It's has been awhile, but let me update you on everything that has happened! Hold onto your hat, because this is a long one....
-Last pday at the CTM! Temple, hamburgers, Cupuaco, pasokita!
-Saying goodbye to my CTM FAM/brothers was heartbreaking.
-Heading to Floripa (Florianopolis)! I found out my new area is called Imbituba. It is this beautiful city on the coast! I have two Americano companions! NOT what I expected, but good nonetheless!!
-I got to Floripa, we ate, got some materials and info then were bused off to our areas--mine was a two hour bus ride by myself! I got there, got settled into our apartment then went to bed. The next day I got to see the beauty of Imbituba as we taught lessons, clapped at doors (you don't knock, you clap), and walked, a lot! My apartment is a 5 min walk from the beach, so pretty! And pretty much every area we go to is super close to the ocean, which I love. We have a big area though and walk sometimes two hours just for a lunch appointment! Imbituba is beautiful, with lots of fields, vegetation, colorful houses, and ocean! I love it! It is literally a breath of fresh air embodied!
This week it rained a ton, and so we were pretty much wet every day all the time. Thank goodness I brought rain boots! Lifesavers! We also had a small cyclone come in which was crazy haha! We teach so many lessons and meet so many new people every day. It is awesome. My Portuguese is definitely rough, but I can feel and know that God puts words in my mouth so often! Every day I'm learning more.
Crazy things from this week:
-We found a group of wild puppies, so cute, and I tried to speak Portuguese to them and feed them a banana!
-Proselyting in the pouring rain, and teaching lessons in the pouring rain.
-Found fish in our freezer and I made an attempt to scale and cut them up before we got too grossed out by the smell.. haha!
-I have been told I look like a 15 year old multiple times, German, Scottish, trouble maker, and magrenia (tall little one). haha!
-Here is the big kahuna of crazy:
Saturday my comps said we had a final appointment at a investigator named"Christian's" house. So we get there and say a prayer with him and his family. Then my trainer says that I need to invite him to be baptized right off the bat. I do my best in Portuguese, and he says no. Then I talk to him for awhile about how we recognize answers to prayers, and shared scriptures on recognizing the Holy Ghost. All the while my comps say nothing and I am teaching in Portuguese by myself. Then he tells me he is into macumba-which is a black magic, witchcraft vooddoo that is popular in Imbituba. I talk to him about it and say that things like that aren't of God, etc. And then he says he likes to sacrifice animals! So I explain why that isn't good--all in Portuguese by myself for about thirty mins. He finally reveals that this was one giant BRINKADEIRA (JOKE) and he is actually our branch president, Bruno!! Greenie (new missionary) pranks... (Sarah said she was pretty mad for about 20 minutes, but then blew it off and laughed). My branch (church they attend) is good! It's very small, probably only 50 people at most. We only get fed meals at lunch (which is the big meal of the day) and by the end of the day we are starving! The food is so good here! I love it!
Spiritual experiences: I feel Christ's love for the people in Imbituba, and I have to share my testimony often, which I love. I know people feel it even though they can't understand me sometimes. I have had some special experiences with that this week. We are teaching over 50 people! Here are some of the ones that stand out:
Braulio: 80 year old man, who is the cutest/sweetest! I really see potential in him. He asked me how I know that the church is true and I told him about my experiences with the holy ghost. Then he asked how it is that I can understand him if I have only been here for over a month. I told him it is through Christ, through his grace, and through the holy ghost. It was a really powerful moment. It is hard to get him to church though, so we are going to try this week.
Micoln: cutest 11 year old boy ever!! His siblings and mom were baptized, but they are inactive.
Renato and Selete: Not married, older couple that have testimonies, but have problems with the word of wisdom and Selete cant read!
I know that God loves each and every one of you! That is why I am here to share Gods love, to share the truth! All the while strengthening my faith, and helping others to do the same!
This is the hardest thing I've ever done by far. BUT I would not want to do anything else!!
Love you all!! Email and send letters!!
Love,
Sister Crofts
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| Saying good by to CTM Brazilian friends! |
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| Saying goodbye to CTM best friend, Sister Walker |
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| Last Pday treat from Mom |
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| Boarding the flight to Florianopolis |
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| Beautiful Imbituba |
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| Apartment kitchen |
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| The Trio: Sisters Gruwell, Crofts, and Kener |
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