Itapetininga

So yes, the name of the city I'm currently in is a little difficult to

say, (We asked him to say it about 8 times when we talked to him on Christmas and are still not positive how to pronounce it!) but you get used to it! I've had another awesome week as a

missionary here, and I just want to share a little about my area with

all of you!

Itapetininga is an interior city. It's almost in another state,

Paraná, and about three hours from the center of São Paulo. it's by no

means a little town. It's rather large. This isn't subdivisions spread

out from the main city like my last area. This is a city! My

definition of city has changed a little since coming here. City here

is all one story. They don't have many tall buildings. Lots of times,

you have a shop and live above it. We live above some guys sound

system shop (luckily he closes early every day, so we don't hear

anything!). You have some big shops, department stores, and smaller

personal shops. Getting out of this central part is just one story

houses, one packed in after the other. In the typical Brazilian style,

you don't have front or side lawn. You have a driveway of three feet,

which connects to your neighbor's driveway. Your side wall is usually

the same wall that your neighbor has. Everything is packed in tight,

and for this there are TONS of people. This is a city of about

100,000. It takes about two hours to walk from one side to the other,

and is roughly circular. The closer you live to the center, or

downtown, the more money you have. Lots of people closer to the center

have cars and slightly larger families. The roads are nicer, but are

usually still cobblestone that may or may not be covered by

disintegrating asphalt. It's also flat here! Which means my legs

aren't dead at the end of the day.

The people here are definitely different. It's harder to find people

who really want this. Lots of people just believe that any old

religion will get you to heaven. They like to go to church without

having responsibility and are often afraid of change. The people

progress a lot slower and have a harder time coming to church and

deciding to be baptized. We can teach lots of lessons in a day, but

usually they just want to have a prayer with us, not learn about the

stuff we have to teach. The people here are a lot less educated as

well. They don't understand everything and the weight and

significance. They are truly a good people though, and I have lots of

love for them. We've found some people now who are better and more

willing to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it, which is good.

They just come slowly! 

We've been working with one man, Alberto, since

my first day in this area, and he finally came to church this Sunday,

and guess what! He liked it! Who'd a thunk, eh? We're hoping he

decides to get baptized this Saturday, and working with him lots. The

best investigator we have though, is Vera. The missionaries here have

been working with here and her "husband" João (John) for months.

They're not married, but have been living together for over thirty

years and have a nice family. They're Catholic, about 60, and very

reluctant to try new things. João has had a harder time, and likes to

leave to go walking when we have appointments. He doesn't want to go

to church or try out these things. He's open though to the idea of

Vera doing whatever. Finally two weeks ago, the Spirit managed to

touch the heart of Vera enough that she decided she would for sure

come to church on Sunday. She came last week, and had an AMAZING time!

We visited her this last week, and she said we were going to get tired

from seeing her face at church from now on. She loves that in the

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, you don't just listen,

but learn. The people work with you and help you learn about God and

Jesus Christ. She said she learned more in that one Sunday than in all

her years of being Catholic. Her attitude has changed as well. She

starts talking about baptism being the key to happiness without

prompting. She has a desire to serve the Lord and follow his

commandments. We see her heart changing before our eyes! It's SO

amazing to watch someone change and want to follow these things.

Definitely my favorite part of a mission is seeing this change. We

hope she decides to get baptized soon, but she needs to get married

first. We're working with her lots, and she loves all the good this

church does. That she can help people in the community and around the

world. She truly has this desire to follow the cammandments, and even

prays promising that she will from now on.

This church truly has the power to change hearts and return people to

their Father in Heaven. I know this church was established by them to

help everyone. And we can! It's our job to share the good news with

everyone. I love Christ so much, and am incredibly grateful for His

church on the Earth. I pray that everyone will be able to know this

one day, and be able to return to live with our Heavenly Father. I

hope that everyone has a good week and remembers to always stay strong

and help others. Sending lots of love to everyone!

Elder Ashford