WEEK #43

Eai!

I hope you all had a great week! This week was really hot and wet, it has rained every day but it has also been super hot. It usually rains really hard in the afternoon for about an hour, then it is calm and HOT. Oh, did I mention this week was hot? Well it was! haha. Its good though, I much prefer the heat over the cold!

Anyways, I have pretty much fallen in love with Brazil. Elder Vecchio and I worked our butts off this week. We taught a bunch of lessons and made contacts with tons of people, so this next week will be really busy as well. We met an amazing family that we taught twice this week. They didn't come to church, but they have prayed and felt that our message is true and that they need to be baptized! The only problem is that our area is kind of far from the center where the church is, and they have 3 little daughters, so they would need to take the bus to the church which is like7 kilometers away. so right now we just need to find a way for them to get to church, I am sure one of the members can help us with that by giving them a ride.

Sonaira didn't get baptized this week, her mom wouldn't let her, but we are making progress! she knows its true. It is heartbreaking and frustrating when you see the difference the Gospel makes in someone's life, but they cant take that next step of being baptized. But hopefully we will have a baptism soon. Its been kind of frustrating this month, we have worked really hard and taught a lot of people, but it is just hard for them to attend church because it is pretty far and church starts at 8:15 in the morning. We will keep working though :)

My Portuguese is getting better each day but as always its still pretty hard. But I've been practicing every day and my companion has really helped me. He gives me lots of opportunities to talk and to start conversations with people so I am learning a lot faster. I'm grateful to him, for pushing me to put myself outside of my comfort zone so that I can learn.

Haha its kinda funny, missionaries kind of go through phases of homesickness I guess you could say. Me and Elder Vecchio are in the same "phase" right now haha. He has one more month than me on the mission so we are about in the same spot, but we really missed our family and friends this week! I have been on my knees a lot and I am so grateful for the comfort that comes through prayer. Heavenly Father is always mindful of us and he knows us perfectly. HE is always willing to help us, but WE are the ones who need to pray and talk to him. 

I am very grateful for the members here in Ponta Porã as well! They have been very good to us, inviting us to Churrascos and giving us rides when they see us out walking in the heat or the rain. Some of them are suuuuper funny too haha. Brazil and Argentina have a big rivalry in Soccer, so lots of people crack jokes about Argentina and the States, its funny though. The people here are amazing. The thing I love about Brazil is that pretty much everyone is willing to talk to you and be your friend! We meet somebody one time and immediately I feel like they are my friend. Everyone is willing to just relax and talk and drink Tereré with us so its awesome :)

Anyways, I hope you all have a wonderful week! Thank you for all the love and support. I love you guys! Try to stay warm up there! ;)

Falou,

Elder Kyle Payne