Coimbra 3/20/17

Aloha family!

Well Happy Father's Day!!! Apparently, it was Father's Day in Portugal yesterday, so shout out to my Dad and all other dads!

We did divisions with the APs this week, and I had the opportunity to work with Elder Gabbitas again, for the first time in almost a year. Was good to be able to work with and learn from him.

A picture of a bridge over the Rio Mondego.

We also did another division with the elders from Aveiro A. I went with Elder McClure, who's actually a red head, and we went and explored some other parts of our area on the other side of the river. We worked really hard and it was pretty scenic. (I'm sorry I have pics of this stuff, but I filled up my storage card, and the one I'm using now would have to be reformatted to be able to send pics, so no can do. I gotta find another way. Sorry guys!)

Interesting bridge used by
bikes and pedestrians to
get to "the other side of the river,"
Rio Mondego (Mondego River)

We almost brought Felipe of Brazil to church, but there was a miscommunication and he didn't make it. However, this other guy, Carlos, who we had contacted on the street a few times, showed up randomly! Milagre! (Miracle!) He says he's looking for a way to have a fresh start, and so were gonna try and help him do exactly that, if he lets us.

I know that God loves us, and that He sees us for who we truly are. I know that He is the one who guides this great work.

I love you family! Thank you for all the emails, love, and encouragement. Keep up the great work! Vos amo! Tenham uma boa semana! (I love you! Have a good week!)

com amor,

Élder Kim

The view of Coimbra from over the river, in the Spring. Note the fruit and flowers on the trees
at the bottom of the picture.

Coimbra 3/13/17

Aloha Family!

Doing service is Great!! Elder Kim, triumphant, with his stump!

We did service this week! It's a miracle!!! People here hardly ever accept service, be it members or otherwise, but this week we helped this one member on their farm and it was good! We basically just weeded and prepped the ground for them and even planted some. I also pulled out that stump, so yeah, still got it, I guess! Haha. Been a while since we could do some physical labor, so i twas nice to be able to get some dirt on the old jeans, haha.

We did division this week with the other elders in our district. I went with Elder Hirschi to their area and we had a good day of finding people. It was cool to work with him since I had done a division with him 2 transfers ago, and he has grown. Sadly, I took no pic with him, but I'll try take one with him this week to send to you guys next week.

Brother and Sister Lemos. He is 94 and less active. 
She LOVES the Gospel and creates homemade art, 
pictured in back of them, of uplifting messages she reads
in church magazines or the scriptures.

The less active that we got to church last week, Irmã Donzília, came again this week!!!! When we passed by her house the other day, when she saw us, her whole face just lit up; it was like a whole new person! We're soo happy for her.

We found this cool family this week, and we're looking forward to working with them. I don't know if I told you guys, but 2 weeks ago I made fried fish and it turned out really, good. Also, got a card from Aunty Tia, THANK U!!! Sorry I've been so lame in responding! I'll will try do better! Oh, yeah, like 3 weeks ago I finished the Book of Mormon in Hawaiian again!!! Still true!

I've been reading this super thick book about the history of the church, and there was this quote from President David O. McKay that basically says that our main objective in life is the development of Christ-like character. We need to become more like him. He is the way, the truth, and the life, the perfect example. I know that He is our Savior and Redeemer, and that as we draw closer to him through repentance, we become more like Him.

Love you family! Nice to see all the smiling faces, and hear about all the fun activities. HAPPY BDAY SAM!!! Love you guys!

com amor,

Élder Kim

View of Coimbra

Coimbra 3/06/2017

Aloha Família!

This week was pretty long.

Transfers went down pretty smooth. Nobody got lost this time, thankfully. Elder Meza is officially in Coimbra, his last area before going home, which has been dope!  I really love and respect him. He was an answer to my prayers. I remember in the MTC, praying about having a good trainer every night. I fasted for it a couple times. God totally took care. I am eternally grateful. Also, Elder Nunes is training again, so I have another grandson! yay!

I'm so happy I got a walking mission. A bike mission woulda been cool too, but a walking mission has been cool. Exercise, and a better connection with the people, cuz like everyone walks so we just talk to everyone.
 Some of the hills here in Coimbra.

We had an activity about auto sufficiency, and it was supposed to be HUGE. The other elders in our district had planned it out and stuff (but didn't put it into action good), and had gotten this auditorium at the university rented, and we (all the missionaries in the city of Coimbra) had like given out 2,600 invites, but.....like nothin'....there was hardly anybody there. I felt terrible! Plus, everyone thought I was in charge, but really, I didn't know anything, and the guy who did, got transferred! Was super sad....so yeah, planning, communication, and effective work is very important to put on a successful activity! haha.

Mario, who went to church last week, wants to be baptized! We were originally trying to help him be baptized this Saturday, the 11th, but he's not feeling ready, and he wasn't able to make it to church, so we're gonna keep working with him to help feel ready, and be baptized this month. (#orando) We have some other people were teaching that have potential, but aren't going to church. We also taught a lot of students this week, being in a college town. It is nice to teach. Being busy is nice. :)

The weather has been less cool, haha. It's basically been raining off and on, cold then humid hot, the whole week, rainy like Hilo, ua loku, but the rain is colder. There always seems to be a mist, or like a super light rain going. The ground is always wet. So, you put on your jacket cuz it's raining and it's cold, then as you keep working, you warm up, the rain kinda stops, and you debate whether to take off the jacket. Finally, you decide to take it off, cuz now you're more wet from your sweat than the rain, and of course, as you take it off, it starts to rain again. So yeah, it's been good haha. I'm actually liking the rainy weather. It's definitely spring. The trees are all blossoming and stuff, so it's been really pretty. Really, the weather has been nice. I should live it up while I can, cuz summer will be hot!

Portugues people don't really like the rain, so yeah... They work really hard to avoid it, and/or just don't work hard meaning, life goes on pause, and they stay home, cuz they no like get wet. It's pretty funny, but either way, we talk to them haha. Tem que ser neh?

That's about it família! Thank you for all your love, support, and emails! Sister, thank you soo much for being Pomaikai's friend! Funny to see the photo of the Awai clan. It's been a while. Still can't get over seeing uncle Doug Jr. with hair.... kinda weird haha. Nice to see Uncle David in the chapel though!

That's about it, fam! I love you guys!!! Tenham uma boa semana! (Have a great week!)

com amor,

Élder Kim

P.S. Sadly, I don't have a picture but me and Elder Casper just wen eat one burgerzinha. It is basically a huge burger, with francesinha sauce, fries and soda for $3.50. I'm happy haha

I had the chance to see Irmão Gil, the guy who coordinated our skype call for Christmas, when me and Elder Maloy did divisions last week. He is like the manager of the Burger King in my area. I LOVE HIM!!! He's soo awesome.