Well Sister Roberts is in the middle of her first Portuguese lesson this week so I am here at the church and have checked email and sent things off to folks and down loaded the things that she needs for the Introduction to Family History that we are having for the Olhao branch this Saturday.
Thought I would do a little blog about our trip to inspect the Elders and sisters apartment in Portamao and Lagos last week. Portamao was not a problem. We found the church alright and went to a very well prepared and presented district meeting. the spirit of the 2 Elders and the 2 sisters that are there was really amazing. Their apartments were clean with the exception of a couple of small places. Yes we are assigned to inspect the apartment of 12 missionaries. To make sure they are clean and no mold has taken over in the bathroom and kitchen.
Now for the crazy part. We went to Lagos and the gps took us, up this narrow and I mean narrow street with the mirrors of the car about 6 inches to a foot from the cars on one side and the walls of the building on the other side. It kept trying to get me to turn right but ever street had the one way sign that said right was wrong. This is a hilly city right on the ocean and it has a gorgeous beach right by the main highway that is 4 lanes that goes around the city. Anyway back to the tale; finally I made a left trun and it took us back down by the beach where we had started. I pulled over and called one of the Elders and he laid a map of the city on his kitchen table and then proceeded to tell us how to get close to their apartments. We went up a street by a church that turned into a tourist street where they walked down the road and occasionally stepped out of the way for the cars to pass. In any other city in Portugal the cars would have honked and run over them. The elder kept trying to get me to turn right again but each street was a one way the wrong way. Finally after 8 such streets there was one where I could turn left and here we get the how narrow the streets are.. I literally had to start to turn, back up a little and finish the turn into the narrowest street I've had the pleasure to drive on in Portugal. No cars parked on either side with a narrow 1 foot cobble stone side walk, Either side had of course buildings right up from them and my mirrors were hanging over the side walk 6". We finally made it to a wide part where 4 streets met and there was a small parking area. I wish Sister Roberts had gotten some pictures but she was hanging on and white knuckled the whole time.
And now for a missionary experience not that that wasn't but this is more on a spiritual nature. After our service project which Sister Roberts blogged about she could hardly move the next day So I went out with the Elders to visit a 14 year old member that moved here a few weeks ago from
Faro. He lives with his aunt who is not enamored about the church and so we meet with him and his 14 year old uncle between floors of and apartment house. We had a prayer and then the Elders gave him a short lesson and had him read a couple of scriptures which he understood and explained and then I ask him why he joined the church. He said he had an older man who was a friend when he lived in Faro and because he was a member of the church and he liked how he lived He became interested and was baptized. He is a Deacon> I asked him if he wanted to come to church and he said yes and but he didn't know anybody so I told him that the Elders would come by on Sunday morning to get him and he said great. We forgot to tell him 9:00 am so when the Elders showed up he wasn't ready but said he would be next week.
The next day we went to visit and inactive sister who went inactive because when she moved here 20 years ago there wasn't a branch here and she could't afford the bus trip back to Faro. So she stared to attend the Universal church. There was a very dark feeling in the home so we ask here if we could dedicate her home for her and she said she would like that. Luckily the elders had spoken with me about her before the visit so I had looked up how to dedicate a home in Portuguese. So we dedicated the home and right at the end of the dedication there was a sweet feeling of peace that entered. We then explained to her that part of the blessing was keeping the commandments and that she needed to return to church. She said she would be at church Sunday morning. She came and told the Elders that it was the first peaceful nights sleep she had had in months. What a marvelous thing is the authority of the Priesthood of God. In case there be any doubt let me close with my testimony that The church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true church on the face of the earth and it was restored because a boy of 14 years, even Joseph Smith, went to a grove and asked a simple question. Which of all the churches of his day was true and he received an answer and the world has not been the same since. I am grateful for the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His magnificent atonement for us all.
Love to all, Elder And Sister Roberts
Ps. My first Sunday conducting was scary but it turned out ok. The district took my primary president so Pres. Querales the district president and I are praying about who the Lord wants to fill that vacancy. Have a great week. A mission is marvelous. Everyone who can should go.
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