The son of the guy who owns the computer place is watching the Disney channel really loud, it’s sort of distracting and obnoxious, but i will try to focus. This week was really good, and for those who are keeping track, we had twenty lessons. We actually found a bunch of new investigators, most of which are really great, I’m excited. Yesterday we were sitting at a bus stop and this guy walked up to us and just started talking to us about things. He said he was different and that he’s searching for something in life, but he’s not sure what. Anyway, he was way cool, and he’s around in the mornings, which is awesome (missionary work in the mornings can be a little slow.) He said something really profound and cool also. He said other people sometimes laugh at him because he’s different, and then he said
"Eles riem-se de mim porque sou diferente. Eu rio-me deles porque são iguais"
It was way cool. Basically, it means, “They laugh at me because I am different, I laugh at them because they are the same.” It was one of the coolest things I’ve ever heard anyone say in Portuguese. I also had a cool moment in church yesterday when I saw the bishops wife Beta tell her daughter to put that gum in her mouth, in Portuguese. It was one of those fun surreal experiences that is hard to explain why it was cool. (Editors Note: Our mom always told us to "Keep that gum in your mouth" when we were playing with it- which is why this is funny.)
I have toured Lisbon a couple times, but it’s hard to do much in 6 hours, so I’m hoping to just serve there eventually to actually get a feel for it. Last week we played basketball (as it turns out, I’m still bad at basketball, and it continues to be the only sport I don’t like) and this week we’re going to Sintra, which is where that sweet castle was a while ago. At least I think we’re going, it’s sort of windy and rainy outside, but we’ll probably head out there anyway.
So anyway, That’s so Raven is honestly one of the worst programs ever created (Disney channel. . .), but back to my week: Our investigators are good. It’s like this:
Sónia and Carla: They’re always really nice and we’ve had some good lessons with them. We taught the plan of salvation this week, all about who we are, where we’re going, and why we’re here, and they liked it a lot. Carla´s Son, Eduardo, who used to always hide in his room, has started listening and actually is doing best as far as understanding and reading and all that. Yesterday we taught the word of Wisdom. They didn’t think they’d be able to quit smoking and drinking, but they would like to, so I think they will. When Carla read the part where it says not to use tobacco she started laughing, because she smokes a lot. Interestingly, they can’t drink tea or Coffee, which is handy, It has something to do with high blood pressure, and they’re not using drugs, so they’re already half way there.
We’ve been having a hard time getting people into church, we haven’t really had an investigator there since I came to monte, which is sort of frustrating, but this week is looking good, Sónia and Carla and there family and this one other girl who’s their friend are all going, and there are some other people who should be there, so we’re hopeful.
Anyway, so that’s my week, we had a cool experience working with this kid Claudio, who was baptized a couple months ago, he’s 16. He’s really shy, but he agreed to come out to teach some people with us, at first he was really nervous, but after a couple of lessons he was having lots of fun and kept asking who was next. I was planning on going back to eat dinner but he suggested we try one more time to pass this lady who hadn’t been there the first time we passed by, so we went over, and she was there, and we taught a good lesson, and it was great. So anyway, that was cool.
You guys have a great week, and make sure not to watch the Disney channel. Parabens to everyone who’s in the MTC, getting their Mission call, or otherwise involved in being on a Mission. It’s good times.
Happy Pioneer Day!
Love,
Ammon
