Portuguese Bean Soup for the Soul: Santarém 9/25/17

Aloha Família!

This week was pretty nuts, haha! We traveled a lot and had a lot of unplanned stuff come up, but it turned out well. Gotta keep going no matter what, cuz it's worth it, pa! I honestly love being a missionary, being able to bear testimony in the name of Jesus Christ to bless the lives of these people. It can be sad that they don't always accept, but one day, when they're ready, they too will know that this message is true.

The man is Jorge, woman is Maria Do Céu.

YESSAH, Fried fish!!!!!

On Monday we had a funny experience with this older couple. We knocked their door, and they told us they were eating dinner, so I was like "can we eat with u guys?" and they let us in! hahaha. Was fried fish! Even better! We taught them after and they really liked it! Was pretty cool!

L to R: Bito Pinto, Pocidónio (investigator),

Guilhermina (at the time an investigator, but was baptized

this past Saturday), Juliana (Pocidónio's wife), Élder Maloy,

me, the lady on the couch is Dorina Pinto (Bito's wife).

We had a good family night at a member's home! The member's name is Bito Pinto, and he's really cool, super strong testimony, and totally down to share the gospel. There were a few investigators there and stuff, and we shared the plan of salvation with everyone. We then explained how the plan was for everyone, and we asked them to think of people they'd want to share this plan with. It turned out really great! Was also cool cuz he had some pics of when Élder Meza was there!

We traveled to Peniche (about 45-60 miles East, off the ocean, depending on the bus route) to do a baptismal interview. The woman passed! It was a long journey, 6-7 hours travel time, requiring many bus changes, but was all worth it! What was cool was the élders had actually been thinking about waiting on her baptism. They had fasted and prayed about it, and they had mixed feelings about how to move forward. They called us asking advice. We counseled them to make a decision together, to propose their plan to God, and see what He thought. The answer was a firm yes to her being baptized! And then she was!!! God is at the helm of this work and He knows what is best. Good job to Peniche! They're great missionaries and I look up to them a lot.

In Peniche. We got there ok, got lost trying to find the chapel,
and almost missed our bus back to Santarém, but all good!! Peniche
is on the coast. It was super nice to breathe in the salt air!
Peniche is cool!

Élder Dias and I at Zone Conference. I love this guy!!

We had a zone conference in Coimbra and was really cool to be able to see everyone! We talked a lot about helping investigators keep commitments. I was reminded about a lot of stuff I can be doing better. Me and Élder Maloy are gonna work on applying better a certain chapter of PMG to help our investigators progress. It was a really good meeting, only we had to travel so far....é assim pa (that's just how it is), haha.

Had a division with the élders of Carregado (about 28 miles SW of Santarém) and was really good! Élder Halvorsen, my grandson, and Élder Alves, my great grandson, are both awesome missionaries and we had a great division. We just went out and wrecked! Grateful for their great examples. During the division me and Élder Halvorsen had an opportunity to give a blessing to Miguel and Tânia's daughter who was kinda sick. I'm so grateful for opportunities to serve those around me and to be an instrument to bless their lives.

On another note, a lady that I found in Gaia was baptized this week! Parabens Hermengarda!

Anyway, I think that's about it. Family, I love you guys! Take care and keep up the great work! Stay safe! Ficai bem! (Be well!)

com amor,

Élder Kim

In Peniche - The cobblestone is always amazing.

On the way to Peniche, we had a layover, so we went to a park and started doing contacts with people on the road.
I took the opportunity to take some pics.