Brazil Week #47 (3) Shared Baptisms



Enrique

CIDA

 

Evandro

What's up my family! Good morning Dad informed today that I'm a now 4 hours ahead of you, which I was surprised to hear. So I feel really lazy today and I don't really want to write alot today but I will write instead of sleep haha, I'm tired. So we had an excellent week this week, we worked with several of our investigators, we have one named Leticia that we taught alot this week, she has been to church several times with her aunt who is a member, she has already received an answer that the church is true and stuff and she knows the book of Mormon is true, but I think she just lacks a little desire to get on the right path and stay on it. We taught her alot and were pretty straight forward with her, but she was just like idk just give it some time I'm not ready yet, so we busted out some Book of Mormon Scriptures, and showed that she's ready and that she has nothing to wait for and that the longer she waits the more time Satan will have to work against her. Sometimes it gets a little frustrating when people just don't get it. You explain in the most simple straightforward method possible. But people are still just like blah blah blah blah, everyone says that God is number 1 in their lives but really, He´s in the last place. Its like what Christ said to the prophet Joseph, that they draw near unto me with the words and their lips but their hearts are far from me. Lots of people like that in the world today. Its sad but that's how it is. This life is the time to prepare to meet God, if only everyone understood that principle of truth. So Wednesday I had a pretty sweet Division with Elder Linton a good friend of mine who entered the mtc the same day as me. He came here to Industrário, we didn´t have a whole tone of lessons already planned so we just went and knocked doors and made street contacts. We taught these two ladies who are here because their husbands(with whom they aren´t legally married) are in jail here. SO we taught them and they accepted to be baptized and it was cool and all one of them had a load of questions about the people that preach on t.v. She wanted to know if they were teaching the truth. I just said that normally they are and it is alot better to watch than most of the trash that is on t.v now days, she wondered about the preachers that preach to crowds of thousands and in the crowd there is always people going crazy that have "demons" and they are expelled by the other preacher dudes in the crowd. I told her that those things that they show on the tv is a load of rubbish and is almost always made and is just for show. The other week there was the founder of the universal church of God that was preaching in the north of Brazil to a huge crowd and he's like all who have demons i expel you! and then there's a bunch of people going crazy and acting like they are expelling spirits and stuff its a load of garbage honestly that people use the name of the Lord to get money and to lie and stuff, makes me mad sometimes. We went back to invite the ladies to church and they said they would go if the could but they had to visit their husbands in jail during church time. But we had a good day on splits we worked hard even though it was super, super hot. The next day I went on a division again with one of our zone leaders Elder Moraes, he's like my Brazilian Brother and I had already gone on splits with him back in Cáceres. It was interesting because he was supposed to go on splits with another Elder that is going home at the end of this transfer as well but this Elder is a flipping bum, he went to lunch with Moraes and got back and went and laid down and went to sleep, also my companion had a killer headache and was laying down as well. So me and Elder Moraes sat on the couch waiting for our companions. We waited and waited and waited, and finally Elder Moraes was like lets get out of here Elder Kennington we have people to visit, so we switched the division and I went with Moraes and My companion and the bum Elder stayed together. So we went and taught some of my investigators and then we took the bus and taught some of Elder Moraeses investigators that live super far away. It was good and we got back and they theother guys, were still at the house and had never left. My companion still had a headache but the other Elder just slept the whole stinking time. Good thing he's going home in 2 weeks. Elder Moraes was pretty mad cause he had gone on this division with him to make him work but the dude just slept, Moraes woke him up, but he didn't want to get up and work. I hope that Ill never be like that, it made me appreciate my companion who is going home the same day who still does a ton more. Taught some more people that were being prepared for baptism this Sunday that we were having some problems with the zone leaders, because they were also teaching as well. But the good thing is that they were all baptized on Sunday. We had 3 baptisms on Sunday. Elder Almeida called the President to see what he should do as far as numbers with how we should count the numbers when we report them, he just said to work it out with the Zone leaders,  it's kinda different having baptisms that are also the other guys baptisms as well. Whatever though, the baptisms were great and everyone was really excited. So this week has been super hot, I got burnt pretty good this week even with sunblock, it was supposed to rain but we didn't get anything which kinda stunk. I also learned today that Sorriso had a baptism from a contact that me and Elder Geisler made at a house during my last week there. It was one of those things where  you walk down the road and you see a house and you say to yourself we are going there, I remember we got to a road with a bunch of houses, I saw one house and I knew that we had to go there, so we went made a contact with a humble dude named Laerté he accepted to be baptized and after that I didn't know what happened, but I just found out that he was baptized yesterday. That made me super happy. So The baptisms from yesterday were, Cida, Enrique, and Evandro. 3 wonderful that everyone had been teaching, like I said we had that confusion but they are all great people and had already been very prepared by the Lord. It didn't take much work at all with them. Enrique is the young man and he plans on serving a mission in a few years when he is 18. We were able to get a house for that member from Haiti and the members were able to help him get a fridge and stove and stuff like that, they found him a job as well. So that's about it for this week, I'm pressed for time cause we are leaving already, but thanks for all the birthday wishes. I'm not sure if my cards have arrived at the mission office yet but I think somebody will go there this week that can maybe bring them back. It doesn't feel anything like I'm 20, I haven't thought about my birthday hardly at al.l To me its just another day. I feel and look the same as my last birthday accept now my skin is a little darker and I have even less hair. But to me this year has shot by. That is a good thing i guess haha. Mom wondered how I was doing with the Brazilian food. I'm still doing fine, I still haven't gotten sick here just a headache ever now and again but I don't even get diarrhea here. The Brazilians get sick more often than I do and have worse reactions to the food sometimes. But my body is pretty solid and I haven't missed a day of work yet. I've gained 2 pounds since I started the mission, I don't know where I gained the weight though, probably em minha bunda haha. funny joke haha. So I'm going to go now but I love you guys and hope you all have a week that is sweet! love you guys and am so grateful for you all. Take good care and be good.

-Elder Kennington

Brazil Week #46

Olá  peoples bom dia. Today its rainy and cloudy, which is kinda stinky. Its been like that alot during this week. Not much at all this week. I went on splits a few times and caught a fair amount of rain. Its kinda hard working in the rain here. cause no one is in the streets and it seems like everyone just goes to sleep when its cloudy and raining. But I guess rain does that, it kinda puts you in that relaxed sleep mode. But we were able to get some good lessons in this week. Tuesday Elder Cardona came here to Industário and we had splits and Elder Almeida went to the area next to ours called Pedra 90. SO it was kind of a bum day because it was raining and pretty junky weather. We went and tried to contact a referral, but the lady wasn't home so we went to member in the ward that is less active sort of and is from Bolivia, Elder Cardona is from Bolivia so we spent a while there listening them talk about Bolivia and stuff in Spanish. IT was fine though I understood what they were saying. We were getting ready to leave after this and then the sisters daughter arrived and so we started talking more again. Her daughter just turned 17 but she has a baby of about 2 months. We talked for a little bit and she related about how alot of members and turned their back on her cause she had made a mistake and got pregnant and stuff. But it was good we were able to help them and strengthen them. They went to church yesterday which was good. So we had a confusion this week with the Elders this week that has kinda put Elder Almeida in a bad mood with them. We had two investigators that are pretty solid one is a young woman of 17 and the other a young man of 16. So the girl Elder Almeida had already taught several times but she was traveling for almost 2 months and so he didn't get to teach her for a while, but he called on Tuesday and she had just arrived back at home so we sent up an appointment to go there, but the other Elders went there as well for some reason and started teaching her and marked a baptismal date with her and there was also another investigator of ours there that is the young man who we had also marked an appointment with him to teach him, but by chance he was there too and they taught him as well and marked a baptism date with him as well. We were kinda like what the, cause the other Elders are teaching our investigators that live in our area that we had already been teaching and had already marked visits with them and now all of the sudden the others are teaching them and marking baptisms with them. So it has kinda been confusing this week. Ive been chill cause as long as the people get baptized by someone I'm happy, but there's always that missionary pride of no my baptism its mine I want the credit! Stuff like that but Elder Almeida is in his last 3 weeks and would like to go home baptizing so he's a little more fired up about it than me. Its been pretty tense with him and the zone leaders but its better now after church. Its kind of a complicated situation. I'm keeping my mouth shut though, I have a super good relationship with the zone leaders and the missionaries in our mission and I'm not going to do anything to complicate that or put hard feelings between anyone. So I'm just gonna ride the waves and let Almeida take care of it haha. So also we haven't been able to teach mayara that other young women cause she has been traveling with her family this week. We are working with a family of a lady that was baptized last transfer but started living with a guy like 2 weeks after her baptism, so we are working to get them married and then get her husband baptized cause he has already gone to church several times. We had several family home evenings this week which was nice. Something interesting My first Sunday here we were at church greeting the members as they came in and we saw some really dark skinned guys walking in the streets walking they passed by and I thought man we should have waved at them to come to church. But then a few seconds later another one walked by, I guess me and the other missionary had the same prompting cause we both waved him over at the same time. He came into the church and we talked to him for a bit, he was like yo hablo espanhol, it said that like 5 times. So I talked to him a little bit in spanish and explained what was up. But that was hard cause I don't remember spanish very good, the guy was from Haiti. He watched all the classes even though he said he didn't really understand anything. The next week he came to church again which surprised me. We also found out the he was already a member of the church and him and all of his family were baptized back in Haiti. So the church is helping him find a job and a place to live because he has to leave his house tomorrow and find somewhere cheaper to live and a job as well. We got some food for him as well that a family put together, they found his records and stuff and now the church is helping. It sounds like he spent 4,000 dollars just to come to Brazil and get all his documents in order and stuff. And now he's here and doesn't even have a secure job or place to live. So I thought that it was cool that we were able to help him recognize the church and get help, he's gone to church 3 times in a row now here even though he doesn't understand very much he knows that he is in the same church the he was baptized in back in Haiti. Well a whole lot of not much this week I hope weather is better this week, Last p-day we didnt do much either we just went to a members home and ate lunch and bummed there for a while. we also had family home evening that night and had Brazilian hots dogs which is French bread with chopped up hot dogs in a tomato mixture thing Its really good and we eat a ton of it here in Brazil and is one of my favorite foods I will send you a picture of it. Today we wanted to go to the Chapada which is a major tourist attraction here in mato grasso. Its like an hour and a half from cuiabá I think, a brother was going to take us but today the weather is looking bad so maybe we will save it for another pday. I know that the assistants are taking a bus with a bunch of other missionaries today to go to the chapada but we were just going to go with the member, because it would be cheaper and faster and we would get to see more as well. Maybe next week though. Today I want to make sweet rice, ill see if there is time or not. oh yeah mom asked about my companion in the picture that's him laying down. He's pretty much as white as I am. He from the south of Brazil which has lots of immigrants from Germany and Europe, and so there is alot of white people there. So usually people ask if I'm from the south of Brazil because there is alot of white people down there. Also this week I went to pedra 90 which is the area next to ours and went on a division with Elder Linton who is from my group and is a good friend of mine. We visited a few people and taught a lady there. That couldn't understand the role of prophets and was convinced that we were all prophets spreading the word of God. I explained several times but she couldn't understand but still she was like oh yeah Ill go to church on Sunday. I forgot my bible back at the house and I regretted it cause I needed to use it several times during the lesson. I want to go to the mission office so that I can buy a smaller bible tat doesn't weigh so much, it gets tiring sometimes carrying around the bible and books of Mormon all day in the pack. We stayed the night there in pedra 90 with the missionaries, Elder Almeida was in pedra 90 as well and did a division with Elder  Cardona. They have a big house that used to have 4 missionaries, but now only has 2. So they only had 2 mattresses so we put them both together and all four of us slept on the same mattress, it was weird but worked out ok. So happy birthday to Uncle Randy last week and happy birthday to Jordan on Wednesday. And happy birthday to everyone else. I left my calendar that mom made me in sorriso that had all of the birthdays of everyone. I am trying to get it back but we will see. Also congrats to Kaden for making the basketball team again. That's really cool and I know that he will do well, to bad I didn't have the skills like him to make the basketball team haha good for him though. Also if you do decide to send a little package or something I am in need of more good socks, and stick deodorant cause here they don't have stick deodorant and the spray deodorant that they have is really expensive. But I know mail is expensive so don't worry to much. Also more green ties would be good. haha But i think that's about it this week I've tried to stretch this letter out for you guys so that you have something to read. Also I got another postcard from Grandma Dale this week that was really cool. I put it in my photo album to show people. I included a picture of us and a family on pday when they took us out to eat, this is a really neat family of Gustavo and Fabiani that are members here, at this place we bought like a 100 little meat pastries that they bake and they bring them out and we just eat it was really good. SO I guess that's about it I love you guys thanks for the letters and the advice, things are good here and we have some lofty goals this week so we are going to be working hard. Thanks again for everything and for all your prayers and thoughts. Also we had the time change 2 weeks ago so I'm not sure what time it is for you guys now. Right now its almost noon here. But love you guys so much and hope you all have a great week! Abração! 

-Elder Kennington

Information on Mailing Packages

Sister Reber, The Mission Presidents wife. Suggested using this company to get  packages to their Missionaries. Here is her letter:
Dear Families of our American Missionaries,

First off,  We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for sending such outstanding Young men and Young Women into the Missionary Field.  We Thank you for their dedication, service, testimonies, and most importantly their desire to serve a Mission.    They bring a strong influence and their leadership talents are felt throughout the mission.

We know how important it is to your Missionary to receive support from home via your weekly P-Day emails.  Your Love and Support from home is felt.   With the Holiday's approaching we know how important it is for your packages to be received.  Please follow the following Guidelines when mailing to Brazil.

1.    PLEASE MAIL YOUR PACKAGES EARLY - In Brazil packages can take anywhere from 4 weeks to 4 months. 

2.   I ALSO WANT TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF A NEW DELIVERY SERVICE THAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK INTO.  IT IS CALLED DHL.   I have tried it out myself and have receive packages in 5  days  (from UT - the Mission Home).  DHL uses Private Carriers.  Your package will not be tacked with a Tax.   Cost for using DHL is competitive to the Cost of the US Postal Service.   With the  hastle that we have experienced in receiving packages, I deem it as a very secure way to mail your Packages. http://globalmissionshipping.com/aboutus.php for information

For more information Google: GLOBAL MISSION SHIPPING.   Once again, this service is just another Option!  

3.    Use the Mission Office address for Mailing all letters and packages
Mission Office Address

(Missionaries Name)

Av. Hist. Rubens De Mendonça, 1731

Sala 10, Bairro:: Consil

Cuiabá, MT

CEP: 78050-975

Brasil,   So America

4.   When using the US Postal Service, Use the FLAT RATE boxes.  

5.   DO NOT MAIL ANY PACKAGE UPS, FED EX AND/OR PRIORITY Mail  -   Once it leaves the USA, it will only be at the mercy of the Brazil Postal Service.  The Brazil Postal Service can and will put an Income Tax on any package that they deem important and of value. 
Once again,  I want to also make you aware again of our Mission.  Geographically our boundaries cover roughly the size of Canada to Mexico and CO to CA.   We do our Best to deliver packages and will be working hard during the Holiday's to get the mail to our Missionaries.    If your Missionary is far away from the Mission Home, we only have a few windows of opportunity to get the package transported.
So please mail early!   Any questions or concerns, please let me know.    Please know of our Love we have for your Missionaries and for all their families back home.  We send our Love to you all.
With Love,
Sister Reber

Brazil Week #45

Bom Dia my marvelous family! We had a normal week here in Cuiabá. My area is super good but its different than I thought it would be before I arrived. I thought it would be all skyscrapers and stuff, but luckily its not like that. We work in an area that's about 45 or 50 minutes from the cuiabá center. SO really, my area is alot like my other areas before. Its not a super poor area but there's not really any nice houses or buildings. The church house here is by far the nicest building for miles. But I like it like that, its alot easier working in a humble area, because it means that it has humble people. The people here have a different vibe about them compared to Sorriso. Here there are alot more of the typical Brazilian looking people. With darkish skin. Sorriso has alot of white people from the south and are a closed, cold people, but not so much here. It's alot easier making contacts and talking to people here. It is hard though too, cause its a pretty small area and almost everyone knows the missionaries. There are people that are like yeah, I have already had the missionaries here like 5 times but you can come in if you want. That kinda stinks sometimes. But it's alright. There are always just random people that are like hey Elders what's up! and we talk to them and they have received alot of visits from the missionaries already but don't want to change churches. There's alot of that but the attitude of the people here is completely different. Sometimes,  I think I´ve died and gone to heaven haha. But it's good here. We had been working alot with a young women this week and named Mayara. We met her during the week last week because she is the friend of a member, we invited her to church and she went and so right after church we taught her the restoration. It was a powerful lesson and we had two members with us during the lesson. I thought she was going to pass out at the end of the lesson, because she couldn't breathe cause she was feeling the spirit so strongly. It was a neat experience. She accepted to be baptized without hesitation, but after, she had some questions, because she was already baptized in a church that her parents go to. She said that her mom told her that it's a sin to be baptized more than once, we explained about authority and showed her and example in the Bible when there were people who were baptized again, she also said that she didn't know how her parents would react with her desire to join another church. She said both her parents are very active in their church and that her mom is even an evangelizer, which means she does missionary work too and walks in the streets and makes visits and stuff. We said that we would talk to her parents during the week and explain everything. So during the week we tried to do that, we went there several times but mayaras parents weren't home or were busy and couldn't talk. We finally were able to talk to her mom for like 2 mins, but she just said to come back later when she wasn't busy. So we came back later but she had already left. Mayara said she talked to her parents, but they didn't agree with her being baptized again and told her that she is denying Christ of she were to get baptized again. We still explained that we want to talk directly with her parents to explain things. Finally on Friday we went and her dad was there, but he didn't want to talk, so we just talked with Mayara for a little while and finally her dad poked his head out the door and then went back into his house, then he came aback out again a little later and actually talked too. But the first thing he said was our daughter wont be joining your church because she already has her own church and she wont be changing. He said that she hasn't said anything about joining another church. We explained that's why we were there to talk to her parents and explain things. He didn't know what to say after that, I just told him that we will come back to talk to him another day. He just tried making excuses saying that he is never home and stuff like that. He was kinda rude and it didn't sit to well with me, but the Spirit told me to keep my mouth shut, so I didn't say anything to provoke him. We will wait for another day when we can actually sit down and talk, and if they still are hard headed, we will just bear testimony and let the Spirit burn him. I feel bad cause Mayara really wants to get baptized, but she's only 15 and so she has to have permission from the parents. Whatever though, it will work out as the Lords wants it to work out. So on Wednesday, we had district meeting and also President Reber came and interviewed all of us. It was good, he just said to keep praying for the visas because there are over 1,000 Americans waiting for visas to go to Brazil. He said that I will probably be training as soon as the visas arrive so he said be ready. So we ate more bbq this week and we had another service project in the house of a member, we picked a bunch of weeds and cleaned up his yard. Then he made us bbq again, it was really good, but my necked burned alot we had a good time though. Tomorrow I am going to go on splits with our district leader Elder Cardon, he's from La Paz, Bolivia. He works in another area, but he will come here and Elder Almeida will go to his area and work with his companion, which is Elder Linton who is from my group. SO it should be a good day tomorrow, I think we will end up doing alot of contacts and looking for new investigators, our teaching pool is a little small right now so we need to fill it with some fishes. I don't know if we have any plans for p-day today, I know that we will get fed lunch today and that there will be family home evening as well at the house of a member. I enjoyed all the letters and the pictures, looks like Jordan should have had a good time at the dance. Yesterday church was stake conference and so there was several wards there. I think the stake president said there was about 500 people that came. It was good and I got to see all the missionaries from our zone. Right now I am in the same zone as Elder Linton, Spencer, and sister Clark who are from my group and sister Clark is from my district at the mtc, the other 2 we just arrived the same day to the mtc and were from a different district but we are still good friends. Sounds like you guys had a warm week back at home. We had a warm week too, it was about 90 degrees the entire week, it was supposed to rain this week, but we didn't really get anything, except for last week it rained like crazy for about an hour! the main avenue turned into a river literally, I was expecting to see a bum rowing down the road on a wood door or something. Time is passing really quick, I'm getting closer and closer to hitting a year. Strange to think about that. Well, I'm gonna try to load some more pictures for you guys before we go, but i think that's about it for this week. I think mom will have to do alot of spell checking. There isn't spell checking on this computer cause its programmed for Portuguese and so it just says that all of my words are incorrectly spelled. plus there's a problem with the a button and so it keeps pressing "a" without me wanting to. So I hope everyone has a good week this week and that you all stay safe and happy. I love you guys all so much and thanks for everything from you guys!  Com amor

-Elder Kennington

Week #44 Cuiaba, Brazil is Great!

Fernandos Baptism Day. October 19, 2013

Yeahhhhhhhhh, Cuiabá is the best!!! So not much time today its pretty late but I´ll try to write what I can. SO yeah, got transferred to what seems like paradise haha compared to my last area. Transfers went good we got to Cuiabá at about 1 in the morning, the bus was slow again. We got there and the secretaries weren't waiting like we expected them to, it turns out they had waited till midnight and then finally went home, nobody had cell phones so we had to find a phone booth and to make a charged call to the assistants, they said to take a taxi to the secretaries house and they would reimburse us. The problem was we had so many suitcases that it would take at least 2 taxis to carry us and all of our baggage. There were 3 of us in total that took the same bus to Cuiabá, me, Elder Lima and Elder Molina, they were both going to Campo Grande but would have to wait till the next day to take their bus, so we talked to all the taxi dudes and they wanted to charge like 40 reais for two taxis. But then there was a taxi guy that also had a truck and said that it would fit all of our baggage and us without problems. He said that he would charge 30 reais which is still outrageously expensive but it was the best that we could do because there was no way we could haul all of our suitcases to the secretaries house by hand, its less then a mile away but we had a ton of suitcases that were super heavy. So we got a ride with this dude, it was pretty funny when he started up his truck to drive toward us and pick up our luggage he ran into a pole. I just laughed. Luckily we he got us to the secretaries house without any problems. Flip, every ones leaving already so next week I will fill you in on the rest. But my companion is great, he doesn't seem too trunky and he is willing to work, Fernando was baptized yesterday and I think his wife will be getting baptized probably within the next while. That made me super happy. So our street that we live on, also has the stake president, the bishop, the old bishop, the member that takes care of our lunch schedule and several other members.  I feel like I'm in Utah again. We have already had several activities. The members are really excited here we have ward missionaries that actually have the calling of going out with the missionaries on visits. I'm stoked about that. This week I think we have had dinner every night in the house of a member and also we have had bbq 3 times this week. That's alot! Im living with 3 Brazilians again. Its me Elder Almeida, ELder Moraes and Elder Moura. They are the bomb we joke alot and have a good time. they are great missionaries and are good examples of how to work. SO today we went fishing already, ahaha we went with some members to the river Cuiabá. We sat on this barge thing that is tied to the shore and fished. I bought a huge straw hat for 5 bucks that kept me from burning. We still used a ton of sun screen. I kept 5 or 6 fish I think but they were all pretty good sized. We had a blast. We are already planning on taking a trip this transfer to the chapada which is the most famous tourist attraction in mato grosso. its a huge bowl thing with a waterfall I don't know how to describe it. But the members here are more than willing to give rides. Ohh , it's only peace and happiness here. I'm super excited to be here and I'm super excited that Fernando got baptized yesterday. To bad I didn't get to see it. They sent a picture though. I worked  4 and a half months with him visiting him every week and the first Sunday that I am transferred he got baptized. Oh well I will always think of him as one of my baptisms because we got so close in the 4 and a half months I was in sorriso. This week we spent alot of time visiting members and getting to know them. So yeah have to go for real but I'm super stoked. Love you all sorry for the short letter, next week will be alot better and I will have alot more pictuers! I

love you all so much!!

-Elder Kennington

Fisher Man Kennington in his 10 Gallon, $5 Hat.

WeeK #43 Transferred from Sorriso To Cuiaba.

My family! Good morning, bad news today and good news, bad news is that the baptism that I had been praying for so much fell through again. Good news is that they will still get baptized next week, bad news is that I wont get to see it, good news is because I'm getting transferred! other good news is that I´m going to Cuiabá, bad news is that Cuiabá is one of the hottest cities in Brazil, good news is that I will finally get to work in a ward there, bad news is its another area that still doesn't baptize very much, good news is that I'm going to be senior companion with a Brazilian that only has this transfer and then he goes home. So I will be his last companion. We will both be seniors together. President Reber called us about an hour before we received the actual transfer calls and asked to talk to me. He first told me that I was going to be transferred this transfer and that I was going to Cuiabá. He said that he was trying something a little different than what he normally does. He told me that I was going to be senior companion with another senior companion. So I would be in a companionship of two seniors. My companion was going to be a Brazilian with only one more transfer and is pretty ready to go home, sounds like he's pretty trunky. President said he wanted us to both be companions, because he doesn't want this elder to just slack off his last transfer. President said that if he were to put someone is as junior companion they would have to just do what the senior companion wants. But he said with us both as senior companion I would have more say and would be able to push him to work. He also said that I need to help him stay focused and not spend all his time talking to the young woman in the ward cause I guess he is kind of a womanizer. So I guess we will see the extent of things this week but I sure don't plan on being a slack off bum this transfer with a trunky companion. President just said if I want to work and my companion isn't willing to comply then to just call president and let him know. I sure hope I don't have to do anything like that and that it wont be that bad. I think my companions names is Elder Almeida. I met him at our last zone conference in Cuiabá. I actually did a practice with him, he seemed like a jokester but a cool guy. I remember thinking during the practice with him, "man he would be interesting to have as a companion" well what do you know now he's my companion. haha So This entire week I've been telling myself I'm staying. So that I wouldn't be disappointed if I stayed. Everyone expected me to stay accept for Elder Geisler, he said from day one that I'm leaving after this transfer, We´ve joked alot this transfer about how bad Elder Geisler wants me to leave, because If I were to leave after one transfer with him it would mean that it was more likely that he only stayed 3 transfers instead of 4. Because if I were to stay 6 months here it would be likely that he stayed 6 months as well. And Elder Geisler doesn't want to stay here 6 months haha. Ever since his first week here he has hated the area. I don't blame him. Sorriso is definitely the most difficult area in the northern part of the mission. But our prayers were answered and I'm leaving and so he will probably only stay for two more transfers. Good for him. Elder Lima was also transferred, he only has one more transfer left on the mission and he is going south again to campo grande where he will die.  When someone finishes a mission they die is what we say. And the last companion is the person that "kills them." so to speak so I will be killing Elder Almeida. So Elder lima was really happy to be transferred, we will be taking the same bus to cuiaba so at least I wont have to make the 8 hour ride alone. I´m pretty stoked for a switch up of things. I was honestly dreading that I would have to stay another transfer here. I was joking with Elder Lima that we payed for our sins here in sorriso. Veeesh, but its hot here in sorriso and Cuiabá will only be even more hot. haha Good thing sunscreen is reimbursed here. So i am bummed though because fernando and his wife will still get baptized in the next upcoming Sundays when he doesn't have church. He was stoked to get baptized he had his baptismal interview and passed with flying colors. Elder Lima did the interview and was jealous afterwards. He said wow he is super elect I wish he was our baptism. So Saturday we cleaned the font all up, and we got up early to fill it up. But I called at about 8 in the morning and fernandos wife Ryani said that he got called into work last minute and couldn't get out of it. And so like that our baptism went down the toilet. I prayed so much this week and fasted and did all 

that I could. But still it didn't work out. I wont lie yesterday was one of those days that I shed a few tears of sorrow. I wanted so much to see this baptism and now I wont be able to see it. We went and visited them after lunch because they had gotten done with work. We talked for a while and fernando was sad that he had to work but said that this Sunday it should work and and they will get baptized. But I guess the Lord is teaching me something with this but I don't know quite yet what it is. Anyway I'm pretty short on time  still have to finish up a few things I have already packed 95% of my things but I still have a few more things to take care of. This week I spent so much stinking money with my personal card. This week the mission had alot of problems. Everyone ran out of credit on their cell phones, and nobody could call each other, cause the cellphone provider was doing some weird things that kinda screwed our mission over this week. We had to spend two entire days in lucas this week doing interviews for the sisters, the sister baptize a ton in lucas and so we have to go there like every week. We went Saturday to do interviews and we got there and found out the we didn't have any passages marked and so we couldn't go to lucas so wel called the secaratries of the mission but they said the travel business that they use was closed so they couldn't put any passages in our names, so I had to pay for 4 passages. both ways for me and Elder Geisler to Lucas. It was 60 reais in total so I think it cost me like 30 bucks, luckily Ill get reimbursed but still I was kinda ticked that I had to spend so much money this week using my personal card. Elder Geisler had a personal card but it quit working our something so I had to spend a bunch of money this week traveling. But I took some pictures in Lucas that Ill send. Also we ate pizza at a Rodizio pizza place, where you pay ten bucks and then you just sit and they bring a bunch of different pizzas to you and you eat as much as you want. I ate in total 18 slices of pieces. The other Elders only at about 10. I still eat like an animal during dinner. I don't ever eat a whole lot during lunch which is the main meal here, but during dinner time I have a bottomless stomach. So yesterday after lunch we were walking to an appointment and there was a random turtle just walking on the side of the road. So we stopped and took pictures. The other day the was just a random Iguana chilling in the same place by the side of the road. Funny things here in Brazil. So I don't have anymore time, but I'm am excited to start another new chapter of the mission in Cuiabá, oh also on Saturday I hit 10 months on the mission. Good grief how the time flies. The mission is good, and hot, and hard, and sad, and joyous, and many more things, But I sure do like being a missionary. So thanks for the emails from everyone. I sure appreciate them. But I will talk to you guys next week, know how much I love all of you and am always praying for you. Have a good week!

-Elder Kennington

Brazil Week #42

 Note: This was last Weeks letter. Sorry I forgot to post it.

Bom Dia Família! I love you all so very much and want to thank you all for your letters and your support. Its is such a good feeling to know that I have a wonderful family that gives me all their support and love as a missionary. We had a good week this week and seemed to pass quickly. Last p-day was good we had a zone p-day and so everyone came from Lucas and Sinop to here in sorriso. We didn't really do much but it was good to enjoy each others company. We played ping pong and ate ice cream and just chatted. We had a good time. Miqueis randomly showed up at the church and so he stayed with us during the day he had his guitar so we played guitar a little bit as well. Miquies really likes the missionaries. I just wish his parents gave him more support sometimes. Not a whole lot exciting happened during the first part of the week, we made alot of contacts and tried out a new neighborhood. We met some cool people and families that of course weren't married legally. Wednesday we taught some cool people and taught some elects who soaked everything up during the lesson. They said they were married but I had my doubts so I carefully asked a little bit more about them and of course found out they they were only living together and not legally married. Then I learned that the husband his like 23 and that his "wife" is 15 years old! I was like what!? Man there is some weird stuff going on in the world today.  It was kinda weird teaching this week because there wasn't going to have church on Sunday because of general conference. Sorriso doesn't have a satelite and the Internet is horrible so all the members had to travel to Lucas or Sinop. So I did end up having splits with the Assistants this week. They came Wednesday night at like 3 in the morning. I went with Elder Hancock who was called as an assistant this transfer so he is pretty new as an assistant. We had a really good day. I planned our day the night before. We had a sweet day all of our lessons worked out, we taught 6 lessons. It was good. We even marked a date with that couple Fernando and Ryani that me and Elder Cordeiro have worked with so much. I am praying day and night that it will work out so that they can be baptized this Sunday. Right now I just have to have faith and visit them everyday this week. I ask that you guys will pray for them as well. Friday we had to go to Lucas again to do interviews for the sisters baptisms again. This time it worked out and we were able to get both the interviews done. Even though it took all day. I ate subway again but this time I used my card from home. Cause I am out of money already. Between going to Lucas 2 times and having to pay taxi and lunch and dinner, me and Elder Geisler have no money. He has zero money. And I have 5 reais. So probably today  I will have to dip into my personal money from home. I have to buy several things from the market today. I have no food at the house, and also I am out of soap and toothpaste and toilet paper haha. So I will probably have to use my card from home today. Cause we wont receive more money until next week. So since there isn't a way to show general conference here in sorriso we got permission to travel to Sinop to watch it because they have a chapel there with satellite. So we took the bus there Saturday morning, we were going to go at 8:30 but all the seats had already been sold so we had to go at 11:30 instead. Elder Geisler already served in sinop so he knew where the church was. Sinop is about an hour from Sorriso. So we got there and watched conference in Portuguese. We wanted to watch it in English in the bishops office but nobody knew the password. IT was ok though cause this time I could actually understand the translation unlike 6 months ago haha, the second session the branch president came and entered the password so we were able to watch in English. Its just alot better when we can actually here the voices of the prophet and the apostles. Conference saturday was really good and priesthood session as weel. Even though I had a hard time staying awake, I was super tired and here the session went from 8 till 10. We stayed in one of the Elders houses there. There are 2 duplas there and they have two houses, we stayed in the house closest to the church. IT was also the only house that had mattresses. Even though it was only three, so Elder Lima got his own mattress and me and Elder Geisler and Elder Miguel put to crappy mattresses together and we slept on the two mattresses. We stuck a fan by us and just slept. We actually slept pretty good, but it was cause we were so tired. I took my smallest suitcase with me that is used for carryon. Cause I brought my pillow and towel and stuff and my backpack cant fit all of that. I regretted it though and I had to tow my suitcase around everywhere. Sunday was great though. General conference was inspiring and I received much personal revalation and I had prayers answered. I especially enjoyed the talk that President Monson gave Sunday morning. He talked about some things at the end that are included in my patriarchal blessing that before I didn't understand too much. But he cited a poem that makes it perfectly clear. That made me happy and I'm glad that the Lord answered my prayers. We had lunch at a members home in Sinop and then we went back for the last session which was great as well. We got our passage secured for 8 that night so we had to wait for 2 hours after the last session. Here the sessions started at noon went till 2, and then had intermission between 2 and 4 and then went from 4 to 6. Conference was great though. That sounds like fun that you guys got to listen to it while camping, even though the brothers were being bums and wanted to go home. They should be happy that they have time to spend with mom and dad. Those are times that I took for granted.  I would have loved to been together with the family watching general conference. I really would like to be able to go to conference with the family when I get back from my mission. I think that would be an amazing experience. I hope we can all give ear to the prophets words. He really is the Lords mouthpiece and we would be wise to listen to him and all who spoke at general conference. Something that I always took for granted is that we an actual living Prophet that speaks with Heavenly Father. Jesus Christ is the head of this church, he is the one that guides and directs it through a living prophet. I know that Thomas Monson is the Lords chosen prophet here on the earth at this time. Of that I have no doubt. One of the things I liked about Sinop is that next door to the elders house is an ice cream cone shop. I hope I don't go to sinop because I will get fat from the ice cream there. Sinop seems alot better than here in Sorriso as far as the city itself, its alot greener and has alot more trees and more people in the street. But from what I heard from the Elders there it still has its problems with the branch. One of the things I don't like about these small ramos is there is always alot of drama and people that say and do things that drive alot of people away from the church. BUt I guess that is any branch or ward. Satan tries hard to destroy members. Just do everything to avoid gossip and talking bad about other people. Pride is a terrible sin, I know that the pride of many people here has hurt the Sorriso branch alot. Never let the things of the world or our own desires to look good blind us to what is really important. So we left Sinop and got back to the bus station in sorriso at 9:45 because the bus was late and really slow, it was also raining alot. So nobody had money to pay for a taxi and also it was sunday so we just decide to walk home. Which stunk for me cause I had to drag my suitcase for about 2 miles till we got back to the house. Plus it was still raining and I had my scriptures and camera in my backpack. I just remember praying that the Lord would hold back the rain till we got back to the house. So finally we got back home and sure enough the heavens started letting out all their rain. Good things we were in the house. I was pretty  dead and just took a shower and passed out on my bed. But it was a good week. I felt close to you all during conference. We had our little room of three americans when we watched general conference. It brought back good memories of home. I remember when the session were all over I said well lets return to Brazil now haha. But it was good. We talked alot of English which was weird but nice. So this is the last week of this transfer. Wow it passed fast, I think the fastest transfer so far for me. Its been really good with Elder Geisler. I have more self confidence and more confidence in the language. So I am really wanting to get transferred, I'm pretty burnt out with this area. But seriously,  I think that I will be staying one more here. I don't want to but I have a gut feeling that I will be staying again. I am ready to move up and be the senior companion but that is unlikely for anyone because there are so few missionaries coming into this mission. We will receive one Brazilian Elder this transfer. There is still a bunch of Americans waiting on their visas. But as I always ask pray for transfers that all will go well. But I know that everything is according to the will of the Lord. I will do what he wants me to do. He is my Master and I am His servant. I will do what he asks and what he desires. This is his mission not mine. But I think that's about it for this week. I want you to know how much I love you all and am so grateful for everyone of you. I hope you all have a good week, sounds like its cooling down there and you guys are getting snow. We got a little rain here but its still hot as heck! But yes love you all have a good week. So here is picture of last weeks p-day with the zone, and also a bug that is everywhere here in sorriso, this one was flying around in our room when the assistants were here so I smacked out of the air with my flip flop. and then we took pictures of it. It looks like a frog with wings and they aren't afraid to attack. Anyways Paz e amor daqui no Brasil! Amo vocês muito! Fiquem firmes na fé!

-Elder Kennington