Well the work is humming right along here....we had a baptism that we were very excited for. It was a girl named Thayris that was baptized. She is 20 (she looks like she's 12), and has a friend that just got her mission call to Argentina. This sparked her interest in the church. She had a few questions and some doubts about whether or not there could really exist one true church. After some good prayer and study, she realized that what we were telling her really was the truth!
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| All the Elders that were involved in her baptism....it took a few of us, but we finally sealed the deal! |
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| Thayris' Baptism! Would you believe that she's 20??? |
I'm gonna be frank....We worked our butts off this week. My word....my testimony of the Lord's ability to sustain his missionaries physically, mentally, and spiritually was really strengthened this week. It's been a longggggg time since I've felt that I've been able to give the work my all....this week, we got pretty darn close to the threshold....if it weren't for the divinely inspired principle of a preparation day, I think I might have passed out from exhaustion already. The Lord really does give us what wee need to do his work!
Our ward has been helping us a lot with the work....we have about 3 or 4 young men who consistently team up with us. This is such a good help to us....I have some regrets that I never really went out with the missionaries to work much as a youth. I'm already making plans about the things I will do with the missionaries in our ward when I get home!
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| P-day Ping Pong! A few members joined in with us |
The thing that I am finding is one of my biggest difficulties and challenges is motivating the other Elders to work hard and to not get homesick or depressed. It's an everlasting problem. We are really seeing a miracle take place within our mission. The mission had 100 baptisms in May. President Lanius' vision is to never let that number dip below 100 again. We have some weight on our shoulders, but it is a burden that I welcome and receive satisfaction in carrying. There really isn't anything better than giving it all in the service of the Lord!
I love the members here in Abreu e Lima. After about 3 months in area, you develop a relationship and confidence between the members that is soo important in having results in the mission field.
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| Eating cheesecake that a less active member, Patricia, with Elder Wellburn on a comp exchange. He's from King City, CA.....he's interesting.... |
My companion is about to end his fast right now, and me writing this email is the only thing between him and his next meal. I'm gonna wrap it up here. We are seeing a lot of miracles here, but there are still things that need to happen here. I fear that I will be transferred next week. Cintia (who was baptized a month ago....seriously, she is a miracle), ended up having some complications and is living with her ex-boyfriend again. She didn't have anywhere else to go when her and her grandma got into a fight and she decided to leave. She never had a chance to be confirmed and to receive the Holy Ghost. It is sooooo important to have this second half of the baptism!!! She needs it so badly! Her boyfriend doesn't want to let her go back to church....we are praying for a miracle. She has sooo much potential....it seriously concerns me to know that she is in this situation.
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| Sunset in Recife....b-e-autiful |
That leads me to something that I was thinking about this week. I realize that many of you are praying for me and my well being as a missionary. I would like to ask that those of you who are including me in their prayers instead pray for the people in our area Abreu e Lima, and especially the people of Pernambuco, our mission. I appreciate the thoughts and love from all you read these emails, but I am learning little by little what it means to truly forget about yourself and completely focus on others. There is none other happiness greater than this. I am loving my time here.....the Lord is working wonders in my life and in the lives of those around me. Don't worry about me....the Lord has me in very, very good hands. I couldn't be any happier or more satisfied that I find myself in this moment!
Until next time,
-Elder McKinley
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