January 20, 2009

Subject: The water leaked out and lowered about a foot, but we got them under.

Hello Everybody!

Hooray!
João Paulo, Gizele, Paulo Roberto and Schimichael were baptized. It was a really anticipated event because they´ve been coming to church every Sunday for almost 2 months. They´re really integrated. We announced the baptism the Sunday before. Throughout the week we reminded members at every opportunity. I spent the entire morning on Saturday calling members reminding them of the baptism. Thus, we were expecting a lot of people at the baptism. Unfortunately, the only members that were there were the bishopric, 2 of our recent converts, and a couple sisters. Thankfully, everyone that didn´t make it to the baptism was able to congratulate him after the confirmation.
Throughout these past couple days since the baptism, about 10 of the single mothers in the ward have had with us the following conversation:

"Elders, I met João Paulo, the man that was baptized. He seems that a great guy. Why didn´t his wife get baptized? Are you teaching her as well?"
"Actually, he´s single."
"Really?" *sudden spark of interest from the single sister* "How old is he?"
"30 years-old"
"Did his wife pass away?"
"No, he´s dovorced"
"And he kept the kids? He must be a dedicated father. Why don´t you schedule a Family Home Evening with him at my house so his kids can get to know mine?"
Too bad I wont be on the mission a year from now to see the temple sealing.

Elder G. Santos was transfered. He only stayed here one transfer. He´ll probably go home here in two weeks to finish college. He did 3 and a half years of college before the mission, so he only has one more semester. The college only gave him a two year wait, but because his call delayed, he´ll have to return to school at the beginning of February in stead of April. President put him in a trio with a companionship that´s having some problems to help them out for these 2 more weeks that he´ll be on the mission.

My new companion is Elder Karr! Yep, the same Elder Karr (the professioanl singer) that was living in the same house as me when I was in Parque das Bandeiras (Park of the Flags).
President decided to reduce the number of zones on the mission. Before, the city (São Vicente) had two zones, corresponding to the two stakes - São Vicente and Serra do Mar. Now, the two zones have combined to include both of the stakes in the city. My last area was in Serra do Mar stake and my current area is in São Vicente stake. Now they both are part of the same zone. That´s probably why President transfered Elder Karr here so we can better work with the two stakes.

Well, Goodbye for now!
--
Elder Jason Morgan Allred