In June, the missionaries of the Curitiba Mission baptized AND CONFIRMED more than 345 people! In comparison, Curitiba South Mission baptized 45 people last month--same city--with more missionaries! As Sister Monteiro said, Brazil baptized more than any country in the world in June, 2015. Curitiba missionaries not only baptized AND CONFIRMED more people than any other mission in Brazil, but baptized and CONFIRMED more than any other mission in the world! By the numbers, that makes the Brazil Curitiba Mission the BEST MISSION IN THE WORLD!!
So the missionaries were rewarded by a Super P-Day on July 30, which lasted from 8:00 a.m. to about 5:00 p.m. Some of the activities included: outdoor flag football, basketball, soccer, badminton, dodge ball; indoor foosball, table tennis, table hockey, chess, checkers, dominoes, pickup sticks; instruction in yoga and Maori Hakkah war dance for the elders; and two hours fitness training, skin care and make-up instruction for the sisters; and the afternoon movie "Up." Lunch was provided: A Pizza catering company brought everything they needed and made pizza (including chocolate/strawberry pizza) for about 175 people, as we watched. They served individual pieces to us on posterboard wedges. Lots and lots and lots of pizza went down. It was a great day for all!
COMMENT: Many people are critical of the missionaries baptizing so many, with low retention. But as we have experienced this and wondered how to feel, we have come to realize that the topic goes a lot deeper, into obedience, spiritual readiness and responsibility of the wards and the members. Here in Brazil, caring about others as a mind-set isn't happening well yet. The missionaries' job is to find and teach and baptize. They are doing that in a marvelous way. Other than the 5-6 post-baptismal lessons, and making attempts to connect new members with other ward members, they cannot be responsible for retention. The stakes, wards and members have the responsibility to welcome, friendship and retain the new members. Leaders are beginning to recognize that they are faltering in these responsibilities. It is a topic of great concern to the Church in South America.