I can't believe how fast time has gone. One year and one day ago I went to the gym and lifted with Daniel for the last time. It seems like I blinked and I'm here in Freguesia do Ó. This last week was really great and really busy. Monday night we went to Erick's house to teach everything to his dad. His dad is such a humble man and told me some of the stories from his child hood, like being the main baker in his city at 9 years old. Also when he was leaving to continue on in life, he slept outside on the roof of a building curled up in a ball. He loves talking about his life, and I love listening.
Tuesday was preparation for the baptism and organizing some things for the interview. That night other Elders came to do the interview and everything went smoothly. Wednesday I woke up feeling super raunchy. I got really sick and have been sick since that day. I have a nasty cold and headache and earache so I slept a lot that day. My companion left with Erick to prepare some things for the baptism and I stayed at Kleber's house (where I called you guys) and he let me sleep in his bed.
We went to the baptism and it was wonderful. There were 72 people there! We have some new investigators that attended and it was awesome. It was a very spiritual experience for all as he was set apart before, baptized his dad, and then confirmed him after. Erick will be a wonderful missionary. Right as it was coming to an end, Erick's girlfriend's mom motioned for me to go and sing. I felt pretty sick but the Lord helped me a lot and I sang "How Great Thou Art". Thursday there was a training about this new program for the trainers on the mission. It is a 12 week program where the companionship will study for 4 hours everyday. The idea is to prepare the missionary so that after 12 weeks, he or she could train another missionary. President Cooley gave a wonderful training about D&C 50 and I really felt the Spirit strongly. It was fun to talk with my friends and make new ones.
Friday I did a division with the Elder Eyre in Mangalot and did a baptismal interview. Elder Eyre is from Utah and loves lifting weights so it was fun to talk in the streets about our similar interests. Fernanda, who was baptized Sunday, was so very prepared to be baptized. I was very touched by her faith.
Saturday was a fairly normal day and good. We taught this reference from members in their home and she will be baptized on the 11th of June. She attended this class at the stake center and won a scholarship to do a course about computers. She is very excited about all of these changes in her life right now.
Sunday morning was great. I learned a lot from my companion. It was freezing cold but he called and we planned to walk to this recent converts house to walk with them to church. I really didn't want to walk there because it is really far but we went. We were quiet walking there, but my companion walked with energy in his step. We got there, and the little girl said they weren't going to go. I got a little upset, but I remembered a few months ago going there one day and they said they would go but changed their mind when we got there. I took a more "guilt them/be upset" route that accomplished nothing. Yesterday, I saw all of them asleep, I rubbed Samir's hair and quietly woke him up. I asked if he would go to church and he said yes. I did the same with his brother and his cousin. They all went. This alone was a miracle. Then my companion went to invite these other people that are their neighbors and never come. My companion walked right up and invited them, as I kind of stood back not expecting them to come. Well they came! And they were very excited. I was so grateful for his diligence. Then a member came with a car! We hadn't coordinated with him but it all worked out great.
Over all it was a wonderful week. I am happy. I am loving Brazil, particularly here in Freguesia do Ó. I love you all. Thank you for everything this past year. See you in one year.
Love, Elder Calvert
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