Dear Family,
This is the story of Felipe, Bruna and Vanessa. The newest members of the Church.
So, the elders who were here before us made a list of all the people who had already been to church at least once. Well, when we got there those are the people that we started with. So, we came across the teaching record of their mom Fátima and it has her childrens names on there. And the other elders had visited them once before they left saying that there would be new missionaries coming. And they live right across the street from us. And they are Brazilian and they have lived in Vile Real for about 6 or 7 years.
So, we showed up to their house on the 21 of July and we taught Bruna (16) and Vanessa (12) the General Lesson, basically what we believe, and we gave them the pre-baptismal invite, which they accepted. And then we came back another day and taught them the Restoration with two member girls named Ana and Nicole, and gave them the date for the 6 of August, and they accepted it. And they had become best friends with Ana and Nicole and they hang out almost everyday now haha. And Ana and Nicole had invited them to some ward activities. In the meantime we had been trying to get Felipe to come but he was always busy. So, on our third lesson, when we gave the girls their baptismal calenders (a way for them to see and get excited for their bapisms), Felipe was there and we gave him the same date too. And then we taught them the Plan of Salvation and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
So, we told them since Bruna and Vanessa were under the age of 18 they had to get the permission of their mom before they got baptized (we don´t know who or where the father is and the mom has never been married). So, they did and we had another lesson with them alone and we watched the Restoration because Felipe wasn´t there to hear it when we taught it first. And we found out that their mom had said no because she thought they were too young to make this decison and that they really didn´t want it. And they were all a little wishy washy about it too. So, we prayed, each of us, right there to receive an answer. And all of them did, and Elder Lefevre described what they Spriti felt like and Brun started laughing because it was exactly what she was feeling and each of them acknowledged they had received an answer. And we promised that we would try to talk to their mom.
And Saturday the stake had a picnic in Vila Real and all three of them came and had a fun time and got to know a lot of members. But Vanessa had been expressing doubts about baptism and it seems like members in Portugal can only talk to investigators about baptism.
Then, Sunday came around and they came to church and everything, seemed to like it and all. So, then we have a lesson with them after that. And as soon as we sit down all three of them say that they don´t wanna say the prayer or anything. And so one of us said it and then we started talking about baptism and Felipe said he was re-thinking it and the Bruna and Vanessa straight up refused to do it. But Felipe then said he would still work with us, so we basically dropped Bruna and Vanessa. (SideNote: We had up to this time spent a lot of time with this family and eaten with them and done tons of stuff trying to build a relationship with them. And it worked, we had pretty much become family and everything.) And whe we left their house it felt like we had been kicked out of my best friends house.
So, we got home and we were really discouraged and everything and we were just ready to leave and go knocking when we got a call from Ana (the member) telling us to come downstairs and they wanted to talk to us. So, we went down and they gave us cookies and said that Bruna and Vanessa had said they didn´t wanna be baptized because they were afraid of their mom. And that they still wanted to be baptized, and that we just needed to talk with their mom.
And Monday or Tuesday we had another appoinment with them and Felipe pretty much asked to move his date until September when he would come back from holidays. Well, by this time we were a little tired of arguing with them. So, Elder Lefevre was like ok we reprayed about this date but we will have you pray and chose what day you want. So, Felipe prayed and the whole time I could feel in my heart that this wasn´t the right thing to do. So, I opened up the Book of Mormon and read about Alma and him baptizing people in the Waters of Mormon and that how the people braved all kinds of danger to hear the word and be baptized. And then I layed in on them with the Spirit. I told them that each time we come over their desire to learn and particpate falls. That their desire to be baptized is falling and that they are destroying their oppourtunity to live together as a family. And that I came to Vila Real with the purpose of helping them personally. That is probably the most guided I have ever been by the Spirit. And then Elder Lefevre basically said that they oly reason that they are turning this down is because of fear and that we loved them a lot and that we pray and think about them a lot. And how by them delaying their baptism that their are only delaying the blessings and the guidance of the Holy Ghost. And then we re-invited Felipe to be baptized and he said yes and then Bruna and Vanessa said that we just had to get permission from their mom for baptism.
I think it was on Wed or Thurs that we went over to their house and Ana walks out and says that their mom in home and that we should go get her dad so he can help us get permission for baptism. (Her and Nicole´s dad is the branch president, and he is probably the best branch president in all of Portugal). So, we did that. And we came back and started talking to her. And she works at a butchers and it just so happens that Pres. Castro owned a butcher shop in another city. And then using his Brazilian smooth talking, Pres. basically just said that permission for baptism is just a side thing, but that we really just want her there so she can particaipate in her childrens decision to be baptized. Well, I don´t know how but that Brazilian smooth talk worked and she just said ok when and where will the baptisms be. So, we set up a time and then we got her to sign the papers for Bruna and Vanessa. And during the lesson all of her kids were so nervous because they wanted her to say yes so bad haha.
So, we finished up all the lessons and everything and prepared them for the interview. And we got permission from our mission president for our branch president to do the baptismal interviews. So, Saturday, the day for the baptisms came. We had the interviews in the morning and they all passed. We had the font all ready and clothes and everything. And I was going to baptize Bruna and Elder Lefevere was going to baptize Vanessa and Pres. Castro was going to baptize Felipe. So, we took pictures and all that jazz. Then, we started the program and then the baptisms came. Felipe went first and then me and Bruna. She was so nervous that she like ran into the font haha and then when I was about to start she almost squeezed my arm off haha. And then I baptized her and then Elder Lefevre and Vanessa. After that Elder Lefevre and I sang during the program "Careço de Jesus" which is the Portuguse version of "I Need Thee Every Hour".
Then, on Sunday we got them all to church and they were all confirmed and given the gift of the Holy Ghost. And the Spirit was so strong. And now they are the newest members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Dy Saints here in Vila Real.
And basically that is the whole story. Found and baptized within 2.5 weeks. And Vila Real hasn´t batized in almost a year and probably hasn´t had three people be baptized at once in a long long time. And don´t let anyone ever use the excuse the Europe is a hard mission. Because it is not. It is all about the mindset that you have and how intune you are with the Spirit. One of the assistants to the president had baptized over 100 people on his mission. They baptize every single week. Our mission is on track to break 1000 baptisms this year, which would be 3x more than any other European mission.
But I really bonded and love this family. I would consider them family now haha. And it will suck when I have to leave Vila Real. But now I know the true meaning of D&C 18:10-16
10Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;
11For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.
12And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance.
13And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!
14Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people.
15And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
16And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!
I love and miss you guys so much. And thanks for all the prayers and support. And SHARE THE GOSPEL!!!
Love,
Elder Spencer Jensen
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