March 15-18

3/15

Went proselyting today. Had an incredible experience with a guy named Orlando. Within the first two minutes of our stepping out of our minivan into a crowded area, Elder Clark excitedly ran up to this guy, and we started chatting him up. Mind you, my vocabulary consists of

"Oi"--Hi
"Como esta?"--How are you?
"Somos missionarios da Igreja de Jesus Cristo"--We're missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ
"Temos uma mensagem"--We have a message
"De paz e felicidade"--Of peace and happiness
"Para voce"--For you.
"Obrigado." Thank you
"Tchau." Bye.

So, we've just gotten off the bus, no preparation, nada, and we say hello to this young guy, probably 24 or so. As soon as we started talking to him, he kind of nodded and started on his way. But he immediately turned back to us. I went back to him and told him that we had a message of Christ, and if he wanted to know more about the Church. That really stretched my vocabulary to the max there. He agreed and gave us his address. He started to talk, but we couldn't get much--it sounded like "Blah, blah, blah, Bom!, blah, blah, blah, Deus, blah, God." Thankfully, Irmao Fabio was right there and engaged him in REAL conversation, you know, the kind that takes two people. He later told us what Orlando had said:

"I was just on the bus and I prayed to the Lord to show me what way to go. I prayed for help from him." That was just minutes before we introduced ourselves.

HOLY COW!! What an amazing experience! I don't know how to speak Portuguese worth a lick, but that doesn't matter to the Lord. Through us, we did what we could. The Spirit took it from there. THIS is why I came on a mission; to bring people to a knowledge of Christ. For the first time since I've been here, I feel like I may have helped someone. I mean REALLY helped them out. I'm praying he listens to the missionaries.

A Igreja e verdadeira!