Perhaps our paper chain countdowns did not keep Elder Bryan from being "trunky." His release date is the same as ours, October 26; but he was transferred last Monday, Sept. 28, with one day's notice. Of course, we will never know why. Elder Lima (Rio de Janeiro) completes our quartet. Elder Bryan is in Curitiba, serving with his companion of Elder Low, who was serving in Campo Largo when we first arrived here. To the right of our banner, I tried in vain to keep up with the changes!
We'll never know why, but Elder Núnes was transferred, after less than a month with Elder Fontes. Elder Pérez (Peru) filled his spot. He was excited to return to Campo Largo, since he served here about a year ago. The first night he as here, Elder Bryan brought him to meet us. We were having our famly night with Ronaldo and Raquel. What a surprise! Elder Péres baptized them a year ago! It was a great reunion. It looks like Elder Péres has many people here who already love him and will help the Elders even more than usual. He speaks some English and is very personable.
Bispo Elico (Bishop Elico Santos), Janete and their son Gabriel treated us to a short trip to the hills, were Otávio and Arlete live in a small chákara (forest home). There we had a wonderful almoço (lunch) prepared by Otávio (killed two chickens), Arlete and their good friend Maria. It was a wonderful relaxing day with very special people who are dedicated to living the Gospel of Christ. We found out later took us beyond the boundaries of the Curitiba Mission. Oh well - - - -
With Elder Carvalho's release, his space was filled with Elder Núnes (São Paulo). He was brand new, from the Mission Training Center ("CTM") in São Paulo. Elder Fontes was his Trainer (Dad). Elder Nunes is older than most Elders, since he served in the Brazilian military before his mission.
curitiba mission baptized and confirmed 364, earning the missionaries another supper p-day!9/10/2015 In June, the Brazil Curitiba Mission baptized and confirmed 345 people, surpassing its 4 month old goal of 340 people. They earned another Super P-Day. In August, our missionaries baptized and confirmed an unprecedented 364 people! Once again, the mission goal of 450 was smashed, and the Elders and Sisters were rewarded with another SUPER P-DAY. It included several kinds of sports, snacks all day long, a super lunch, movies, free time to visit all day, and time to grab some well-deserved shut-eye. Also, graphic designer Sister Monteiro designed a celebratory T-shirt for everyone. We ordered ours, which we will hopefully receive before we leave in October. "If they fit," we'll add a photo of us in our T-shirts on this post. We took few pictures of this Super P-Day, but watching the "kids" enjoy themselves never gets old. We left about an hour earlier than most so we could keep our 7:00 p.m. home visit appointment with Kika and her family. No, we don't usually teach the missionary lessons; nor has Elder Thomas baptized or confirmed anyone during our mission. But we're in the "APOIO," or SUPPORT role--that's our calling as Member and Leadership Support" missionaries. As well has helping the ward, we help the Elders any way we can, so that they can be successful in their calling: finding, teaching, baptizing and confirming people who have felt the Spirit, believed the Elders' message, and asked to be baptized. (See comment added at the end of our July 30 post of the previous Super P-Day.) We had been in Campo Largo for three months, and missed our dear friends in Bocaiúva do Sul, where we had served a full year, from May 27, 2014 thru June 8, 2015. We had promised to return. We were able to make only one visit, which was our way of celebrating our 46th anniversary.
Our anniversary weekend began with an invitation to a nice dinner with the Monteiro family. The timing was perfect, because we were planning to stay in Curitiba on Friday, September 4th, before our two-day trip to visit Bocaiúva do Sul, where we had served for the first year of our mission.
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