There´s Aways Something‏

Hey Family,

We just finished another really tough week here in Tavira but we´re still breathing so i´ve got nothing to complain about. And sorry about the late email. Yesterday was a holiday which means all of Portugal shut down. But hopefully nobody got too worried.

This week we had some ups and downs but we seem to have made it through alright. This week we tried to baptize Abela(again), but unfortunately, it didn't work out. We had a really great plan going into the lesson we had with her but things didn't turn out the way we wanted. We had planned on going there with one of the Zone Leaders so that he could do the baptismal interview so that the only other thing she had to do to be baptized was get in the water. But when we got there and brought up the topic of baptism she started making excuses, like always. She had at first told us that she wanted to be baptized in October, but she said that that no longer worked. Her excuse was that she had gotten sick and didn't feel well enough to get baptized, but after asking a few questions it wasn't long before we found out that she didn't want to get baptized because she is still afraid of water.But luckily, i had my trusty MTC companion with me, Elder McClean, who jumped in and helped out a lot. He shared the story from the Bible where Christ atones for the sins of the world. He explained how Christ too was scared to do what he knew he had to do, but did it anyway because he knew it was the right thing. Then after he made the decision to obey, Heavenly Father sent an angel to comfort him. He then applied that story to her, by saying that she too is scared to do what she knows is right. We then tried to get her to accept to be baptized that weekend but she didn't go for it. I thought it would be easy after that but her brother(who's a member and who will do the baptism) and his wife(also a member) weren´t helping much. So we ended up settling for a baptismal interview to end the lesson. So Elder McClean and Abela went in another room to do the interview. He also took that opportunity to talk to Abela one-on-one about the baptismal date for last weekend, and after confirming with her brother to make sure he could be there to do the baptism, they agreed on the date. But unfortunately, we called the brother to make sure he could still do the baptism that weekend, he said he couldn´t. We had figured he would say that because he wasn't never really supporting of the date in the first place, and because he said that his work might complicate things. So all in all, we worked hard this week with Abela but nothing came from it. But it was interesting because in the interview Elder McClean told her that she was very prepared for baptism to which she agreed and then said that she had put her baptism off long enough and wanted to be baptized. after the the lesson and on our way home, Elder McClean told me about the interview and who she was so ready to be baptized but just wouldn't get in the water. At one point he even said, "Man! That lady is such a headache!" to which i responded, "Yep, Try dealing with that for 10 weeks!" Unfortunately, something always comes up when we mark her for baptism. But surprisingly, this time it was her brother. But this week we´re goping to go there to see if we cant mark her one last time before the transfer ends.

It was a really interesting and humbling experience working with Elder McClean again. Before i went into that lesson i was pretty confident that i knew how to be a missionary, but after seeing how Elder McClean taught, i realized i still have alot to learn. He is probably one of the best missionaries i have had the privilege of serving around and i hope that one day, i can be half the missionary he is.

And in terms of member meals this week, we got fed not once this week, but twice! We got feed randomly by the Branch President and his wife and another family this week. The Branch President called us out of now where and wanted to feed us roasted chicken on Friday, then on Sunday, one member randomly asked if we would like to eat with his family. Both meals were great, but what made them better was the fact that Missionaries don't normally get fed in this area...ever! And so far this transfer we´ve been fed 3 times so i´ll count that as a success. It may not be baptisms but i´ll take what i can get.

So now we have 6 more days left until transfers, which means that these 6 days could be my last in Tavira. Its kind of a sad thought but at the same time i think its time for a change. I really love Tavira and i love the members, even though some of them are really weird and ware scary wigs. But i´ve really noticed that this area has taught me alot about being a missionary and working in the church. This learning experience has been really humbling but i´ve found alot of joy along with all the frustrations.

Well, i better get back to work. Next week is transfers so i should know what will being happening to me before i email you guys.
Thanks for all the prayers and love. Eu amo vocês!

Com amor,

Élder Haws