day:
 |
| Six generations of missionaries! (Each missionary trained the elder on his left.) This time I have a "son" - Elder Lucas. |
Tuesday 4/9: We had our zone meeting, and afterwards Elder
Lucas and I needed to catch the bus back to our area. The only thing is… we got
on the bus going in the wrong
direction! So… 2 ½ hours later, we got
off the bus and finally arrived in our area.
Yeah, it was awful! But I got two
letters delivered: one from Mom (Happy Easter) and the other from Elder C.
Santos, a Brazilian roommate from the CTM!
: ) Thank you!
Wednesday 4/10: Wow, I am getting fat…you guys are not going
to believe it.
Thursday 4/11: Elder Lucas and I have been teaching a special
lesson on baptism that we’ve given to lots of our investigators. It teaches the need to be baptized in very
simple and plain terms. People have
responded well.
Friday 4/12: We had a really special Family Home Evening
with a little family I’ve been working with the last 6 months. I love them like they’re my own family. It was cool to show them how to have a Family
Night. I made a million muffins for the
treat afterwards, and had a ton leftover.
 |
| "Member of Gold" Certificate |
On
Saturday 4/13: We had a good last “normal”
day proselyting in Nova Granada. I don’t
want to leave this wonderful place, these people, my companion! Oh, man, Elder Lucas is so awesome. It has been my privilege to work alongside
this stalwart missionary. I learned so
much about this work as I was training him.
Elder Lucas taught me to just be a friend, and to not complain. He also showed me how to teach with true
simplicity and clarity. We had some
amazing miracles together, and I love Elder Lucas like a brother. Boa sorte para ele e companheiro dele nos
esforcos deles. [Good luck to him and his companion in their efforts.] : )
And on
Sunday 4/14: We had almost double the amount
of investigators at church than we usually do!
And it’s my 222 day on the mission!
Crazy sauce. Also a guy who was
high on drugs came into the chapel, and Elder Lucas and I gave him a few of the
chocolate muffins from Friday and helped him out. : ) It was nice.
And…on today,
Monday: I got the call that I’ll be
leaving for the Mairipora ward in the Jacana Stake, and that my companion will
be Elder Robison (Eli Robison’s cousin) from Washington. So tonight I started visiting people for the
last time, and well, 6 goodbyes later, I’m kinda a mess, but it’s all
good. I cried and it was hard, but also
so good, and it was cool bearing a last testimony. It didn’t help that all the people we visited
cried too. One of the people I baptized
said, “Você vai sempre ficar em nossos corações.” [“You will always be in our
hearts.”] The bishop also cried. It’s so
humbling to realize that I was able to do some good here, that I made a difference.
Alma 26: 12 “Yeah I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak;
therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength
I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this
land, for which we will praise his name forever.” And verse 16: “Therefore, let us glory, yea,
we will glory in the Lord; yea we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we
will praise our God forever. Behold, who
can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who
can say too much of his great power, and or his mercy, and of his
long-suffering towards the children of men?
Behold I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.” Oh man, it’s painful leaving a part of my
heart here. Mas, Nova Granada, nunca esqueça
que “Lembro-me sempre de ti em minhas orações, rogando constantemente a Deus, o Pai, em nome de seu
Santo Filho Jesus, que ele, por sual infinita bonade e graçe, te conserve constant
na fé em seu nome até o fim.” [But, Nova Granada,
never forget that “I am mindful of you always in my prayers, continually
praying unto God the Father in the name of his Holy Child, Jesus, that he,
through his infinite goodness and grace, will keep you through the endurance of faith on his name to the end.” ] - Moroni 8: 3.
Well, Love y’all. Until next week, Love Always, Elder David
Bean : )
 |
| Elder Bean and Irmao Samuel. This man is a dynamic leader and friend. |
 |
| Elder Bean and good friend Fabio. |
 |
| Tiffany will keep this Nativity always |
 |
| Elder Lucas and me after a barber destroyed our hair! |
No comments:
Post a Comment